“The Genealogy of Jesus
Christ.”
In the first ten chapters of Matthew, we have the REVELATION OF THE KING. He reveals Himself to the Jews as to His person (1-4), His principals (5-7), and His power (8-10). Remember that Matthew is seeking to prove that Jesus Christ is the King, “the son of David.” In the first chapter he gives the HUMAN ANCESTRY of Christ (1-17), then tells about the DIVINE BIRTH of Christ (18-25). Jesus is the “root and offspring of David” (Rev. 22:16). He is the offspring in that His humanity is linked with David in His birth.
In the genealogy, Matthew shows the faithful providence of God, in that through nearly 2000 years of human history, God overruled and brought His Son into the world through the nation of Israel. In verses 18-25, Matthew shows the fulfilled promise of God, proving that Christ came as the prophet Isaiah predicted.
1. THE FAITHFUL PROVIDENCE OF GOD. 1:1-18
Providence is God’s control of circumstances so that His will prevails in spite of the disobedience of men. Think of Satan’s attacks against Israel! How he sought to prevent Christ from coming. Because of Abraham’s disobedience, Sarah was almost lost and the promised seed ruined. (Gen. 12:10-20). It is a record of the faithfulness of God in preserving the children of Abraham as a channel through whom Christ could come into the world.
Matthew’s genealogy is of Joseph, Jesus’ legal father in the eyes of the law. Luke gives Mary’s genealogy. Both were descendants of David. You can see the grace of God in this list of names. Note: the four women mentioned: Tamar (vs. 3, see Genesis 38), Rahab (vs. 5) see Joshua 2, Heb. 11:31), Ruth (vs. 5 see the book of Ruth), and Bathsheba (vs. 6, see 2 Sam. 11). Mary is also mentioned. These women illustrate the grace of God.
God hates sin, but in His grace, because of Calvary, He will forgive our sins and take us into His family!
See Ephesians 2:11-13 and
1 John 3:1-3.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY JEW ALIVE TODAY WHO CAN PROVE HIS RIGHTS TO DAVID’S THRONE.
2. THE FULFILLED PROMISE OF GOD. 1:18-25
Engagement among the Jews was as binding as marriage. When Joseph discovered Mary’s condition, he naturally assumed she had been unfaithful to him. NOTE WHAT HE DID: “While he thought in these things…” How important it is to be “slow to wrath” and to consider matters thoughtfully. See Proverbs 21:5
According to Deut. 22:23-24 Mary could have been stoned. Indications are that the Jews did not practice this, but rather divorced the unfaithful mate. It took great faith for Joseph to believe God’s message in the dream. His love for God and Mary made him willing to “bear reproach” for Christ. Imagine how the neighbors must have talked.
It was important that Jesus be born of the virgin that He might have a sinless human nature, conceived by the Holy Spirit. (See Luke 1) Since He existed before the creation of man, how could He ever be born of a human father and mother? Every new baby is a being that has never existed before! The modernist who denies Christ’s virgin birth denies His eternal Godhead and deity. “Fulfilled” (vs. 22) is a favorite word of Matthew’s. He uses it often to show that Jesus fulfilled the many Old Testament promises and prophecies concerning the KING.
 |
 |