Manasses, Amon and Josias Matthew 1:10

Matthew was a Jew, writing specifically to the Jews about a Jew whose name was Jesus, and he employed 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 and Ezekias”, and in chapter one and verse ten of his book, Matthew continued to share the lineage of Jesus through “Manasses, Amon and Josias” where we read:

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

The verse reads, “And Ezekias begat Manasses;” Matthew began with the words, “and Ezekias” or “Hezekiah” which means “the might of Jehovah” “beget Manasses” or “fathered and engendered Manasses or Manasseh which means forgetting”. Matthew added king “Manasseh” to Jesus' lineage.

The verse goes on to say, “and Manasses beget Amon; and Amon beget Josias;” Matthew continued with the words, “and Manasses” or “Manasseh” which means “forgetting” “beget Amon” or “fathered and engendered Amon whose name means builder”; “and Amon” which refers to “builder” “beget Josias” which means “fathered and engendered Josias or Josiah which means whom Jehovah heals”. Matthew showed how “Amon and Josiah” were among the ancestors of Jesus.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God used “good” and “bad” kings to be the progenitors of Jesus. “Manasseh” and “Amon” were wicked and evil kings, and although “Manasseh” turned toward God at the end of his life, his legacy was less than desirable. Yet, God used him. “Josiah” was a good king, and he brought worship back to Judah, and God employed him as well. God's plan to bring forth His Messiah Son Jesus was deliberate and willful, and His intention was to “save” every person who will “believe and trust” in His Son Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. Yield to Him today in Jesus' name.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Jechonias and his brethren”, 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.