A thrill of hope

“... the weary world rejoices..”

It was 3 years ago, almost to the exact date, when I sat across from a dear person of mine and listened to them tell me that after 21 years of growing up in the Christian world, they were giving it up for something else. They were looking for more.

This person told me that they’ve read the Bible, front to back, and they had unanswered questions.

It was in that moment I felt a challenge, a challenge to push the spoon away from my force-fed mouth, and start reading the Bible for myself.

I decided they were on to something, and I joined them in their journey to look for more, too.

I put off the challenge for nearly two years out of fear of unanswered questions, but tomorrow I will have read the Bible, cover to cover.

And there are so many unanswered questions.

But 364 days ago I prayed and asked God to reveal His goodness and faithfulness through the pages and that is precisely what has happened.

One of my favorite moments of revelation is a story about redeeming the forgotten.

Whether you’ve heard these stories a zillion times, grew up in church but zoned out for decades, or have no idea who or what I’m talking about ­­– just stay with me.

Because every person has felt forgotten at one point in time or another so these words will hold true for anyone, no matter your background or upbringing.

Tamar

A forgotten woman. Genesis chapter 38 if you want the reference.

She was a widow. The custom during these times was for the closest male relative on the husband’s side to marry her and provide an heir. Unfortunately, for Tamar, there were many hindrances getting in the way during this customary process and as I read the words of her story, I can feel her deep frustration.

Being a widow in ancient Israel brought social and economic tragedy, on top of the grief that comes with the loss of a husband. Because of the patriarchal culture, not only did her husband die, but the status that made her socially acceptable in culture died as well.

Forgotten.

Eventually, she took matters into her own hands and by the end of Tamar’s story we see that she gave birth to twins, Perez and Zerah.

Fast forward to Rahab (Joshua 2).

A prostitute.

I’ve always wondered why it was necessary to include the fact she was a prostitute. What’s the purpose? It’s briefly mentioned for almost no reason at all. Yet growing up in the church realm, I always knew that Rahab was a prostitute and almost nothing else about her story.

She was a woman who lived in Jericho who gave shelter to two spies who were sent by Joshua. But before she let them leave her city, this is what she says;

“Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.”

When I read her words I sense her fear, her fear of being forgotten.

Fast forward a few generations…

In Matthew chapter 1, we are introduced to the lineage of Jesus.

Only 4 women are mentioned in His lineage, for reasons unknown,

unless you ask.

“..Judah was the father of Perez & Zerah (whose mother was Tamar)..”

“..Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab)..”

(Matthew 1:3&5)

In my Christian culture, I was so accustomed to lazy thinking, lazy reading.

I didn’t look deeper.

People taught me that these women were prostitutes and I ate that spoonful.

But I didn’t chew it. I didn’t fully digest it. I didn’t look deeper.

I never asked “why?”

But after finally asking, it’s because Papa doesn’t forget.

In fact, He grants. And He redeems.

And He withholds no promises from His children. (psalm 84:11)

More than that, all are welcome to His table.

The entire list of His forefathers (and mothers) are people with stories of brokenness. Stories of doubts. Stories of “falling short” or “failure” if you’ve ever felt or heard that one before.

Yet He is faithful in choosing them and loving them and inviting them into His plans of Promise.

These women are not forgotten, more than that they play a crucial role in His Promise.

As I come to a close in reading my last few pages of the Book I have so much wonder for, I still have so many questions.

But despite my questions,

I can hear the weary world rejoicing.