1 Chronicles 1:1 (HCSB)
Israel’s Family Tree: The Trunk
[1Ch 1:1] Adam, Seth, Enosh, [2] Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, [3] Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, [4] Noah, Noah’s sons: *[ LXX; MT omits Noah’s sons ]
Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
1Ch 1:1 This 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. Cross References: 1 Chronicles 1:1—Ge 5:1-32; Lk 3:36-38
1Ch 1:1 ff 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 when 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. This 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. Cross References: 1 Chronicles 1:8-16—This passage parallels Ge 10:6-20 1 Chronicles 1:17-23—Lk 3:36. This passage parallels Ge 10:21-31; 11:10-27 1 Chronicles 1:24—Ge 11:10-26; Lk 3:34-36 1 Chronicles 1:32-33—This passage parallels Ge 25:1-4 1 Chronicles 1:35—Ge 36:4,19 1 Chronicles 1:35-37—This passage parallels Ge 36:10-14 1 Chronicles 1:38-42—This passage parallels Ge 36:20-28 Ge 36:31-43 1 Chronicles 1:45—Job 2:11 1Ch
1:1 ff 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 Ge 12:1-3 and 2Sa 7:12,13
1 Chronicles 1:19 (HCSB)
[19] Two sons were born to Eber. One of them was named Peleg, *[ [= Division] ] because the earth was divided during his lifetime, and the name of his brother was Joktan.
1Ch 1:19 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. This story is told in Ge 11:1-9. Cross References: 1 Chronicles 1:19—Ge 11:16
1 Chronicles 2:3 (HCSB)
Judah’s Descendants
[3] Judah’s sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. *[Ge 38:3-5; 46:12; Nu 26:19-22] These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite woman. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the LORD’s sight, so He put him to death.
1Ch 2:3 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 a wicked man, so the LORD killed him." 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. Cross References: 1 Chronicles 2:3—Ge 38:2-10
1 Chronicles 2:15 (HCSB)
[15] Ozem sixth,
and David seventh.
1Ch 2:15 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 after my own heart" (Ac 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. David’s story is found in 1Sa 16:1-1Ki 2:10 and 1Ch 10:14-29:30.
Acts 23:16 (HCSB)
[16] But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul. [17] Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him.”
[18] So he took him, brought him to the commander, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.”
[19] Then the commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, “What is it you have to report to me?”
[20] “The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him. [21] Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than 40 of them arranging to ambush him, men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they kill him. Now they are ready, waiting for a commitment from you.”
[22] So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.”
Ac 23:16-22 It is easy to overlook children, assuming that they aren’t old enough to do much for the Lord. But this young boy played an important part in protecting Paul’s life. God can use anyone, of any age, who is willing to yield to him. Jesus made it clear that children are important (Mt 18:2-6). Give children the importance God gives them.
Acts 23:23 (HCSB)
To Caesarea by Night
[23] He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get 200 soldiers ready with 70 cavalry and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. *[ Lit at the third hour tonight ] [24] Also provide mounts so they can put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
Ac 23:23,24 The Roman commander ordered Paul sent to Caesarea. Jerusalem was the seat of Jewish government, but Caesarea was the Roman headquarters for the area. God works in amazing and amusing ways. There were infinite possibilities of ways God could use to get Paul to Caesarea, but he chose to use the Roman army to deliver Paul from his enemies. God’s ways are not our ways. Ours are limited; his are not. Don’t limit God by asking him to respond your way. When God intervenes, things will work out much better than you could ever anticipate. Cross References: Acts 23:23—Ac 8:40
Today’s Psalm – Psalms 3:1-3 (NLTSE)
A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.
[3:1] O LORD, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me.
So many are saying,
“God will never rescue him!”
Interlude *[ Hebrew Selah. The meaning of this word is uncertain, though it is probably a musical or literary term. It is rendered Interlude throughout the Psalms. ]
Ps 3:1,2 David felt like he was in the minority. There may have been as many as 10,000 soldiers surrounding him at this time (3:6). Not only did David’s enemies view life differently, they actively sought to harm him. As king, David could have trusted his army to defeat Absalom. Instead, he depended upon God’s mercy (3:4); therefore, he was at peace with whatever outcome occurred, knowing that God’s great purposes would prevail. We can overcome fear by trusting God for his protection in our darkest hour. Cross References: Psalm 3:1—2Sa 15:12; Ps 69:4
[3] But you, O LORD, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Ps 3:1-3 David was not sitting on his throne in a place of power, but he was running for his life from his rebellious son, Absalom, and a host of traitors. When circumstances go against us, it is tempting to think that God also is against us. But David reminds us that the opposite is true. When everything seems to go against us, God is still for us. If circumstance has turned against you, don’t blame God—seek him! Cross References: Psalm 3:3 — Ps 5:12; 27:5-6; 28:7; 62:7
Psalms 3:4 (NLTSE)
[4] I cried out to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy mountain.
Interlude
Ps 3:4 God’s holy mountain was Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, the place where David’s son Solomon would build the Temple (2Ch 3:1). David knew that God could not be confined to any space, but he wrote poetically, expressing confidence that God would hear him when he prayed. God responds to us when we earnestly pray to him. Cross References: Psalm 3:4—Ps 4:3; 34:4; 99:9
Psalms 3:5 (NLTSE)
[5] I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the LORD was watching over me.
Ps 3:5 Sleep does not come easily during a crisis. David could have had sleepless nights when his son Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him. But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion. What made the difference? David cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. The assurance of answered prayer brings peace. It is easier to sleep well when we have full assurance that God is in control of circumstances. If you are lying awake at night worrying about circumstances you can’t change, pour out your heart to God, and thank him that he is in control. Then sleep will come. Cross References: Psalm 3:5—Lev 26:6; Ps 4:8; 139:17-18; Pr 3:24-26
Today’s Proverb – Proverbs 18:15 NLTse
[15] Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge.
July 5th, 2009
