Advent is a time of women! The story of Advent begins with the genealogy of Jesus, recorded by the evangelist Matthew. In Matthew’s account, these are admittedly mostly men who beget other men, because Matthew lived in a time when the context of woman’s role was passed over in silence and the facts were obscured, depriving women of the respect due to them, since a woman as a person existed only in relation to a man who ‘cared for’ her (a father, a husband, a brother).
Despite the patriarchal context of the evangelist Matthew, which also manifests itself in his narrative, the evangelist nevertheless mentions four women in Jesus’ genealogy – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Uriah’s wife Bathsheba.
None of the four women had the best reputation. They are portrayed in the Old Testament in connection with sexual relations outside marriage. It should be added that the men in Matthew’s account are not ideal either. Let us recall that, according to the law, both a man and a woman who committed adultery or entered into relations outside marriage were punishable by death. What is essential is that Matthew tells of imperfect people who make up the genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth, and thereby also the family tree of the Son of God upon the earth.
In theology there is a saying that God writes straight on crooked lines.* This means that in God’s plan obstacles play no role, whether they be called human weakness, imperfections or the twists of fate. God carries out His plan even then, and, as we see, especially then, when someone has “made a complete mess of everything.”
Reading Matthew’s account of Jesus’ genealogy, we are encouraged to believe that God has a plan, and this plan is carried out in an imperfect world, which is nevertheless a world created by God Himself, in which time and space dominate, through imperfect people, yet those who strive to do God’s will. Matthew’s account reminds every reader in every age that, regardless of whether we go straight, take a detour or wade into a ditch, God is in control of everything. He writes straight on crooked lines in the history of humanity. God has His own time. And in the time appointed by God, Salvation takes place, in whose history wholly imperfect people have taken part.
We invite you to read our archive article about Eve and Mary – two women, two destinies, two opposites, united by the history of humanity and the history of Salvation.
The Association of Latvian Lutheran Women Theologians wishes you hope and peace during this season of Advent!
* some sources attribute this saying to St. Teresa of Ávila, while others refer to it as a Portuguese proverb.