Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 10am and 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
CLASS TWO: Genealogy of Jesus - The Christ
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. READ / LISTEN to MATTHEW 1:1–25
a. What are your initial impressions or questions? Notable translation differences?
III. The Linage of the Messiah (1:1-17)
a. (vs. 1) The historical record of Ihsouv Cristov, “the anointed One”
i. Of Abraham and David’s linage.
ii. The mention of Judah’s brothers may remind readers that the 12 Tribes of Israel correspond to the 12 Apostles that Jesus chose. (Matthew 19:28)
iii. Matthew names this genealogy after Jesus, signifying that Jesus is the most important one.
iv. Compare / Contrast with Luke’s genealogy in Luke 3:23-38, especially Luke 3:31-34.
b. (vv. 2-6a) From Abraham to David
i. Four Gentile women are mentioned in these verses:
a. Tamar was a Canaanite who tricked her father-in-law into getting her pregnant (Gen 38)
b. Rahab was a prostitute from Jericho (Joshua 2)
c. Ruth was a Moabitess (Ruth 1)
d. Uriah’s wife was Bathsheba, a Hittite (2nd Samuel 11)
ii. What is the significance of these women being listed in this genealogy?
c. (vv. 6b-11) From David to the Babylonian Exile
i. Some of these people were good kings and some evil kings.
ii. (vs. 8) When comparing the genealogy of 1st Chronicles 3:10-12, Matthew omitted three names between Joram (aka Jehoram) and Uzziah (aka Azariah). Those names are Ahaziah, Joash,, and Amaziah. Why do you think he did this?
d. (vv. 12-17) From the Exile to the Messiah
i. (vs. 16) Matthew does not name Joseph as the father of Jesus.
ii. (vs. 17) This is most likely a use of gematria - assigning numerical value to letters of the alphabet. In this case the Hebrew name for David, dwd is 4+6+4=14. This also adds credibility to the view that Matthew wrote his gospel in Hebrew first (logia).
IV. The Nativity of Jesus Christ (1:18-25)
a. (vv. 18-19) The Discovery
i. What does it mean, “…before they came together?”
ii. What were Joseph’s choices at this point?
b. (vv. 20-21) An Angelic Visitation
i. Who do you think this angel is? (Luke 1:26)
ii. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, meaning “Yahweh saves.”
c. (vv. 22-23) A Fulfilled Prophesy
i. One of many times Matthew will note Hebrew prophesy being fulfilled.
ii. The quote is from Isaiah 7:14 and seems to have been spoken by the angel.
iii. Immanuel implies God in the flesh. (John 1:14)
d. (vv. 24-25) Joseph’s Obedient Response
i. What do these verses emphasize about Joseph?
V. Application
a. God does not qualify us by our family tree. He is not concerned about black sheep or closet skeletons. He wants our humble and obedient heart. (Psalm 51:17)
b. There are over 350 Old Testament prophesies that are fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. No other person in history has this distinction. Jesus is Who the gospel writers say He is – God with Us, our only Savior, the Coming King. (Rev. 1:7-8)
c. It was by a miracle of God that Mary gave birth to the Messiah. God still works miracles today. (John 14:12)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: Wise Men Seek the King - Read Matthew 2:1-23 to prepare.
