Read 1 Chronicles 1
Highlights:
Descendants of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Esau, Israel (Jacob); genealogies of twelve sons of Israel.
Adam, Sheth, Enosh. . . . Judah. . . . David (I Chr. 1:1; 2:1,15). Tracing the life of David reveals a legacy of worshipers who committed themselves to be God's followers. Genealogies are generally considered monotonous and of little significance, but they record the exact plan and choice of God in selecting a chosen nation. It is often said God chooses whom He chooses. The majority of the time His choice would not be the world's choice. That is often reflected in these genealogies. This is never more clear than in that of the genealogy of Jesus, Himself (Matt. 1:2).
Going back to the twelve tribes or the twelve sons of Jacob, many would think that surely Jesus' ancestry would come through the chosen son, Joseph. However, as it is well known, Judah is the tribe Jesus was born into. Without a man's name being recorded in the genealogies he had no identity as an Israelite in covenant with God through His chosen nation.
Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden brought about mankind's spiritual death. For if by one man's offence death reigned (Rom. 5:17).
Jehovah is now drawing to Himself a second generation, a royal priesthood (I Pet. 2:9), united not by a genealogy that dates back to Adam, but by a spiritual birth into the family of God through Christ, the second Adam. The Scripture speaks clearly of our inheritance of sin from Adam. However, it also speaks clearly to the passing away of that inheritance and its replacement with a new one (Rom. 5:12-15). The true Christian has received a new nature — the nature of God.
Jesus said: Ye must be born again (John 3:7). Just think how very, very important this statement is! We are not just "sinners saved by grace," but we are new creations: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Cor. 5:17). The new birth we speak of has removed us from our bondage to sin and replaced us in God's family. When we are born again, we truly are new persons with all the rewards that come with that. We have a Father in heaven. We have a whole new group of brothers and sisters in Christ. Last but certainly not least, our names are recorded in a very special will called the Lamb's Book of Life, thus giving us a home in heaven (Rev. 21:27). To be excluded from that book will guarantee life's ultimate punishment.
And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15).
Thought for Today:
God has chosen you to praise Him.
Christ Portrayed:
By the first Adam (I Chr. 1:1). Christ is the last Adam. We have eternal life because the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) Spirit (I Cor. 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 Staff: Pam Murton • Country: Croatia (5 million) in southeastern Europe • Major language: Serbo-Croatian • Religious freedom • 73% Roman Catholic; 15% Serbian Orthodox; 5% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Keep the Word of God and pray to Him who has given you an open door into His presence (Rev. 3:8).
Optional Reading: Romans 14
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 5:21