The Color Past of Jesus’ Female Ancestor, Ruth

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ … and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth … and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary of whom Jesus was born…  Matthew 1:1a, 5b & 16 ESV1

Read Ruth 1:1-18, 2:1-23, 3:1-18, 4:1-13

Ruth, Jesus’ 28th Great Grandmother, was a foreigner, a Moabite maiden, the daughter-in-law of Naomi, an Israelite woman. The book of Ruth tells us that Naomi moved with her husband, Elimelech, and two sons, Mahlon and Chilion to Moab to flee famine in Israel. During their time in Moab, Elimelech died. Then both of the young men married Moabite women. Shortly afterward becoming husbands, Mahlon and Chilion also died. This left Naomi alone in a foreign land, with her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, and with no man to provide for and protect them. Imagine the mourning in that household!

Continue reading

The Colorful Past of Jesus’ Female Ancestor, Rahab

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ … and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab … and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born… Matthew 1:1a, 5a & 16 ESV1

Read Joshua 2:1-24, 6:17 & 22-25

Rahab, Jesus’ 29th Great Grandmother, was a successful businesswoman in the pagan town of Jericho. Unfortunately, the best business opportunity for a woman in her town at her time was the business of selling one’s body. Rahab was a prostitute with an international clientele. From her house in the city’s wall, she could easily advertise her business to travelers and merchants of all kinds.

Continue reading

The Colorful Past of Jesus’ Female Ancestor, Tamar

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ … and Judah the father of Perez … by Tamar … and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born…  Matthew 1:1a, 3a & 16 ESV1

Read Genesis 38:1-30

Although they played just as vital a role as the men, there are only five women named in Matthew’s record of Jesus’ genealogy. We are familiar with Mary and her valuable role as Jesus’ mother. But what about these other women? What is so important about each of them that their names are specifically mentioned? Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Continue reading