In the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew Chapter One, only four women were privileged to be mentioned! Oh! These four women must have been very 'holy' and QUALIFIED all their lives!

We could easily expect to see women of great virtues listed as those by whom Jesus came to the world! But would you spare me about a minute as we study the first chapter of the book of Matthew together and see who these four women are and how 'holy' and 'qualified' they were?!

The first woman mentioned is THAMAR! (vs 3). Thamar? Who is Tharmar? Hmmm... Thamar was the wife of Er who dressed up as a prostitute in order to sleep with with her father-in-law, Judah! (Genesis 38:13-18).

The second woman mentioned is RACHAB! (vs 5). Note: Rachab is another biblical way for spelling 'RAHAB'. Who is Rahab? Rahab is the Harlot who lived in Jericho and lied to the leaders of Jericho that she was not hiding the Israelites! (Joshua 2:1-6). What a 'holy' Rahab!

The third woman mentioned is RUTH! (vs 5). Who is Ruth? Now you might be thinking: Is Ruth also a 'prostitute'?...Naah! She wasn't! But she has NO RIGHT to be mentioned in the genealogy of ANY Israelite! Why? She was a MOABITE! (Ruth 2:2). Now listen carefully: under Law, it is stated clearly in Deut 23:3 and Neh 13:1....a MOABITE must not be found in the congregation of God even to their tenth generation and forever! Ruth was therefore not 'qualified' to be mentioned in this Genealogy of an Israelite!

The fourth to be mentioned is BATH-SHEBA! (vs 6). Oh! She was the one David forcefully committed adultery with and killed her husband and she remained David's wife!Wow!

Why weren't women of Great virtues mentioned! Why weren't Hannah, Sarah, Deborah and so on mentioned! God must have put these UNQUALFIED women in this genealogy of our Saviour to show to us that His ways are HIGHER than our ways and His thoughts HIGHER than our thoughts!

These women were not qualified but God was Gracious to them! They were not holy enough BUT they got the rewards of Holiness! Friend, when you embrace the Truth that you are already made Righteous before God APART from your works, irrespective of the sinful weaknesses in your life, God would be Gracious to you and use you beyond measures you never thought you could be used! This would make you fall in love with God and you will be empowered to serve Him joyfully and non-grudgingly!

Rahab was an harlot but never ended as an harlot! She got married to Salmon, gave birth to Boaz and was no longer mentioned as a prostitute! (Matt 1:5, Ruth 4:21). Hmmm... Jesus can stop that sinful habit in your life just by TRUSTING His finished work on the cross for you which MADE you righteous and eternally QUALIFIED before God! (2Cor 5:21).

So, do not let the devil deceive you that you are not qualified to be used of God! If you believe Jesus has taken away your sins, God will use you for His glory without taking into record how 'unholy' or 'unqualified' you are! The Righteousness of God is ALWAYS APART from the Law! (Rom 3:21) You are the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS! Rest in this Truth and see your life doing Great things for God! And by this you will love God more and appreciate the work of Jesus for you! God LOVES you unconditionally!

Receive His love today! Amen.