It may amaze you to think there are any unimportant or throwaway verses in the Bible. Of course, there are not, but we have treated them as such. For example, those who desire to read the Bible through in a year do well until they come to the “and so and so begat so and so” verses. These verses don’t take long to read because people often skip over them.
Unfortunately, we often do this with parts of Matthew 1 and Luke 3. These verses give us Jesus’ genealogy. As Americans, we are not concerned with who begat whom, but we must not ignore the lessons from these great verses.
First lesson: God works through imperfect people.
Jesus’ genealogy includes people with flawed histories, such as Rahab, the prostitute, and King David, who committed adultery and murder. But God still used them in His plan. This reminds us that no one is beyond redemption, and God can use anyone for His purpose.
Second lesson: God values all people.
The genealogy of Jesus includes Tamar, a woman who deceived Judah into sleeping with her; Ruth, a Moabite woman; Bathsheba, an adulterous woman; and King David.
Whether an adulterer or a King, God cares about you.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.