We do despicable
things. For instance Judah the son of Israel failed to provide a
husband for Tamar. She was widowed and custom was that a
brother-in-law was obligated to “raise up an offspring” for his
deceased brother so his widow would not be destitute. Tamar waited
for Judah to make good on this obligation but it never came so she
took things into her own hands. She dressed like a prostitute and
waited where she knew Judah would pass by. Judah was trapped,
thinking she was a prostitute he slept with his own daughter-in-law.
Tamar tricked Judah and took some of his personal belongings as a
pledge for payment and then went home. When she was discovered
pregnant Judah was outraged and decreed that she should be burned as
a harlot. But when she showed him the personal belongings she took
from him he quickly changed his mind. You can read the Biblical
version of this story in Genesis chapter 38.
Next we have a lady
who was a prostitute, and she was a traitor to her king. Her name was
Rahab and she lived in Jericho. Her city had come under attack by
Israel and they had sent spies into the city to gather intelligence.
The spies almost got caught if it wasn't for the prostitute traitor
Rahab. She hid the spies from the kings men searching for them, she
misdirected them lying about when they left and where they were
going. She also helped the spies escape, but not before making a deal
with them to allow her and her family to be spared in the coming
destruction of her city. You can read the Biblical version of this
story in Joshua chapter 2.
A third story I will
tell. There was a beautiful lady named Bathsheba. She was married to
one of the king's generals. One day the king happened to catch a
glimpse of her taking a bath. He wanted to sleep with her. So he did
what any king would do and invited her over and seduced her with his
kingly charm. Trouble occurred when the king discovered that she was
pregnant. His general was away at war so the king had to think quick.
He ordered the general back home for a report, and then tried to get
him to go sleep with his wife. But the general wouldn't do it. He
told the king it wouldn't be fair for him to enjoy his wife while his
comrade in arms were waging war in the battle field. What was a king
to do? It became evident to the king that he would have to put his
general down. He ordered his other general to place this one in the
heat of the battle and then withdraw. He even sent that order by the
had of the general who was to die. You can read the Biblical version
of this story in 2 Samuel chapter 11.
Why would God put
these despicable stories in the Bible?
Each one of these
women are listed in the genealogy of Jesus. God could not remove the
consequences of their actions and decisions. But He could still use
them for His own purpose. The birth of Jesus was unique. He was born
of a virgin. Never happened before and has never happened since. But
there were stories, despicable stories. One goes like this. Mary his
mother was raped by a Roman solder and was afraid to speak up (since
it was most likely consensual) so that is why she made up the visit
from the angel and virgin birth. When people would look at the child
Jesus they would think “poor bastard”. These kind of rumors
persisted and grew especially as Jesus became popular. Although the
rumors were despicable and lies, they weren't any worse than the
truth from his genealogy. Each one was considered noble and worthy of
honor by the Jews. Each one in spite of their actions had the honor
of being the progenitor of Jesus the Messiah.
Couldn't God have
used better stock? Why did He have to use such dysfunctional people?
As it turns out no not really. There isn't any better stock. We are
all dysfunctional people.
