Josaphat, Joram and Ozias Matthew 1:8

Matthew was a Jew, writing specifically to the Jews about a Jew whose name was Jesus. Matthew employs many Old Testament references throughout his book as to prove that Jesus is indeed the Messiah for whom the Jewish people awaited. Matthew began his book with the words, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham”, and he continued to share about, “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judas and his brethren; Phares and Zara of Thamar; Esrom, Aram, Aminadab, Naasson, Salmon, Booz of Rachab, Obed of Ruth, Jesse, David the king, Solomon

of her that had been the wife of Urias, Roboam, Abia and Asa”. In chapter one and verse eight of his book, Matthew continued Jesus' lineage with, “Josaphat, Joram and Ozias” where we read:

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

The verse reads, “And Asa beget Josaphat;” Matthew began with the words, “and Asa” which means “physician or cure” “beget Josaphat” or “fathered and engendered Josaphat or Jehoshaphat whose name means whom Jehovah judges”. Matthew added “Asa” to Jesus' lineage.

The verse goes on to say, “and Josaphat beget Joram; and Joram beget Ozias.” Matthew continued with the words, “and Josaphat” or “Jehoshaphat” which means “whom Jehovah judges” “beget Joram” or “fathered and engendered Joram which means whom Jehovah has exalted”; “and Joram” which refers to “whom Jehovah has exalted” “beget Ozias” which means “fathered and engendered Ozias or Uzziah which means strength of Jehovah”. Matthew added “Joram” and “Uzziah” to Jesus' ancestral line.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we have three more kings of Judah who are named within Jesus' ancestral line - “Josaphat, Joram and Ozias”. Each of them were employed by God to bring forth His Son and Messiah Jesus. God's plan to bring forth His Son spanned over many years and generations, and His desire to bring “salvation” through Jesus advanced through these ancestors.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Joatham, Achaz and Ezekias”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.