* The OT ends with a mention of fathers and the NT begins with a list of dads.

* The OT is about promises - the NT is about fulfillment of those promises - this is why the NT starts with a genealogy. It had to fulfill Isaiah 11:1 and 2 Samuel 7:11-16 that says the Messiah will come from the line of David.

* We typically skip genealogies, but for God’s people they are extremely important.

* Every one of the people mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy have stories about them in the OT. Those stories are REALLY IMPORTANT! Why?

* In Hebrew thought you are the summation of all those past generations.

* The Hebrew word used was “hityahsu” - the main idea is “to be enrolled.” Literally means “be part of the list of all whom you belong to.”

* In Hebrew, you are a collection of all those past relationships.

* They all happened because God engineered them.

* What’s this mean for us? TWO THINGS:

* 1) You are responsible to those who came before you - you have a debt to pay.

* You aren’t the independent autonomous center of your own world - you don’t even exist without those who’ve gone before you.

* You OWE them.

* 2) You are responsible to those who come after you - you owe a debt to them too. You must “pay it forward.”

* This is what relationship is all about - you owe the past and future.

* ANALOGY: Live your life as a rower of a boat.

* As you start the new year, move forward by looking at the past.

* Look at all those who went before you (both personally and in the Scripture).

* Move forward into the dark of the future and think of those who await our choices.

* You have a debt to both - don’t let them down!

* (Notes taken from Skip Moen commentary)