April 23, 2017. I Chronicles 1-2.

 

We begin our reading today with the writer of Chronicles trying to explain Israel’s history.The setting takes place of the returning Jews to Jerusalem from Exile. This community of Jews needed encouragement as they began to restructure their lives. They needed a reminder of the relationship they had with God after the Exile, and something to show continuity from the past to the present. This covenant between God and Israel had not changed.

The names shared in the first chapters were the list of God’s people. The purpose and hope of these writings were for the people to find their origins and remember their history. 

(1 Chronicles 1:1) Adam, Seth, Enosh. The very first family name in our reading is Adam, whom we can label as the common father of our flesh. 

The names in the first half of 1 Chronicles 1 are from the book of Genesis, showing the fact that Israel’s ancestry had roots all the way back to creation. 

(1 Chronicles 1:27) And Abram, who is Abraham. The very last family name in this first chapter is Abraham, whom we can label as the common father of our faith.

(Ecclesiastes 1:4) tells us that One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever.

This pattern continues, even of sinful men while the earth remains.

(Exodus 32:14) And look! You have risen in your father’s place, a brood of sinful men, to increase still more the fierce anger of the LORD against Israel.

But God always provided a way of repentance for His people.

Chapter two is the registry of the children of Israel. This genealogy will confirm King David’s position over Israel by tracing his lineage back to Judah. Showing that all the nations were God’s creation and therefore part of His special purpose for Israel.

God is sovereign over creation and these names remain as a reminder of what God has done in the past, to give hope for the future. God’s work was established and Israel was preserved.

Most of us can remember our family history through old and new photos/stories, being a reminder to us of our individual stories.

If you are able to scroll through family pictures, or hear of family moments, you can remember times of joy as well as sorrow? Do you know of your family’s history? Regardless of a wonderful family past or a not so wonderful one….it is your story! And if you are a child of the One True King, you are His portion. He keeps an account of you, and knows you by name!

(Isaiah 43:1) But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine!”

We are adopted and have an inheritance into the family of Christ when we choose to believe in Him. 

Will you let God be the author and creator of the rest of your story? He so wants you to be a part of HisStory!!