Even Things That Are Not

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.” Matthew 1:1-6

“Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God’s Spirit saw fit to list many names early in Jesus’s genealogy in Matthew. Sprinkled into the lineage of renowned Jewish men are those of a few Gentile women, included by His sovereign goodness. Just as Jesus Himself was a poor man of sorrows, His human forebears were of little earthly consequence, save for God Almighty. (Isaiah 53:2-12; John 1:46)

Although the Old Testament does not account Salmon’s marriage to Rahab, it’s assumed she was the harlot in Jericho who, and at the risk of her life, boldly hid Israelite spies because she feared and believed in their God. Perhaps Boaz their son learned from their marriage about redeeming love and grace, and directly from his mother about the genuine faith of outsiders. What Boaz learned he implemented, as kinsman-redeemer taking the Moabite Ruth as his wife. She, of an accursed and pagan race, had embraced Naomi’s faith, and with Boaz bore the grandfather of King David. (Joshua 2:1-21; Ruth 1:1-18; 4:10-17; Hebrews 11:31)

How wondrous the grace of God! What is not in the world important, God makes vital. Ordinary people He makes extraordinary, for timely place or role, and knows and names each one. We tussle and vie for notice and recognition, foolishly thinking we deserve God’s favor for what we have done. (Esther 4:14)

Yet God, in His providence, weaves His plans through history to raise up the lowly and exalt His divine glory. Can we, as His children, learn to think this way? Can we humbly, like Mary, bear the Christ for His renown alone? What kind of stewards are we of His naming and knowing? And whom can we acknowledge for the way they’ve borne Christ to us, or carry Him into the world? (Luke 1:52)

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.” ~John Newton (1779)

Father, help me live out the identity You give by Your grace, to Your glory.