The Women of Matthew 1: brought to you by the GV Bible Study (aka Kelsey's futon)
So, I realize that most of you probably know all of these stories, so feel free to skim this entry...BUT we had fun going back in the OT and reading about these women and their significance. So without further adieu...
A more in-depth look at who Tamar is (taken from Genesis 38):
Judah had three sons. Tamar was given to the first, but he was evil in the Lord's eyes so he was killed by the Lord. Judah told his second son to lie with her in order to produce offspring for the first son, but the second son didn't want to produce offspring that wouldn't be his -- so he laid with her but purposely did not reproduce. This was also evil in the Lord's eyes and the second son was killed. Judah promised the Tamar to the third son once he grew up, but he did not fulfill that promise. THIS is why she dressed as a prostitue in order to trick Judah into sleeping with her -- because she was promised children and Judah did not follow through. When Tamar told Judah that she was pregnant with his children he said "she is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah."
who is Rahab? (taken from Joshua 2):
Rahab was a prostitute from Jericho who hid two of Joshua's spies from the King of Jericho. The spies promised her that if she hangs a red cord in her window when the Israelites invade Jericho, everyone in the household would be saved.
who is Ruth? (taken from Ruth):
Ruth is the daughter-in-law of Naomi who faithfully stayed be her side while Naomi made the journey back to Bethlehem after losing her husband and two sons. In order to survive, Ruth would go into the fields after the threshers in order to find the stray grains left behind. One night Naomi tells Ruth to lay at the feet of Boaz in order to get his attention. Short story: Boaz ends marrying Ruth.
Adam:"Mom, you always said you really like Ruth, is there another story here or do you like her just because she's so faithful to Naomi?"
Erica: "I just love Ruth's quote to Naomi 'your life is my life, your god is my god, i will go where you go'. It's just so passionate."
who is Bathsheba? (taken from 2 Samuel):
Bathsheba committed adultry with King David when he sent for her (listen to Hallelujah song by Rufus Wainwright) and David gets her husband killed by sending him to the frontlines. Bathsheba mourns for her husband and when the time of mourning is passed, David takes her as his wife. The child was killed by God because of their sin. Later, David and Bathsheba have Solomon.
Erica and Christine: "I feel so bad for Bathsheba...I mean, it's not like you can just refuse the King! Then the guy has her husband killed and to top it off God kills her son! Anyone else have thoughts?"
Interesting note from the NIV Study Bible (footnote from Matthew 1): in Matthew's genealogy five women are named...at least three of these women were gentiles (Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth). Bathsheba was probably an Israelite closely associated with the Hittites because of Uriah, her Hittite husband. By including these women (contrary to custom) in his genealogy, Matthew may be indicating at the very outset of his gospel that God's activity is not limited to men or to the people of Israel.
Kelsey: "I think this is an important note because a lot of women who are resistant to Christianity are so because they feel that the Bible, and much of its teachings, are sexist."
Commentary on Matthew 1 as a whole:
Erica "I think it's good to have the genealogy included in the beginning of the book. It makes it more real, it shows us that there were real people -- not just a fairy tale."
Adam "I agree with Erica, seeing the genealogy reminds us that it's a historical text to, it helps having faith in it easier."
Kelsey "Being somewhat of a newcomer to the Bible, a lot of the names don't really mean much to me...I think I'm going to have to give myself an assignment of catching up on Old Testament readings so that I'm on the same page. Any suggestions of important books/chapters in the OT that I should catch up on?"
Christine "It's cool to go back and find out who the people Matthew is talking about are...A lot of times in the Bible you'll see all of these names and not have a clue who they're talking about. I had fun going back and realizing that I actually knew some of the stories and learning the other ones."
We're all looking forward to Matthew 2 for next week!
ps my friend erica just made her own blogger username so that she can join our blog...sarah, if you could add her it would be great! i'm not sure what information you need to invite her...but her name is erica swanson and her blogger url is swansosthoughts.blogspot.com. My friend Christine would also like to join, her blogger url is stinakatesthoughts.blogspot.com. If you need any other info in order to get them signed up, let me know.
also, are there multiple people posting from "naabfamily" and "snaab"? if so, can you all please try to remember to tell us who you are at the end of your post...i find myself wondering "now which naab does that sound like?" hehe, thanks guys!
