The First Book in the New Testament
The first book in the New Testament – Mathew, starts with the Genealogy of Christ. Genealogy is all about tracing family trees. Being a Jew himself, Mathew knows the importance of family trees for the Jews. The gospel of Mathew was primarily written for the Jewish Christians.
The New Testament, which begins with the genealogy of Christ, shows that it is a continuation of the Old Testament.
The genealogy begins with Abraham and ends with Jesus.
The birth of Jesus, fulfils all the prophesies foretold in the Old Testament.
The first line starts thus: “This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1)
Why is Jesus called the son of Abraham the son of David
Abraham and David are the two Old Testament men with whom God made the most important covenants about the coming Messiah .The messiah is to be a descendant of Abraham and David. It is a promise that God made to save humanity and Jesus is THE messiah.
Since, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and the Davidic covenants, He is both the “son of Abraham” and the “son of David”
The King of the Jews and the Messiah
In Matthew 1:1, Jesus is listed first as the son of David, even though chronologically, Abraham came first.
By being the son of David, Jesus is of royal lineage, the king and the messiah for whom the Jews were waiting.
By being the son of Abraham, Jesus is a Jew and one amongst the people of Israel .
The Abrahamic and the Davidic Covenants
In the Abrahamic Covenant, God promises Abram a son. And through this “seed” God covenants to bless Abraham and all the nations. This promised “seed,” is our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible says: The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”meaning one person, who is Christ. Galatians 3:16
The Bible says: I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” –Genesis 12:3
The Davidic Covenant is a continuation of the covenant with Abraham. God promises that a descendant of David would reign on the throne, over the people of God eternally. Hence, Jesus is the rightful King of the Jews.
The Bible says:
“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”“The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,”The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mathew 22: 42-46
The Bible says:
When the time comes for you to die, I will raise up your descendant, one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. He [Solomon] will build a house for my name, and I will make his dynasty permanent. 2 Samuel 7:12-13
Jesus is both Human and Divine
By tracing Jesus ancestry, it is established that Jesus was a human. A real person, born of a line of real people. At the same time, Jesus is the divine son of God, because he was conceived by the HolySpirit.
The Genealogy is divided into 3 sections
Matthew’s genealogy is divided into three sections, each with 14 generations.
All the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations (Matthew1:1-17)
This genealogy contains a list 42 generations.
The 5 Women in Mathew 1
Matthew includes five women in the genealogy of Christ. This is indeed a rare thing , especially for a Jewish genealogy.
They are:
Tamer – Genesis 38
Rahab – Joshua 2, 6-17
Ruth – Ruth 1; 4:13-17
Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11; 12:15, 18, 24 Mary ( the mother of Jesus) – Luke 1:26-56
Except for Ruth , a widow and Mary, the mother of Jesus , the rest were morally sinful women.
A Brief Summary of the 5 Women in Mathew 1
Tamer tricks her father-in-law into fathering an heir, after she was denied justice. Judah refused his youngest son to Tamar, to produce an heir for her husband.
Rahab , was a prostitute , but she helped the Israelites to capture Jericho on the way to Canaan.
Ruth, a widow, obeyed her mother in law Naomi ,and married Naomi’s relative Boaz.
Bathsheba , was married to Uriah , when King David seduced her and later married her after killing her husband.
Mary , a pure young virgin was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus . She was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
What does including these women show?
It is obvious that God uses even great sinners to accomplish His plans and purpose.
It shows God’s Grace, Hope and Mercy.
Jesus came not only FOR sinners but THROUGH sinners.
Hence, it gives us hope that the Lord will use us too in spite of our sins. Isn’t it heartening to hear that?
The Men in the Geneology of Jesus
In the Old Testament, the blessings of God on His people had nothing to do with the good works of men. By His great mercy , He blessed the sinful men , in spite of their wicked deeds.
He also forgave them , and used the repentant people for His great purposes in history . For example, God used a repentant Judah (Genesis 38:26) David ( 2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51) and so on.
The New Lineage of Jesus
Our Lord’s genealogy begins a new line. A line of people who are “in Christ” by faith. People who are given the gift of eternal life. People who will never die!
Who would not want to be included in our Lord’s lineage?
Conclusion
The genealogy in Mathew is all about Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament. No matter where we turn in the Old Testament, Christ is there!
You might also like to know why your family is important to God !
Would like to download some free printable Scripture Cards? Click here .
Laila, What an important study! My favorite part is the fact that Christ’s genealogy includes women who were sinful and whose lives were so messy. It speaks so well to God’s compassion for us and how he can redeem any situation.
Yes Patti, it shows God’s great mercy and Grace! God can pick up the biggest sinner and use them for His glory. Praise God!
What great insights into the genealogy of Jesus! I’ve always found the inclusion of the women fascinating.
Thank you Rebecca..Yes,the inclusion of these 5 women are very fascinating and inspiring as well!