Generations (December 1)

Generations – A December 1 Devotional (Matthew 1:1-17)

1 An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

From Abraham to David

2 Abraham fathered Isaac,
Isaac fathered Jacob,
Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar,
Perez fathered Hezron,
Hezron fathered Aram,
4 Aram fathered Amminadab,
Amminadab fathered Nahshon,
Nahshon fathered Salmon,
5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab,
Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth,
Obed fathered Jesse,
6 and Jesse fathered King David.

From David to the Babylonian Exile
David fathered Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam,
Rehoboam fathered Abijah,
Abijah fathered Asa,
8 Asa fathered Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat fathered Joram,
Joram fathered Uzziah,
9 Uzziah fathered Jotham,
Jotham fathered Ahaz,
Ahaz fathered Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah fathered Manasseh,
Manasseh fathered Amon,
Amon fathered Josiah,
11 and Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers
at the time of the exile to Babylon.

From the Exile to the Messiah

12 After the exile to Babylon
Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel,
Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel fathered Abiud,
Abiud fathered Eliakim,
Eliakim fathered Azor,
14 Azor fathered Zadok,
Zadok fathered Achim,
Achim fathered Eliud,
15 Eliud fathered Eleazar,
Eleazar fathered Matthan,
Matthan fathered Jacob,
16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary,
who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, fourteen generations.
Matthew 1:1-17

Generations

“Stand up straight or you’ll be a hunchback on your wedding day!” I can remember my Nonnie telling me that over and over again. Is there anything you remember your parents or grandparents teaching you repeatedly?

Maybe it was something they repeated everyday as a routine that stands out to you in your memories. For instance, I remember my mother praying out loud or under her breath every time she loaded and unloaded the dishwasher. I can close my eyes right this moment and see and hear her in my mind’s eye doing exactly that.

Repeated Teachings

The people of Israel passed down teachings to their children and grandchildren like that.

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Generation upon generation, these ordinary families passed down a promise. The promise of God to send a Messiah was recounted to children as they grew, celebrated and anticipated in ceremonies and traditions, and longed for during difficult times.

A Promise from the Beginning

From almost immediately after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, the prophecies about the coming Messiah (or promised One) started. However, it took generation upon generation of ordinary people living out God’s plan to bring about the Messiah.

Are we living our lives to bring about God’s plan to restore people to relationship with Him?

December 1 Devotional Action Step:

Do you see yourself as someone God can use to bring about His plan and His glory? God uses ordinary people like us. Sin-filled people who trust in Him to be forgiven of their sins.

Today, let’s take a look at our own lives. Is there any area that is out of whack, out of alignment with God’s Word or will? Let’s get back into sync with God and His will for our lives for His glory.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to see Your hand in my life. Open my eyes to the areas in my life where I am not in line with Your Word and Your design. Use my life for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Access to the other posts in this series and the free printables for this December can be found at the Series Overview page. Come join me as I pursue the peace and joy on the Savior’s birth throughout the month of December!