Abiud, Eliakim and Azor Matthew 1:13

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, Roboam, Abia, Asa, Josaphat, Joram, Ozias, Joatham, Achaz, Ezekias, Manasses, Amon and Josias, Jechonias and his brethren, Salthiel and Zorobabel”. In chapter one and verse thirteen of his book, Matthew shares the lineage of Jesus through “Abiud, Eliakim and Azor” where we read:

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

The verse reads, “And Zorobabel beget Abiud; and Abiud beget Eliakim;” Matthew began with the words, “and Zorobabel” or “Zerubbabel” which means “born at Babel or Babylon” “beget Abiud” or “fathered and engendered Abiud which means my father is majesty”; “and Abiud” which means “my father is majesty” “beget Eliakim” which means “fathered and engendered Eliakim which means raising up by God”. Matthew included “Abiud” and “Eliakim” in Jesus' genealogical line.

The verse continues, “and Eliakim beget Azor;” Matthew added the words, “and Eliakim” which means “raising up by God” “beget Azor” or “fathered and engendered Azor which means helper”. Matthew added “Azor” to Jesus' ancestral line.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God has used many people in Jesus' genealogy. It was imperative that a perfect record of His lineage be kept because the Messiah had to come through this line. Jesus is the only person who fits this lineage as well as the one in Luke chapter three, and therefore, He is the exclusive and only person to “save” mankind. Those who are wise will consider this ancestral line and know that Jesus Himself declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the father but by me”. (John 14:6)

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Sadoc, Achim and Eliud”, 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.