In our next two posts, the Lord is specifically reaching out to those who on account of a tarnished past consider themselves disqualified or least suitable to be of any use to God. Let’s take our female brethren first.
**Is it not fascinating that every one of the women in Jesus’ genealogy had a reputation problem? (Matt. 1:1-18; Luk. 3:23-38). If man was ever going to create a religion, these should certainly be edited out of our hero’s genealogy:
- Rahab – Hers was obvious – she was a prostitute
- Tamar – She had relations with (and a child by) her father-in-law, Judah
- Ruth – She was a Moabitess, a descendant from the incestuous relations of Lot’s daughters with Lot.
- Bathsheba – Without ascribing this as her fault, she nevertheless had a child by adultery with David.
- Mary – Her own betrothed husband suspected her of unfaithfulness until corrected by God. Thirty years later, the pharisees would insult Jesus with that same slur, “We be not born of fornication, we have one father, even God.” They simultaneously slandered Jesus’ origin while arrogating to themselves His title as Son of God—**Taken from HopeFaithPrayer.
Rahab and Ruth stand out, not being originally Israel. Specifically, for Rahab whose story is well laid out in Joshua 2:2-14 and Joshua 6:22,23,25, three things negatively rendered her an ‘undesirable”. She was:
- a Canaanite, descendant of the cursed grandson of Noah (Gen. 9:25-28) who were the hated enemies of Israel,
- a woman inn-keeper or prostitute or harlot, and
- a bold-faced liar.
You wouldn’t think she would have much chance of making the list of renowned biblical characters, but there she is on account of her faith in God of Israel, who she confessed with her mouth (Josh. 2:10-12).
Is there anything good we can say about her? Yes! She was a woman of faith. Hebrews 11:31 speaks, “By faith Rahab...” She was a believer, so James 2:25 also testified.
Are you an object of Satan’s constant harassment on account of a past you’ve turned away from or because of the abiding outcome of this past? Remember always the parable of the Potter and the marred clay (Isa. 64:8; Jer. 18:4-6). Rahab stands out as a model for you, an example of an “undesirable” redeemed by God and given a special mission for His kingdom. Be assured beloved, that He has divine purposes for even the least likely of us. So, arise and in prayers step into your calling and for the mission the Holy One, the covenant keeper has for you. Today is your day, arise. Selah.
Pastor Afolabi Oladele
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