Sweeter Than Honey: Women in the Genealogy of Jesus

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? What if we committed to doing that all year long and by the year’s end we found that we had read the entire Bible!?

How many times, on January 1, have you committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I have made that commitment too many times to count, and I have failed too many times to admit.

​A few years ago though, I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis was not the first book of the Bible written? While plans like this vary somewhat, because it is simply impossible to put an exact date on some books of the Bible, the plan I used begins with the book of Job.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON [PAPERBACK | KINDLE]

Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey, friend. It is patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary.

On Tuesdays, now through the end of the year, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through Sweeter Than Honey together! I'd also like to encourage you to Join us over at the private, Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group and share your thoughts. You'll find like-minded, Christian friends there. Let’s do this! Come join us as we move through the book and God's Word together.

We're waiting for you!

Matthew 1-3: 5 Women in the Genealogy of Jesus

Matthew begins his book with the genealogy of Jesus Christ followed by the birth of Jesus, visit of the Wise Men, Joseph and Mary’s escape to Egypt with baby Jesus, before King Herod kills the baby boys under the age of two years, and their return to Nazareth. 
​
The passage we are reading today ends with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Matthew covers a lot of ground in just these first three chapters—from the birth to the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Two things that caught my attention today were first, the many prophecies Matthew refers back to in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the time between Jesus’ birth and baptism. Second, what I found interesting was the mention of women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Women are rarely mentioned in genealogy in the Bible, and when they are, we should take note.

​Let’s look at the five women Matthew mentions here in chapter 1:

1. ​“Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar” (1:3)
2. “Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab” (1:5)
3. “Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth” (1:5)
4. “David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah” [Bathsheba] (1:6)
5. “Mary, of whom Jesus was born, Who is called Christ” (1:16)

Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (although not specifically mentioned here by name we know her as the wife of Uriah), and Mary, the mother of Jesus. What does Scripture tell us about these women?

Tamar’s story is told in Genesis 38. She is often described as a prostitute. However, as we understand Tamar in her specific context we find that Judah and his sons were supposed to raise children by Tamar for their dead son and brother. Tamar resorts to trickery to make her father-in-law do the right thing and produce the son that would be the ancestor of Jesus.

Rahab’s story is found in Joshua chapters 2 and 6. There she is identified as a prostitute and a Gentile living in the city of Jericho. She hid the Jewish spies who came to Jericho when the king of Jericho wanted to kill them. Her confession of faith is found in Joshua 2:11, "the Lord your God is God in Heaven above and on the earth below."

Ruth’s story has its own book—the book of Ruth.

​Bathsheba’s story is found in 2 Samuel 11-12, and Mary’s story begins here, in Matthew 1. 

​Each of these strong, resilient, loyal, and faithful women has something important to teach us. What we can learn from their lives is that God can take those who appear insignificant and unlikely to succeed and transform them into important witnesses of His power.

Which of these women inspire you the most and how are you encouraged by their life?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a Love Letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can!

Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in! ​

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Little Women, Big God

​It's not the size of your problems, but the size of your God.

​Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of that, don't we, friend!? If you like studying women in the Bible—women who had struggles just like you and me—you'll love "Little Women, Big God." 

Did you know Jesus' family tree is full of shady women?
In Little Women, Big God, Bible teacher and former Christian counselor Debbie W. Wilson introduces us to the surprising women in Jesus' family tree and shows how the quality of your life is not determined by the size of your problems but by the size of your God.

Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary show: 

• How to avoid panicking when God gives you more than you can handle
• How to triumph after betrayal and tragedy
• How to walk each day knowing you are handpicked by God

Thought-provoking questions and insights help you walk through grief, choose a mate, and forgive yourself and your enemies. Purchase your copy here today.