Bible Pathways 05/11/2003
May 11
Read I Chronicles 1 -- 2
In Today's Reading:
Jesus' lineage through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Israel (Jacob), and Judah
The first nine chapters of I Chronicles may first appear to be an unimportant list of names. But, this ancient genealogy reveals the exact plan of our Creator in selecting the people He qualified to serve Him, beginning with Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob). Here Jacob is called by his God-given name Israel.
This genealogy was exceedingly important after the Israelites' captivity. It showed how God continued to protect the family line of the coming Messiah, whose descent was traced from Adam through Abraham and David. In the Book of Luke we see the genealogy of the last Adam, Jesus Christ, traced through the very names recorded in Chronicles. Unless a man's name had been included in the genealogy of Levi, he could not minister in the Temple.
Our Lord is now drawing to Himself a select generation for His possession, united not by a human genealogical bloodline that dates back to Adam, but united by a spiritual rebirth into the family of God through the blood sacrifice of the last Adam, Jesus Christ.
Christ is Lord of our lives and oversees every detail. You can be sure that things that happen to believers are never "accidents." They are allowed by our Lord, the Master Engineer, to prepare us to be the person He can use to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. As we prayerfully read all His Word, He continually reveals His will to us. Although we do not understand many of the things that God allows a Christian to suffer, His Word makes it clear that He has an eternal purpose for us and our new life in Christ is just the beginning of life for all eternity.
This recorded genealogy is a reminder that soon the final books in heaven will be opened. Jesus promised that the overcomers will wear white clothes, and He will never remove their names from the Book of Life, but will declare that they belong to Him.
Devotional commentary also refers to: Genesis 5:1-32; 35:9-12; I Corinthians 15:22,45; I Peter 2:9; Revelation 3:5.
Christ Revealed:
By the first Adam (see I Chronicles 1:1). Christ is the last Adam. We have eternal life because the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit (see I Corinthians 15:45,47).
Word Studies:
1:6 sons of = descendants of; 1:10 begat = became the father of; 2:21 threescore = sixty.
Prayer Needs:
Nathan Burke and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on WCMX-AM, Lunenburg MA · the International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Iva Ann McElroy · Government Officials: Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (TN) and Sen. James Jeffords (VT) · Country: Brunei (400,000) on the northern coast of Borneo · Major languages: Malay and English · Limited religious freedom · 66% Muslim; 19% Chinese religions; 6% animist; 4% Protestant; 4% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Confess your sins to the Lord; He is merciful and forgiving (see Daniel 9:4-9).
Optional Reading: Romans 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 3:16
