Fallen Women

Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, (Matthew 1:4-6)

          Today seems to be a good day to focus on the women. First, we have Rahab. She lived in Jericho, was considered to be a harlot, and committed treason before marrying Salmon. If you’ve ever wondered by Boaz treated Ruth well, perhaps it’s because his mother was a well-known foreigner who made her home among the Jews. Then Naomi brings Ruth, a Moabitess, along. Not only a foreigner but a Moabite foreigner. The Moabites pulled a nasty trick on Israel. Marrying one was a “no-no.” Her great-grandson was David, who committed adultery and murder with Bathsheba (she certainly didn’t complain or turn him in.) Run back a bunch of generations and we can add Tamar, a Palestinian woman who turned to whoring because Judah cheated her. Come forward a bunch of generations, and we can add Mary, who was also seen as being less than a good Jewish girl even though she was innocent of the charge against her.
         When I feel like a failure (as I so often do), perhaps I should think about these women (and a few others) who didn’t exactly fit the stereotypes of “good women” and God was still able to use them.