I missed writing yesterday. No excuse. I meant to share thoughts from the book of Malachi. But today, having finished reading through the OT yesterday, I began reading in Matthew today.
Contemplating the old, old story of the birth of Christ; finding it once again ever new and ever fascinating, I realized that today was the 25th, August 25th - only four months until the traditional date (western) for Christmas.
So Malachi comments will have to wait. Today, I marvel once again at the four women who are included in Matthew's genealogy of Christ. It was uncommon back then (to say the very least) to include the names of mothers in a genealogy. Why does the author mention four, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (though not by name), but only four women? And if Matthew was inspired to include the names of some women, why did he choose these four? These are worthwhile questions to consider.
There are a variety of reasons suggested. Here are a few.
1. Since the genealogy ends with one special woman, Mary who gave birth to Jesus; and since Joseph had nothing to do with this miraculous birth; it was fitting to note several other women who played a role in the lineage of the Messiah born in Bethlehem.
2. Since Jesus came as Saviour of the world (not only of the Jews), Matthew includes four women who were not Jewish. Four foreigners! A clear hint that the Jewish Messiah belongs to the whole world.
3. Since Jesus came to save sinners, these four women are included because all of their biblical stories record their involvement in sinful behaviour. Tamar has sex with her father-in-law (albeit for a noble purpose). Rahab was a prostitute which was why it was not unusual that strangers (in Joshua the spies) would be seen going to her house. Ruth was very forward or aggressive (I don't think sinful quite fits here) in pushing Boaz to marry her. And while King David was the initiator and bore primary responsibility, it appears that Bathsheba was complicit in their adultery.
4. All four appear as very strong women. In fact Tamar, Rahab and Ruth take very unusual and risky steps to do what they believe is right. Their bravery is very impressive. They foreshadow the bravery of Mary.
5. Perhaps God wants us to know from the very beginning of the New Testament that He will not be boxed in. We are foolish to predict how He will act in the future. He is a God of surprises. He will use whomever He wishes to accomplish His will. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
Well there are a few pre-Christmas thoughts for you on this Saturday, four months before the traditional date for Christmas. Sitting in front of a fan, dressed in shorts and a T - shirt, with temperature today rising to 34 degrees, I am delighted to praise God for the Christmas story. Praise God for His marvellous works - none greater than visiting planet earth in the form of a baby. Thank you God for Jesus, our eternal Lord and Saviour. We celebrate His coming 365 days a year.
Contemplating the old, old story of the birth of Christ; finding it once again ever new and ever fascinating, I realized that today was the 25th, August 25th - only four months until the traditional date (western) for Christmas.
So Malachi comments will have to wait. Today, I marvel once again at the four women who are included in Matthew's genealogy of Christ. It was uncommon back then (to say the very least) to include the names of mothers in a genealogy. Why does the author mention four, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (though not by name), but only four women? And if Matthew was inspired to include the names of some women, why did he choose these four? These are worthwhile questions to consider.
There are a variety of reasons suggested. Here are a few.
1. Since the genealogy ends with one special woman, Mary who gave birth to Jesus; and since Joseph had nothing to do with this miraculous birth; it was fitting to note several other women who played a role in the lineage of the Messiah born in Bethlehem.
2. Since Jesus came as Saviour of the world (not only of the Jews), Matthew includes four women who were not Jewish. Four foreigners! A clear hint that the Jewish Messiah belongs to the whole world.
3. Since Jesus came to save sinners, these four women are included because all of their biblical stories record their involvement in sinful behaviour. Tamar has sex with her father-in-law (albeit for a noble purpose). Rahab was a prostitute which was why it was not unusual that strangers (in Joshua the spies) would be seen going to her house. Ruth was very forward or aggressive (I don't think sinful quite fits here) in pushing Boaz to marry her. And while King David was the initiator and bore primary responsibility, it appears that Bathsheba was complicit in their adultery.
4. All four appear as very strong women. In fact Tamar, Rahab and Ruth take very unusual and risky steps to do what they believe is right. Their bravery is very impressive. They foreshadow the bravery of Mary.
5. Perhaps God wants us to know from the very beginning of the New Testament that He will not be boxed in. We are foolish to predict how He will act in the future. He is a God of surprises. He will use whomever He wishes to accomplish His will. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
Well there are a few pre-Christmas thoughts for you on this Saturday, four months before the traditional date for Christmas. Sitting in front of a fan, dressed in shorts and a T - shirt, with temperature today rising to 34 degrees, I am delighted to praise God for the Christmas story. Praise God for His marvellous works - none greater than visiting planet earth in the form of a baby. Thank you God for Jesus, our eternal Lord and Saviour. We celebrate His coming 365 days a year.
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