Men of Faith and the Exile

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1)

The Genealogy of Jesus

• Matthew’s structure: 3 groupings of 14 generation
• Differences between Matthew and Luke
• Matthew’s goal in the genealogy: to show that Jesus is king of the Jews and hope of the nations

The Providence of God in History

• “The son of Abraham” (1:1-2; Genesis 12:1-3)
• “The son of David” (1:1, 6; 2 Samuel 7:12-13)
• “After the exile” (1:11-12)

Seeing God’s Purpose in Jesus’ Genealogy

• Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to the nations
• Jesus is the new King and Messiah for a conflicted world
• Jesus is the providential hope for humanity lost in exile

1. Who is one of your ancestors that is either famous or that you have special appreciation for? What does that mean to you?
2. As we begin Advent, we also begin a new series, “Family Tree,” exploring the first couple chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then read Matthew 1:1-17 aloud.
3. Background: The Gospel of Matthew is an early account of Jesus’ life attributed to Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, who was a former tax collector (Matthew 9:9-13). The gospel is written to both a Jewish and Gentile audience with special attention to Jewish concerns. It can tentatively be dated after the Fall of Jerusalem, most likely around AD 75-85.
4. The genealogy of Matthew 1 is structured with three groups of 14 generations, represent- ing three eras in Israel’s history: before the kings, the time of the kings, and the time of the exile and afterwards. Like other genealogies from his day, Matthew shares this informa- tion for a specific purpose. What do you think his purpose might be?
5. Next week we will focus on the female figures, but this week we want to look at two male figures and one event in the genealogy. Verse 1 mentions both David and Abraham. Read Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 17:1-8. Why do you think Abraham is important in this genealogy in relation both to Israel and the nations?
6. Verse 1 also calls Jesus “the Messiah the son of David,” which is echoed in verses 6 and 17. Read 2 Samuel 7:12-17, which is part of God’s covenant with David given through the prophet Nathan. How do you think these promises may relate to Jesus and His relation- ship to David? Why might this be important?
7. Verses 11-12 reference the Babylonian exile, which occurred in the 6th century BC and included the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 (see 2 Kings 25:1-26). This historical event came to represent the human condition of displacement by sin and evil in the world, and the longing for Messiah and God’s kingdom to arrive. Why do you think the reference to the exile might be important for the beginning of Matthew’s gospel account?
8. How have experienced Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to the nations, or as your King on this earth, or as the answer for your longing and hopes?
9. What is one thing God is speaking to you through this first exploration of Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1? If you’re on your own, write that down and pray over that this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.

• Consider reading some of the backstory of figures mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy, such as:
  • Abraham (Genesis 11:27-23:20; 25:1-11)
  • Jacob (Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-35:29)
  • David (1 Samuel 15:1-2 Samuel 8:18)
• If you want to really dig deep into the Scripture around Jesus’ infancy and early years, read Raymond Brown’s in-depth book, The Birth of the Messiah.
• Consider watching the Bible Project’s two videos summarizing the Gospel of Matthew and on exile.