Genealogy

Do you like genealogy? How far back in your family tree can you trace your roots? How much about your family history do you know? Do you know your cultural heritage? Can you trace your family to other countries? Have you thought about Jesus’s family tree and heritage?

Genealogy can be fun and yet challenging to trace. The scanning of documents, putting them into databases has made it a little easier today. Yet, the challenge is verifying what you think you know to be true. Sometimes, there is just a hint of information. Other times, it is solid.

The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming Messiah and states that He will come from the root of Jesse. Of course, we know today that Jesse was King David’s father. We can also look at the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Matthew traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Abraham, while Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam. I dare say none of us can trace our genealogy back that many generations.

But Isaiah says the Messiah is a signal to the peoples. His first coming is the signal that God is instituting his kingdom. It started with the death, burial, and resurrection. It was quickly followed by the apostles and other disciples spreading the good news and building the church. We continue to preach and teach the good news today.

Yet, that wasn’t all. Isaiah takes it to God’s final end, which is his eternal kingdom. Jesus will reign forever as the King of kings throughout eternity. His dwelling, and ours according to His promises, will be glorious. Isaiah often prophesied about things that would come to pass in the near term and typically continued by prophesying about the Messiah and His eternal reign. Isaiah was so in tune with God, and God spoke through Isaiah to reveal his plan. We can learn a lot by studying Isaiah.

I pray we all take a time to know a little about our lineage. I pray we understand the importance of Isaiah’s prophesy. I pray each one of us look forward to Jesus coming to reign forever. Know your family history. Study Isaiah’s prophesies. Look forward to Jesus returning to reign forever.

Isaiah 11:10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.