The genealogy in Matthew 1 gives us a record of the marvelous grace of God in going on with His adopted people, because He does not pass over their sins. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:1313Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)). For example, we find the names of four who had humbling histories — Tamar (Gen. 38), Rahab (Josh. 2), Ruth (Ruth 1), and “her that had been the wife of Urias,” or Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). Perhaps pride in the heart of a Jew, had he been recording this genealogy, might have excluded these four and included names such as Sarah, Rebekah and other prominent and respected women. But not God who gives it to us this way so that the pride of nature could be humbled, for no flesh shall glory in His presence (1 Cor. 1:2929That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29)). At the same time He shows His grace even to poor Gentile sinners. What wonderful grace on the part of the long-promised Messiah who humbled Himself to be linked with a family with such a sad history. But that was the way of divine grace in Him who came to reach the hearts of His people and to redeem them.
Joseph’s Genealogy
The genealogy in Matthew is evidently that of Joseph, who is addressed as a son of David by the angel. It shows the legal way by which Mary’s son would have the rights of inheritance. The angel, in speaking to Joseph, calls Mary his wife and assures him that her child is of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the child’s name, Jesus, is given to Joseph as the One who was to save His people from their sins. Then the prophetic scripture is quoted to Joseph as being fulfilled in the birth of this child: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Finally the long-heralded event took place, for Mary “brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.” It is in Luke’s gospel we read that she “wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.”
God Become Man
Oh, strange, yet fit beginning
Of all that life of woe,
In which Thy grace was winning
Poor man his God to know!
Bless’d Babe! who lowly liest
In manger-cradle there;
Descended from the highest,
Our sorrows all to share:
Oh, suited now in nature
For Love’s divinest ways,
To make the fallen creature
The vessel of Thy praise.
O Love! all thought surpassing!
That Thou should’st with us be:
Nor yet, in triumph passing;
But human infancy!
J. N. Darby
Further Meditation
1. What makes it so gracious of the Lord to be born as a Jewish baby?
2. Why is the Lord specially presented in this gospel as the Son of David?
3. You might find Wonders of Prophecy by J. Urquhart to be a fascinating item to study since it deals with fulfilled prophecies like the ones mentioned in this chapter.