|
As we
can see
the
problem
which is
normally
insoluble
is
easily
understood,
once we
become
familiar
with the
culture
of the
country.
4.2
MATTHEW’S
FOUR
WOMEN
It is
insteresting
to note
that
Matthew
deviates
from the
tradition
to
mention
four
women in
the
geneology
of
Jesus.
Tamar,
Rahab,
Ruth and
Bethsheba.
Tamar is
known
for her
plukiness
to push
her
father-in-law
into
lying
with her
as he
did not
follow
the
normal
levirate
right of
hers by
giving
the
younger
brother
as her
husband
at the
death of
he
husband.
Rahab
was
prostitute
by
profession,
who put
her lot
with the
Israel.
In the
modern
terminology
she was
a
traitor
and a
whore.
Ruth was
a
Moabitess,
and
tradition
says
that she
was the
high
priestess
of
Ashterah
temple,
which
included
sexual
orgies
and mass
prostitution.
Bethsheba
was an
adulteress.
Matthew
emphasizes
this by
referring
her as
the wife
of Uriah,
the
Hittite.
Bethsheba
might
have
been an
Israelite,
but most
probably
a
Hittite
herself.
Why did
Matthew
refer to
these
ill
reputed
non-jewish
women?
It is
only to
emphasize
that
Jesus
was not
bron in
a line
of
saints
or
sinless
people.
Matthew
emphasizes
the fact
that
Jesus
was the
son of
Eve who
was
fallen.
He was
to be
born of
Eve to
be the
saviour
of
mankind.
To the
serpent
God
said,
Gen 3:15
And I
will put
enmity
between
you and
the
woman,
and
between
your
offspring
and
hers; he
will
crush
your
head,
and you
will
strike
his
heel."
Salvation
does not
come by
works of
righteousness.
Righteousness
is a
gift of
God and
comes by
faith
alone.
It also
has the
significance
that
Jesus
was not
a pure
Jew. He
was born
with the
blood of
all
nations,
borrowed
from
around
the
world.
Jesus
belongs
to the
world.
Rom 4:16
Therefore,
the
promise
comes by
faith,
so that
it may
be by
grace
and may
be
guaranteed
to all
Abraham's
offspring--not
only to
those
who are
of the
law but
also to
those
who are
of the
faith of
Abraham.
He is
the
father
of us
all.
Rom 3:28
For we
maintain
that a
man is
justified
by faith
apart
from
observing
the law.
Rom 3:29
Is God
the God
of Jews
only? Is
he not
the God
of
Gentiles
too?
Yes, of
Gentiles
too,
Rom 3:30
since
there is
only one
God, who
will
justify
the
circumcised
by faith
and the
uncircumcised
through
that
same
faith.
The
whole
study
reveals
the
magnificient
fulfilment
to the
letter
of the
prophecy
of
Issiah:
Isa 11:1
A shoot
will
come up
from the
stump of
Jesse;
[ The
royal
line
became a
stump,
cut out
with
Jeconiah}
from his
roots a
Branch
will
bear
fruit.
[ A
branch
from the
root
itself
through
Nathan
joined
together
with the
stump
through
levirate
and
Zelophahad
customs]
Isa 11:2
The
Spirit
of the
LORD
will
rest on
him--
Jesus
the
Christ.
O the
wonder
of the
Word of
God!
-------------------------------------------------------------
This
article
was
written
in
response
to an
Islamic
onslaught
on the
validity
and
accuracy
of the
Bible
quoting
the
problem
of
genealogy
as an
error.
This was
in 1985
while I
was in
the
University
of Juba,
Sudan,
Africa.
The
problem
is dealt
with in
this
article
to show
that the
Bible is
the
inspired
word of
God. In
spite of
its
transmission
through
the ages
through
generations
to
generations
and in
their
varying
media
and
translations
it still
is the
most
reliable
document
mankind
has ever
possessed.
Its
accuracy
speaks
for its
divine
origins.
This
article
was
first
published
as a
booklet
by the
Sudan
Theological
College,
Juba,
Sudan,
Africa
in 1985.
It was
widely
distributed
in the
Southern
Sudan
and
neighboring
countries.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Prof.
M.M.Ninan
is a
Professor
of
Physics
and have
served
in
colleges
and
universities
in
India,
Ethiopia,
Ghana,
Sudan,
Jamaica,
Yemen
and
United
States
of
America.
In all
these
countries
he has
been
involved
in
church
planting,
missions
and
Christian
Education
as a
Tent
Maker.
|
