Matthew 1:10

Letters to the Faithful - Matthew 1:10

Berean Standard Bible

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,

King James Bible

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

Greek Text:

Ἑζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀμώς, Ἀμὼς δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωσίαν.

Transliteration:

Hezekías dè egénnēsen tòn Manassē, Manassēs dè egénnēsen tòn Amōs, Amōs dè egénnēsen tòn Iōsían.

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Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh

Hezekiah was a king of Judah known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple (2 Kings 18:1-6). His reign was marked by significant religious reforms and a miraculous deliverance from the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35-36). Despite Hezekiah's righteousness, his son Manasseh became one of the most notoriously evil kings of Judah (2 Kings 21:1-9). This contrast highlights the biblical theme that righteousness is not automatically inherited and each generation must choose to follow God. Hezekiah's life is a reminder of the importance of personal faithfulness and the impact of one's legacy.

Manasseh the father of Amon

Manasseh reigned for 55 years, the longest of any king in Judah, and his reign was characterized by idolatry and apostasy (2 Kings 21:10-16). He rebuilt high places, erected altars to Baal, and even sacrificed his own son, leading the nation into sin. However, later in life, he repented and sought the Lord (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), showing God's willingness to forgive even the gravest sins. Manasseh's son, Amon, followed in his father's earlier footsteps, continuing in idolatry and evil practices (2 Kings 21:19-22). This highlights the destructive cycle of sin and the need for genuine repentance and transformation.

Amon the father of Josiah

Amon's reign was short, lasting only two years before he was assassinated by his own officials (2 Kings 21:23-24). His failure to turn from idolatry set the stage for his son Josiah's reforms. Josiah became king at a young age and was known for his dedication to God and his efforts to restore the covenant and purify the worship practices of Judah (2 Kings 22:1-2, 23:1-25). Josiah's reign is often seen as a type of Christ, as he sought to bring the people back to God and restore true worship. His story emphasizes the potential for renewal and revival, even after periods of deep spiritual decline.

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My beloved brothers and sisters, grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, whose coming was foretold through the ages and fulfilled in the fullness of time. I write to you with a heart stirred by the wonder of God’s eternal purpose, revealed in the lineage of His chosen, through which He wove a tapestry of redemption that spans generations. Let us reflect together on the marvelous truth that the Almighty, in His infinite wisdom, has worked through the frail and faltering steps of humanity to bring forth His salvation, a salvation that is for all people, Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, near and far.

Consider the mystery of God’s providence, how He moves through the ages, guiding the course of history with a hand unseen yet sovereign. From the earliest days, when the promise was first spoken to Abraham, the father of many nations, God set in motion a plan that would culminate in the birth of the Messiah. Through the line of kings and commoners, through moments of triumph and seasons of exile, through faithfulness and failure, He remained steadfast, weaving together a story that would lead to the One who is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This is no mere genealogy of human descent, but a testament to the faithfulness of God, who keeps His covenant and fulfills His word, even when hope seems dim and the path obscure.

Let us marvel at the grace that includes the unlikely and the unworthy in the lineage of the Savior. In this divine record, we see not only the names of the great and the noble but also those who stumbled, those who were overlooked, those whose lives bore the marks of human frailty. Yet God, in His boundless mercy, chose to work through them, showing that His strength is made perfect in weakness. The harlot found a place in His plan, as did the foreigner, the outcast, and the sinner. What comfort this brings to us, dear friends, for we too are frail, prone to wander, and yet invited to participate in the unfolding of His kingdom. No one is beyond the reach of His grace, and no story is too broken for Him to redeem.

As we ponder this truth, let us be reminded that God’s purposes are not bound by the limitations of human understanding. The generations listed in this sacred lineage were not merely names on a scroll but lives lived in the shadow of a promise they could not fully grasp. They walked by faith, not by sight, trusting in the One who called them, even when the fulfillment of His word lay far beyond their days. So too are we called to walk, trusting that the same God who was faithful to them is faithful to us. He is not slow in keeping His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient, desiring that all should come to repentance and know the joy of His salvation.

Therefore, let us live as those who belong to this great story of redemption. Let us not grow weary in doing good, nor lose heart when the world seems dark and its burdens heavy. The same God who guided the steps of those who came before us is guiding us still, and He will bring to completion the good work He has begun. Let us hold fast to the hope that is set before us, an anchor for our souls, grounded in the unchangeable nature of His purpose. For just as He brought forth the Savior through a lineage marked by both glory and brokenness, so too will He bring forth His kingdom through us, His people, who are called by His name.

