Women in Christ's Lineage

In Matthew 1:2-16 there is a long list of Christ's lineage.  These are verses that I usually skip when I'm reading.  However, if you actually read it you notice that there are five women listed in these verses.  As I've studied a little bit more about Christ's lineage I learned that it is unique for these women to be included in lineage.  Luke didn't include them when he listed Christ's lineage in Luke 3:23-38.  In an article I found it explained that, "Matthew wants his readers to understand that Jesus is the King-the Messiah-for whom the Jews were waiting. Luke's concern is more general, showing that Jesus is both king and priest, descending from Adam, the original father of all humanity (5 Unique Women in Jesus' Family Tree)."


The five women listed in Christ's lineage are: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary.  I've only studied the first four so far.  Here they are at a glance:

Tamar (Genesis 38)- married a son of Judah, he died, married another son according to their customs, he also died.  Both were supposed to give her children, specifically sons, to raise.  This didn't happen.  Tamar ended up tricking Judah into sleeping with her so she could have the son she was promised.  When you first read these verses it seems pretty appalling what Tamar did.  But I think she was actually justified in a way.  I don't know much about Old Testament customs, but from what I've read (from that article linked above) Judah and his sons are the ones that are at fault here.  They were pretty wicked and did not treat Tamar justly.  Because of her actions to make her father-in-law do the right thing she was blessed with a son and became an ancestor to Jesus.

Rahab (Joshua 2)- The first thing we learn about Rahab is that she was a prostitute or harlot.  She hid Joshua's spies in Jericho.  She was promised that her household would be preserved because of her kindness to them.  She comes to believe in God.  She is used as an example of faith by both Paul and James.  In this article Rahab, the author discusses how Rahab was not only thinking of herself and her own salvation when she helped the spies but she was also thinking of her family.

Ruth (Ruth 1-4)- Ruth vows to stay with her mother-in-law after her husband dies.  She works to take care of them and is later married to Boaz.  Ruth is a great example of devotion and loyalty.

Bathsheba (2 Sam 11)- Bathsheba is bathing on the roof when King David sees her.  They have an "affair" and she gets pregnant.  I wish more were told about Bathsheba's side of the story and how she really feels.  In the first article I read the author talks about how she probably couldn't have refused to sleep with David since he was the king and she was a nobody.  He also points out the she mourned the death of her husband.  However, even with the evil acts that took place Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon and the Lord in his infinite wisdom used it for good. 

It really is very interesting to me to see how each of these different women with all of their different situations and status's were used to bring to pass God's will and to fulfill his promises.  They were each blessed to bear a son and to be named as a part of Christ's lineage.