Scripture Study: Matthew 1

Matthew 1  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Matthew 1:11The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1) is the subject of this book. It is about Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:2-172Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:2‑17) trace His genealogy to Joseph, His reputed father, who was heir to the throne; this gives Him the legal title. It is clearly traced through the time of Israel’s captivity. Verse 17 divides it into three periods of fourteen generations, witnessing God’s perfect ways.
In the history, there are four women mentioned, which show man’s sinful ways, but God’s wonderful grace and miraculous power that has brought a clean thing out of the unclean. Judah’s sin with Thamar is the first (Matt. 1:33And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; (Matthew 1:3)); then the grace that brought Rachab the harlot into the royal family (Matt. 1:55And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; (Matthew 1:5)); and Ruth the Moabitess also, shows us God’s grace reaching over what the law has said (Deut. 23:33An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever: (Deuteronomy 23:3)) in giving blessing to the believing stranger.
Then king David’s sin with the wife of Uriah, tells us that while man in his best estate is altogether vanity, God’s grace has provided One to be a Saviour.
The Lord’s genealogy in Luke is traced through Mary, and she is also of the royal line of David, but descended through Nathan David’s son. Joseph comes through Solomon, the king, thus the Lord Jesus is proved legally, and by natural descent the heir to the throne.
While Joseph was pondering what he should do, an angel of the Lord graciously explained to him Mary’s condition, and calls her “Mary, thy wife,” and “that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Ghost.” “She shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” It was the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:1414Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14). “Emmanuel,” that is, “God with us.” What a wonderful person! God come down to earth the deliverer of His people from the state of sin they had fallen into. Joseph believed God, and did as the angel told him to do. This is the simple way of faith; it believes and acts on the word of God, and when her son was born, “he called His name Jesus.”
Israel looked for One to come, a great King to deliver them from their enemies, but this One was to do a greater work, and not only deliver from human enemies, but deliver them from the slavery of sin and Satan, and set them in eternal blessing, but this was not yet unfolded. He who would do this work was come. How happy are they that know His name.
There is no other name than Thine
Jehovah-Jesus! name divine;
On which to rest for sins forgiven,
For peace with God, for hope of heaven.
Name above every name, Thy praise
Shall fill you courts thro’ endless days,
Jehovah-Jesus! name divine,
Rock of Salvation Thou art mine.
(Continued)