God Can Use the Unlikely

“And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth and Obed begat Jesse” (Matthew 1:5).

In the genealogy of Jesus mentioned in Matthew chapter one, we see the names Ruth and Rachab (Rahab). How could this be? They weren’t Jews. Was there some mistake? If you read the accounts of the lives of these women, you would think it would be unlikely their names would appear in the lineage of David which included Christ. However, we must remember God specializes in what others say is unlikely or impossible.
Ruth was an outcast Moabite. The lives of those people were steeped in paganism and idolatry. When Ruth left Moab with her mother-in-law, Naomi, she left that behind and turned to the God of Israel. Ruth became part of the “blood-line” when Boaz became her “kinsman-redeemer” and husband.

Even more unlikely of appearing in the lineage was Rahab. She had been labeled a “harlot.” By faith in the God of Israel, she hid the spies Joshua had sent out before Jericho was destroyed. Her act of faith not only helped the spies be spared but her family was spared as well. When you read Hebrews 11:30, you find mentioned the faith of Rahab. Rahab was the mother of Boaz who “redeemed” and married Ruth and Ruth was the mother of Obed and when the list of “begats” is finished you find the name Jesus. Everyone in the “blood-line” was connected with the house of David and the tribe of Judah. It was kept unbroken because within it there were two women who, by faith turned to God and were related to Boaz.

We may not find our names in the lineage of David but having our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life is just as important. Strive to be like those found in the “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11. It is “unlikely” you will find better examples to live by.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Intercede and give thanks today for Pat Franks, retired missionary to Brazil and writer of our Bible study, “This Little Light of Mine.”