Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 1:2

"Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren;" — Matthew 1:2 (ASV)

The covenant was made with Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. The line did not run through Ishmael, the offspring of the flesh, but through Isaac, who was born after the promise; and by the divine purpose, it flowed through the elect Jacob and not through the firstborn, Esau. Let us observe and admire the sovereignty of God.

Our Lord sprang from Judah, a tribe about which nothing is said concerning the priesthood, so that it might be clear that His priesthood is not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Yet He comes from Judah’s royal tribe, for He is King.