THE LORD SPOKE (January 01)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament - Genesis 1-2

The emphasis of the first two chapters of Genesis is not how the world began. It’s really about how the PLAN began. The abbreviated description and apparent focus on the earth (as opposed to the sun) does not betray a simplistic scientific knowledge. It is the result of a theological focus on man. It is the beginning of God’s explanation of man’s uniqueness and His design to save him.

Of all creation’s treasures rare
Not one compares in worth with man;
In God’s own image he was made
To fill a place in His great plan.
- Branon

God’s determination to make man in His own image sets him apart from all the rest of creation. In fact, God specifically says that all the rest of creation is to be subject to man (Gen. 1:28-29). He is given dominion over it and allowed to exploit and enjoy it to the full extent. This is not a blanket permission to waste or despoil it in any way. However the plants, animals, and other elements exist for man’s use, not vice-versa.

This involves a grave responsibility, illustrated by God’s placement of Adam in the Garden of Eden with the command “to work and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15). Man is charged with the responsibility to govern the earth under God’s sovereignty.

God created man to work. This may be only part of God’s purpose for man but it is an essential part of understanding why and how He made man. Our work involves:

1. partnership with Him - God Himself works and part of our being created in the image of God involves productive labor.
2. service to others - Our work will generally benefit ourselves but God did not put us each in egocentric circles. He placed us in families and various other societal relationships.
3. self-fulfillment - When we work we fulfill God’s purpose for us and this give us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Genesis cuts quickly to the chase. Within a very few verses, the reader is plunged into the thick of the story of man’s creation, fall, and restoration. The PLAN of redemption is not long in unfolding but it’s a story that lasts for all eternity. It was planned before the foundation of the world and will last even when time shall be no more.New Testament - Matthew 1

What’s in a genealogy? Most of us don’t worry over much about reconstructing our whole chain of family history but we’re pretty glad if some member of the family has done that work for us. We especially like it if there are some pictures to go with it. It’s fun to look at great, great grandpa and grandma. Why is Charlie wearing a dress? Didn’t they ever smile back then?

Genealogies had a far different value in Bible times. Besides being a pre-photography age when each of those names had to carry some kind of mental picture, the lists also served as an important memory aid in a culture based on oral tradition.

That’s how Matthew’s genealogy worked. It’s what is sometimes called a telescoping genealogy because it is comprised of three sets of fourteen generations. In order to keep that numerical balance, a few generations were skipped. Why fourteen? Twice seven - the number of perfection? Maybe. The numerical value of the name of David? More likely. That seems to be the clue embedded in Matthew 1:17. The genealogy links David back to Abraham, and the Messiah back to David - an important emphasis throughout the whole book.

More than any other, Matthew is intent to prove Jesus’ messianic claims. His genealogy is certainly meant to do that though he is precise in the detail he gives when speaking of Mary in 1:16. He uses a feminine pronoun (English: “of whom”) to indicate that Jesus was not “begat” like everybody else on the list. Interestingly, five women are mentioned: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. For different reasons, each one raised eyebrows at the town water hole - go back and read their stories. For different reasons, each one factored into the Messianic hope and deserved mention on this list. For different reasons, each one is remembered for great faith in God’s plan.

Are genealogies boring to read? Most of the time. But one thing to consider on this one is the marvelous out-working of a divine Plan which culminated “in the fullness of time” in the birth of our Savior.