Matthew
Chapter 1
Memory verses for
this week: James 5:7 Be patient
therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long
patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Introduction:
We
begin a new study this week on the book of Matthew. The writer of
this account is Matthew, sometimes referred to as Levi. He was a
publican and tax collector by trade. We see the call of Levi to
follow Christ in chapter 2 of Mark.
Mark
2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at
the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and
followed him.
When
these men wrote these books of the bible, they were guided by the Holy
Spirit to pen the very words of God. While the writings of course
included their view and happenings that surrounded them, a greater
writer (the Holy Spirit) guided the hands of each man as God allowed
us to have four separate and unique accounts of the gospel. Some
things are mentioned in all four accounts, while some are contained in
only one of the accounts. God had a reason for every word that was
penned.
2 Pet 1:21 For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of
God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
I. The Genealogy in
Matthew
Mat 1:1 The book
of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of
Abraham.
Mat 1:2 Abraham
begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his
brethren;
Mat 1:3 And Judas
begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom
begat Aram;
Mat 1:4 And Aram
begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
Mat 1:5 And Salmon
begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat
Jesse;
Mat 1:6 And Jesse
begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had
been the wife of Urias;
In the book of Matthew, God chose to show us the genealogy of
Joseph. Since we know Joseph was not actually Christ’s father since
Jesus was the son of God, this lineage really does not have to do with
the blood line of Christ except to prove that the family did come
through the tribe of Judah. We have a complete lineage of Mary
recorded in Luke Chapter 3:23-38 which traces beyond even Abraham… it
goes all the way back to Adam. Matthew proves that Jesus is the Son
of David and of Abraham, and also traces him back through the royal
line of Solomon. You find that Mary’s lineage comes through the line
of Nathan. Some have suggested that Matthew’s account gives a list
of those standing the legal line of descent from David, whereas the
Luke account gives the actual names of ancestry generation after
generation. For whatever reason, God had a special reason to record
these two lines of names. One of the unusual things about Matthew’s
account is how that four women are named, and the typical ancestry
line was given only by the name of man. I think we can conclude these
four bear special recognition.
1. Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah who deceived him
and conceived Pharez and Zarah through the deception.
Gen 38:13 And it was
told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to
shear his sheep.
Gen 38:14 And she
put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a veil,
and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to
Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto
him to wife.
Gen 38:15 When Judah
saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her
face.
Gen 38:27 And it
came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in
her womb.
Gen 38:28 And it
came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and
the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying,
This came out first.
Gen 38:29 And it
came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came
out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon
thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
Gen 38:30 And
afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his
hand: and his name was called Zarah.
It is important to note the Pharez could not enter into the
congregation of the Lord until the tenth generation due to being an
illegitimate child.
2. Rachab – This was the harlot of Jericho who helped hide
the spies. The Old Testament does not record her marriage to Salmon,
but we know she went with the Jews after they overthrew the city of
Jericho. She apparently was a woman of great faith as she is included
in the book of the faithful, Hebrews Chapter 11.
Heb 11:31 By faith
the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she
had received the spies with peace.
3. Ruth - Ruth was a great woman, and time doesn’t permit
us to delve deeply into her background. But we have her life story
recorded in the book of Ruth. Ruth had faith in the God of Naomi,
her mother-in-law and stuck with her after her husband died. They
returned to Bethlehem and Ruth proved to be a great woman of faith.
4. Bathsheba - We have a complete record of Bathsheba in I
Samuel Chapter 11. She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite that David
had moved to the front of the battle that he might be killed after
David found that Bathsheba was with child after his adultery with
her. The story was tragic after this, and the baby lost it’s life
and the sword never departed from David’s house after this. God did
bless David with Solomon being born from Bathsheba. I think from
all these mentioned thus far, we can see how God can use all kinds of
people in His work. Praise God that not many mighty are chosen, but
the weak and willing vessels are the ones who do God’s work.
1 Cor 1:24 But unto
them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God,
and the wisdom of God.
1 Cor 1:25 Because
the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is
stronger than men.
1 Cor 1:26 For ye
see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1 Cor 1:27 But God
hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base
things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen,
yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no
flesh should glory in his presence.
Mat 1:7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia
begat Asa;
Mat 1:8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and
Joram begat Ozias;
Mat 1:9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and
Achaz begat Ezekias;
Mat 1:10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and
Amon begat Josias;
Mat 1:11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the
time they were carried away to Babylon:
Mat 1:12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat
Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
Mat 1:13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and
Eliakim begat Azor;
Mat 1:14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim
begat Eliud;
Mat 1:15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and
Matthan begat Jacob;
Mat 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was
born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Mat 1:17 So 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.
As I mentioned earlier, the two genealogies we have in
Matthew and Luke are traced from the two sons of David, Solomon and
Nathan. Solomon’s descendents were barred from the throne of Israel
to prosper from the days of Coniah.
Jer 22:28 Is this
man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no
pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast
into a land which they know not?
Jer 22:29 O earth,
earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
Jer 22:30 Thus saith
the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in
his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the
throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
Verse 17 speaks of there being three sets of fourteen
generations, the first being From Abraham to David. This might be
called the age of the patriarchs and judges.
The second set ranged from David unto the carrying away unto
Babylonian captivity. This is known as the age of the kings. The
last set was from the captivity unto Christ. No official title was
given to this period, but it sure was a period that ended with the
birth of the greatest person who has ever lived on earth, our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
II. Conception and
Birth of Jesus Christ
Mat 1:18 Now 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.
