Phares and Zara of Thamar, Esrom; and Aram Matthew 1:3

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 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” “Abraham beget Isaac; and Isaac beget Jacob; and Jacob beget Judas and his brethren;” and in chapter one and verse three of his book, Matthew continues to share the lineage of Jesus from “Phares and Zara of Thamar, Esrom and Aram” where we read:

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

The verse reads, “And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;” Matthew began with the words, “and Judas” or “Judah” which means “he shall be praised” “begat Phares” or “fathered and engendered Zara which means a rising as the sun” “and Zara” which means “a rising as the sun” “of Thamar” or Tamar which means “palm tree and was Judah's daughter in law and was the mother of Er and Onan who previous to Phares died”. Matthew continued with “Phares” within Jesus' lineage who was the son of Judah through “Tamar” his daughter in law.

The verse goes on to say, “and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram” Matthew continued with the words, “and Phares” which means “a breach” “beget Esrom” or “Hezron or Hesron” which means “fathered and engendered Esrom which means enclosed”; “and Esrom” which means “enclosed” “beget Aram” or “Ram” “fathered and engendered Aram which means high”. Matthew added “Esrom and Aram” to his list of men within Jesus' lineage.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover how God employed an unusual situation to produce one of Jesus' ancestors. “Tamar” was “Judah's” daughter in law, and in what might be deemed a scandal by some, “Tamar” tricked “Judah” into having a son with her. (See Genesis 38). God used “Judah, Phares, Esrom and Aram” in the lineage of Jesus, and He also brought Jesus into the world through “Tamar”. God's desires is for everyone, regardless of their past, to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. He was intentional in His planning for Jesus' birth, and He is intentional in His plan of “salvation” as well. Let all who read these words receive His well planned for Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” today.

Next time Matthew continues Jesus' lineage with “Aminadab, Naasson and Salmon” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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