Matthew:1

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* Verse 1-17 - Concerning this genealogy of our Saviour , observe the chief intention . It is not a needless genealogy . It is not a vain-glorious one , as those of great men often are . It proves that our Lord Jesus is of the nation and family out of which the Messiah was to arise . The promise of the blessing was made to Abraham and his seed ; of the dominion , to David and his seed . It was promised to Abraham that Christ should descend from him , Genesis strkjv @12:3 . strkjv @22:18 . and to David that he should descend from him , 2Samuel strkjv @7:12 . Psalms strkjv @89:3 ,. &c .; strkjv @132:11 . and , therefore , unless Jesus is a son of David , and a son of Abraham , he is not the Messiah . Now this is here proved from well-known records . When the Son of God was pleased to take our nature , he came near to us , in our fallen , wretched condition ; but he was perfectly free from sin : and while we read the names in his genealogy , we should not forget how low the Lord of glory stooped to save the human race . * Verse 18-25 - Let us look to the circumstances under which the Son of God entered into this lower world , till we learn to despise the vain honours of this world , when compared with piety and holiness . The mystery of Christ 's becoming man is to be adored , not curiously inquired into . It was so ordered that Christ should partake of our nature , yet that he should be pure from the defilement of original sin , which has been communicated to all the race of Adam . Observe , it is the thoughtful , not the unthinking , whom God will guide . God 's time to come with instruction to his people , is when they are at a loss . Divine comforts most delight the soul when under the pressure of perplexed thoughts . Joseph is told that Mary should bring forth the Saviour of the world . He was to call his name Jesus , a Saviour . Jesus is the same name with Joshua . And the reason of that name is clear , for those whom Christ saves , he saves from their sins ; from the guilt of sin by the merit of his death , and from the power of sin by the Spirit of his grace . In saving them from sin , he saves them from wrath and the curse , and all misery , here and hereafter . Christ came to save his people , not in their sins , but from their sins ; and so to redeem them from among men , to himself , who is separate from sinners . Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him , speedily , without delay , and cheerfully , without dispute . By applying the general rules of the written word , we should in all the steps of our lives , particularly the great turns of them , take direction from God , and we shall find this safe and comfortable . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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