I was surprised again about how much we know in the Scripture about some of the early "family tree" of Jesus Christ such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Boaz, David, Solomon--most of the kings of Judah up until the exile to Babylon. And then most of the names after Josiah I don't really know until Joseph, the husband of Mary. It does not say that Joseph is the father of Jesus because technically Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a virgin birth. Did the men in this list do something to merit being a part of the "royal family" of Jesus, or was this God's destiny for them, or both?
When you look at those in the lineage it is clear that it wasn't because of their righteousness or special merit. There was Tamar who slept with her father in law, there was Manassah, the most wicked and idolatrous king, and Ruth who was from Moab, not an Israelite. I think it is more a demonstration that God came to save people from every nation and with every kind of sin! God is merciful and loving!
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