The gospel of Matthew contains the most important news the world has known. Why then, is its beginning so . . . boring? Genesis starts with epic majesty: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In contrast, Matthew writes tepidly: “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus” (Matthew 1:1). Yawn.
But, then again, Matthew’s list is fascinating! For it mentions Gentile women. Why are they in an ancient Jewish genealogy (normally reserved for men only)? Because they’re a vital part of God’s redemptive story. Tamar (Matthew 1:3), the first woman mentioned, used subterfuge to conceive an heir for Judah (Genesis 38). Judah was ready to execute her for the crime of prostitution—until he realized her actions were righteous. He had been the real problem. Without Tamar, the ancestral line leading to Jesus’ birth would have ended.
Rahab (Matthew 1:5) is primarily recalled for her . . . um . . . profession (see Joshua 2). But she recognized God at work in the world and courageously hid two Israelite spies. Rahab became the mother of Boaz, who married . . .
Ruth, from Moab, whose godless people existed because of their ancestor’s incest. Moab literally means “from father.” You see, Lot had conceived children with his own daughters (Genesis 19:30-38). But Ruth, his descendent, chose to worship and follow the one true God. She became the great-grandmother of David, who married . . .
Bathsheba, who is known for being that woman—victim or otherwise (2 Samuel 11). She too is an honored ancestor of Jesus.
Last of all, of course, there’s Mary, that most blessed of all women, who “found favor with God” (Luke 1:30).
Why does Matthew start with a seemingly mundane list? Because it traces God’s astonishing story—the story of redemption.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 17:1-15
More:
You can read Tamar’s captivating story in Genesis 38. What cultural limitations and obstacles do you think she faced?
Next:
What are you most ashamed of? What will you do to seek God’s healing forgiveness?
jstabel on November 3, 2011 at 2:03 am
This is beautiful,Thanks Tim for the reminder.
1straightshooter on November 3, 2011 at 2:10 am
Matthew’s target audience is Jewish. He is proving that Jesus has the legal right to the throne of David through Joseph. What is often overlooked is the significance of verse 17. Matthew is clearly making a point. His Jewish audience would have recognized 14 as the day of their highest feast — Passover. Beginning with Abraham, the beginning not only of the people of Israel, but the beginning of the very plan of redemption itself, the first 14 ends with the pinnacle of Israel’s development, King David. The next 14 deteriorates until Israel hits rock bottom and the Babylonian captivity. The third 14 culminates with Jesus, Israel’s Redeemer. Three is the number of God in scripture, probably because of His triune nature. Matthew immediately transitions to the circumstances of Jesus’ birth. This is not some disjointed account from boring begats without a logical connection to the story that follows. He makes it clear in the details of the birth that Jesus is God (“God with us” and “conceived by the Holy Spirit”) and that He (Jesus, “Savior”) will save His people from their sins. Matthew is telling us in seamless narrative that not only do the circumstances of Jesus’ birth tell us, but even His very genealogy cries out as John the Baptist did that He is the Lamb (14) of God (3) that takes away the sin of the world.
R R Kelkar on November 3, 2011 at 6:43 am
Dear Tim and 1Straightshooter,
Your explanation would make sense to a Christian or Jew. But the fact remains that when people of other faiths start reading the first Gospel, they do have problems. First there is the genealogy, which is boring, and then comes the virgin birth, which is difficult for them to comprehend. John’s Gospel is that way better to begin with. And it starts with “in the beginning” (John 1:1) majestically like Genesis!
tim gustafson on November 3, 2011 at 8:07 am
I agree with you, RR, that John is much more intriguing to me. “Majestic” seems to be the right word for how it begins! But I think that Straightshooter’s point is a very sound one — Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience. They would have understood his nuances far better than the non-Jewish reader does.
But now that I’ve been a believer for quite some time, it is absolutely fascinating to delve into the details like Straightshooter is doing. The Bible really does have something for everyone. A great deal, in fact! Thanks for these contributions!
eppistle on November 3, 2011 at 10:09 am
The title of today’s ODJ doesn’t sound very exciting. But why are we so addicted to the need to be amused? The etymology of “amuse” is to “divert from serious business, tickle the fancy of.” Certainly there are times when a diversion can be good so that we have renewed energy for our serious business. But what happens when we are so addicted to amusement that we no longer have time for serious business that is not so amusing? What happens when we reject Bible reading, prayer, worship services, deep relationships because it’s not amusing enough? What happens when we prefer the amusement that’s just a mouseclick away from the deep joy from being still and knowing He is Lord?
GChoo on November 3, 2011 at 6:02 pm
Hi Tim, thanks for today devo. It is so interesting and thought provoking to know the different responses from it.
I am not one who is very familiar with my bible knowledge but have in the last few years consciously seeking to have a deeper relationship with God. I must say that through ODJ website besides my own church, i have been able to understand more about God and looking at things from different perspectives. No doubt, asking God for wisdom and discernment to what i hear and read.
Thinking about what had been shared, i believe that when someone does truly want to find out the truth about God, He will open their hearts and minds. Take for example, we christians can be abit prejudiced toward certain speakers and can get bored with their preaching. It may be because they are not amusing, or may have little expression when presenting their sermons. In this case, we may not get anything out of the sermons when we have that attitude. Our body may be there, but our spirit are elsewhere. I made this mistake many a times in the past too.
I believe God will show the way to His Truth when the person is genuine in seeking to know more about Him – the speaker may be boring but God’s truth will stand out.
OnMyWayHome on November 3, 2011 at 7:20 pm
What a beginning: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob years ago I would quickly read through the names or even skip them, now I understand why those three names as well as Joseph means so much.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to the Jews as I read it stands for the promise from God, ending with Joseph and Mary, actually the beginning.
Please search your Bible as to how many time those three names appear.
Thank you Tim and 1straightshooter
Thank You Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
daisymarygoldr on November 3, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Good post and discussion, Tim Gustafson and all! As children we memorized and recited these passages. And although people might consider it boring, genealogy is “useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.” (2 Timothy 3:16).
In Genesis we read the written account of the descendants of Adam. Likewise, Matthew gives us a record of the ancestors of Jesus- the last Adam. By connecting Genesis and Matthew we see Jesus as the beginning and ending of all human history.
There is nothing remarkable about a seducer, a public prostitute, a widowed stranger from incestuous Moab and an adulteress. As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one (Rom 3:10) and this includes all these women. Even Mary was a sinner who looked up to God her “Savior” (Luke 1:47)
So, what spiritual truth does this reveal to us living in the 21st century? This whole genealogy ultimately is all about the last name, Jesus—the One who is called the Amen (Revelation 3:14). Most importantly it speaks of our sovereign God’s grace and faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to fallen mankind.
It gives us hope and assurance to know that our sinfulness does not thwart as you pointed out—God’s eternal plan of redemption. The royal family tree of Jesus the Messiah a descendant of David and of Abraham branches out even further to include all who are born again into God’s family.
Q is: Are we bearing the family pedigree traits to resemble Jesus?
winn collier on November 3, 2011 at 11:13 pm
I appreciate these genealogical moments because they remind me that God is immersed in the details, in the details and the stories of our lives.