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Fourteen from Exile to Messiah

Verses 12 to 17 deliberately connect to the Old Testament prophecies of God’s plan for Christ’s life and work. These verses in Matthew’s genealogy show Israel moving on from Babylonian exile toward freedom and new life. This final cycle of 14 covers about 600 years, culminating with the advent of the longed-promised offspring (or seed): Jesus Christ.

As Matthew and others wrote down God’s truths of the faith, they often revisited God’s prophetic promise made to Abraham. Matthew declares that promise is fulfilled in verse 17. Genesis 12:7 records when Abraham first heard God promise him an heir: “To your offspring (or seed) …” Paul reminds us that God kept His promise through Jesus Christ.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he writes in 3:16, “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person who is Christ.” And God’s promise finds its home in our hearts as we read further in Galatians 3:29, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

The fifth woman Matthew names in his genealogy appears in verse 16. Mary is mentioned in connection with Joseph and Jesus. (1) We will study Luke’s account of Mary’s story and Matthew’s focus on Joseph separately.

Mary’s motherhood is another promise fulfilled. The Virgin Birth and the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation are wrapped up in a prophecy that foretells the coming child. For example, Isaiah 7:14 proclaims: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel,” meaning God with us.

Matthew’s genealogy, summarized in verse 17, introduces Jesus, the Son of David, King of the Jews. Yet, Matthew presents something more. He names five women (several of them Gentiles) in Jesus’ lineage. He also includes the Magi’s journey to worship. In these ways, Matthew pulls back the curtain to display the greatness of Jesus’ coming. He announces Jesus as God the Son and King of the entire human race. (2)

Behold the Son

Matthew’s genealogy commands every reader: Behold the Son, our God, and King! He is our deliverer, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah! So much more than a list of ancient names, we discover generations of imperfect people used by God to carry out His perfect plan of the Son’s delivery into the world.

Does your past or present life make you feel unworthy of God’s love or useful to Him? Take heart; we can never limit God’s love or thwart His plans! The reality is that everyone except Jesus Christ is a sinner in need of a Savior. We do not deserve God’s love, yet He delights in loving us. We do not add something to God that He needs or lacks.

Look to Jesus. In Christ, God provides the righteousness we lack. As Jesus announced at Matthew’s dinner table, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Will you accept God’s grace, His personal love, and plans to work for your good?

Questions

1. Matthew’s final group of names moves from captivity to freedom by starting with “After the exile to Babylon” and ending with “Jesus who is called the Messiah” (1:12-16). In what other parts of the Bible’s story can you recall that move from captivity to freedom, from death to life, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ?
2. How is Jesus Christ’s coming to deliver captives to freedom part of your family’s history, or is becoming a part of it starting with you?
3. Matthew’s genealogy, summarized in verse 17, connects Jesus’ birth to several Old Testament prophecies. What truths does this connection teach you about God, His plan, and the Bible?

Related verses:

1. Mary: Matt 1:18; Luke 1:30-35
2. Christ’s reign: Matt 24–25