“And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph…”
This section of the genealogy of Christ represents the downfall of the kingship of Judah; “Write this man dethroned” (Jeremias 22:30), which shows the lowly estate of Christ’s kingship in the eyes of the world. A king, enthroned upon a cross, scorned and reviled, crowned with thorns instead of gold; this is the king of love rather than power and wealth. Resuming our walk through the names of Christ’s ancestors, “Salathiel” means “the petition of God,” as he can be presumed to have besought God often, and Christ Himself is the answer to the prayers and petitions of the Old Testament. “Zorobabel,” or “the doctor of Babylon,” was a fitting name for a man whose argument that Truth is the strongest thing in existence and by this helped attain the freedom of imprisoned Judah. Christ Himself is the doctor of Babylon, for He both taught and healed those that were foreigners to Israel-Judah, His very words being the soothing medicine for the souls of those that have gone astray. “Abiud,” or “He is my Father,” is simply interpreted by Jesus’ being of the same substance as the Father. His image in you by baptism and remaining in the state of grace draws the same fatherly gaze from the Father, that all the faithful may in a sense be called Abiud. “Eliacim” means “God the Reviver,” for when Jesus found you “trodden underfoot in thy own blood” (Ezechiel 16:6), that is, writhing in a fractured heart and sin, “and I spread my garment over thee, and covered thy ignominy” (Ezechiel 16:8) before making your heart something beautiful to behold. For it is the heart, so tarnished by the brokenness of others and weighed down by sin, that is revived by the Lord, who cares for it with a gentleness that it has not known. The perfect love that comes from the words of the Savior quicken the spirit, that, filled with love, it may go forward into life with joy and overflowing with the goodness it receives from its Divine Lover. “Azor,” which means “aided,” represents the constant presence of the Father with Jesus, who is also Him who aids us in our journey towards Him. “Sadoc” is interpreted as “the just,” for “He was delivered, the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18), for there is no greater love for you than that of Christ, who laid down His life for you, His friend. “Achim,” the translation of which is “my brother is He,” shows a certain type of affection of the Lord for you, “for whosoever shall do the will of my Father…he is my brother” (Matthew 12:50). He loves you as innately and familiarly as a brother, not drawing back when you bring what you think may be unattractive to this Sweet Hunter. “Eliud,” “He is my God,” is a glorious song of praise, for He is your God! He who made all things, who upholds all things, who intricately oversees all the movements of that which is, is the wind in your sails. Rejoice in this triumph that Jesus has wrought, for He has shown you that God is your God. “Eleazar” means “God is my helper,” which continues the previous message, God is your helper! This tender King, this mighty Lord, helps you! He desires to see you bloom, to be fully alive, to love radically, to be His. “Mathan,” that is “giving/given,” indicates the great gift that is Jesus, for He was given for love of the world to you, that you may enjoy the embrace of perfect love. He gives you the spiritual treasures that will make your heart fiery and beautiful; “We will make thee chains of gold, inlaid with silver” (Song 1:10). “Jacob” we have discussed previously. Finally, Christ is also Joseph, or “adding,” for “I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.” His love is the honey that makes life sweet, and His power will address the needs of your life, represented by milk, thus He is the land of milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). All of these men were precursors to the true Joseph, Abraham, David, etc., whose arrival we will discuss tomorrow.