Matthew
starts off with “A
record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:”[1] If
Matthew wanted a complete genealogy, he would’ve listed Adam, Seth, and
everyone else listed in Genesis 11. By choosing instead to start Jesus'
genealogy with Abraham, the Gospel writer is making an assumption that the
readers already know Abraham's history. That assumption is therefore a
statement - this Gospel is of particular importance to those who know and care
for God's revealed truth. It is a Gospel
expressly for God's people!
"Abraham
was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah
and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of
Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King
David."[2]
This genealogy lists 14 generations, but as already
mentioned, it does not start where we might think is logical. We should therefore
understand that it is not meant to be a historically inclusive listing, but
rather a historically meaningful listing. Meaningful it is, though it excludes
Joseph (to whom Genesis devotes 11 chapters).
It also excludes Moses, Joshua and all the judges of Israel (including
Samuel). These were all part of Israel's history, but not the lineage of Judah.
More importantly, the genealogy captures the essential element - that Jesus the
Christ is of both Abraham, to whom was promised the Messiah (Gen 12:3), and
David, to whom was promised the Messiah (Ps 89:3-4). Matthew is determined to
make the main thing the main thing!
Some have made much of the number 14 in this generational
listing. Is that really the most important aspect of this listing? Or is it
that; just as Abraham had to wait 14 generations to see God's promise begin its
greater realization, David would have to wait 28 more generations to realize
Messiah. As much as David might have thought that God's great favour to him was
even greater than God's great favour to Abraham, it was not – at least in
regard to timing. That is saying something, as Abraham was sorely tested in
waiting for the fulfillment of the promise.
God's great favour is on us also. Much more than on David
and Abraham, for the New Covenant in Christ is superior to the Old Covenant
through Abraham (Heb 8:6,13). The blessing of our adoption as God’s
sons/daughters is far better than that of simply becoming God’s people as a
nation! But that doesn't necessarily
mean we are promised a more speedy fulfillment.
Sometimes, in our waiting, that is a highly sobering thought.
·
What are you waiting on God for?
·
What is God saying to you in your waiting?
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