Saturday 16 December, 2017

1 This is the written story of the family line of Jesus the Messiah. He is the son of David. He is also the son 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. Tamar was their mother. 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. Rahab was Boaz’s mother. Boaz was the father of Obed. Ruth was Obed’s mother. Obed was the father of Jesse. 6 And Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon. Solomon’s mother had been Uriah’s wife. 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 And Josiah was the father of Jeconiah and his brothers. At that time, the Jewish people were forced to go away to Babylon. 12 After this, the family line continued. Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud. Abihud 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 Elihud. 15 Elihud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph. Joseph was the husband of Mary. And Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah. 17 So there were 14 generations from Abraham to David. There were 14 from David until the Jewish people were forced to go away to Babylon. And there were 14 from that time 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