the past

This morning I read through chapter 1 of the gospel of Matthew, which has the ancestry of Jesus through Joseph, who adopted Jesus as his son.

Of the people listed, there are 5 women mentioned.


Tamar, Judah's wife, was really his childless daughter-in-law. She tricked Judah into having sex with her by pretending to be a prostitute.

Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho, but married a Jew, Salmon, who was Boaz's father.

Ruth was a non-Jew, from Moab, an idol worshiper of Chemosh, a god in Moab who demanded human sacrifice. She became a believer in Jehovah because hermother-in-law, Naomi, was Jewish. Ruth also ending up marrying Boaz.

Bathsheba was the wife of King David. David saw her taking a bath on her rooftop, had her come to the palace, had sex w/ her, & she got pregnant. Only problem? Bathsheba is married to Urriah the Hittite, one of David's loyal soldiers. David had Uriah killed in battle so David could have Bathsheba.

Mary was the physical mother of Jesus.



4 of those 5 ladies lived very colorful lives.

I guess the rest of the wives were regular Jewish women?


What does that say?

Does it say that God can use anybody for His purpose, no matter what their past might be?


And if that is so, what does that have to say about God being able to use anyone, any of us?

Does that mean that if we are surrendered to Him, He can use us, no matter what our past may or may not be?