Read 1 Chronicles 1
Highlights:
Jesus’ lineage through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Israel (Jacob), and Judah
Adam, Sheth, Enosh, (1 Chr. 1:1), These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. . . . Ozem the sixth, David the seventh: (1 Chr. 2:1-2,15).
Some people will tell you the first is always the winner. That would certainly be true in most races. Others say they always save the best for last. That may be true pertaining to certain things. There are countdown lists to the number one song, person, etc. These are all part of the way the world ranks things. God definitely has a totally different system in His way of doing things. God chooses who He chooses. He calls who He calls. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (1 Cor. 1:27).
A person may not always be the smartest, fastest, strongest or best looking, but they may be God's chosen for the office at hand. In the world's eyes, they may lack what it takes, but God looks deeper within to see the value of the person. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:27).
The verse names three individuals who were probably not the world's first choice. They did not seem to be anything special to mankind. Yet each of these three had a great responsibility that they fulfilled.
Seth had two older brothers, Cain and Abel, much better known than he, but it is through him that the lineage of God's chosen comes. Joseph had many older brothers who ended up selling him into slavery, but it was he who was able to save his whole family during a famine. David was also younger and not a soldier like his brothers, but it was he that killed Goliath on his way to becoming king of Israel.
Each of these men were chosen and used by God for these purposes. Just as they were selected by God for a specific purpose, we too are chosen by God to fulfill a certain place. No one else can fill the spot God has chosen for you. We must each answer His call as these men did.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Tim. 2:4)
Thought for Today:
Christians must not allow themselves to be molded by the world’s standards, but must always submit to God’s purpose in their lives.
Christ Portrayed:
the first Adam (1 Chr. 1:1). Christ is the last Adam. We have eternal life because the last Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45,47).
Word Studies:
1:6 sons of, descendants of; 1:10 begat, became the father of; 2:21 threescore, sixty.
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: Psalms 119:18