Thursday, January 18, 2018

Matthew - Two Genealogies



Today in Matthew 1:2-17, we again take a look at the genealogy of Jesus and notice some names that are missing and the differences between the one given in Matthew and the other in Luke.

Genealogical Subtractions
Just as a cursory mention, another interesting thing about this genealogy also is who is missing. In the line of the kings from David, there are three kings missing. If you carefully compare 1 Chr. 3:9-12 with Matt. 1:6-8 you will find that Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah (all kings of Judah) where skipped between Joram and Uzziah.

1Ch 3:9-12 “All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.  (10)  Now Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,  (11)  Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,  (12)  Amaziah his son, Azariah (Uzziah)his son, Jotham his son,”

Mat 1:6-8 “Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah.  (7)  Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.  (8)  Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.”

Some would conclude that the reason is because Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, gave his son Joram in marriage to the daughter of King Ahab, King of Israel (2 Chr. 18:1; 21:5-6), the husband of wicked Queen Jezebel. 

The Bible tells us that Ahab and Jezebel were the wickedest rulers that Israel ever had. 1 Ki 16:33 “And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.”

Now, just a bit of interesting speculation and nothing more. Why did God skip three generations of kings after the sins of Jehoshaphat and Jehoram? Possibly to the remove the iniquity of this unequally yoked marriage (Exo 20:5; Num 14:18). Again, just interesting speculation.

Two Genealogies
Now, I want to talk about the genealogy of Matthew 1:1-16 and the genealogy of Luke 3:23-38. Matthew is the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph. Luke is the genealogy of Jesus through Mary. A careful study of these two genealogies would reveal that they are identical except in two points. The genealogy of Joseph works forward and Mary’s in Luke works backward. They differ from King David on. Matthew 1:6 follows David’s son Solomonand Luke 3:31 follows one of David’s other sons Nathan. Joseph’s genealogy goes from David’s son Solomon to a King Jeconiah, Mary’s does not (Matt 1:11; Jeremiah 22:24-30).

The bottom line is that if Joseph were the biological father of Jesus, He would not be qualified to sit on the throne of David. The virgin birth is essential for our salvation. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Conclusion
The Bible is 100% accurate in every area.

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