Insights from a Family Tree

By Douglas Finkbeiner, PhD
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies Program Director, Bible & Theology Department

READING: Matthew 1:1-14

While there has been a growing interest by some in our day to discover their family trees, a study into one’s genealogical roots typically elicits little more than a yawn. Unlike our day, genealogies were greatly valued in first-century Judaism. So we should not be surprised that Matthew begins his book with a genealogy of Joseph’s ancestors. While there are a series of encouraging insights from Matthew’s genealogy (e.g. the listing of four women with challenging stories), let’s focus on insights from Matthew’s structure of the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-14. Matthew introduces his book by connecting Jesus Christ to two key Old Testament figures – Abraham and David (1:1). He then lists key characters in his genealogy, beginning with Abraham (1:2) and concluding with Jesus (1:16). He concludes the genealogy in Matthew 1:17 by noting that his genealogy includes 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David to the exile and 14 generations from the exile to Jesus.
The key characters (Abraham, David, Jesus) and key event (exile), which Matthew highlights, present to us an underlying story of promise, failure and hope. The patriarch Abraham reminds us of the promise God had made to Abraham about blessing all people through his offspring (Genesis 12:1–3). King David reminds us of the promise that God had made to David to establish an eternal dynasty through his descendants (2 Samuel 7). Unfortunately, the exile highlights nothing but failure. The descendants of Abraham and David go into exile because of their disobedience. So how will God fulfill His promises through a nation marked by failure? The answer is Jesus. He is both a descendant of Abraham and of David. He becomes part of Israel’s tragic story so as to give hope to all people that God’s promises will be fulfilled through King Jesus. Jesus is the great turning point in history. May we remember this hope at Christmas. May we share this hope at Christmas with those who have never trusted in Christ as their Lord and Savior. Wow! Who would have thought that a simple genealogy could have told such a story?

PRAYER: God of the Ages, Your plan is seamless and sovereign. Forgive me for doubting Your sovereignty when I see the sin around me. Teach me to recognize Your divine plan for good even when man seems to be evil. Amen.