Friday 16 December, 2016

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa. 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). 12 After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah. 17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

5 women get a mention in this list of names that make up the ancestors of Jesus. Rahab, Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. I’m left wondering why? Why are these women mentioned over the other wives and mothers?

There’s some chequered back stories among them; prostitution, adultery. Ruth and Rahab were both foreigners. So why mention them here?

One thing that really impresses me about all 5 of these women is that the Bible records at least one event that must have taken incredible courage and strength of character.

Tamar – exposes Judah’s hypocrisy. Genesis 38
Rahab – assists the Israelite spies. Joshua 2
Ruth – stays with Naomi instead of going back home. Ruth 1:16
Bathsheba – stays with David despite what he’s done and raises Solomon – the wisest man who ever lived. 2 Samuel 12
Mary – accepts the Angel’s message and becomes Jesus’ Mum despite her age and marital status. Luke 1:38

As a Father of two girls I’m glad these 5 women are mentioned here. It shows that God was impressed with them – with their immense courage and faith. It shows my girls that faith leads to action, action requires great courage, and great courage can change the world.

Lord, please help me be a father that raises girls of great faith, action and courage. Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen