Matthew 1-4

'Salmon the father of Boas, whose mother was Rahab, Boas the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth.' (Matthew 1:5)

A genealogy is not an enthralling way to start this 90 day journey reading through the New Testament.  But even in the dry recitation of ancient names, God's amazing salvation plan is demonstrated.  Jesus' direct ancestors included royalty (David, Solomon), but it also included some unusual and unexpected characters.  For example, we have Rahab the prostitute (Joshua 2) and Ruth, the Moabite woman. Even in Jesus' genealogy we are reminded that God uses unexpected people to demonstrate his amazing grace and power.  If God has done it before, surely he can do it again - even with us?

Comments

[Justine Jones]

The genealogy differs (from David onwards) from the genealogy of Jesus outlined in Luke 3. I have heard this explained in the past as one genealogy being that of Joseph and the other of Mary (forget which way round it was) but that isn't clear in the scriptures (Matthew 1 states that Joseph's father was Jacob, Luke 3 says it was Heli). Any thoughts/comments/enlightened insights on this discrepancy?

JJ

[Stu Cameron]

Hi Justine,
Great question! In the end we do not know which of a number of possible plausible solutions is the right one - including that Luke is tracing a maternal line. Here is the link to an artcile I find helpful from a pastor I trust: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/who-was-jesus-grandfather

Blessings!
Stu