Matthew's Good News

GOOD NEWS in the genealogy? Matthew’s list is not just a bunch of names?

I’ve read the Bible through a number of times. Sometimes the reading of it was more of a pushing through.

Especially those endless lists of unpronounceable names! Who are all these folks? Why are they listed? Is it only a need to document history? Yet, even before this last month…I’d been beginning to see how some of the names listed I’d read…the fifth, sixth or seventh time…and instead of falling asleep…zzzzzzz

I marveled as I recalled the name of more than one…and connected those names to a story I’d read.

What I would like to share…and perhaps you already know? And if you knew…why didn’t you tell me? Or did you say and I didn’t hear…cause my mind was too full?

It is this that I share…that the genealogy of Jesus Christ…our Savior/Messiah…the genealogy is OH SO FULL OF MEANING & LIFE!

I had not seen this before…no; I had not heard this truth…

…the gospel of Jesus in a list of names…in the first chapter of Matthew…and now I see it so plain!

Well, there is so much I could tell…but I’ll focus on one…but first I will tell…a little of some…

…Some say Matthew’s genealogy is not historically correct and of course they’ve had troubles with that. I’ve learned the gospel of Matthew was written for a Jewish audience…and it is said they would understand Matthew’s method of lists…since it was customary to leave out some names or put in others…to work out a system for memorization and rhythm.

Others say it is more of a theological lesson…and the simplest definition I’ve found is from Merriam Webster’s online dictionary which says…the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially: the study of God and of God's relation to the world…which is such good news…that God longs for us to learn from, lean on and relate to Him…at the foot of the cross.

So more good news…the women who are listed prior to Mary…are not those matriarch’s expected to be named…such as Sara or Rebekah or even Rachel…but each woman that is listed has made choices that reflect questionable character regarding sex. Not that questionable character is what is designed or desired…but that it doesn’t prevent…the Lord’s divine mercy and forgiveness for those who repent.

Ah yes…it seems a deeper knowing in this…is continually what I need…even deeper and wider than the ocean…or Grand Canyon.

His love is that deep! AND His love is so wide that includes any person…from any tribe…any nation on earth…that would listen and hear and answer the call…of the voice of the Lord to their hearts…one and all.

Deep and Wide…Deep and wide…there’s a fountain flowing deep and wide…

So who are these women that revealed the gospels truth? Those listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth…and the wife of Uriah…whose name is not even said…but the story is told in the old testament…and her name is Bathsheba…who eventually became the wife of King David and the mother of the wise King Solomon. But that is not the story I’ll tell.

The first woman listed in the genealogy of the gospel of Matthew…is Tamar. She was the daughter-in-law of Judah. She was a Canaanite and the wife of Judah’s first son…who died because he was evil…hmmm.

Anyway, the custom of the time was for the deceased brother’s brother to take the widowed sister-in-law for his wife…so that the brother’s generation was carried on…so this second brother complied…yet with a bad attitude. He didn’t want to give his seed to his dead brother’s wife…so he spilled it on the ground…and I ask…why even do one duty if you are not going to do the entire duty? Selfishness and/or cruelty it seems…as the Bible says this brother was struck dead…and now Tamar was a widow once again.

There was one young brother left to marry this widow…but he was too young at the time. So the father-in-law, Judah, suggested she go live with her family and he would have her return when the youngest was old enough to fulfill his duty…of marrying her and carrying on his eldest’s generation. Well…Judah didn’t keep his word…did he lie or forget? Hmmm, unlikely forgetfulness…most likely a dismissal and a lie to protect his youngest from this widow.

When the widow, Tamar, found out that Judah’s wife had died and he was continuing business…and hadn’t done anything about keeping his promise of the youngest son who was now grown…she devised a plan of her own…to play the harlot…and get the seed of the family…custom demanded.

Now 3 months later Judah heard of her condition…and said she should be killed for her indiscretion. But she knew what would happen when he found out she was pregnant…so then she sent his belongings that she had received in payment. Judah quickly realized what his broken promise had created…this messy situation…and he took responsibility for his actions…and she lived and bore twins who also are listed in our Savior’s list of kin.

The other stories give hope of restoration for sure…
· Jericho’s prostitute Rahab
· The Moabite Ruth
· Bathsheba, the lovely wife of Uriah…King David’s adulterous conquest…and then eventually wife.

These are the women (and men) listed in the genealogy of our pure Lord’s descent!

How about that for good news?!!!!!!

So this old promiscuous thing…that I’ve been in my past…has a reason to sing…and live life new again…because the past is gone…no matter how many times…my mind or brokenness might try to remind that my choices of old…and even some from today…are so wicked at times…and give much direction to say…oh yes, I am a sinner by far…but His blood has cleansed me indeed…as I continually bow down and ask my Lord to cleanse me…with His life giving streams of water…my thirst is quenched and so pure…and this water of life brings more love, truth and joy by giving me hope in the Word…even in the genealogy of Christ…and which I am a descendent of now…and forever…so be it…which means amen.