The number 14 and the 3 missing kings

The number 14 and the 3 missing kings

Scripture:

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. Matthew 1:17

Observation:

Meditating on this verse, we can see the perfect timing of God in bringing events to pass. The number 14 represents two sets of 7, the number of perfection or completeness. It also happens to be the numerical value of the Hebrew letters forming the name David, from whom the Messiah was prophesied to come. Although in the Chinese culture, 14 is a rather unpopular number, from a Scriptural view, it reminds us of 2 things – God’s perfection, and God’s perfect timing. God holds the whole world’s future in His hands, and He does everything perfectly!

Tracing through the genealogy of the kings of Judah listed by Matthew, it is interesting that three consecutive kings were left out - Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah. What was common about these 3 kings? They were actually the first three generations in the kingly line of Judah descended from the evil King Ahab. Athaliah the daughter of Ahab had actually married King Jehoram of Judah, and her son, Ahaziah became king after Jehoram. Ahaziah’s son Joash and later his grandson, Amaziah made up the 3^rd and 4^th generation from the line of Ahab. 

In the 10 commandments in Exodus 20:4-6, the Lord warned the Israelites  “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” King Ahab had been one of Israel’s worst idolaters and allowed his wife Jezebel to kill the Lord’s prophets. He was of such affront to the Lord that Elisha prophesied of him “For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel.” KJV The whole line of Ahab in Israel was cut off through Jehu, and in Judah, once Athaliah saw her son Ahaziah was killed, she proceeded to kill all the males in the royal family of Judah. Only Joash, who was an infant, survived, being hidden by his aunt. Ahaziah was a bad king all the way while Joash and Amaziah started well but ended badly. All three were killed by the sword, completing the specific punishment on the sins of Ahab.

So it seems that Matthew omitted them from mention in the genealogy specifically because of the close proximity to the evil King Ahab. What can we learn from all this? Firstly, how we live our lives has deep consequences, not only for ourselves but also for our descendants. We only have one life, but what legacy shall we leave behind? A curse, like Ahab, or great blessing, like Abraham and David? Secondly, its not just important to start well, but to finish well. Both Joash and Amaziah started off well, following the Lord’s ways, but turned away and met tragic ends. Could they have overturned their destinies? For sure, the Lord promises that He will never forsake those who are loyal to Him.

Application:

When we see 14, remember God’s perfection and God’s perfect timing and praise God! Resolve in our hearts to live godly lives and love God, thus ensuring a legacy of blessing for ourselves and our descendants. Remember that we are to persevere and continue in our faith until we finish the race, all the way till the end.

Prayer:

Praise You, Heavenly Father, for everything You made is perfect and everything You do is perfect. Your timing is perfect and You make everything beautiful in its time. Guard my heart O Lord, to live a godly life seeking You. Let my heart always be loyal to You and love You. Strengthen me, and always walk with me, that I might persevere till the end and fulfill the destiny You have prepared for me. In Jesus name, Amen.