AT 1{Matt. 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, 7; and "All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Cor. 1:20.
Matt. 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. 1:3); then the grace that brought Rachab the harlot into the royal family (Matt. 1:5),; and Ruth the Moabitess also, shows us God's grace reaching over what the law has said (Deut. 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. 1:18-25. 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. 7:14. "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)