R³ Devotional - Day 113
R³ Devotional - Day 113 1 Chronicles Chapters 1-2
By: Paul Hicks
The first two chapters of 1 Chronicles concerns the genealogies of Israel. These genealogies are the official family records of the nation of Israel. They give us an overview of the history of God’s work from Creation through the captivity of His people. These records served to teach the exiles returning from Babylon about their spiritual heritage as a nation and to inspire them to renew their faithfulness to God. Although these lists show the racial heritage of the Jews, they contain the spiritual heritage for every believer. We are a part of the community of faith that has existed from generation to generation since the dawn of man.
The record of names demonstrates that God is interested not only in nations, but also in individuals. Although billions of people have lived since Adam, God knows and remembers the face and name of each person. Each of us is more than a name on a list, we are special persons whom God knows and loves. As we recognize and accept His love, we discover both our uniqueness as individuals and our solidarity with the rest of His family. This long list of names was compiled after the people of Judah, the southern kingdom, were taken captive to Babylon. As the exiles looked forward to the day they would return to their homeland, one of their biggest fears was that the records of their heritage would be lost. The Jews placed great importance upon their heritage because each person wanted to be able to prove that he was a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. Only then could he enjoy the benefits of the special blessings God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
The list reconstructed the family tree for both Judah, the southern kingdom, and Israel, the northern kingdom, before their captivities and served as proof for those who claimed to be Abraham’s descendants.
There is more to this long genealogy than meets the eye. It holds importance for us today because it supports the Old Testament promise that Jesus the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham and David. This promise is recorded in Genesis 12: 1-3 and 2 Samuel 7: 12-13.
Adam’s story is found in Genesis 1-5. Noah’s story is found in Genesis 6-9.
The term “sons” can also mean “descendants”; thus a Biblical genealogy may skip several generations. These lists were not meant to be exhaustive, but to give adequate information about the various family lines.
Nimrod is also mentioned in Genesis 10: 8-9.
The Philistines had been Israel’s constant enemy from the days of the judges. King David finally weakened them, and by this time they were no longer a threat.
Canaan was the ancestor of the Canaanites, who inhabited the Promised Land (also called Canaan) before the Israelites entered under Joshua’s leadership. God helped the Israelites drive out the Canaanites, a wicked and idolatrous people. The land’s name was then changed to Israel. The book of Joshua tells that story.
The phrase “the earth was divided” refers to when the earth was divided into different language groups. At one time, everyone spoke a single language. But some people became proud of their accomplishments and gathered to build a monument to themselves – the tower of Babel. The building project was brought to an abrupt conclusion when God caused the people to speak different languages. Without the ability to communicate with one another, the people could not be unified. God showed them that their great efforts were useless without Him. Pride in our achievements must not lead us to conclude that we no longer need God.
Abraham’s story is found in Genesis 16 and 21.
Israel is another name for Jacob, given to him by God. It may mean “he struggles with God,” indicating the close but intense struggle between God and His people. Israel’s (Jacob’s) 12 sons became the nation of Israel. Esau’s descendants became the nation of Edom, a constant enemy of Israel.
Amalek, Esau’s grandson, was the son of his father’s concubine. He was the ancestor of the wicked tribe known as the Amalekites, the first people to attack the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land.
Why are we given information in this genealogy about the descendants of Edom, who were Israel’s enemies? Esau, ancestor of the Edomites, was Isaac’s oldest son and thus a direct descendant of Abraham. As Abraham’s first grandson, he deserved a place in the Jewish records. It was through Esau’s marriages to pagan women, however, that the nation of Edom began. This genealogy shows the ancestry of enemy nations; they were not a part of the direct lineage of King David, and thus of the Messiah. This listing further identified Israel’s special identity and role.
As we continue with Chapter 2, the story of Israel’s (Jacob’s) sons is found in Genesis 29: 32-50; 26. Profiles of Joseph, Reuben, and Judah are found in Genesis 37.
This long genealogy not only lists names but gives us insights into some of the people. Here, almost as an epitaph, the genealogy states that Er “was evil in the Lord’s sight, so He put him to death.” Now, thousands of years later, this is all we know of the man. Each of us is forging a reputation, developing personal qualities by which we will be remembered. How would God summarize your life up to now? Some defiantly claim that how they live is their own business. But Scripture teaches that the way you live today will determine how you will be remembered by others and how you will be judged by God. What you do now does matter.
The plunder, mentioned in verse 7, referred to, was taken by Achan in direct disobedience to God’s instructions following the destruction of Jericho. His greed led to the defeat of Israel at Ai and the death of Achan and his entire family.
Boaz was Ruth’s husband and an ancestor of both David and Jesus. Boaz’s story is found in the book of Ruth.
David is one of the best-known people of the Bible. He was certainly not perfect, but he exemplified what it means to seek God first in all areas of life. God called David “a man loyal to Me” (Acts 13: 22) because David’s greatest desire was to serve and worship God. We can please God in the same way by making God our first consideration in all our desires and plans.
