The Infamous became famous
Some people are famous for being infamous. Such people are always ‘the talk of the town’. Rumours, gossips, slanders, false accusations and being spoken behind their backs are common occurrences of their everyday lives. But, as time passes by and the clock ticks on, the people who gossiped, slandered and spread rumours are long forgotten. However, the ones whom they slandered, remains in the memories of the people either for good or for evil.
Today’s post is about five such women. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary; these women were infamous during their lifetime on earth. But, God in His grace has turned these women to be well known and well-spoken.
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| Tamar pretended to be a harlot |
Tamar was the infamous daughter in law, who bore children through her father in law. In the book of Genesis, the Holy Spirit has intentionally recorded this incident. With her husband dead and her brother in law who married her again also dead, she became a desolate woman. When she was not given in marriage again to her younger brother in law as was customary in those days. She took matters into her hand and bore children through her father in law. As a woman of the 21st century, this incident is very strange to me. Some of the customs of the ancient world can swirl our heads. Yet, one thing is clear, however strange it might seem to me; what Tamar did was correct and acceptable. In fact, her father in law justified her and said that she was more righteous than him. (You can read the whole story for yourselves in Genesis 38) But, before this justification came, she was considered an adulteress and was near death. She had to prove her righteousness all by herself and bear the twin boys that were in her womb.
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| Tamar gave birth to twin boys |
Even after the birth of the boys, can you imagine how much gossips this woman might have borne? Her sons were living testimony of her daring choice and action. She must have borne every taunt and insult that came her way. Yet, despite all this, she did what was right to preserve the lineage of her husband. Thus, she needed up being in the ancestral genealogy of Jesus Christ. If she had chosen a different path, then she might have lead a normal life, but common and unknown. However, the choice she made had gained her a place in the genealogy of Jesus Christ found in the gospel of Matthew, Tamar is one of the five women mentioned there. She might have never imagined that her choice of doing something right though it would make her infamous, will eventually bring her to be linked with the Saviour of the world. Sometimes we may have to make a choice that is not popular, acceptable or even understandable. But, if you feel that it is the right thing to do then go ahead with it. For the present time, it might be painful, yet in the end, you will be praised for it. Instead of trying to please the crowd to be normal, let us stand out to do that which is right and the will of God. …….to be continued
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