The 14 Link

Abraham – the man with whom God made the Abrahamic covenant. The first member of the patriarchs. God promised to make him into a great nation and to bless all nations through him. God promised to multiply Abraham’s descendants and to give Canaan to them forever. The calling of Abraham to leave Ur and go to Canaan had great significance. It signified God’s sovereign choice in calling out Abraham and his offspring to be a chosen people to be called His own. God calls Himself, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Matthew 22:32). Even in His identity, God describes Himself through His relationship with His people. God’s chosen people have an outstanding history. And it all started with Abraham.

David – the man after God’s own heart. The man with whom God made the Davidic covenant. The most outstanding king of Israel. The man who was inspired by the Spirit to make numerous messianic Psalms. The man who was a prophet, who spoke about the resurrection of Christ. The man who was mentioned in Hebrews’ “hall of fame”, as someone "who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises… escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness (was) made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of aliens” (Hebrews 11:32-34). The man, from whose line came the Christ.

The captivity in Babylon – the most testing time for the people of God. The Israelite community was reduced to a tiny minority in exile among the Babylonians. God’s people struggled to understand its place during this time of severe trial. Many questions and doubts played in their minds. Had God’s promises to Abraham and David been revoked because of the nation’s sins? Was there any hope of reviving David’s dynasty? Could Judaism survive without the temple? Was there still a future for God’s people?

Christ – the answer to all those questions and doubts. No, God’s Abrahamic and Davidic covenants have not been revoked. God is still faithful to His promises. Christ is the fulfillment of the law. The future for God’s people is bright because of the coming of Christ and His finished work on the cross. Not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well. The One who satisfies the needs and aspirations of sinner and of sage.

How is Abraham, David, the Babylonian captivity, and Christ linked together? Matthew gives an amazing connection to join them all together.

“So all the generations from Abraham to David are 14 generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are 14 generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are 14 generations.” (Matthew 1:17)

Abraham, David, the Babylonian captivity, and Christ are linked beautifully together in a timeline, separated by 14 generations each. What are the odds of that happening? This amazing connection goes to show one thing: God is the supreme master-planner of all things. In God’s hands, nothing happens by fluke. God, in His infinite and divine omnipotence and omniscience, has made all things and caused all things to happen according to a spectacular design. A design that can only be arranged by a supernatural, almighty Creator, to the praise of His glory.