So there were 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David until the exile to Babylon, 14 generations from the exile until the Messiah. (Matthew 1:17 - God's Word Translation)
Can you imagine how long ago that would have been? There was a total of 42 generations from the creation of man to the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many things happened in between those years. From the time of the promise made by God to Noah after the flood up to the time when the people of Israel had been exiled in Babylon, I bet not everyone could recall who their ancestors were. But here in this first chapter of the Gospel is written a list of the ancestors of Jesus Christ.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Then he made man in his image and likeness so that they may have fellowship with him. But man destroyed that fellowship when they listened to the voice of the devil and disobeyed God's command.
Several generations have come and gone since man turned away from God. Several kings have succeeded one after the other. There have been wars here and there. People have died of famine. With these terrible disasters, I don't think people could still believe in the promise of God that was made several eons ago.
But God remembered everything. He never forgot his promise to send the Messiah even though 42 generations had to pass before he had to fulfill his promise. He is faithful indeed!