Matthew 1
The Spirit of God has been pleased to record for us the genealogy and the birth of Jesus, the King of Israel. This should draw forth praise and adoration from our hearts. What deep lessons we learn as we trace through the gospel of Matthew His life, compassion, marvelous wisdom, perfect devotion and obedience to His Father, ending in His suffering and death for the glory of God and for our salvation.
The royal line of Christ, the King of Israel, is traced through three parts of fourteen generations each. It begins with Abraham, the father of faith, who was given the promises which apply to Israel and the whole world. But, in viewing the genealogy, the pride of Israel should be humbled, for in the royal line we find Tamar who played the harlot, Rahab the harlot, Ruth the Moabitess, and David the king who was an adulterer and murderer.
But Israel, not understanding their own disobedience and shame as a nation which has had the highest privileges, has not repented. Israel in unbelief did not understand the essential truth of repentance toward God and, for the time being, forfeited the promised kingdom. Because the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, all promises will be fulfilled in their time.
Mary of the royal line (Luke 3:2323And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, (Luke 3:23)) was espoused to Joseph, also of the royal line. But before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. The curse of sin and condemnation came by the woman; Christ came by the woman. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to take Mary for his wife, because the child that was conceived in her womb was of the Holy Spirit. Joseph did not know Mary until Jesus was born. The Son, the woman's seed, was called "Jesus" which means Jehovah Savior, and "Emmanuel" which means God with us.