Roboam, Abia and Asa Matthew 1:7

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 included, “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judas and his brethren, Phares and Zara of Thamar, Esrom, Aram, Aminadab, Naasson, Salmon, Booz of Rachab, Obed of Ruth and Jesse, David the king, and Solomon

of her that had been the wife of Urias”. In chapter one and verse seven of his book, Matthew shares the lineage of Jesus through “Roboam, Abia and Asa” where we read:

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

The verse reads, “And Solomon beget Roboam;” Matthew began with the words, “and Solomon” which means “peaceful” “beget Roboam” or “fathered and engendered Roboam or Rehoboam whose name means enlarger of the people”. Matthew continued Jesus' line through “Solomon and Rehoboam”.

The verse goes on to say, “and Roboam beget Abia; and Abia beget Asa;” Matthew continued with the words, “and Roboam” or “Rehoboam” which means “enlarger of the people” “beget Abia” or “Abijah” “fathered and engendered Abia or Abijah whose name means my father is Jehovah”; “and Abia” which refers to “my father is Jehovah” “beget Asa” which means “fathered and engendered Asa whose name means physician or cure”. Matthew shared how Solomon's son “Rehoboam” fathered “Abia” or “Abijah” who fathered “Asa” within Jesus' genealogical line.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God continued the line of people through whom Jesus was to come. “Solomon, Rehoboam, Abia and Asa” were the ancestors of Jesus through His father “Joseph”. It is interesting to note that these were not flawless people, and that is God's design for sending His Son Jesus. He came to save people who are flawed, and even His ancestral line demonstrates God's amazing grace toward mankind.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Josaphat, Joram and Ozias”, 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.