The Lineage That Matters
1 Chronicles 5:1-2
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
When we examine the genealogy of Christ, we encounter unexpected names that may prompt questions. Rahab, for example, was a harlot, yet she appears in His lineage. If Jesus is the Son of God, why would such a person be included in His family line?
The answer is that the right to the throne does not rest solely on genealogy or natural birthright; it rests with God Himself. He is sovereign and may accomplish His purposes as He chooses.
If genealogy alone had determined the inheritance, Reuben would have received the birthright of his father, Jacob. Because of Reuben’s sin, however, the birthright was given to Joseph. The right to the throne came through Judah because he prevailed over his brethren.
Jacob had declared:
“Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:8–10).
From Judah would come the chief ruler—not by natural genealogy or birthright, but according to God’s purpose.
Christ’s priesthood is described as being after the order of Melchisedec:
“For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.... For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 7:1–3, 14–17).
The Lineage That Matters
David ruled not because of genealogy or birthright, but because God chose him from the tribe of Judah. In the same way, Jesus is not impressed by natural lineage. He looks at the bloodline established through the new birth. That is what gives you access to the Kingdom.
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
When we examine the genealogy of Christ, we encounter unexpected names that may prompt questions. Rahab, for example, was a harlot, yet she appears in His lineage. If Jesus is the Son of God, why would such a person be included in His family line?
The answer is that the right to the throne does not rest solely on genealogy or natural birthright; it rests with God Himself. He is sovereign and may accomplish His purposes as He chooses.
If genealogy alone had determined the inheritance, Reuben would have received the birthright of his father, Jacob. Because of Reuben’s sin, however, the birthright was given to Joseph. The right to the throne came through Judah because he prevailed over his brethren.
Jacob had declared:
“Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:8–10).
From Judah would come the chief ruler—not by natural genealogy or birthright, but according to God’s purpose.
Christ’s priesthood is described as being after the order of Melchisedec:
“For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.... For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 7:1–3, 14–17).
The Lineage That Matters
David ruled not because of genealogy or birthright, but because God chose him from the tribe of Judah. In the same way, Jesus is not impressed by natural lineage. He looks at the bloodline established through the new birth. That is what gives you access to the Kingdom.
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