When you look back in Biblical times, it was a very patriarchal society. Women had very few rights and or privileges; they were seen and not heard. Even still, being Christmas, looking at the life of Christ, he gave purpose and value to women – woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, and so many others. Nonetheless, one of the things I found most interesting and intriguing is found in the very genealogy of Jesus.
Looking through Scripture, in nearly all of the genealogies listed in both the old and new testament, there are rarely women listed. It’s mostly “the son of…” However, in the very lineage of Christ given in the first chapter of Matthew, there are five women listed…Yes. Five. What’s even crazier is that these women, or families they represent, are everything but perfect. They got some serious issues.
First on the list is Tamar (Matt 1:3), found in Genesis 38. The story of Tamar is a story of 
incest. Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah – Jesus was to come from the tribe of Judah. To sum it up, Judah had three sons and before it was over, none of them produced any offspring for the tribe to continue. Thus, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and slept with Judah and got pregnant, inadvertently preserving the line of Judah.
Second on the list is Rahab (Matt 1:5) , found in Joshua 2. This is a story of a prostitute, not even a Jew, who protected the spies of Israel as they were preparing to demolish her city, Jericho. As a result of her sacrifice, she and her family were protected. 
Third on the list is Ruth (Matt 1:5) who happens to have a whole book in the Bible dedicated to her, Ruth. Ruth is the story of family and companionship and selflessness. Ruth as well, was not a Jew. She was from Moab, a pagan society. Moabites were some 
wicked polytheistic people, the total opposite of the Jewish culture. Nonetheless, Ruth set on a journey as a widow, alongside her mother-in-law, Naomi, a Jew, to go back to the land of her people, the Israelites. Long story short, with the guidance of her Naomi, she found herself a husband, the kinsman redeemer, and found a spot in the lineage of Christ.
Fourth on the list is Bathsheba (Matt1:6), found in 2 Samuel 11. Although she is presented as “Uriah’s wife,” her story is far from unknown. Her story is one of betrayal, adultery, sorrow and 
murder. While married she committed adultery with the very King David and got pregnant. As a result, David had her husband killed, and like clock work God took the life of their son.
Last on the list is Mary, the very mother of Jesus – a young girl minding her business, when an angel of the Lord came and interrupted her life, so much in so she was pregnant before she got married. Back then, that was a social no no.
The point in sharing these stories is one, to see the significance and value of a woman. On the other side, I want to give a brief insight in to how messed up Jesus’ family was. Still, God chose the least of these, to bring forth His precious son. So when people think Jesus came from a generations of water walkers, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I love Jesus so much more because of this. He had issues in his family just like everyone else; it identified him, but it didn’t define him. Although Jesus came from all of a dysfunctional family, he didn’t let that take his focus off of his mission here on earth. He was born to die. So let that be an encouragement to you as it is to me, that whatever background or family we come from, it may identify who we are, but it doesn’t have to define who we are. We can rise above and become all that God would want us to be.
As we celebrate this season, remember Christ. He was real, so real he chose imperfect people, on purpose, to bring His only begotten into the world. God can choose and use anyone he wants. He chose me; He chose you. He can take all your mess and create a miracle that will change history, as he did in the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.
Be You for a Purpose 
Thanks for sharing the story of JESUS families. I Can start liliving my life the way God created it to be. I come from a very disfuctional families but now i know my families history doesn’t define who I am going am and going to be in Jesus name Amen.
Thankyou for sharing.
Maybe it is too late to say ‘thankyou for sharing’ but I just found your posting and really enjoy reading it.
No it’s not too late, so thank you!! Stay connected and stay encouraged.
I see even the Jewish messiah Yeshua even came from a very dysfunctional family and we can all learn from that regardless of denominational and/or theological differences, we aren’t defined by our dysfunctional families but by our faith in an awesome, all powerful God almighty (El Shaddai). May Elohim Adonai barukh you.
Amen, and thank you ☺
Amen and even if your going through a rough patch you’ll always come through with the grace and mercy of Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach.
It’s the Lord you should thank because without him we’d wouldn’t have way to Father God
I enjoyed reading about the women of the bible… I am in the process of ministering to a friend about imperfect people that God used. God is not looking for perfect people just willing vessels
absolutely, that’s what I love the most, is the God takes the least of us and uses in the greatest ways, but only if we let Him!! I pray you stay encouraged!!
The only problem is, the black race is not Israel. True Israel is the white Caucasian, Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Scandinavian, and kindred people in the world today. They are the only one’s that fit the parameters for being Israel. Adam was the father of the white race. Adam literally means, to blush, to be ruddy, to show blood in the face red. Blacks do not blush and they are not ruddy. The Bible further states in Genesis 5:1, “This is the book of Adam and his generation, or genes, genome, blood line.” In other words, the Bible is about the white race only. It has nothing to do with the black race or any other race. The Bible calls the black race the beast of the field or brute beast.
My reading tells me differently, though your points, specifically Adam meaning “red”, the interpretation you are presenting is very narrow.
Weren’t Moses’ wife and Samson both black, or ethiopian?
Weren’t Moses’ wife and Samson both black, or ethiopian?
Wow- now I’m sorry I read the comments! I feel the need to reply to isaiah140213 because of the exclusionary nature of the comment. Kudos to beyouforapurpose for you polite reply!
There is no way Israel is Anglo-Saxon etc. Israel began in the middle east. They are more arabic than anything.
A-dam mean red and it is a play on words, because God made him from the red clay of the ground. It does not mean to blush. I’d like to know where you get your info. Genesis is about Adams bloodline, but it also reveals God’s plan for humanity- Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died for ALL. He is the point- not black or white.
So it doesn’t matter if Israel is black or white- today, it is all about Jesus Christ.
Praise God, God looks on the heart, not our color.
Isaiah 142013, your comments are wrong on so many levels.
Beyouforapurpose, your insights are spot on.
amen.
I just found this msg and I truly appreciate such explanation in it, I am most grateful to u for sharing that others like myself can benefit from it with clear understanding, thanks again and may the good Lord continue to bless u.
You are welcome and I appreciate you for reading it. Be encouraged always!
Bless the Lord…
Is short , great and a good job l enjoyed it
Wonderful message in that our bloodline identifies us but doesn’t define us, that definitely spoke to me and led me to pray about it. I am studying Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba and looking at Ruth’s bloodline, which is imperfect, she is a descendant from Lot’s incestuous relations with his first daughter….
Wonderful study and writing. God bless you!
God bless you.🙏