What's up with the Genealogies?

“If I had been with Matthew when he was writing his Gospel, I would have been tempted to say, “Matthew, please don’t begin with a long family tree. It will put most people off reading the rest of the story!” But I am glad that he did because written into his genealogy is this message: God keeps his promises; he knows what he is doing; he knows exactly where he is going; and he is able to rescue us even from past sin and shame.”

— The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent by Sinclair B. Ferguson