HCC Weekly - October 27th, 2025

Faithfulness

Pastor David

In the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1, there are three individuals mentioned who are not of Jewish/Israelite decent. They are Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth.

Tamar (a Canaanite) was the daughter-in-law, twice over, to Judah. According to Israelite custom, since Judah’s first two sons died before providing an heir to Tamar, it was up to Judah to give his youngest son to Tamar when he was of age. That time came and went, and Tamar knew it wouldn’t happen, so she tricked her father-in-law into sleeping with her and providing an heir (Genesis 38). Judah, upon discovering this, says that Tamar was more righteous than he.

Rahab was the Prostitute living in Jericho (Joshua 2-6) that rescued the Israelite spies who were being hunted by officials of Jericho. She is included in the faith hall of the fame in the Bible (Hebrews 11) because she showed faith in knowing what would happen to Jericho just because Israel had God on their side.

Ruth (the book of Ruth) was a Moabite who followed her mother-in-law back to Israel after her husband passed away. She remained faithful to her mother-in-law and God blessed her by giving her a child through Boaz.

What’s so special about these women that they would be highlighted in the genealogy of the savior of the world? Well, two are highlighted in the Bible for their faith (Rehab) and faithfulness (Rahab). Even Tamar is called righteous by Judah for what she did. All these women exercised godly principles and God honored them.

To me, I see this list as an example that God will use whomever he wants to fulfill his purpose. They don’t have to be perfect vessels to achieve his plan. In fact, they can be serving other gods, and our God will still use them to fulfill his plan (think of the king of Assyria and Babylon conquering Israel and Judah after their hundred years of idolatry).

That all said, God’s plan will prevail. World wars, political wars, man on the moon, great depressions or black plagues will not stop us from reaching the end of God’s plans that we read about in books like Daniel and Revelation.

So, don’t be surprised whether you are in a close relationship with God or a far one, if he decides to use you for his plans. You might not realize (like Tamar, Rahab and Ruth) that you were used until after your life here on earth has ended. But be open to following God’s plan in your life and you’ll know you are on the right path!