“Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar … Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.”
Matthew 1:3, 5
Nearly every name in the genealogy of Jesus Christ can cause us to raise our eyebrows (some more than others!). Judah and Tamar are two that many Jewish people likely wanted to forget. Yet one of their sons, Perez—conceived deceitfully and incestuously—would be an ancestor of King David and, eventually, King Jesus. Judah was the duplicitous leader who tried to cover his sins. Also devious, Tamar was left forgotten. But in Jesus’ new family, both the religious hypocrite and the exploited mistress find their need for grace.
Rahab is named in the genealogy, and her story is similarly sordid. A prostitute by profession, she sold herself for the pleasure of men. But she’s the one who hid the Jewish spies that Joshua sent to scout out the land of Jericho. Because of her actions which brought victory to Israel, she was grafted into the Jewish nation. Her life is evidence that Jesus is always bringing in outsiders.
As we Christians gather this Christmas season to worship, let’s remember that apart from Jesus we are all unclean in God’s eyes.
Rahab is named in the genealogy, and her story is similarly sordid. A prostitute by profession, she sold herself for the pleasure of men. But she’s the one who hid the Jewish spies that Joshua sent to scout out the land of Jericho. Because of her actions which brought victory to Israel, she was grafted into the Jewish nation. Her life is evidence that Jesus is always bringing in outsiders.
As we Christians gather this Christmas season to worship, let’s remember that apart from Jesus we are all unclean in God’s eyes.
Scripture Focus
Psalm 51:7-9
Insight
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
Bible In A Year
- Zechariah 1-4
- Proverbs 28
- Revelation 13-14
