Scripture Study: Matthew 1

From: Scripture Study

Narrator: Chris Genthree

From: Young Christian: Volume 2, 1912

• 3 min. read • grade level: 7

AT 1{Matt. 1:1¹The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1) is the subject of this book. It is about Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.

As son of David, He is heir to the throne and kingdom of Israel; as son of Abraham, all the promises are fulfilled in Him. He is the great King foretold in such scriptures as Isa. 9:6, 7⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ⁷Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7); and "All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Cor. 1:20²⁰For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Matt. 1:2-17²Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; ³And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; ⁴And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; ⁵And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; ⁶And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; ⁷And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; ⁸And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; ⁹And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; ¹⁰And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; ¹¹And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: ¹²And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; ¹³And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; ¹⁴And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; ¹⁵And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; ¹⁶And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. ¹⁷So 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. (Matthew 1:2‑17) trace His genealogy to Joseph, His reputed father, who was heir to the throne; this gives Him the legal title. It is clearly traced through the time of Israel's captivity. Verse 17 divides it into three periods of fourteen generations, witnessing God's perfect ways.

In the history, there are four women mentioned, which show man's sinful ways, but God's wonderful grace and miraculous power that has brought a clean thing out of the unclean. Judah's sin with Thamar is the first (Matt. 1:3³And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; (Matthew 1:3)); then the grace that brought Rachab the harlot into the royal family (Matt. 1:5⁵And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; (Matthew 1:5)),; and Ruth the Moabitess also, shows us God's grace reaching over what the law has said (Deut. 23:3³An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever: (Deuteronomy 23:3)) in giving blessing to the believing stranger.

Then king David's sin with the wife of Uriah, tells us that while man in his best estate is altogether vanity, God's grace has provided One to be a Savior.

The Lord's genealogy in Luke is traced through Mary, and she is also of the royal line of David, but descended through Nathan David's son. Joseph comes through Solomon, the king, thus the Lord Jesus is proved legally, and by natural descent the heir to the throne.

Matt. 1:18-25¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. ¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. ²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. ²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: ²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. (Matthew 1:18‑25). In Luke we find God speaking to Mary, but here in Matthew all He says is to Joseph as son of David; and this is quite consistent with what we have looked at. Joseph was a pious man, and Mary was espoused to him, but before they came together, she was to he the mother of Jesus. The Holy Ghost's power had done this.

While Joseph was pondering what he should do, an angel of the Lord graciously explained to him Mary's condition, and calls her "Mary, thy wife," and "that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Ghost." "She shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." It was the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isa. 7:14¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14). "Emmanuel," i. e. "God with us." What a wonderful person! God come down to earth the deliverer of His people from the state of sin they had fallen into. Joseph believed God, and did as the angel told him to do. This is the simple way of faith; it believes and acts on the word of God, and when her son was born, "he called His name Jesus.”

Israel looked for One to come, a great King to deliver them from their enemies, but this One was to do a greater work, and not only deliver from human enemies, but deliver them from the slavery of sin and Satan, and set them in eternal blessing, but this was not yet unfolded. He who would do this work was come. How happy are they that know His name.

There is no other name than Thine

Jehovah-Jesus! name divine;

On which to rest for sins forgiven,

For peace with God, for hope of heaven.

Name above every name, Thy praise

Shall fill you courts thro' endless days,

Jehovah-Jesus! name divine,

Rock of Salvation Thou art mine.

(Continued)

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