Good morning!
Text: 1 Chronicles 1-4; Ecclesiastes 9
Chronicles opens with genealogies – lists of old Hebrew names. The first name – in fact the first word of the book – is Adam. Verse 1:28 begins with Abraham, chapter 2 with Jacob (Israel), and chapter 3, David. The big picture here is that God’s sovereign plan leads to a special nation, and a human king, all part of His perfect plan to redeem a people out of the human race. As we read 1 and 2 Chronicles, we will have a number of deja vu experiences – there will be passages that match 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings word-for-word. The perspective in Chronicles is different, however. It is the heavenly perspective – a God’s eye view of God’s plan unfolding through the very special people of Israel.
Whenever we read lists of names, it is tempting to skim ahead. But in each name there is a message. Every word God placed in His Word matters. When He includes these names it shows us that every one of His own is special. And when He strings them together, it shows us that His plan in history includes all the details of the lives of individuals. That includes you and me. You and I are going to make history today!
in Him, Mike