Today's Readings - 1 Chronicles 6-9, John 13:21–38, Psalm 72:11–20, Proverbs 14:33–35
Devotional
Okay, let's admit it. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9 we've been reading the last couple of days are not exactly the most riveting and soul-stirring portions of scripture. When my soul is discouraged, when my heart is heavy, I seldom think to myself, "What I really need is to focus my heart and soul on the 'begats' and find the blessings there."
Of course, there are some nuggets woven into the genealogical records that people have found interesting. The most notable, of course, was the story of Jabez' prayer in 4:10, which may be one of the most overblown teachings on prayer ever! It's an interesting story and a reminder that God answers prayer, but it may not be the central teaching on prayer that some have made it out to be.
Reading through these chapters can become wearisome. If you read every word of these 9 chapters, God bless you. I tend to skim! People who get through the infectious skin diseases and mildew of Leviticus can find their commitment to read through the Bible bog down in these chapters. I am guessing that in all the "favorite scriptures" testimony services in history the genealogies of 1 Chronicles have never been identified. as a person's most favored text.
But do not mistake the lack of excitement these chapters provide to mean that they have no meaning or purpose. There is an important lesson to be learned from this passage, one that is buttressed and reinforced by the detailed genealogies of these chapters.
The Bible is not a book of fables and fiction. "It doesn't matter if God really created the world." "It doesn't matter if Moses really parted the Red Sea." "It doesn't matter if Jesus really walked on water." Even, "it doesn't matter if Jesus really rose from the dead." All that matters to some people is that the Bible tells great stories with good morals. It teaches us about God and helps us understand life better. Does it really matter if all the stories are really true?
Yes, my friend, it does. The Bible is not a religious Aesop's Fairy Tales! It is a record of the work of the sovereign God in human history. Every major act of God is grounded in history. Stories are not introduced with "Once upon a time," but with "In the year that King Uzziah died." It's not "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away," but "this was the time of the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria."
The Bible isn't a history textbook, but it is rooted in solid, accurate history. God really created the world. Adam and Eve were really the first humans. Moses really led the people from Egypt. David really fought Goliath and Elijah really faced the false prophets. Jesus really was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, lived in Nazareth and ministered in Galilee. It's a true story.
That's why the genealogies matter. These are not fictional characters in a movie of the week. These were flesh and blood people who lived and died, and through whom God worked his redemptive plan. The genealogies will never be exciting reading, perhaps, but that does not mean that they are not crucial Scripture. They matter. They remind us that God worked in history to redeem real people like us through real people like them. The Bible rests on a solid historical foundation.
Father, I thank you that your Word is not fiction or fairy tales, but the true story of your work in history to redeem sinners and bring us into your kingdom. Thank you!
Think and Pray
Do you trust the word of God in everything it says?
As you skimmed through this genealogy and the stories in it, consider the blessings that can be gained.
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