Matthew 1:11–16
11Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
Focused Thinking:
Jeconiah was Josiah’s grandson, being the son of Jehoiakim, Josiah’s second son (1 Chron. 3:15); but Jehoiakim might well be dropped in such a catalogue because he was a mere puppet in the hands of the king of Egypt (2 Chron. 36:4).
The “brethren” of Jechoniah here evidently means his uncles—the chief of whom, Mattaniah or Zedekiah, who came to the throne (2 Kings 24:17) is, in 2 Chronicles 36:10, as well as here, called “his brother” about the time they were carried away to Babylon (“of their migration,” for the Jews avoided the word “captivity” as too bitter a recollection, and Matthew studiously respects the national feelings).
Personal Application:
Again, I didn’t get much here except for historical background and a little insight into the Jewish perspective on their captivity in Babylon. Remember, not every scripture is meant to jump off the page with application; but rather, every scripture is meant to contribute to the story of God and to your understanding of God.
12After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.
Focused Thinking:
The inclusion of Jechoniah in Christ’s genealogy does not contradict Jeremiah 22:30, “Thus said the Lord, Write ye this man [Coniah, or Jeconiah] childless”; for what follows explains in what sense this was meant—“for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David.” He was to have seed, but no reigning child. And, in fact, none of Jechoniah’s sons ruled upon the throne.
But it would appear from 1 Chronicles 3:19 that Zerubbabel was Shealtiel’s grandson, being the son of Pedaiah, whose name, for some reason unknown, is omitted. Zerubbbel took the lead among the returned captives from Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:2). After him, the Old Testament gives no record of any other ruler in the messianic lineage.
Why does the Old Testament lineage stop here?
It is important to remember that you don’t have to have an immediate answer to every question you ask. The process of asking questions will lead you to ask the right question as well as lead you to find the answer in time. It is also helpful to remember that there are times that God doesn’t give us the answer.
Personal Application:
Again, no significant application. I’m just working my way through the genealogy trying my best to understand the sovereignty of God as He unfolds His plan.
The genealogy may not appear very significant to my every day life, but it was obviously important to Matthew and his Jewish audience. It is our responsibility to treat it as important, because God treats it as important.
13Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. 14Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. 15Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob.
Focused Thinking:
After Zerubbabel, none of these names are found in the Old Testament; but they were probably taken from the public or family registers, which the Jews carefully kept, and their accuracy was never challenged.
That is a fascinating detail. This should cause us to ask the question, “Why did the Jews keep accurate genealogy?” One of the reasons they kept accurate genealogies is because they were expecting the Messiah. They lived with the anticipation and expectation of the coming Messiah.
Personal Application:
Here is another detail that increases my confidence in God and the story of God through the Jewish people to the rest of the world.
Do I live in anticipation and expectation of the 2nd coming of the Messiah?
- I need to quit being intimidated academically by the 2nd coming of the Messiah.
- I need to commit to study it and to learn it with great detail and confidence.
- I need to lead our people to live in anticipation and expectation of the 2nd coming of the Messiah.
16Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
Focused Thinking:
From this, it is clear that the genealogy given here is not that of Mary, but of Joseph; nor has this ever been questioned. And yet it is here studiously proclaimed that Joseph was not the natural, but only the legal father of our Lord.
Jesus’ birth by a virgin was known only to a few; but the acknowledged descent of his legal father from David secured that the descent of Jesus himself from David should never be questioned.
“…who is called the Messiah (Christ)”—signifying “anointed One.”
It is applied in the Old Testament to the kings (1 Sam 24:6, 10); to the priests (Lev 4:5, 16); and to the prophets (1 Kings 19:16)—these all being anointed with oil, the symbol of the needful spiritual gifts to consecrate them to their respective offices; and it was applied, in its most sublime and comprehensive sense, to the promised Deliverer, inasmuch as he was to be consecrated to an office embracing all three by the immeasurable anointing of the Holy Spirit (Isa 61:1; Jn 3:34).
Personal Application:
Again, the attention to detail is incredible. The genealogy here is Joseph’s even though he was the legal father, but not the natural father of Jesus. What is my personal application?
I paused long enough to consider His Majesty and to stand in awe of Him.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, help me to know everything possible about Jesus Christ. Help me become a scholar on Christ in the Old Testament, the prophecies of Christ, the birth of Christ, the life of Christ, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and the second coming of Christ. I pray that You will give me unbelievable insight into the Word of God and into the Word who became flesh and dwelt among. Father, give me the ability to read the Word of God to know the God of the Word. Father, help me to love Jesus with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength.
Father, give me the ability and the wisdom to write the M-28 curriculum. Give us the ability to create an amazing study of the life of Christ. Show us how to experience the MAN of Christ. Show us how to apply the MESSAGE of Christ. Show us how to live the MISSION of Christ. Show us how to replicate the METHODS of Christ. I pray that this curriculum will help us build true disciples of Jesus Christ. Give us the ability to capture people’s hearts and minds with the truths of Jesus Christ. Give us the ability to build true learners and followers of Christ. Father, make us a missional church because we are a people who live on mission. Father, give us the ability to reach the lost and to build them into great commission Christians, not church attendees. Father, give us the ability to true become a movement of God that penetrates the darkness of this city with the light of Jesus Christ. Give us the ability to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Turn this city upside down because of Your Spirit working in and through our people.
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