“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations” Matthew 1:17

Most of us likely skim over the list of names in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. We recognize that genealogy is important, but the names mean little to us. We understand that the lineage of Jesus is especially important because it is imperative that He be identified with Abraham, David, and Adam if He truly is the Son of God/Son of Man.

The thrice mention of fourteen generations has special significance. God’s first great covenant was made with Abraham, with whom the first fourteen generations are associated. The next great covenant was with David, who is associated with the next fourteen generations. And then the third fourteen generations lead to Jesus Messiah, with whom we associate the New Covenant. Jesus was the promised seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16), and the promised descendant to sit upon the throne of David (2 Samuel 7).

There is, then, more than meets the eye as to three fourteen generation divisions in Jesus’ ancestry. Overarching it all are the covenant promises God has made for and with His people, and they are ultimately bound up in and fulfilled in Jesus.

Now, doesn’t that give us a greater appreciation of a list of names we might easily skim over?

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