Matthew - Week 2

Before the Exile 

READ 

Matthew 1:9-11 

9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). 

Matthew 1:6-11 are the verses that record Jesus’ earthly genealogy from David to the Babylonian exile in 586 B.C. This passage also reveals some contrasts of ungodly fathers and godly sons as well as godly fathers and ungodly sons. This should encourage people to realize that no one is locked into an ungodly line of ancestors. It is also sobering to see that an ungodly person can come from a godly line of ancestors. 

REFLECT 

No one becomes a believer in Jesus because ancestors have done so. It is a personal decision for everyone.  

RESPOND 

Spend time with a fellow believer talking about the ancestors you know as well as your present family. Be sure that neither of you is locked into thinking you are controlled by or counting too much on the past.  

After the Exile 

READ 

Matthew 1:12-13 

12 After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. 

These verses begin to record genealogy after the 70-year Babylonian captivity of the southern kingdom. The book of Ezra tells of those who returned to the land with Zerubbabel. Ezra is a book that not only tells of history but has much for spiritual application today. See especially Ezra 7:10 that is considered the key verse of the book.  

REFLECT  

As you read the Old Testament, do you not only look for the history of Israel but also spiritual principles that apply to your life today? All the Bible in some way points to Jesus. 

RESPOND 

With a companion, read Ezra 7:10 to find the key three things that Ezra did. Talk about the significance of practicing the same in your life. 

Common Names 

READ 

Matthew 1:14-15 

14 Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. 

As you scan these names, you come to one that is familiar—Jacob. The problem, however, is that there were common names in Bible times just as there are common ones today. The name “Jacob” is also seen in verse 2 where we learn he was the son of Isaac. The one in verse 15 is a different Jacob. Common names are also found in the New Testament. There were several Marys, but Matthew’s genealogy will soon bring us to the most notable Mary. 

REFLECT 

Do you have a name that is common in your culture? How do you distinguish yourself? It was common in Bible times to tell who the parents are.  

RESPOND 

Are you feeling lost in a group of people by the same name? Read Matthew 10:29-31 to see how special you are.  

Joseph and Mary 

READ 

Matthew 1:16 

16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah. 

Previously in this genealogy it has been said of a person that he is “the father of…” but not here with Joseph. It does not say Joseph is the “father of Jesus” but only that he was “the husband of Mary.” Because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, Joseph was not the father of Jesus. Had Joseph been the father of Jesus then Jesus would have inherited a sin nature, which He did not. This genealogy ends by stating, “Mary gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.” When we speak of the “virgin birth of Jesus,” we must remember the conception was the miracle; His birth was a natural one.  

REFLECT 

Think of the truths brought out in these comments. Does this make the birth of Jesus seem even more real to you?  

RESPOND 

Visit with a fellow believer about the birth of Jesus, and how it is referred to in this passage of Scripture. Discuss also about the fact that the birth of Jesus did not take place in a clean hospital but in a facility where animals were kept. Read Luke 2:1-7 to be reminded of this special event. 

28 Generations 

READ 

Matthew 1:17 

17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah. 

These comments conclude the genealogy that Matthew gives to show that Jesus is the legal heir to the throne of David. Commentators seem to agree that genealogies do not have a complete listing of individuals and some genealogies are different. For instance, the genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 appears to be the genealogy of Mary whereas the one in Matthew 1 is that of Joseph.  

REFLECT 

Are you amazed at the truths found in genealogies when studied closely? Have you thought about your own ancestors? Did some know Jesus as Savior? 

RESPOND 

To the Jewish people it was important to know the physical ancestors of the one who claimed to be their Messiah. To all people it is important to know that the Messiah is also the Christ who gave up His divine privileges to take on a body with limitations so He could die for lost mankind. Read Philippians 2:1-11 in this regard.