Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew begins with a “book of the beginnings”. Jesus will be presented by Matthew as the new beginning or the new creation. The language in this passage is reflective of other ‘beginnings’ specifically Genesis 2:4 and 5:1. Matthew moves from Abraham to Jesus but notes critical mile markers or turning points. First is Abraham the true embodiment of what it means to be Jewish. Second is David the Great whose descendant would be called the “son of David”. This title will be a major Messianic title in the book of Mathew. Third the exile from which Israel would need a rescue. This picture of exile and rescue would find their ultimate fulfillment in the Christ. In these three cycles Matthew is more interested in communicating the great truth of who Jesus was and what He would do than providing a genealogical record.

The cycles have run their course and the time has come for the new beginning. The promise made to Abraham is finally being fulfilled, but in a most unexpected way. In the exile Israel came close to extinction. Israel that reached its zenith during the time of David and Solomon could not, during the age of the exile, be described as the sands of the seashore. And since the return from the exile Israel was little more than a backwater vassal state for empires. It was time for a turning, for a radical new direction. The promise to Abraham was being encapsulated in the Messiah. From the outside there may have been no indication that the time had come. The generations converge on Jesus, the years converge on Jesus and from the outside they appeared to be noteworthy only because they were so unremarkable.

The work-a-day could not know it was coming.

The political structure was unaware of what God was doing or what part it would play.

The people, with few exceptions, didn’t perceive that anything exceptional was happening.

We never know when God is about to do something remarkable. The great things of God are at work even if we do not see them at work. But we can live in such a way that when the movement of God is manifest we are ready to join in His great work.