Daily devotion – whats in a family’s cupboard?
Matthew 1:The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon,and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14 Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15 Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
Matthew’s genealogical list of names which traces Joseph’s heritage is not something that many people delve into. Reading a list of names can be boring but in these verses there are some great treasures we do not want to neglect.
For Mathew’s list includes four Old Testament women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Solomon’s mother Bathsheba.
All of these women had backgrounds and lives that were questionable in some way:
Tamar and Rahab were both prostitutes – Genesis 38:24 and Joshua 2:1.
Ruth was a foreigner, a Moabites in fact – Ruth 1:4
Bathsheba committed adultery with David – 2 Samuel 11:2-5
Why are these names in here?
Matthew may have included these women in order to emphasize that God’s choices in dealing with people are ALL of His grace!
In addition, these names tell each of us a story that confirms and proclaims the mission of Christ in the first place – Jesus came to save sinners!
As we look at the skeletons in Christ’s background and family lineage, we see the beautiful handwork of God moving upon people who the world would condemn and shun but Christ in His amazing grace, reaches out to all who would receive Him!
Lastly these names show us that Christ understands our lives and that of our families in every detail. Nothing is hidden from Him, and He understands us more than we could ever imagine.
He knows our family!
Christmas is a story of grace!