Monday Morning Remix: The Story of Scripture

Yesterday we took a huge picture look at Scripture. It broke Scripture down as a play into six scenes (I get this picture mainly from N.T. Wright, whose commentaries I recommend highly):

I. Creation
II. Fall
III. Israel
IV. Jesus
V. Church
VI. New Creation

I think the part that frequently hits me when I think big picture like this is God's ability to weave together so many different elements. He takes things that are shortcomings and weaves them into a beautiful picture. Matthew 1, of course, is a good reminder. In chapter 1, Matthew tells Jesus' genealogy and includes four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah's wife (Bathsheba).

All of these women have negative elements to their stories. Tamar is a widow. Her father in law, Judah, does not give her his third son as was the custom so that she could have children who would care for her. So, she pretends to be a prostitute and sleeps with Judah. (All recorded in Genesis 38.) Their child, Perez, becomes an ancestor of Jesus.

Rahab is a prostitute in Jericho who hides two spies from the Israelites and who is spared as a result. (Joshua 2 and 6.)

Ruth is an early widow. (Book of Ruth.)

Bathsheba is the woman David committed adultery with and whose husband, Uriah, was killed to cover up the sin. (2 Samuel 11.)

All of these women play a role in the birth of Jesus through his history. They all have terrible aspects to their lives. Gives another picture of how big salvation can be, eh?

Any other thoughts?