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Just how important are genealogies? They were of great importance during the Old Testament era. Likewise, the New Testament writings of Matthew and Luke virtually begin with genealogies, specifically those that related to Mary’s son, Jesus Christ. Some still see genealogies as having great spiritual significance today. We will examine some of these matters as we look at Paul’s statements to the Romans regarding just who it is that is truly a Jew.

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.. (Romans 2.28-29). As is so often necessary in such matters, Paul began his discussion by stating who was not a Jew. Specifically, he denied that the Jews of whom he was speaking were Jews outwardly. This had certainly been the test of previous generations, but it was not the evidence that applied at the time Paul wrote. Genealogies had been used for centuries to prove one’s heritage and that a person was or was not a Jew. However, Paul told the Romans that the Jew was not one who had been circumcised outwardly in the flesh. Once again, this was a radical departure from the practices of the former generations.

The gospel which Paul was preaching signaled the beginning of a new and entirely different era. The heart was involved and not just the letter of a commandment written in stone. One’s identification as a Jew was not contingent upon paternal or maternal heritage, nor was it predicated upon whether or not one had been physically circumcised. Rather, the entire question of whether or not one was a Jew hinged on a question of the heart and spirit. A new and different type of covenant had been prophesied and had now come to fruition. The Hebrews writer speaks of this selfsame covenant in terms used by Jeremiah of centuries past. Once again it was a covenant that was to be of the heart and mind, a new covenant unlike the one God made when He delivered the Jews from Egyptian bondage (see Hebrews 8.6-13).

It is interesting that in the book of Revelation, Christ warned two times about those who said they were Jews but were not (see Revelation 2.9 & 3.9). Of course, it would have been easy enough to check the physical credentials of anyone claiming to be a Jew under the previous covenant, but that all changed with the bringing in of the New Testament. No longer did the definition of Jew hinge on being blood-kin to Abraham. Rather, it was now a spiritual relationship achieved through simple obedience to the gospel. Paul put it this way to the Galatians: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3.27-29).

God did not claim affinity with those who were merely the physical descendents of Abraham. In fact, if that had been His desire He could have raised up children to Abraham from the stones that dotted the landscape of the Promised Land (see Matthew 3.9 & Luke 3.8). God always wanted children who adored Him, revered Him, worshiped Him, honored Him, and yes, submitted to Him. That is still His desire today. From the standpoint of the New Testament, a Jew is one who trusts God enough to do what He commands! Claims are cheap, but obedience is the only way a True Jew can be distinguished from those who are spiritual counterfeits!

Questions:

1. What is a genealogy? Why were they important in the Old Testament?

2. Why did Matthew and Luke begin the New Testament with genealogies?

3. How do we become children of Abraham (see Galatians 3.28-29)?

4. When we become children of God, what relationship do we then have with Abraham? Is this a physical relationship/kinship, or a spiritual one?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One