STUDY OF GOSPEL MATTHEW Chapter 1

Matthew 1:3 And Judah begot Pharez and Zarah of Tamar, and Pharez begot Herro, and Herron begot Aram, In the genealogy of Adam no woman is recorded ( Gen. 5:1-32), but in this genealogy of Christ five women are mentioned. Only one of these five was a chaste virgin-Mary, a descendant of the chosen race. Of her, Christ was directly born (vs. 16). Among the rest-Tamar, Rahab, Ruth (vs. 5) and Bathsheba, who had been the wife of Uriah (vs. 6)-some were Gentiles, some were remarried, and three were even sinful-Tamar committed incest, Rahab was a prostitute, and Bathsheba committed adultery. This indicates that Christ is related not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles, even to the sinful people, and is the kingly Savior of typical sinners. Tamar was Judah's daughter-in-law. Judah begot Pharez and Zarah of her by incest (Gen. 38:6-30). What an evil! Matthew 1:5 And Salmon begot Boaz of Rahab, and Boaz begot Obed of Ruth, and Ruth begot Jesse, Rahap was a prostitute in Jericho (Josh. 2:1), a place cursed by God for eternity (Josh. 6:26). After she turned to God and God's people (Josh. 6:22-23, 25; Heb. 11:31) and married Salmon, a leader of Judah, the leading tribe (1 Chron. 2:10-11), she brought forth Boaz, a godly man, out of whom Christ came. Regardless of our background, if we turn to God and His people and are joined to the proper person among God's people, we will bring forth proper fruit and participate in the enjoyment of the birthright of Christ. Boaz redeemed his kinsman's inheritance and married the man's widow (Ruth 4:1-17). By so doing he became a notable forefather of Christ, a great associate of Christ. The origin of Ruth was incest, for she belonged to the tribe of Moab (Ruth 1:4), the fruit of Lot's incestuous union with his daughter (Gen. 19:30-38). Deuteronomy 23:3 forbade the Moabites to enter the assembly of Jehovah, even to the tenth generation. Ruth, however, not only was accepted by the Lord but also became one of the most important ancestors of Christ because she sought God and God's people (Ruth 1:15-17; 2:11-12). Regardless of who we are and what our background is, as long as we have a heart that seeks God and His people, we are in a position to be accepted into the birthright of christ. Boaz's mother, Rahab, was a Canaanitess and a prostitute, and his wife, Ruth a Moabitess of incestuous origin and a widow. Both were Gentiles and of low class, yet they are associated with Christ. Christ is joined not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles, even to those of low estate. Isaish 11:1 prophesied that Christ would be "a sprout. . .from the stump of Jesse and a branch from his roots. christ came out of Jesse. However Isa. 11:10 says that Christ is the root of Jesse, indicating that Jesse came out of Christ. Jesse was one who brought forth Christ, one who branched out Christ by being rooted in Christ. We'll pick up at Matthew 1:6 next time.