Bible Pathways - May 11, 2006
May 11, 2006
Read 1 Chronicles 1
In Today's
Jesus' lineage through Adam, Noah,
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 and choices of our Creator in selecting the people whom He qualified to serve Him, beginning with Adam, Sheth . . . Noah. . . . Abraham; Isaac. . . . Henoch. . . . and
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 Luke 3:23-38, we see the genealogy of the last Adam, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:22,45), 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
Our Lord is now drawing to Himself an holy nation, a peculiar (God's own) people (I Peter 2:9), 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 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 them and our new life in Christ is the beginning of life eternal.
This recorded genealogy is a reminder that soon the final books in heaven will be opened. Jesus promised: He that overcometh, 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 quickening (life-giving) Spirit (I Corinthians 15:45).
Word Studies:
1:6 sons of =b> descendants of; 1:10 begat =b> became the father of; 2:21 threescore =b> sixty.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Mrs. Harold J. Foerder · Staff: Clarence Rathbone · Government Officials: Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (TN) and Sen. James Jeffords (VT) · Country: St. Lucia (154,000) in the eastern Caribbean · Major languages: English and French patois · Religious freedom · 83% Roman Catholic; 13% Protestant; 2% spirit worship · Prayer Suggestion: Your prayers must be offered to God with the Spirit and understanding (John 4:22-24).
Optional
Memory Verse for the Week: Ezra 3:11
