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Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Have you noticed how sometimes God does the unexpected?

When we read Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, five women are listed in the group. Why are these women listed? None of them would have been accepted by the religious leaders for various reasons, but our Heavenly Father chose them to be in the ancestral lineage of His Son.

Tamar - She probably was a Gentile… not an Israelite. She married the two older sons of Judah, who were each described as wicked (Ge 38:7,10). Tamar pretended to be a prostitute when she realized Judah was not going to allow her to marry the third son. One of the twins she bore from the encounter with Judah became an ancestor of Jesus.

Rahab - She was a Canaanite, a resident of Jericho, described as a prostitute or harlot. When the spies entered her city, she gave them refuge. Then, she told them that she knew what their God had done in Egypt and through the years, and asked for protection when they came to conquer Jericho (Jos 2:8-13). Rahab is mentioned as having faith in Hebrews 11. She and her family were saved during the destruction of Jericho because she gave a friendly welcome to the spies. She married Salmon, an Israelite, and was the great-great-grandmother of King David.

Ruth - She was from the land of Moab. Deuteronomy 23 prohibits marriage with Moabite men, because they had not welcomed the Israelites as they were passing through the land on their way to the Promised Land. Ruth had accepted the faith of Naomi and become a follower of YHWH (Ru 1:16). She returned with Naomi to Bethlehem and cared for her. Ruth married Boaz, son of Rahab, and she was the great-grandmother of King David.

Bathsheba - She was an Israelite married to Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s mighty men. King David took Bathsheba into his private chamber while Uriah was away at war, and she became pregnant with David’s child (2Sa 11). Was she a willing participant, or did she resist? Scripture does not say. She would probably have been bathing in an enclosed courtyard with an open roof when David saw her. Only someone who was at a higher elevation could have seen her. I believe it is fair to say David took advantage of a situation he accidentally encountered, and because of his power as king and the status of women, she probably could not resist. When David arranged the death of Uriah, he took Bathsheba as his wife. She gave him four sons after the first one died. Nathan was the third son of the four who lived and was in the lineage of Jesus.

Mary - She was an Israelite to whom the angel Gabriel appeared and told her that she would become the mother of God’s Son. We aren’t told what went through her mind as she realized she was facing a pregnancy out of wedlock… a situation where there would be whispers and accusations… a situation punishable by stoning. Mary’s submission is seen in Luke 1:38 when she tells Gabriel, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (NIV).

Each of these women was in a circumstance they did not create, and which was beyond their control. God used them to serve His purpose… just as He can use each of us.

Take a look at the situation each faced and think about how you might have responded.

Tamar was widowed twice and bore twins through an illicit relationship.

Rahab was a harlot, entertaining men for a living, but gave protection to the spies.

Ruth was widowed and left her homeland to care for her mother-in-law.

Bathsheba was a married woman, called by the king for an adulterous evening and became pregnant while her husband was away at war. She is thought by many scholars to be the woman mentioned in Proverbs 31 who advised King Lemuel, possibly a nickname for King Solomon.

Mary found favor with God, was engaged to Joseph, but she was carrying a child out of wedlock… a pregnancy with a story many would not believe.

Each of these women trusted in God.

Do we trust in God when life circumstances take us down an unexpected path?

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Written by Naraiane Silva, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (2Ti 1:5 NIV)

Telling people what to do is a far cry from showing people what to do.

When I merely utter words hoping someone will act, it's unlikely that person will do so, and if that person is my son or daughter, the probability decreases even further. However, when I put my words into practice, the chances of being heard are much greater. We see Eunice and Lois applying this in practice with their son and grandson Timothy. They were Jewish and converted to Christianity in Lystra after hearing a sermon by the apostle Paul, and from then on, with great zeal, they instructed Timothy in the principles of God's Word.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Dt 6:6-7)

This mother and daughter did such important work together through Timothy that they have become an inspiration to us today.

And Timothy's father? He was Greek and probably died in the early years of his son's life.

And what about the fathers of our generation? Some have died like Timothy's father, others fulfill their roles as fathers, and still others leave the spiritual responsibilities of their children in the hands of the women. The fact is that many mothers find themselves alone in the responsibility of leading their children to God. I myself am one of those mothers.

I began serving God when my son was nine years old, and my daughter was one year old, and I can say that I have spent many years praying for both of them. I have led them to God through my examples of faith in practice, in everyday life. I have taught them to pray, but they need to see me praying.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (Jas 5:16b)

I have taught them to be grateful, but they need to see me being grateful. I have taught them to be generous, but they need to see me being charitable. I have taught them to ask God when they need something, but they need to see me being dependent on God first. Genuine faith develops through practice, not just theory.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (Jas 2:17)

This faith, which was seen in Timothy and mentioned by the apostle Paul, was likely practiced in every meal, in every devotional time, in every nightly prayer, and in observing the attitudes of his mother and grandmother.

Eunice and Lois are notable for the seed of the gospel planted in Timothy; their dedication was recorded to inspire women like me, who need a lot of courage and dedication to fulfill the beautiful ministry that is motherhood.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9)

Today my son is 15 years old, and my daughter is seven, and they face constant challenges that can only be overcome with God. I believe that my secret tears are being dried and my heavy burden is becoming light through my true faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. (Ps 126:5)

This is the faith I want my children to develop, and this is the faith that will be awakened in them if they see me praying, reading the Bible, meeting with my brothers and sisters, and leading a worthy and devout life.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1Co 11:1)

It is small, consistent daily actions that lead children to Heaven.