1. The promise to Abraham (1-6)

Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy to show that the coming of Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promise, kept over many generations. God promised Abraham that all peoples on earth would be blessed through his offspring. Abraham's only son of the promise was Isaac, but finally his descendants became an entire nation and inhabited the land of Canaan. However, God's promise was not finished yet.

2. The promise to David (7-13)

King David, with his shepherd heart, was a model of the Messiah, but he was still a sinner. God made a promise to send the Messiah from among David's descendants. David's kingdom finally fell and the people were exiled because of their sin. David's descendants were no longer kings but ordinary people. Yet, they could be used to keep God's hope alive. Finally, Jesus the Messiah was sent through humble Joseph the carpenter and Mary.