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The Genealogy Of Immanuel
Is reading the first 17 verses of Matthew chapter 1 a drag or even considered "boring" to you? If so, let's unpack the text.
Despite the centuries that had passed (more than 400 years), the hope and belief in a coming Messiah remained strong among the Jewish people. They held on to the promises of the Old Testament prophecies, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their long-awaited Savior. It was a time of great expectation and longing for the fulfillment of God's plan. To Jewish Christians, Matthew wrote this book in which he presented Jesus as Messiah, a promised descendant of David who would reign forever and rule over all people.
Matthew began his gospel by presenting the record of Jesus’ ancestors.This approach was effective in appealing to a Jewish audience as it established Jesus' credibility and legitimacy as the promised Messiah. By tracing his genealogy back to Abraham and David, Matthew was able to connect Jesus to the rich history and lineage of the Jewish people. This also fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and solidified Jesus' position as the true Messiah. Additionally, the careful preservation of these facts added to the reliability and authenticity of Matthew's account.
Within the first 17 verses, there are 46 people listed whose lifetimes span 2,000 years. These individuals include well-known figures such as Abraham, Isaac, David, and Ruth, as well as lesser-known individuals like Judah, Perez, Nahshon, and Ram. Among them are Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth, who came from outside Israel or had shady reputations. Some of them were righteous and faithful, while others were known for their sins and mistakes. This shows that God's plan of salvation encompasses people from all walks of life, regardless of their background or past actions. It also serves as a reminder that no one is too broken or unworthy to be a part of God's family.
Matthew’s inclusion of Tamar, Ruth, Rahab, and Bathsheba could be seen as a statement of inclusivity and acceptance, as well as a reminder that all people, regardless of ethnicity or background, are valued and important in the eyes of God. It also challenges societal norms and expectations by elevating the stories and contributions of women, who were often marginalized in biblical times. By including these women in the genealogy of Jesus, Matthew may have been trying to convey a message of hope and redemption for all, regardless of their past or social status.
Tamar posed as a prostitute to con Judah, her father in law. Despite her schemes, she was declared righteous by Judah for showing greater faithfulness to the family than he had.
As a prostitute and foreigner, Rahab played a key role in delivering the city of Jericho to the Israelites, and had faith in God.
Ruth, who came from Moab, an enemy tribe of Israel, faithfully cared for Naomi, her mother-in-law, and was considered greater than seven sons.
King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, yet she became the mother of Solomon, the wisest king of Israel.
Matthew’s account of Jesus’ genealogy lists the good, bad, and the ugly. He does not leave out individuals who may have had a questionable past or reputation. He was intentional in listing the aforementioned women… and to think — they’re the only women listed in all 17 verses (besides Mary)! This points to the fact that God’s son, The Messiah, was sent to save us all: Jews, Gentiles, women, men, rich, poor, and everything in between. Praise God.
What is the significance of the Messiah’s birth via a virgin?
“Jesus Christ, God’s son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. The fact that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit shows that God began a whole new work in his creation.” - Life Application Study Bible
We’re all familiar with the conception of the Messiah via the Holy Spirit however, I’d like to highlight Joseph’s humility and compassion for his bride to be. To Joseph,Mary’s pregnancy was an obvious sign of her infidelity which was punishable by death (via stoning) for both her and her partner in accordance with Jewish law. Only thing is, unbeknownst to him, she hadnt betrayed him at all! Even before he was enlightened in verse 20 that Jesus was conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit, his response was considerably noble. His intentions, as listed in verse 19, displays his character and perhaps one of the reasons why he was considered a righteous man. Instead of making her “infidelity” known to the public, he intended to divorce her privately, careful not to bring shame upon her family. — How compassionate is that?! Imagine the betrayal and embarrassment he must’ve felt. How many men would be as merciful as Joseph in this situation?
My perspective of Matthew ch. 1 is now modified. It is no longer a book that lists names of people whose names I’d quickly forget but rather a presentation of our Messiah, the promised descendant of David who would reign forever. It is also a fulfillment of the prophecies which further communicates that God can be taken at his word. It also demonstrates, through Joseph, how obedience is crucial and that social position is of little importance when God chooses to use us.
It is my hope that this brief article enlightened you and/or sparked an interest to further research our Messiah’s entry into this sin ridden world as the Lion of Judah to redeem us all.
Grace and Peace.
-P.C.