Four women in the genealogy of Jesus. This Christian poem is Part 2 of the Christmas Story. It is based on Matthew Chapter 1, verses 3-6, in which four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. These women had troubled or scandalous life stories. It seems unusual for God to have chosen them to be included in the ancestry of the future Saviour of the world. If you are not familiar with the stories of these women, please take the time to read them in the Bible: Tamar (Genesis 38); Rahab (Joshua 2); Ruth; Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12:25).    

The second last verse of this poem refers to 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 'but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.'  

I searched for an image that would represent all four women in the poem. I love the artist's choice of colours, which give the image a modern appeal and connect these ancient women with modern women, as both groups have experienced similar troubles or scandals. I love the sheer soft effect of the veil across her face. Her eyes are not weary or sad, brash or harsh; instead, they reflect composed victory, as each woman's story ends. This poem is Part 2 of 10 parts to the poetic script that follows the Christmas Story from the very beginning to the end.

Poem: Four Unusual Women - The Christmas Story Part 2

Matthew chapter one mentions four women

In Jesus, the Saviour’s genealogy

Who had troubled or scandalous life stories

They seem unfit ancestors of the future king?

Tamar was left childless and widowed

By her two abusive husbands

All sons of her unjust father-in-law

Whom she deceived to conceive twin sons.

Rahab, supporting her family through prostitution,

Helped two foreign spies, for whom she risked her life

She lived in a city God would soon destroy

Later, she married one of them and bore him two sons.

Ruth, a despised immigrant

Left her hostile land with her step-mum

Both childless widows were struck with poverty

God soon blessed her with marriage and a son.

Bathsheba fell pregnant with King David

While her husband fought in his army

King David killed him, and then God killed their baby

But, once forgiven, God blessed her with a son.

God chose women that the world considers

Foolish and weak, outcast, and downtrodden

To shame the wise and strong of the world

To show His mercy, grace, glory, and honour.

His mercy toward these ancient women

And the men for whom they bore children

God's grace to forgive, rescue and protect

His honour and glory and his future king.

Down through the ages

God's people wait and pray

For the long-awaited Saviour

Not knowing the day or hour.

To be continued...

Beverley Joy © 2019 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

The poems in this series: The Christmas in the Garden of Eden - Part 1, Four Unusual Women - Part 2, 700BC - Part 3, Mary - Part 4, 23rd Nov, Mary and Elizabeth - Part 5, Joseph Part 6, The Savious is born - Part 7, Gifts fit for a king - Part 8, Quick, Save the Saviour - Part 9, Back to the Garden - Part 10.

Listen to my other poems on Women in the Bible - A Few Faithful Women - Easter Story Part 1, The Passion of Mary Magdalene -  Easter Story Part 2, Her Touch of Simply Faith The women with the blood issue, The Busyness Excuse, Mary and Martha, Mary and Elizabeth, Mary, Four Unusual Women, Sweet Temptation, Eve Genesis 3, She Gave From Her Heart The Woman and the Two Coins Luke 21:1-4, Takes Two To Tango The Adulterous Woman of John 8:1-11, I Am Ruth, Feast or Famine, Ruth, and 'Thirst Quenching' The Woman at the Well.

Read or listen to my poems at ⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠ on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠and at ⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠.Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy.