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Matthew 1:9
Jotham became king at age twenty-five (2 Chronicles 27:1), but was not the youngest king as Joash, the great-grandfather of Jotham was only 7 years old whenever he became king (2 Chronicles 24:1). Jotham did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to his father Uzziah but the people still yet continued to act corruptly (2 Chronicles 27:2) These things are confirmed in 2 Kings 15:32-38.
Ahaz became king of Judah and did not follow the ways of the LORD but worshiped the gods of the nations that God had turned away from (2 Kings 16). For his disobedience to God, he was defeated in battle and many people were taken captive to Syria and Israel (2 Chronicles 28).
Hezekiah became king of Judah and did follow the ways of the LORD (2 Chronicles 29:1-2). He made repairs to the house of the LORD. King Hezekiah declares to the people in 2 Chronicles 29:10 (NKJV), “Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.” Because of Hezekiah’s obedience to the LORD, He defeated the Assyrians overnight as the angel of the LORD struck them 185,000 all dead the next morning (2 Kings 19:35). The life of Hezekiah was extended 15 years as the LORD heard his prayers and healed him (2 kings 20:1-11).
This is the genealogy of Jesus from Uzziah to Hezekiah.
As we can now see, the men and women in the genealogy of Christ Jesus our Savior were human beings with the same issues that we face in society today. We have learned that it is of a sincere, true heart to God that drives our relationship with Him from our perspective. If our heart is focused on ourselves, God steps back and lets us see just how sinful we are in and of ourselves. If we are not seeking God’s wisdom and guidance, we are only then seeking the ways of this world which, however exciting and powerful they may seem to be in the moment, eventually fade and then we are left seeking something else to fulfill the longing in our hearts that can only be filled by God – by opening our hearts to His saving power that lasts forever – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
These kings that You chose to be the leaders of Your chosen people Israel are a great example to us of the fact that they too, just as us, are human, and in so being, are fallible. This shows us that seeking You with all our heart, mind, and strength is a requirement from our standpoint to receive Your blessings. Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40 that this is the great commandment, along with loving our neighbor as ourselves. Please open our eyes to the great love that You offer us in Christ Jesus that we would strive to live as You would have us in returning Your love for us back to You in our obedience to You that we would bring glory to You through our lives – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.