Intentional Advent: Day 6
In the gospels, we do not read about the coming of the Christ without being told of his family tree. In the first chapter of the gospel of Matthew, the first 16 verses list out the generations before Christ’s birth. In verse 17, Matthew points out, “Thus there were 14 generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.”
On NIV’s website, it explains by pointing out the three groups of 14 generations; it shows there were six sets of seven generations. “Jesus, therefore represents the beginning of the seventh set of seven generations, the fullest completion of what came before him.” (taken from www.thenivbible.com)
I’ve been aware of the significance of certain numbers in the Bible, and knew that seven represented completion or wholeness. But I hadn’t ever realized how the number was woven into Christ’s birth! Earlier this week, I shared there were seven centuries between the prophecy in Isaiah and the birth of Christ, AND Christ’s birth was the beginning of the seventh set of seven generations!
Were you aware of this? If not, how does this knowledge impact you?
