Another deeper look at the women of the Bible than most books provide is a book by Carolyn Custis Jones entitled “Lost Women of the Bible.” The link that she sees between the five women is that each one took a risk that resulted in the line to Christ being unbroken. How can you see it in:
Tamar (Genesis 38)
Rahab (Joshua 2)
Ruth (Ruth 3)
Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:15-21)*
Mary (Luke 1:38) (Painting to the left is of the annunciation)
*In the genealogy Bathsheba is simply called Uriah’s wife. Tim Keller says that is not a slam at Bathsheba, but at David, since he betrayed his good friend Uriah. He feels the Lord is saying, “Even though there is a King in the genealogy of Christ, it is a King that needed redemption — in other words, Christ’s genealogy continually shows how He brought the outcast in.
But my question for each of the five women above is “How did they each take a risk that preserved the line to Christ?”
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These five women are the stories I am developing in my second book in The Holy Order of Womb Women series so these have been exciting and informing questions for me. Thank you everyone for helping me get started again on this exploration.
Tamar risked her reputation to obtain the heir that would carry the line. Rahab risked her citizenship and her life to hide the enemy who would conquer her city and enter the Promised Land. Ruth risked the cover of her family to follow her mother-in-law to the land where she would meet her kinsman redeemer. Bathsheba risked her marriage and her husband’s life to meet the demand of her king. Mary risked her reputation by saying ‘yes’ to God and birthing the Messiah.
This morning it came to me that each of these women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy represent a “birth” of sorts. Tamar “birthed” a people: Abraham’s promise was fulfilled through the twelve tribes of Israel (Jacob). Judah was the 4th son of Jacob, his name meaning “praise to God”. Perez, a twin like Jacob, was the 4th son of Judah, born to Tamar.
Rahab “birthed” a homeland: She ushered the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Ruth “birthed” a nation: David, her grandson, became God’s choice of king to the Israelis.
Bathsheba “birthed” a place of worship: Solomon, her son, built the temple in Jerusalem.
Mary birthe the Savior.
These are great, Janet. You are so articulate. Blessings to you as you write.
I think the only one I would see differently is Bathsheba. I can’t see the noble motive that the others had — though in the reference I gave, I saw more nobility, in risking coming to David and asking him to keep his word about Solomon.
What do you think?
Bathsheba’s story reminds me of Esther. She became caught up in an inescapable situation. Her king desired her. A woman did not refuse her king.
Especially a woman who was wife of one of the king’s military commanders. If she angered the king, her husband could suffer greatly. So she did what was demanded of her and then found herself pregnant. So, “saving” her husband actually cost him his life. But that was not all. The whole affair also cost the life of the baby she bore.
After marrying David she gave birth to a legitimate heir, Solomon. Jewish tradition says that Bathsheba is the Proverbs 31 woman Solomon described. If that is the case, perhaps, like Esther, she was born for just such a time as this. Perhaps she was put on that rooftop at just the right time to draw David’s attention and eventually become the model of godly womanhood, an appropriate addition to the gene pool of the Messiah.
In any case, I believe the risk she took was twofold:
she risked her marriage and her husband’s life by telling David she was pregnant. Then she risked her life by approaching the king without invitation to remind him of his pledge regarding Solomon.
Often nobility is only seen in hindsight. Were Tamar’s actions noble or desperate? Of course we see them as noble now that we know the rest of the story, but Tamar had no idea she was preserving the lineage of Christ.
It’s great discussing this with you, Janet. You have such a good mind.
We still see this differently — but I know I could be wrong and love listening to you, pondering your comments. I thought of Esther too, and do see the similarities — how both feared refusing the king, even though his request was immoral. And if they did — it may have meant their deaths — almost certainly in Esther’s case, which is why Mordecai told her to live a lie for seven years.
My studyguide on Esther is controversial — for many believers take the stand you take. I know she was under enormous pressure — and may have been a young teen. She did what Mordecai told her to do — and I’ll bet I would have too. She was an orphan, alone, and under extreme pressure. And absolutely — God brought beauty out of ashes. But did He lead her to sleep with the King. Did He lead Bathsheba to commit adultery? I don’t think so, because He doesn’t lead against His Word. Yes, I think you are right. The alternative was probably death. But contrast Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego when faced with the same sort of choice. Do you remember what they said? They were willing to die, though hoped in God’s deliverance.
It certainly is confusing though when you consider Tamar. And yet I do see her as more noble. She was caught between two wrongs: dishonoring her husband or doing something immoral.
All very interesting. I could be completely wrong. And it’s good to ponder. May the Lord guide us, quicken us, and show us His truth.
I, too, could be completely wrong, and frankly, I’m pretty sure we are both wrong in the absolute Truth of the situation. So I’ll just jump in with more opinion because I love this sort of pondering.
I don’t believe that Shadrach, etc. were faced with the same choice. They were asked to deny their God and take a public stand of worship to other gods. They refused to deny their God even unto death.
King David, chosen by God, committed to God, singer of songs to God, etc. took Bathsheba to his bed. He did not ask her to deny her God. He commanded his messengers to go get her and bring her to him. She came to him. How willingly we do not know. But she was probably not faced with the choice of bedding the king or be put to death in a very painful way.
While committing adultery is essentially denying God and choosing to worship the gods of lust and greed,
The Message: 1 Kings 1:15-16 says,”As Bathsheba bowed low, honoring the king, he said, “What do you want?”
Again, God gives grace to the humble. Bathsheba reminds me of Esther’s humility and courage to confront with humility and respect, but still with the truth of what the king had promised.
v.17-21, “My master,” she said, “you promised me in God’s name, ‘Your son Solomon will be king after me and sit on my throne.’
Bathsheba became vulnerable, almost irresistible to any man. A gentle quiet spirit, which is hard for me to cultivate, but she did not back down from the truth or promise.
I like that Livingloved — here she reminds me of how Abigail approached David. Each of these women, coming in humility, helped David to see his sin.
Beautiful! Thanks Livingloved, thanks Dee.
Hugs! Thanks!
I am a direct descendent of the unbroken line of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Batsheva & Mary the mother of Yeshua Ha Mashiach – Jesus the Messiah! Very good genealogical records have been kept by my family!