Sunday, January 18, 2026

God's Unusual Picks Part II

                                                                

GOD'S UNUSUAL PICKS-PART II

During our high school years, some of us had a strong desire to play a team sport such as Soccer or Football. Recollect the moment when you were being picked to be part of the team. In India, team captains select the best players, often their favorites, for the team. I badly wanted to play Soccer, but a few times I was overlooked, perhaps I wasn't good enough. So, I decided to play individual power sports like Weightlifting, Hammer throwing, Discus throwing, etc.

I have good news for you. Your desire to play in a team is fulfilled. When God wanted to put together a winning team, He overlooked many people and came to us, the most unlikely people to play on His team, so that when the team wins, He gets the glory.

Though at times He may use individuals to play significant roles in fulfilling His purposes, more often He wants us to work together as a team. Last week, we learned about two of God's Unusual Picks who were included in His redemptive plan. Today, we will learn about three more such Unlikely Women: Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Matthew 1:1-6 and Vs 16

I. Ruth: An Immigrant Becomes a Loyal Friend to her Jewish Mother-in-Law: (Ruth 1-4)

The book of Ruth follows the book of Judges. In Judges, we read about several of God's unusual picks who played crucial roles in redeeming Israel from its enemies. In contrast to everyone doing what was right in their own eyes, in Judges and in Ruth, we read about someone who set aside her own selfish interests and sacrificially served her Jewish mother-in-law. Ruth's story was about a migrant (Naomi), an Immigrant (Ruth), and a guardian redeemer (Boaz).

A migrant is someone who moves from place to place in their country or across borders, usually for economic reasons, seeking better opportunities." An Immigrant is someone who decides to leave their home and move to a foreign country with the intention of settling there."[1]

The Hebrew word for a guardian redeemer is a legal term for a relative who is obligated to redeem another relative in serious difficulty (Lev 25:25-55). During a famine in the land of Judah, Elimelek, along with his wife Naomi and two sons, migrated to Moab. Over time, Naomi loses her husband and her sons, leaving her with her Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah.

When the time comes for Naomi to return to her own country, Ruth decides to go with her, leaving her family and her country, and never to return. Listen to Ruth's covenant to Naomi and her God: "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried." May the LORD deal with me, be it so severely if even death separates you and me." Ruth 1:16-17.

Ruth, a Moabite, immigrated to Judah and became a loyal friend to Naomi, as her name suggested. Ruth was at the prime of her youth, yet she did not pursue other young men in the land. Instead, at Naomi's advice, Ruth worked in Boaz's fields, those of a very wealthy and kind landowner who was also a guardian redeemer for Naomi. One day, he notices Ruth, admires her loyalty, and shows generosity and kindness to Naomi through her. Boaz loved Ruth!

Over time, Boaz fulfilled all the legal obligations and married Ruth. The Lord enabled Ruth to bear a son. The women said to Naomi, "Your daughter-in-law who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons has given you a son." Naomi took the child in her arms, cared for him, and named him Obed, who later became David's grandfather.

Matthew included the genealogy of Jesus Christ to show that God could use non-Israelites in His redemptive plan. In the NT. Christ is often regarded as an example of a kinsman-redeemer because, as our brother (Hebrews 2:11), in Ruth 3:9, when Boaz asks Ruth, "Who are you? She says, "I am your servant Ruth, spread the corner of your garment over me," in a way requesting His protection. Similarly, we can ask Jesus to redeem us and satisfy us with His love.

II. Bathsheba: A Sexually Exploited Woman Becomes a Queen Mother (II Samuel 11-12)

The name Bathsheba means, "Daughter of Abundance." "She was the daughter of Eliam, who was one of David's mighty warriors, an elite group of soldiers who played a crucial role in securing and expanding David's kingdom (2 Samuel 23:34)."[2] She was also the wife of Uriah, a faithful soldier who fought in King David's Army. And she was a gorgeous woman.

One afternoon, King David saw her bathing from the roof and sent messengers to bring Bathsheba to the palace, and slept with her, committing adultery. Men, refrain from throwing stones at David, saying, how could he do such a thing, and I would never do it. David's actions could be explained this way in modern terms: "A military officer's wife was violated and sexually exploited by the most powerful man in the land, the Commander-in-Chief of the army.

What was Bathsheba's crime? Where would she go for Justice? Who would vindicate her? To cover up his adultery, David gets her husband Uriah killed. We can only imagine the shame, the guilt, pain, and grief that Bathsheba endured. When her mourning was over, David took her as his wife, and she bore him a son. However, the evil that David did displeased God.

God sent his prophet Nathan to expose and rebuke David's sin. Amid this scandal, Bathsheba's innocence stands out. While confronting David, Nathan portrays her as a little innocent ewe lamb, who became a victim of the lustful appetites of a rich and powerful man. To punish David, God kills their firstborn son. Later on, they had another son, whom they named Solomon, meaning "loved by the Lord," who eventually became the wisest king of Israel.

Bathsheba's innocence leads her to become the Queen Mother. In Christ's genealogy, she was mentioned as Solomon's mother and the wife of Uriah. Bathsheba's story reminds us that God has a plan and can work, even through difficult situations and involving imperfect people.


III. Mary: A Teenager Becomes the Mother of the Savior of the World (Luke 1:46-56)

            Forty-two generations have passed from Abraham to the promised Messiah, yet God did not forget His promise, nor did He stop working on His redemptive plan. This time in the life of a teenage girl named Mary living in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. What do we know about Mary?

            Some scholars say Mary was around 15-16 and a virgin. The angel Gabriel appears to her and addresses her as "Highly Favored" (Luke 1:28). The phrase "Highly Favored" comes from a single Greek word that essentially means "much grace." Mary received God's grace. Grace is an unmerited favor, a blessing we receive from God, despite not deserving it. Though Mary was troubled by this unusual greeting, her response to God's will indicates her spiritual maturity.

            The shocking news was that she would become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit, give birth to a son, and would call him Jesus, who would be the Savior of the World. Upon hearing the news, she bursts forth into a song of praise, saying, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (Mary too needed a Savior), for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:46-48)

Much could be said about this teenage girl who became the mother of the Savior of the World. Here are a few reasons God might have chosen this unassuming young woman to fulfill His redemptive plan. Mary demonstrated faith and obedience to God's will. (Lk 1:38). She was not proud but took the posture of a humble servant (Lk 1:48). Her song of Praise was full of references to what God has done, indicating her scriptural knowledge.

            All five of these women were ordinary, yet God chose them to do extraordinary things. They did nothing to be part of God's winning team; it was all God's doing. He included them by his own choice in Christ's genealogy. If God could use these five unassuming women in His redemptive plan, He could use any of us, despite our backgrounds and imperfections.



 


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