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Bible Pathways - May 11, 2005


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. They were not all great men of faith like Abraham and David, but they all were needed. This ancient genealogy reveals the exact plan of our Creator in selecting the people whom He qualified to serve Him, beginning with Adam . . . Henoch (Enoch). . . Noah. . . . And Abraham . . Isaac. . . . and Israel (I Chronicles 1:1,3-4,34; compare Genesis 5:1-32). Here Jacob is called by his God-given name Israel (compare 35:9-12).

 

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 can be traced from Adam through Abraham and David. In Luke 3:23-38, we see the genealogy of the last Adam (see I Corinthians 15:22,45), Jesus Christ, traced through the very names recorded in Chronicles. Unless a man's name had been included in the genealogy of Levi (see I Chronicles 6:1), he could not minister in the Temple.

 

Our Lord is now drawing to Himself a holy nation, a peculiar (God's own) people (I Peter 2:9). This holy nation is united not by the human genealogical bloodline that dates back to Adam but by the spiritual rebirth into the family of God through the blood 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. He is preparing 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, He has an eternal purpose for them.

 

This recorded genealogy is a reminder that soon the final books in heaven will be opened to reveal the eternal destination of all mankind. Jesus promised: He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment (clothing); and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels (Revelation 3:5).

 

Christ Portrayed:

 

By the first Adam (I Chronicles 1:1). Christ is the last Adam. We have eternal life because the last Adam was made a living (life-giving) Spirit . . . the Lord from heaven (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:

 

Pray for BPM Staff: Rebecca Hahn · Government Officials: Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (TN) and Sen. James Jeffords (VT) · Country: Venezuela (23 million) on the northern coast of South America · Major languages: Spanish and Indian dialects · Religious freedom · 94% Roman Catholic; 1% Protestant; 1% Indian pagan religions · Prayer Suggestion: Unite with others in prayer; God will bring your request to pass (Matthew 18:19-20).

 

Optional Reading: Romans 14

 

Memory Verse for the Week: II Timothy 3:16



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