A more in-depth look at who Tamar is (taken from Genesis 38):
Judah had three sons. Tamar was given to the first, but he was evil in the Lord's eyes so he was killed by the Lord. Judah told his second son to lie with her in order to produce offspring for the first son, but the second son didn't want to produce offspring that wouldn't be his -- so he laid with her but purposely did not reproduce. This was also evil in the Lord's eyes and the second son was killed. Judah promised the Tamar to the third son once he grew up, but he did not fulfill that promise. THIS is why she dressed as a prostitue in order to trick Judah into sleeping with her -- because she was promised children and Judah did not follow through. When Tamar told Judah that she was pregnant with his children he said "she is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah."
who is Rahab? (taken from Joshua 2):
Rahab was a prostitute from Jericho who hid two of Joshua's spies from the King of Jericho. The spies promised her that if she hangs a red cord in her window when the Israelites invade Jericho, everyone in the household would be saved.
who is Ruth? (taken from Ruth):
Ruth is the daughter-in-law of Naomi who faithfully stayed be her side while Naomi made the journey back to Bethlehem after losing her husband and two sons. In order to survive, Ruth would go into the fields after the threshers in order to find the stray grains left behind. One night Naomi tells Ruth to lay at the feet of Boaz in order to get his attention. Short story: Boaz ends marrying Ruth.
Adam:"Mom, you always said you really like Ruth, is there another story here or do you like her just because she's so faithful to Naomi?"
Erica: "I just love Ruth's quote to Naomi 'your life is my life, your god is my god, i will go where you go'. It's just so passionate."
who is Bathsheba? (taken from 2 Samuel):
Bathsheba committed adultry with King David when he sent for her (listen to Hallelujah song by Rufus Wainwright) and David gets her husband killed by sending him to the frontlines. Bathsheba mourns for her husband and when the time of mourning is passed, David takes her as his wife. The child was killed by God because of their sin. Later, David and Bathsheba have Solomon.
Erica and Christine: "I feel so bad for Bathsheba...I mean, it's not like you can just refuse the King! Then the guy has her husband killed and to top it off God kills her son! Anyone else have thoughts?"
Interesting note from the NIV Study Bible (footnote from Matthew 1): in Matthew's genealogy five women are named...at least three of these women were gentiles (Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth). Bathsheba was probably an Israelite closely associated with the Hittites because of Uriah, her Hittite husband. By including these women (contrary to custom) in his genealogy, Matthew may be indicating at the very outset of his gospel that God's activity is not limited to men or to the people of Israel.
Kelsey: "I think this is an important note because a lot of women who are resistant to Christianity are so because they feel that the Bible, and much of its teachings, are sexist."
Commentary on Matthew 1 as a whole:
Erica "I think it's good to have the genealogy included in the beginning of the book. It makes it more real, it shows us that there were real people -- not just a fairy tale."
Adam "I agree with Erica, seeing the genealogy reminds us that it's a historical text to, it helps having faith in it easier."
Kelsey "Being somewhat of a newcomer to the Bible, a lot of the names don't really mean much to me...I think I'm going to have to give myself an assignment of catching up on Old Testament readings so that I'm on the same page. Any suggestions of important books/chapters in the OT that I should catch up on?"
Christine "It's cool to go back and find out who the people Matthew is talking about are...A lot of times in the Bible you'll see all of these names and not have a clue who they're talking about. I had fun going back and realizing that I actually knew some of the stories and learning the other ones."
We're all looking forward to Matthew 2 for next week!
ps my friend erica just made her own blogger username so that she can join our blog...sarah, if you could add her it would be great! i'm not sure what information you need to invite her...but her name is erica swanson and her blogger url is swansosthoughts.blogspot.com. My friend Christine would also like to join, her blogger url is stinakatesthoughts.blogspot.com. If you need any other info in order to get them signed up, let me know.
also, are there multiple people posting from "naabfamily" and "snaab"? if so, can you all please try to remember to tell us who you are at the end of your post...i find myself wondering "now which naab does that sound like?" hehe, thanks guys!
posted by Kelsey N. at 2:16 PM
2 Comments:
This is so interesting. I appreciate your info so much. Obviously these women had difficult choices to make.
Going back to the time and understanding the woman's role in this
culture gives a totally different view.
This is so interesting. I appreciate your info so much. Obviously these women had difficult choices to make.
Going back to the time and understanding the woman's role in this
culture gives a totally different view.
Regards,
Joan
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