Genealogies: Do They Really Matter?

I remember reading a story of a college student who was assigned to give a speech in his Jewish History class. His desire was to prove to his professor, a practicing Jew at the time, that Jesus Christ was indeed the long awaited Messiah. Coming to the end of his presentation, the student closed with one of the clearest extra-Biblical arguments I have ever read.

If Jesus Christ was not the Messiah, then all hope of one was lost in 70 A.D. when Titus of Rome ransacked Jerusalem. The Roman Emperor utterly destroyed the Jewish temple and it was in the temple where all the records were stored. These genealogical documents were needed in order for the messiah to prove that he was indeed a true bloodline descendant of King David.

The professor's response? "I guess we can only hope that someone somewhere has kept and preserved copies of the Jewish genealogies." She was unwilling to see the truth that the Scriptures and all of history testify and proclaim - the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! Tragically, her response mirrored that of the Pharisees in John 5:39-40.

Don't you think it's remarkable that throughout all four Gospels the Jews never once questioned Christ's genealogical descent!?

So why are genealogies in the Bible so important?

While many of us would rather drink dirty water than read through one of the many lists of names recorded in the Bible, there is one central theme woven throughout every genealogy.

The manifestation of God's faithfulness in sending His Son to rescue the world!

Genealogies express three main characteristics of God:

1) God's faithfulness!

Over and over again throughout the Old Testament God continuously reminded His people of the promise He made to send a Savior into the world to save mankind. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of that promise.

2) God's intimate knowledge!

How does it make you feel to know that the God who created the entire universe and all its contents knows you by name? God made you and knows everything about you. From the number of hairs on your head to the first day you walked, He is intimately involved in your life.

3) God's love!

At the perfect time in all of history, God sent His Son so that He might save as many as are willing. He did not desire to leave us stranded in our sin but came to our rescue, delivering us from sin and death. He has lovingly stretched out His hand to mankind. Will we take it and allow Him to restore us to Himself?

Conclusion

Genealogies are often difficult to read. Whether they are short or long there is always that temptation to skim down and pick up where things are more interesting. Yet, in the very dryness of those lists is found another depth of understanding into the Word of Truth. Individually, they are diamonds in the ruff buried within their contexts. As a whole, those genealogies weave together into one continuous narrative that ties all of Scripture together.

Our culture may not greatly value genealogies but God used the Jewish people's desire for this organizational task for His specific purpose. The genealogies of the Jews express the majesty of God's sovereignty and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to mankind in Genesis.