I urge you, beloved, to live worthy of this calling. Be fervent in love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be steadfast in prayer, lifting up the needs of the saints and the cries of the lost. Be bold in proclaiming the good news of the Savior, who came not to condemn the world but to save it. Let your lives be a living testimony to the grace that has been revealed, a grace that flows from the heart of God and reaches to the ends of the earth. Do not be swayed by the fleeting pleasures of this world or discouraged by its trials, for our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await the return of our King.

And so, my dear friends, as you go forth, carry with you the assurance that you are part of a story far greater than yourselves. You are heirs of a promise that cannot be shaken, children of a God who does not fail. May your hearts be filled with the joy of His salvation, your minds stayed on His peace, and your lives devoted to His glory. Until we meet in the presence of our Lord, may His grace sustain you, His love uphold you, and His Spirit guide you into all truth.

With all affection and prayers for your steadfastness,

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Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of heaven and earth, whose mercy endures through all generations, we come before You with hearts full of awe and gratitude, lifting our voices in humble adoration. You are the God who weaves the tapestry of time, guiding the course of history with Your sovereign hand, fulfilling Your promises through the lineage of Your chosen people, and bringing forth salvation for all who call upon Your name. We stand in wonder at Your faithfulness, which spans the ages, and we seek Your presence now, that we may be drawn closer to Your heart and aligned with Your eternal purpose.

We praise You, O Lord, for Your unsearchable wisdom, which has worked through the frail and faltering steps of humanity to accomplish Your divine will. From the days of old, You spoke promises to Your servants, and through their lives—marked by both triumph and trial—You prepared the way for the Savior, the Light of the world. We thank You that no one is beyond the reach of Your grace, that You have called the lowly, the broken, and the unworthy to be vessels of Your redemption. Your mercy has included the outcast, the sinner, and the stranger, and in this we find hope, for we too are frail, yet cherished by Your boundless love.

Father of all mercies, we pray for Your people scattered across the earth, that they may walk in the light of Your truth. Strengthen those who falter, comfort those who mourn, and guide those who wander. May Your Spirit fill their hearts with courage to live as heirs of Your promise, trusting in Your faithfulness even when the path is unclear. Grant them wisdom to discern Your will, humility to seek Your face, and boldness to proclaim Your love to a world in need. Let them be a beacon of Your grace, reflecting the hope that comes from knowing You, the God who never fails.

We lift up those who have not yet known Your salvation, those who dwell in darkness or are burdened by the cares of this world. Open their eyes, O Lord, to see the beauty of Your Son, the One who came to seek and save the lost. Soften their hearts to receive Your grace, and send Your laborers into the harvest to share the good news of Your kingdom. May the story of Your redemption, woven through generations, reach every corner of the earth, drawing all people to the cross where mercy and truth have met.

Pour out Your Spirit upon Your church, that it may be united in love and purpose. Heal divisions, restore what is broken, and kindle anew a passion for Your glory. Equip Your people to serve one another with humility, to bear one another’s burdens, and to walk in the unity that reflects Your heart. May they be steadfast in prayer, unwavering in faith, and tireless in doing good, knowing that their labor in You is never in vain. Let their lives testify to the power of Your grace, which transforms the weak into vessels of Your strength.

O God, whose promises are sure, we pray for those who face trials and uncertainties. Be their refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Surround them with Your peace that surpasses understanding, and anchor their souls in the hope of Your unchanging word. Remind them that You are the God who sees, who knows, and who works all things for good. Just as You guided the generations before us, guide us now, that we may walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in the fulfillment of Your eternal plan.

We ask, Lord, that You would shape us into a people who reflect Your glory. Teach us to love as You love, to forgive as You forgive, and to serve as You serve. May our words be seasoned with grace, our actions marked by compassion, and our lives devoted to Your praise. Keep us from the snares of this world, from the fleeting temptations that draw us away from You. Fix our eyes on the hope of Your kingdom, where we will one day stand in Your presence, joined with all the saints who have gone before us.

Now to You, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be all honor and glory, forever and ever. May Your name be exalted in all the earth, and may Your will be done as it is in heaven. We offer this prayer in the name of Your Son, our Savior, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.