Four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, Matthew Chapter 1:3-6
This poem explores the lives of four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, each with troubled stories. It highlights how God chose these seemingly unfit ancestors to shame the world’s idea of wisdom and strength and demonstrate God’s mercy and grace.
It seems unusual for God to have chosen these women for inclusion in the ancestry of the future Saviour of the world. This poem is based on Matthew Chapter 1, verses 3-6, which mentions four women in the genealogy of Jesus. It is a brief overview of these women who had troubled or scandalous life stories.
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.’
This poem is Part 2 of 10 parts to the poetic script that follows the Christmas Story from the very beginning to the end. Beverley Joy
I was so pleased to find this image of a veiled woman as this poem’s Featured Image. I didn’t want a photograph of a particular Middle Eastern woman. I searched for an image representing all four women in the poem.
I love the artist’s choice of colours, which gives the image a modern appeal, connecting 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.
Listen HERE – Poem – The story behind the poem Four Unusual Women – The Christmas Story
Listen HERE – Poem – Four Unusual Women – The Christmas Story
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.
Beverley Joy © 2019 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.
Image by Brigitte makes custom works from your photos, thanks a lot from Pixabay
Read or listen to my poems of Women of the Bible: It Takes Two To Tango The Adulterous Woman of John 8:1-11, She Gave From Her Heart The Woman and the Two Coins Luke 21:1-4, Sweet Temptation Eve Genesis 3, Feast or Famine Ruth and I Am Ruth, ‘Thirst Quenching’ The Woman at the Well, Mary – The Christmas Story Part 2 Four Unusual Women, Part 4 Mary, The Christmas Story Part 5 Mary and Elizabeth, The Busyness Excuse Mary and Martha, Her Touch of Simple Faith The women with the bleeding issue,
You can listen to all my poems on several podcast platforms HERE
Reference: Matthew 1:1-6, Genesis 38, Joshua 2, Ruth, 2 Samuel 11-12:25, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28
Women of the Bible A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, 1999, Ann Spangler, Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan
All the Women of the Bible, 1967, Herbert Lockyer, Zondervan
The Zondervan NASB Study Bible © 1999
Simply Story Poetry 
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