Key Verse – Matthew 1:17 “ So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Messiah, fourteen generations.”

Read that verse again slowly. Did you catch the timing referenced? Three sets of fourteen generations, that is 42 generations! The 42 generations show us how God had a plan all along and was orchestrating events to bring Jesus on the scene. Only considering  the 14 generations from exile to Jesus being born is 430 years. 430 years is a long time! And to think there were 28 additional generations of waiting before that! 430 years of waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. 430 years of lives and people, births and deaths, joys and trials. 430 years of people wondering and waiting on God. Scripture tells us that there were people in each of those generations that stayed true to God and waited on him to fulfill his promise. Talk about faith!

Think and journal about:

• Have you ever found yourself in a long period of waiting? How did you or are you fairing? 
• Have you stuck it out with God or tried to hurry him along?
• Do you believe that God will indeed come through for you? Why or why not?

Deep dive scripture: Matthew 1