Mary and Joseph were what we refer today as being engaged to
be married. The difference back then was that being espoused was a
very serious matter, and it was a binding arrangement much more so
than our current engagements are today. When Mary became pregnant at
this time, it was a difficult situation. The angel appeared to
Joseph explaining what was to happen (verse 20), but to others there
would be the appearance of evil. Some might talk of her being with
child prior to the marriage, and most importantly, it could destroy
Joseph’s confidence in Mary. But Joseph was a just man as we read
in verse 19 and decided to put her away privily. He could have taken
her before the courts of law and had her judged and punished. He
could have put her away with a bill of divorcement before witnesses.
But rather than do that, he chose to put her away privily.
J. Vernon McGee said this about Joseph and Mary.
The
Mosaic Law was very specific at this point. It said that a woman who
was guilty of being unfaithful should be stoned to death—that was the
extreme penalty. But this man Joseph was a remarkable man. We devote a
great deal of attention to Mary, and rightly so. Protestants should
not let themselves be deterred from giving Mary a great deal of
credit. She was a remarkable person. Remember that she was the one
whom God chose to be the mother of our Lord, and God makes no
mistakes. He picked the right girl. While all of this is true, we need
to remember that God also chose Joseph. God made no mistake in
choosing him either. A hot-headed man would immediately have had her
stoned to death or would have made her a public example by exposing
her. But Joseph was not that kind of man. He was a gentle person. He
was in love with her, and he did not want to hurt her in any way,
although he felt that she had been unfaithful to him.
[i]
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not
willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away
privily.
Mat 1:20 But 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.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
While Joseph was pondering the situation, God sent a heavenly
messenger to Joseph in a dream. He tells Joseph to not fear to take
Mary to be his wife and that what might seem impossible with man, was
possible with God. That the baby had been conceived of the Holy
Ghost. And the angel goes so far as to tell Joseph what to name the
baby… “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people
from their sins. “ The name Jesus means “Savior.”
Matthew Henry said this about Joseph and Mary:
He is here informed
concerning that holy thing with which his espoused wife was now
pregnant. That which is conceived in her is of a divine original. He
is so far from being in danger of sharing in an impurity by marrying
her, that he will thereby share in the highest dignity he is capable
of. Two things he is told,
(1.) That she had conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost; not by the
power of nature. The Holy Spirit, who produced the world, now produced
the Saviour of the world, and prepared him a body, as was promised
him, when he said, Lo, I come, Heb. 10:5. Hence he is said to be made
of a woman (Gal. 4:4), and yet to be that second Adam that is the Lord
from heaven, 1 Co. 15:47. He is the Son of God, and yet so far
partakes of the substance of his mother as to be called the fruit of
her womb, Lu. 1:42. It was requisite that is conception should be
otherwise than by ordinary generation, that so, so though he partook
of the human nature, yet he might escape the corruption and pollution
of it, and not be conceived and shapen in iniquity. Histories tell us
of some who vainly pretended to have conceived by a divine power, as
the mother of Alexander; but none ever really did so, except the
mother of our Lord. His name in this, as in other things, is
Wonderful. We do not read that the virgin Mary did herself proclaim
the honour done to her; but she hid it in her heart, and therefore God
sent an angel to attest it. Those who seek not their own glory shall
have the honour that comes from God; it is reserved for the humble.
[ii]
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, 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.
We see that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. When my
good friend Brother Tony Grand and I traveled to Abilene a few weeks
ago, we discussed how that the whole bible, all 66 books, are really
about Jesus Christ. All of those Old Testament blood offerings could
not clear one sin, but they pointed to a greater who could. Jesus
Christ is the one sacrifice that God honors and He removes our sins
when we know Christ as our Lord and Savior. The prophets foretold
that a virgin would conceive and bring forth a Son. They even
identified the exact city where Christ would be born.
Isa 7:14 Therefore
the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Emmanuel means “God
with us.”
Micah 5:2 But thou,
Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler
in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of
the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn
son: and he called his name JESUS.
Joseph is obedient to the angel of the Lord. All of us
should be so quick to respond affirmatively when God directs us.
Obedience is perhaps the most needful things we need have among the
people of God. When we are obedient, God rewards us with great
blessings. The sinner needs to first obey the call of God and repent
and come to Christ for salvation.
We see that Joseph did what was right, and did make Mary his
wife. And it is very clear, that he did not know his wife until after
Christ was born. Jesus was the first born Son of God and was virgin
born. He was the only begotten Son of God.
Satan hates the doctrine of Christ being the virgin born Son
of God. But W.A. Criswell in the Believer’s Bible made this comment.
There is no question that “virgin” is the correct translation. It is
true to Matthew’s text and its Greek/Hebrew source. “Virgin”
translates the Greek
parthenos found in
the Greek/Hebrew in Is. 7:14, there used to render the Hebrew
>almah. There is no example where it can be demonstrated that
>almah
refers to a young woman who is not a virgin (cf. Gen. 24:43; Song 1:3;
6:8). Furthermore, the Greek word most often rendered “girl,”
“maiden,” or “a young woman” (neanis) is not used by Matthew. Instead, he is precise in his
use of
parthenos, which is
translated “virgin,” “maiden,” “pure,” or “chaste” even in classical
Greek literature.
[iii]
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Prov
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blessed.
[i]J.
Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System,
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.
[ii]Henry,
Matthew, Matthew Henry’s
Commentary on the Bible,
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.
[iii]W.A.
Criswell, Believer’s study Bible
[computer file], electronic ed. , Logos Library System,
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1991 by the Criswell Center for
Biblical Studies.