So often we read the story of Jesus’s birth but do not give much credence to His genealogy and where the Lord came from. So today, we will cover this topic, to emphasize its importance. Before the birth of Jesus was recorded, His genealogy is mentioned, starting with David and then Abraham. Matthew, chapter 1, starts off with, 4“the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” These two men were prominent figures in the Old Testament, as both loved the Lord, their God with all their hearts. David was known for His praises to the Lord, as they are written all throughout the Book of Psalm. Psalm, chapter 138, reads, 2“I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.” He truly was a man after God’s own heart, after repenting of sins. Abraham was also close to God that he had a firsthand visit with the Lord and three angels. They even shared a great meal and ate together. It was the day that 1“the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre.” This story is in Genesis 18, starting with verse 1. This is a wonderful story of how close Abraham was with the Lord, that He could just appear at his doorsteps. So as mentioned, it wasn’t by chance that David was mentioned as the middle part of Jesus’s genealogy, where Abraham is in the beginning. We will read parts of this genealogy but I’d ask that you all read it for yourself, in Matthew, chapter 1.
Along with Abraham and David, there were other key people to note in the line of Jesus’s descendants. One person of importance was Solomon. Solomon was the author of the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. He was one the wisest people to ever live and throughout His life, sought after God. One thing He said in Proverbs, chapter 22, verse 4, shows his humility towards God. He said, 3“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” Now, he did fall into sin, like David did, but realized his faults near the end of his life and called it all vanity. Lastly, a man named Jechonias, a king, was mentioned. This was a sad time, as the people of Judah, along with the king, were carried away into Babylon. This was also mentioned in the genealogy, in Matthew, chapter 1, verse 11, but you can also find this information through reading Esther, Jeremiah and 2 Kings, among other places, where it talks about the captivity of the Jewish people. Now there were other people on this list, namely Joseph and Mary, but we will conclude with Jesus. Verse 16 reads, 4“from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.” And with this came the Lord Jesus Christ into the world. He is the promised Messiah and the Savior of this world. Come unto Him today, for salvation.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, my God, it is wonderful to think of You, during this time of year. It is amazing to think of how You came into this world as promised by the prophets of old. Even your lineage is of David and Abraham, whom loved you from the beginning. Surely, to be of Your descent is glorious indeed. What a gift it was for the people that were a part of where it all started. I am grateful that Abraham was true to You and never gave up on your promises to Him. I am also so grateful for David. That He came back to You, Lord. His praises fill me up with joy. I know that it was all for Your glory, for You deserve the highest praise. Even Solomon was in your line and how knowledge he was. His words were and still are inspirational to us all. Thank You for speaking through these men. I have learned so much from their words and I know it is because You were a part of it. Nothing is good unless You have a hand in it, God. I pray that we will ever remember You, during this Christmas season. That we will understand why we celebrate Christmas and it is because of You, Jesus. You came into the world to save us all from our sins. I am so blessed. Thank You for Your mercy. I am saved by Your grace. Your forgiveness has changed my life. I love You and praise You, Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Genesis 18:1-15 (KJV)
1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
2Psalm 138:1-8 (KJV)
1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
3Proverbs 22:1-6 (KJV)
1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
4Matthew 1:1-17 (KJV)
1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 So 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.