(Matthew 1: 1-17)
The first verse of Matthew sums up most of the entire chapter.
” The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
(Matthew 1:1)
It is important to note that the genealogy presented is the genealogy of Joseph, not the genealogy of Mary. It may be assumed that Mary was also a Jew from the tribe of Judah, which would result in a similar genealogical tree (will discuss later).
This raises another question.
Why is the geology of Christ important?
In the United States, the genealogy and lineage of an individual have become less and less important. You could say it is the foundation of the American dream. No matter what your lineages, no matter where you grew up, no matter which class, your financial status; you can become great, rich, a leader, anything an American can put his mind to. The definition of the American dream.
In other countries and especially in the past, your genealogy and lineage demonstrate who you are. In Israelite culture and traditions, your bloodline was the determination of how you related to the rest of the society. By the time Christ arrives on the earth the Israelite nation has suffered greatly and is currently suffering. These sufferings caused the scattering and the blurring of bloodlines. To the Israelite nation and people, your lineage proved you were not an impostor.
The third major event is the introduction of David. A lot has happened before David became king. Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Joshua conquered the native nationalities and retook the promised land of Abraham. After the conquering of the promised land, the land was divided among the tribes of Israel. Over the years a great divide developed among the nation north and the nation south. These two kingdoms became known as the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judea. It was King David that temporarily united the kingdoms the Israel back under one nation. David was of the tribe of Judah. Judah received a blessing from his father’s Jacob that Judah’s line would be the lion of Kings (get verses).
The last major event was the captivity in Babylon. Babylon invaded the northern kingdom of Israel. Babylon scattered the northern kingdom of Israel. s point that the concept of the missing 10 tribes of Israel. 10 of the tribes of Israel were scattered and lost, their lineage and bloodlines erased in history. The southern kingdom mainly consisting of the tribe of Juda and the tribe of danger bond was also later taken captive into Babylon. Their lineage was maintained through that captivity. Eventually, the kingdom of Judah returned to the promised land. The only remaining bloodlines of the house of Israel were from the house of Judah and the house of Benjamin. These two houses eventually came to be known as the Jews.
Being able to trace your lineage back through the captivity of Babylon. Back to the great King David, back through the captivity of Egypt, back to the great covenant of Abraham. This proved that Jesus Christ was of the lineage of Abraham, through the lineage of Kings, and possible rightful heir the throne and the kingdom of Judah.
“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”
Matthew 3:9
Four major Israelite events are demonstrated in the genealogy of Christ. The first is the introduction of Abraham. Abraham is the man of the great covenant. The covenant that God made with Abraham and his lineage (Genesis 13:1-3, 15:18-21, 17:9-14). Your lineage definitely proved you were an Israelite. You are the children of the covenant, of the chosen people of God.
The second event demonstrated is the introduction of Jacob. Jacob after wrestling the Lord. God changed Jacob’s name Israel (Genesis 32:24-31). Jacob had 12 sons these sons became known as the 12 tribes of Israel. It was during Jacobs generation that the children of Israel ended up in Egypt (Genesis 47:1-11). Jacob’s son Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers. Joseph through the gifts and power of God became one of the great leaders in Egypt. Joseph’s gift to interpret dreams prophesied of the great famine that would curse the land (Genesis 37-47). If it were not for Joseph bring Jacob to Egypt the nation of Israel most likely would have been destroyed because of famine.
This is one of the points in Israelite history where the bloodlines could have become blurred. The nation of Israel was in Egypt for over 200 years (see ). During that time the whole house of Israel was put into slavery. It is fair to postulate that during these 200 years the bloodlines of Egypt and Israel could’ve been mixed together. Generally, the nation of Israel had traditions that they did not marry outside of Israel. But, just like when the children of Israel returned to the promised land they began to intermingle among the native nationalities.
