A Word About Life and Things
Foreigners
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Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, were named in
Matthew's genealogy. There was Tamar (Thamar) the
mother of Perez and Zerah. Rahab was a "harlot," or,
according to some, an "innkeeper. She hid the two
spies of Israel and was saved by them. Rahab was the
mother of Boaz. Ruth was a widow. She married Boaz
and was the mother of Obed. Bathsheba was the wife
of Uriah and had an affair with David. She was the
mother of Solomon. These four women were ancestress
of David and our Messiah, and they were all
foreigners.
Since the beginning of time, mankind has formed groups, tribes, and countries. We think we are better than our neighbors, other tribes, and other countries. Some people have said that we should be like the American Indians. They were so peaceful and got along with the other tribes. But the truth is, that mankind has always fought wars with their neighbors and other countries and the Indians were no different. When springtime came, they prepared for war. We are not much different today. We still fight wars at the drop of a hat. We dont like other people because they are different from us. We dont like all of the foreigners that come into our neighborhood or our country. God included these four women, no matter what type of persons they were, in the lineage of Jesus. He was showing us that He includes everyone in His Kingdom. There are no foreigners in the Kingdom of God. We are all the children of God. He does not exclude anyone. He just says to come. Whosoever will may come. We are not foreigners; we are all His children. New King James Version Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, New King James Version Matthew 1:3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. New King James Version Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. New King James Version John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. |