Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus the Christ,

 It is interesting to note that long before Mary was chosen to birth the Messiah, the women at the forefront of Christ’s genealogy as noted in Matthew 1:1-5 were not quite society’s classification of “notable ancestry”. In other words, Tamar and Rahab and Ruth would receive neither the final rose nor ring. More specifically:

  •  Tamar tricked Judah, her father-in-law (Genesis 38:1-39). For during that time, there was a law which obligated the brother of a dead man to care for his widow in order to prevent poverty and provide a way for the family name of the deceased to continue. However, after the death of two sons, Judah didn’t follow-through in sending his 3rd son to marry the widow. So, Tamar rendered herself unrecognizable to Judah; resulting in Tamar giving birth to twins of which one named Perez was the father of Hezron, ancestor of Boaz.
  •  Rahab who resided in the city of Jericho was initially described as a prostitute who hid the two men sent by Joshua to spy out the land, under stalks of flax on the roof (Joshua 2:1-6). In return, when Joshua followed the LORD’s instructions pertaining to an unprecedented military maneuver by which the wall of Jericho would fall (Joshua 6:1-5), only Rahab and all of her family received protection, and were allowed to live. Salmon and Rahab were the parents of Boaz.
  • Ruth was a Moabite (there were many battles between the Moabites and the Israelites). Naomi along with husband and two sons, originally from Bethlehem (of) Judah, relocated to Moab due to a famine; both sons married women of Moab of which one was Ruth. Upon the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi decided to return to her homeland. However, Naomi wasn’t able to dissuade Ruth from returning with her; she said to her mother-in-law, “Where you go I will go . . . . and your God (will be) my God” Ruth 1:16 (NIV). Boaz who was a wealthy relative of Naomi married Ruth who conceived and bore a son. “And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David” Ruth 4:17b (MEV).

The LORD’s promise to David who was of the line of Judah via Perez was, “Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever” 2 Samuel 7:16 (NLT). Therefore, both Joseph and Mary were of the line of David whose ancestor was Judah. Hundreds of years earlier, as Jacob (the son of Isaac who was the son of Abraham) blessed his twelve sons, he called Judah a lion whose scepter would never depart (Genesis 49:8-12); that blessing bespoke the Messiah.

Fast forward . . . 40 years after ten of the twelve original leaders (sent by Moses to spy out the land discouraged the people with a bad report) were no more, the second approach to the promised land was about to commence. Therefore, Balak who was King of Moab sent leaders to hire Balaam (the one who God allowed his donkey to speak), that he might curse the people of Israel (Numbers 22 – 24). However, each time Balaam attempted to speak a curse, he was compelled to speak a blessing instead which included: “there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel” Numbers 24:17 (KJV). Such was the scepter of which Jacob spoke hundreds of years earlier in referring to his son Judah as a lion; and thousands of years later it would also be written: “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book . . .” Revelation 5:5 (KJV).

Believers recognize that the throne is now secured by the firstborn (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18) Who holds the scepter; with Whom we are joint-heirs (Romans 8:17) and seated together (Ephesians 2:6). The Sovereign Lord God Almighty worked a thing with Tamar and Rahab and Ruth; yet even more for those reconciled by the blood of Jesus as sons and daughters of God that desire to serve Him. In other words, Abba Father, isn’t dependent upon those who may already be prepared. Rather, Scripture (Psalms 138:8 & 32:8; Philippians 1:6 & 2:13; 1Th 5:24; Isaiah 50:7; 2Co 9:8-11; Luke 12:32) tells us that God will work whatsoever is necessary for those who seek Him; come as you are.

Speak the promise . . . Harriet