The inclusion of female ancestors in the genealogical record of Jesus is perplexing because women were not usually listed in the biblical genealogical records.
Female Ancestors | Tamar
“And Judah begat Pharez and Zerah of Tamar,” Matthew 1:3.
The inclusion of Tamar in the genealogical record of Jesus is both perplexing and troubling. It’s perplexing because women were not usually listed in the biblical genealogical records. It’s troubling because Tamar had illegitimate sons by her father-in-law. An understanding of Hebrew custom and law sheds light on why Tamar was included.
Tamar married one of Judah’s sons (Genesis 38). The marriage was short-lived because the Lord killed Er because of his wickedness. This left Tamar as a widow without children. This meant that Tamar would be destitute in her old age. Custom dictated that one of her husband’s brothers would get Tamar pregnant with a son, as arranged by Judah. Unfortunately, he did not want to have a child by Tamar, which would take away wealth from his own family. So he prevented the consummation of conception. This infuriated the Lord, and this son died also.
The next son in line to provide a child for Tamar was too young. So Judah told Tamar to wait until he was of age. But Judah refused to allow him to be with Tamar for fear that he would lose another son. No matter how much Tamar pleaded with Judah, he continued to put her off and make excuses.
Judah went on a long business trip. Tamar knew that on long business trips her father-in-law’s needs got the best of him. So she followed Judah and disguised herself as a prostitute. Judah picked her up and had a one night stand. Not having any cash on hand, Judah gave the harlot his signet ring, bracelets, and staff which he would redeem the next morning. When Judah returned to redeem his collateral, she could not be found.
Finally, Judah returned home. He heard that his daughter-in-law was pregnant. This infuriated him, first because it embarrassed him. Secondly, it was a sin. A sin which he determined to punish by death! A town square meeting was called, and Judah presented the case for the prosecution. Judah demanded to know who the father was. This was important because without the father, neither he nor Tamar could be executed. Tamar showed the signet ring, bracelets, and staff and said: “Whose these are is the father.”
BUSTED!!!
Judah conceded: “She is more righteous than I. She did what she had to do because I failed to do what the custom demanded.” Judah was an adulterer and a promise-breaker. Tamar had twin sons, Pharez and Zerah, her social security.
Why is this important? This story illustrates that every person in the world has a past. The Gospel is that our past doesn’t have to determine our future. Our future can be better or bitter. It is our choice. For Tamar, she did what she had to do to get justice. Her future was bright and illustrious, for she was a female ancestor to the Lord Jesus.
Female Ancestors | Rahab
“And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab,” Matthew 1:5.
Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, they sent two spies to explore the defenses of Jericho. During their mission, they met a prostitute named Rahab. She brought them into her home. She had heard that the Israelites were coming and the city was afraid of the invasion. So she sheltered the spies in the hope of preserving herself and her family from death. The king of Jericho heard that the Israeli spies were in the city and were staying at Rahab’s house. The king commanded they be arrested. When the soldiers arrived, she told them that the spies had already left the city. After searching the house and not finding the spies, the soldiers left to pursue the spies.
After the soldiers left, Rahab negotiated a deal with the spies. She told them that the city was frightened of the Israelites because they heard that their God was powerful. She begged the spies to spare her and her family when they invaded. The spies agreed because she helped them. They told her to have her family in her house on the day of the invasion and hang the scarlet rope out her window.
On the day of the invasion, Rahab gathered her family in her house and hung the scarlet rope out her window. When the Israelites invaded and saw the scarlet rope, they spared Rahab and her family. The also adopted her family into the tribes of Israel.
One of Rahab’s descendants had a son, named Boaz. Boaz later became the great-great-grandfather of the King of Israel, King David.
Although she was a foreigner and a pagan, she believed God and trusted the promise of Israel. As a result, this Gentile became a citizen of Israel. Not only that, she was a female ancestor of the kings of Israel, and ultimately, of Jesus Himself.
Our sinful past does not have to determine our future. Our future can change from condemnation to glorious freedom when we trust and accept Jesus as our Lord. He came that we might have life!
Female Ancestors | Ruth
“And Boaz begat Obed of Ruth,” Matthew 1:5.
Ruth was from Moab, a country under a curse by God. God cursed them for ten generations because they refused to allow Israel passage through Moab on their way to Canaan. Fortunately for her, Ruth was from the eleventh generation of Moabites.
Ruth enters Israel’s history because of her marriage to an Israelite from Bethlehem. After her husband dies, she was under no obligation to care for her widowed mother-in-law. But because she loved Naomi, she went with Naomi to Bethlehem and worked the fields for them both. Naomi had lost her family and her home.
As it happened through the Providence of God, Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s fields. Boaz was a rich and prominent man. He had heard of Ruth’s sacrifice and devotion to Naomi. So he ordered his men not to mistreat Ruth and to allow bails of wheat to fall “accidentally” in front of Ruth. When Ruth learned that Boaz was a kinsman, she asked him to redeem her and Naomi’s property. After taking care of all the legal procedures, Boaz redeemed Naomi’s property and married Ruth.
Ruth, a Gentile, an alien to the promises of God, accursed by God, is redeemed because she believed and asked for redemption. As a result, she became a prominent female ancestor to the great Redeemer Himself, the Lord Jesus. Neither our background, social standing, nor ethnicity can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:31).
Female Ancestors | Bathsheba
“And David the King begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah,” Matthew 1:6.
While the army was on the fields of battle, King David and Bathsheba committed adultery. Soon everyone was going to know that Bathsheba was pregnant. This would have caused a great scandal. So King David sent for Bathsheba’s husband to bring a battle report. When Uriah came, David listened patiently to the report. Afterward, he thanked Uriah and told him to go home for R & R. Uriah refused, saying he would not enjoy the comfort of home and his wife while the armies of Israel were on the field of battle.
David was furious because this thwarted his plan. If Uriah had gone home, everyone would assume that Bathsheba was pregnant with her husband’s child. The only other way: Uriah had to die so David could take Bathsheba as his wife. In order to cover their adultery, this had to be done quickly. The pregnancy clock was ticking quickly.
David sent Uriah back to the front with a letter for the general. In the letter, David instructed the general to put Uriah at the head of the frontal assault on the city, and then have the troops withdraw, leaving Uriah alone on the battle field. A couple of days later, David received word that Uriah was dead. After the funeral, David “graciously” took the widow as his wife. All was well, or so David thought.
David had covered his sin and crime. But David could not hide his sin from God. God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David with his sin. As punishment, the child of adultery died.
David and Bathsheba had another child. His name was Solomon. Solomon would eventually become king, being an example of the Messiah’s wisdom and riches.
Redeemed from her adultery and complicity in murder, Bathsheba became instrumental in bringing the Lord Jesus to this world. God loves broken people and can use them to bless the world when they repent. Are you broken? God loves you, no matter what. He can make something of you if you repent and trust Christ.
NOTE:
I love the meaning of Hebrew names. Sometimes they tell a story themselves.
Bathsheba = 7th daughter. This female ancestor was the baby of any family is spoiled and “does no wrong” in the eyes of the parents.
David = Beloved. When the beloved of God is not where he should be (in the battle), he can become complacent and subject to temptation and sin.
Uriah = Jehovah is light. Uriah was faithful to God and country. He was God’s light, an example for all, even though he was a foreigner. When David had him murdered, David snuffed out God’s light in his life.
Nathan = God’s gift. God’s gift of redemption and forgiveness only comes through repentance. God sends His preachers to confront the sins of the people, even the sins of a king.
Solomon = Peaceable. God offers a peace treaty to all sinners who repent and trust His Son, Jesus Christ.