Redemption in a Genealogy

I don't really care for reading the genealogies in scripture. I suppose history "buffs" might get a kick out of it, but not me. I mean, really, should I care who begot whom? I know there is a reason to include genealogies, so I am not questioning why God would include them in scripture. I am just saying that I don't care for reading them.

However, in our small group last night, I realized something about a genealogy that I had never realized before. Matthew 1:1-6 says, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king."

Check out the portion that is in bold. David's great-great grandmother was Rahab - prostitute! And of course, Jesus was a legal descendant of David through his adoptive father, Joseph. Why did Matthew point this out? He could have continued the pattern saying, "Salmon begot Boaz, Boaz begot Obed," etc. The first introduction we have to Rahab in scripture is the account of her hiding the Hebrew spies found in Joshua 2:1-7. It is there that we first learn she was a prostitute.

As I reflect on this account and her inclusion in the genealogy of Christ, I can't help but realize that perhaps God is trying to point out his redemptive nature, even in something as seemingly "meaningless" as a genealogy. (And, no, I don't think the genealogies are meaningless! There obviously are some great truths to be find with a little background knowledge!)

Christ's legal ancestors were not always upright citizens. Look at some of the others. Tamar, who deceived her father-in-law, Judah, into thinking she was a harlot, gave birth to his twins. David had Solomon by his wife Bathsheba, the woman with whom he committed adultery. Rehoboam was a wicked and ruthless king who condoned idol worship. The list could go on.

Christ came to "seek and to save" those who are lost. He came to redeem all mankind to Himself...including you and me. It doesn't matter what is in our past...whether we were a prostitute, an adulterer, an idolater, or someone who for the most part has believed in God their whole lives and lived a morally upright life (such as David's father Jesse). We all stand in need of redemption. Isaiah 59:2 says, " But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." So, like Rahab, we all were separated from God because of our sin. But here is the key: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace..." (Ephesians 1:7). Through the incarnation of Christ and His subsequent death and resurrection, we can experience His redemption!

This Christmas, even if for a few moments, read through the Matthew 1 genealogy of Jesus. When you do, think about Rahab and the other characters who many of us wouldn't think should "belong" in the genealogy of Christ. Remember this: redemption is found in that genealogy!