How the Lineage of Jesus Applies to You

If you see a genealogy list in the Bible and think, “I can just skip over this”— DON’T!

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The first chapter of Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus. Boring way to start, right? Wrong!

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We first see that Jesus is from the line of David and Abraham— just as the Old Testament prophets foretold.

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We close the genealogy by seeing the importance of Joseph being his earthy father. That’s how Jesus comes from the promised line.

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We see men throughout this genealogy, godly men and evil men. God uses even the evil to complete his plan.

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Let’s talk about the women, though. This is some real shouting ground for not only women but all mankind for how we can be used by God.

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We read about Tamar in Genesis 38. Tamar’s story is one of heartbreak, full of evil, deceit, and broken promises. None of those things can thwart God’s plan. Through everything that happened to Tamar and even the deceit she committed, God showed grace and continued the line through her.

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Rahab’s story is told in Joshua 2. She was a prostitute who came to have faith in God. God can use anyone, no matter their past or current situation.

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Ruth gets her own book of the Bible! Despite being a widow, living in poverty, and going to a distant land, she has faith and is greatly blessed because of it. She is the great-grandmother of King David.

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Who is Uriah’s wife that we see in the genealogy? That’s Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12). Even in the genealogy list we’re reminded of the sin of David, the adultery and murder. Bathsheba becomes his wife, but she’s listed as her first husband’s wife in the list. God forgave David and later blessed him and Bathsheba with a son that would become king.

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Bathsheba is the only one of the women above that was Jewish. Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth were from other nations, nations that practiced idolatry. God can use you no matter your background. Don’t use your background as an excuse to keep from being faithful to God.

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God sees women. God uses women. God gives us grace beyond anything we deserve or can imagine.

Your Life Is Not An "Interruption"

If you like to read books or watch shows full of drama, deceit, twists and turns, murder, stuff that makes you want to cover your eyes, then you really need to read the Old Testament.

Let's take Noah for example.  For awhile I've been thinking about the story of Noah and how we tell it to our kids.  Harlow has some story Bibles for kids that have cute poems and drawings about the animals and the story of Noah.  She loves the VeggieTales DVD about Noah with all the fun songs and silly jokes.  It seems like just a few years ago the most popular design for a baby's nursery was Noah's ark.

Yes, the animals came on the ark two by two.  Yes, the earth was flooded, and Noah's family was saved.  But have you thought about the details, and have you read what happens after they get off the ark?

Details:  Animals are stinky.  They need to eat.  They need to get rid of what they eat.  Many animals are scary.  Noah's family was inside a boat with those animals.  Being inside the boat while the earth is being destroyed is scary, now add caring for those animals to the stress.  While Noah's family is in the ark, the rest of the people and creatures on earth are drowning.  My daughter's story Bibles leave that out (with good reason, of course...she might need to be a little older to read about that part).

After:  Know what else isn't in my daughter's books?  What happens after the flood.  I don't know all the logistics of how they survive afterward.  All I know is God provides, and I believe it, because I've seen Him provide in my life when it seems like He does it from nothing.  But that's not what I want to talk about.  We're here for drama, remember?  Well, Noah gets drunk.  And there's more sin to follow.  Even after God saves us, we're prone to sin.  Do you remember why the earth was flooded?  Sin.  What happens when Noah's family gets off the ark?  Sin.

Let's move on to a second story that could seem like it was written for Game of Thrones.

A little later in the book of Genesis in chapter 38, we come to the story of Tamar.  There's deceit, wickedness, and death.  Be sure to click the link above to read the story.  I've read it before, but it wasn't until the other day that I found myself reading it with an open mouth of surprise.  Drama!  Below is a photo from commentary in The Knowing Jesus Study Bible.  This Bible has commentary and notes that show how the Bible as a whole points to Christ.  This commentary of the story of Tamar was so good that I had to share.  Sorry about all the underlining and notes.  I didn't know I was going to share this until after I had marked on the page.  Be sure to read it; don't skip it!

click to enlarge photo

Why would any of this be comforting?  Well, every single one of us messes up daily.  Often we're hurt by other people.  The things that happen in our lives have a purpose.  God works through our mistakes and the hurts others commit toward us.  That's grace and mercy.  You're a part of the bigger plan.  That should encourage us to work for God and do right, but even when we mess us, He's still working.  Thank the Lord.  I find a lot of comfort in this right now as I see everything happening in the world.  Our country is in turmoil.  Countries all around the world are in turmoil.  When it seems like God is removed, HE'S NOT!  Again, thank the Lord.

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