A Lineage of Grace
A Photographic representation of women in the bloodline of Jesus Christ as black Jews.
Tamar
She dressed as a prostitute, had sex with her father-in-law and conceived twin sons. She was accused of promiscuity. Because she did not name the father of her child, it was assumed she had been promiscuous, and Judah sentenced her to burn to death. But she saved herself by a clever ploy. She bore twin sons. God rewarded her tenacity with the birth of sons, one of whom was the ancestor of King David, and became grandmother of Jesus.
Rahab
A prostitute, selected for high honor in the Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11. She heard about the God of Israel and recognized him as the true God, worth risking your life for. Joshua sent two spies to scout out the fortified city of Jericho. Rahab hid the spies on her roof top. The king of Jericho learnt that the men had been to Rahab’s house, he sent orders for her to turn them over, she sent them off in the opposite direction. Made a deal to keep silent about their mission and the Israelites would spare her household.
Bathsheba
Object of lust, wife, mother, and influential queen. A voyeuristic King David spies on Bathseba as she bathes on a roof. King David, is not where he is supposed to be, on the battlefield with his troops, but instead has tarried at his palace. And though he is normally a righteous man, with a harem already full of wives and concubines, the king succumbs to his overwhelming desire. He sent for her and she came and lay with him. He is lust drove him to scheme and kill his faithful general, so he could have his wife.
Mary
As a young woman, an angel visits a betrothed Mary and tells her she will bear the Christ child. It is almost incomprehensible for Mary to believe that God would use a peasant woman to carry the Messiah. And when it seems like a long time before Jesus can begin His ministry, she struggles with her own feelings and desires. For yes, we know that God gave His son to die for our sins, but Mary had to let go of Him as well. And by the time her son dies her husband had died too.