Several other individuals are mentioned in the remaining verses, such as Joab, Abishai, and Caleb, but this is not the Caleb who spied out the Promised Land with Joshua. The genealogy continues through verse 55 of this chapter.
The record of names demonstrates that God is interested not only in nations, but also in individuals. Although billions of people have lived since Adam, God knows and remembers the face and name of each person. Each of us is more than a name on a list, we are special persons whom God knows and loves. As we recognize and accept His love, we discover both our uniqueness as individuals and our solidarity with the rest of His family. This long list of names was compiled after the people of Judah, the southern kingdom, were taken captive to Babylon. As the exiles looked forward to the day they would return to their homeland, one of their biggest fears was that the records of their heritage would be lost. The Jews placed great importance upon their heritage because each person wanted to be able to prove that he was a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. Only then could he enjoy the benefits of the special blessings God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
The list reconstructed the family tree for both Judah, the southern kingdom, and Israel, the northern kingdom, before their captivities and served as proof for those who claimed to be Abraham’s descendants.
There is more to this long genealogy than meets the eye. It holds importance for us today because it supports the Old Testament promise that Jesus the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham and David. This promise is recorded in Genesis 12: 1-3 and 2 Samuel 7: 12-13.
Adam’s story is found in Genesis 1-5. Noah’s story is found in Genesis 6-9.
The term “sons” can also mean “descendants”; thus a Biblical genealogy may skip several generations. These lists were not meant to be exhaustive, but to give adequate information about the various family lines.
Nimrod is also mentioned in Genesis 10: 8-9.
The Philistines had been Israel’s constant enemy from the days of the judges. King David finally weakened them, and by this time they were no longer a threat.
Canaan was the ancestor of the Canaanites, who inhabited the Promised Land (also called Canaan) before the Israelites entered under Joshua’s leadership. God helped the Israelites drive out the Canaanites, a wicked and idolatrous people. The land’s name was then changed to Israel. The book of Joshua tells that story.
The phrase “the earth was divided” refers to when the earth was divided into different language groups. At one time, everyone spoke a single language. But some people became proud of their accomplishments and gathered to build a monument to themselves – the tower of Babel. The building project was brought to an abrupt conclusion when God caused the people to speak different languages. Without the ability to communicate with one another, the people could not be unified. God showed them that their great efforts were useless without Him. Pride in our achievements must not lead us to conclude that we no longer need God.
Abraham’s story is found in Genesis 16 and 21.
Israel is another name for Jacob, given to him by God. It may mean “he struggles with God,” indicating the close but intense struggle between God and His people. Israel’s (Jacob’s) 12 sons became the nation of Israel. Esau’s descendants became the nation of Edom, a constant enemy of Israel.
Amalek, Esau’s grandson, was the son of his father’s concubine. He was the ancestor of the wicked tribe known as the Amalekites, the first people to attack the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land.
Why are we given information in this genealogy about the descendants of Edom, who were Israel’s enemies? Esau, ancestor of the Edomites, was Isaac’s oldest son and thus a direct descendant of Abraham. As Abraham’s first grandson, he deserved a place in the Jewish records. It was through Esau’s marriages to pagan women, however, that the nation of Edom began. This genealogy shows the ancestry of enemy nations; they were not a part of the direct lineage of King David, and thus of the Messiah. This listing further identified Israel’s special identity and role.
As we continue with Chapter 2, the story of Israel’s (Jacob’s) sons is found in Genesis 29: 32-50; 26. Profiles of Joseph, Reuben, and Judah are found in Genesis 37.
This long genealogy not only lists names but gives us insights into some of the people. Here, almost as an epitaph, the genealogy states that Er “was evil in the Lord’s sight, so He put him to death.” Now, thousands of years later, this is all we know of the man. Each of us is forging a reputation, developing personal qualities by which we will be remembered. How would God summarize your life up to now? Some defiantly claim that how they live is their own business. But Scripture teaches that the way you live today will determine how you will be remembered by others and how you will be judged by God. What you do now does matter.
The plunder, mentioned in verse 7, referred to, was taken by Achan in direct disobedience to God’s instructions following the destruction of Jericho. His greed led to the defeat of Israel at Ai and the death of Achan and his entire family.
Boaz was Ruth’s husband and an ancestor of both David and Jesus. Boaz’s story is found in the book of Ruth.
David is one of the best-known people of the Bible. He was certainly not perfect, but he exemplified what it means to seek God first in all areas of life. God called David “a man loyal to Me” (Acts 13: 22) because David’s greatest desire was to serve and worship God. We can please God in the same way by making God our first consideration in all our desires and plans.
Several other individuals are mentioned in the remaining verses, such as Joab, Abishai, and Caleb, but this is not the Caleb who spied out the Promised Land with Joshua. The genealogy continues through verse 55 of this chapter.
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