Matthew 1:3–10
3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. 4Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. 6Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah.
Focused Thinking:
- Four women are introduced; two of them clearly Gentiles by birth—Rahab and Ruth; and three of them with a blot on their names in the Old Testament—Tamar, Rahab and Bathsheba (Gen 38:24; Josh 2:1; 2 Sam 11:2–5).
- According to popular Jewish legend (repeated in the Talmud), Tamar was considered a Gentile, and Bathsheba, through marriage with Uriah, is linked with a Hittite.
- The Gentilic background for the Messiah is connected with God’s promise to Abraham that his seed would bless many nations (Gen 18:18).
- Rahab seems to be here represented as the great-grandmother of David (see Ruth 4:20–22; and 1 Chron. 2:11–15), but genealogies must not necessarily include every generation. The fact is that Rahab was simply a distant ancestress of Jesus.
Personal Application:
As I go through passages like this, I have to admit that it is incredibly difficult for me to be patient enough to take the time to research it first, then slow down enough to have my priority time from the research. Sometimes I break this up into two days: the first day I research the passage; the second day I have my priority time through it.
I also have to admit that almost always on the front end of the research I question whether this is worth my time, but it always proves to be worth it if I will be patient and not rush through it.
I find it amazing that God included Gentiles in the genealogy of the Messiah. It blows me away how detailed and complete every detail is as relates to the promises and purposes of God through the Messiah.
What is my application from this?
- It generates confidence in God, confidence in God’s Word and confidence in God’s Messiah.
- It makes me to love Him more.
- It makes me realize that my life is not my life; it is His life.
- It makes me realize how big His story is and the role I am to play in it.
7Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. 8Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. 9Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah.
Focused Thinking:
Three kings are omitted here—Ahaziah, Joash and Amaziah (1 Ch. 3:11, 12).
Some omissions were intentionally, made to compress the whole into three fourteen generations (1:17).
The reason why these, rather than other names, are omitted, must be sought in religious considerations—either in the connection of those kings with evil Ahab and Jezebel or because they themselves were so corrupt they were disqualified to be included in the royal line of the Messiah.
Personal Application:
I didn’t really get application from this these verses. There are times you are just gaining more knowledge for the purpose of the bigger picture and application later in the passage.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, thank you for the details in the Word of God. Thank you for the historical accuracy of the Word of God. Thank you for including imperfect people in the genealogy of Christ like Tamar, Rahab and Bathsheba. Thank you for including the gentiles. Thank you for choosing the Jewish people, but not excluding everyone else. You didn’t choose the Jewish people just to bless them, but You chose them with a purpose in mind. Thank you for making me part of that purpose. Thank you choosing me. Thank you for my salvation. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for the privilege of serving You. I pray for the ability to give every believer a love for the Word instead of a love for the world. Father, anoint me for that purpose and mission.
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