Is It Possible for God to Use the Dregs?

Somedays I feel like one of the dregs of society. I’m not successful enough. Thin enough. Woman enough. Christian enough. I feel like trash. I feel like giving up, but one thing that helps me is to look at the characters of the Bible and remember how God used other dregs of society.

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” ~ Matthew 1:1-6, 19

In this pivotal section of Scripture, five dregs of society are specifically listed. Tamar posed as a prostitute to sleep with her father-in-law and become pregnant by him. (Genesis 38) Rahab was a harlot in a city the Israelites wanted to conquer. (Joshua 2-6) Ruth was an idol worshipper from an accursed nation. (Ruth 1-4) Bathsheba was an adulteress whose lover had her husband murdered. (2 Samuel 11-12) Mary was an unwed mother, whose very condition could have caused her death. (Matthew 1:18-25)

However … 

Tamar saved Judah’s bloodline and became the matriarch for the lineage of Christ. Rahab’s faith in God allowed her to risk her life to hide the Israelite spies in Jericho and then aid in their escape. Ruth left her family, home, and religion to take care of her mother-in-law and become a faithful Israelite; she became the great-grandmother of King David. Bathsheba married David and gave birth to Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. Mary gave birth to and raised the King of Kings.

These five imperfect women changed history and were the only women specifically mentioned in Matthew’s genealogical record of Christ. Their stories give me hope. I know I am not perfect and that I continually fail God. Thankfully, perfection is not required of me. Incredibly God still wants to use me and my many weaknesses and failings to His glory. Unbelievable!

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

What about you? What imperfections are you going to let God use to make you a better servant?