Matthew 1:11

Thursday, 18 July 2024

Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. Matthew 1:11

“And Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers upon the Babylon deportation” (CG).

The previous verse ended with the words, “and Amon begot Josiah.” The listing now continues with, “And Josiah begot Jeconiah.”

The record now skips once again. In 2 Kings 23, while referring to Josiah, it says –

“Then his servants moved his body in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.
31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 32 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. 33 Now Pharaoh Necho put him in prison at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 34 Then Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Pharaoh took Jehoahaz and went to Egypt, and he died there.” 2 Kings 23:30-34

After that, in 2 Kings 24, it then reads –

“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 6 So Jehoiakim rested with his fathers. Then Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.” 2 Kings 24:5, 6

It is this person, Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah, that was carried to Babylon as is recorded in 2 Kings 24:8-12. Jeconiah is also known elsewhere as Coniah. His name, when recorded as Jehoiachin, means Yah Establishes. With that noted, Matthew next says, “and his brothers.”

A great fuss is made about this because nothing is said of him having brothers. But this dismisses two points. The first is that just because no brothers are recorded, it would be an argument from silence to say he had none. But more, the term “brothers” is used throughout Scripture to indicate many things that extend well beyond actual brothers, even to speaking of all of the people of a tribe or the nation of Israel.

Understanding this, there was an exile. At that time, Jeconiah was a part of it, along with others within the land. These things occurred, according to Matthew “upon the Babylon deportation.”

Like the noting of David, the king in verse 6, this is now the second key in Matthew’s chronology of the genealogy of Jesus. As it says in verse 17 –

“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.”

Matthew is forming a narrative based on key events to reveal necessary information for us to contemplate.

Life application: The result of Israel’s continued disobedience, culminating in the wickedness of Manasseh, was for the nation to receive the promised punishment of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. For example –

“I will bring the land to desolation, and your enemies who dwell in it shall be astonished at it.
33 I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste.
34 Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land; then the land shall rest and enjoy its sabbaths.
35 As long as it lies desolate it shall rest—
for the time it did not rest on your sabbaths when you dwelt in it.” Leviticus 26:32-35

Israel failed to pay heed and the people were sent into exile after much famine, sword, and plague. Likewise, the world has the warning that it too will be judged for its wickedness. The book of Revelation is written. Nothing will change what is coming. Thus, like Israel’s woes, the calamities that lie ahead are a global self-inflicted wound.

What man needs, first and foremost, is reconciliation with God. Without that, there is no hope for the human soul. But once one comes to Him through His offering of Jesus, reconciliation is made. This doesn’t mean an easy walk without troubles will be the result. But it does mean that when this walk is over, He promises us an eternity of life in His presence.

Be sure to accept the gospel and receive God’s restoration for your soul. After that, be sure to tell others about it as well. Bad times lay ahead for humanity. Do what you can now to help people avoid what is coming.

Lord God Almighty, despite our walking away from You and living lives in a manner which is at enmity with You, You were willing to send Jesus to bring us back to Yourself. What manner of love is this! Thank You for making the first move in our reconciliation. Now, all You ask us to do is believe. Soften our hearts, O God. Help us to reach out in faith and be saved! Amen.