In the text here in the opening to Matthew’s gospel, the author makes a point of connecting Jesus to what we know as the Old Testament. Matthew builds the foundation for this book on Jesus being the promised Messiah fulfilling God’s covenants. Matthew also makes a point of showing us the controversy involved in Jesus birth, and in His chosen lineage. Jesus birth by a virgin fulfilled the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14 and in context of this chapter we are given the perspective that not only is Jesus “God with us” physically in human form, but He chose to be born in messy circumstances and controversy, resulting in Him personally understanding our pain and struggles.