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1. Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17)
MATTHEW 1:2-3
2 Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar.
The Bible does not oppose men, but makes it clear that we are all sinners, and that every man who thinks that his family is blameless, even if they were kings and prophets, is deceived since none is righteous in front of God, even in the family of Jesus. We find it true that Jesus' lineage lived in sin, but he overcame the wicked inheritance of his fathers, not being conceived from a human father but conceived of God’s Spirit who dwells in him. He remained innocent and pure with no iniquity in him, and has willingly redeemed the human race in himself.
Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob in whose name the twelve tribes were named. These sons were nomads who once destroyed the population of a whole city for a disgrace that had fallen on their sister (Genesis 34:1-29). They also envied their youngest brother Joseph because their father loved him more than all of them and made a varicolored robe for him. So, they planned to kill him, but Judah dampened their zeal and convinced them to sell their brother for twenty pieces of silver and profit from him instead of taking his life.
Judah committed adultery over and above his covetousness. He prevented Tamar, his late son’s wife from getting married to his third son according to the law. She tricked him and let him sleep with her illicitly and had by him his child Pharez (Genesis 38). It is shameful to humans that the names of these three people—Judah, Tamar, and Pharez—were mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. The Son of God came down to prove that he redeems even the covetous, the adulterers, and the sinners; and that he shows up and unveils everybody without exception.
Jacob indicated the absolute authority of Christ to redeem the sinners when he blessed his son Judah and compared him with a lion before which all his brothers and all nations will bow in obedience (Genesis 49:8-12). John, the evangelist knew the mystery of this prophesy, he even heard the call of the elders in heaven saying, "Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has prevailed" (Revelation 5:5-10). John opened his eyes to see the great lion, but he did not see the lion. He saw a slain lamb that redeemed to God by his blood chosen people out of every nation who serve him as royal priests forever. Jesus has fulfilled the promises declared about his father Judah.
PRAYER: I worship you O Holy Lamb of God because you deserve all blessing, glory, riches, and praise; having overcome the evil one in the world and in your followers, sacrificing your holy life for me. Please overcome my affection for sin because I am no better than Judah or Tamar. Please cleanse me from my sins and sanctify me wholly.
QUESTION:
- How was the promise about Judah, son of Jacob, fulfilled in Jesus?