Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,
Matthew 1:5
Question
Have you ever felt hopeless because of a sin in the past or because you didn’t feel accepted?
Context
Matthew 1 may seem like a long list of hard to pronounce names, but hidden in the genealogy of Jesus is a breathtaking picture of God’s perfect plan of using imperfect people. Matthew 1:5 lists two people in the lineage of the Messiah that some would count unqualified. Rehab was a prostitute from Jericho and Ruth was a foreigner from Moab. These two women, one with a shameful past and one from a distant nation, were used by God to bring into this world our Lord and Savior.
Application
This verse reminds us that God can and will use people with a broken past and a painful journey. God does not choose people because of where they come from; He chooses people because of where His grace can take them. Your past does not determine your future, God does. God uses broken stories to build beautiful outcomes. Never disqualify yourself because throughout the Bible God used unlikely people.
Truth For The Day
Your past doesn’t cancel your purpose.
Pray
Lord, thank You for showing Your grace through Rahab and Ruth. Redeem my past, strengthen my faith, and use my life for Your glory just as You used theirs. Let the story of Jesus’ family remind me that You bring hope out of brokenness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
