Joatham, Achaz and Ezekias Matthew 1:9

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, Josaphat, Joram; and Ozias.” In chapter one and verse nine of his book, Matthew shares the lineage of Jesus through “Joatham, Achaz and Ezekias” where we read:

And Ozias beget Joatham; and Joatham beget Achaz; and Achaz beget Ezekias;

The verse reads, “And Ozias beget Joatham;” Matthew began with the words, “and Ozias” or “Uzziah” which means “strength of Jehovah” “beget Joatham” or “fathered and engendered Joatham or Jotham which means Jehovah is upright”. Matthew continued with Jesus' ancestral lineage with “Jotham”.

The verse continues, “and Joatham beget Achaz; and Achaz beget Ezekias;” Matthew continued with the words, “and Joatham” or “Jotham” which means “Jehovah is upright” “beget Achaz” or “fathered and engendered Achaz or Ahaz which means possessor”; “and Achaz” or “Ahaz” which means “possessor” “beget Ezekias” which means “fathered and engendered Ezekias or Hezekiah which means the might of Jehovah”. Matthew added “Ahaz and Hezekiah” to Jesus' generational line.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we find these famous kings of Judah who were also in Jesus' lineage. Each of these men were were employed by God to bring forth the Messiah even though “Ahaz” was a wicked king, and Hezekiah was a good king. God's plan included them both which demonstrates God's willingness to “save” every person who will yield their lives to His Son Jesus. Jesus came through these kings that He might be the “Savior and Lord” of the world, and those who are wise will know and understand God's willingness to “save” everyone.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Manasses, Amon and Josias”, 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.