Scripture reading – 1 Chronicles 2; Psalm 43
Review of 1 Chronicles 1
The Creation: Adam to Noah (1:1-23)
The first chapter of the First Book of the Chronicles provided a genealogical study of human history that began with Adam, the first man (1 Chronicles 1:1; Genesis 1:27-27; 2:18-25).
The Flood: Noah and his Sons (1:5-23)
Also, the lineages of humanity presented in 1 Chronicles 1 were the record of the ancestral lines of Noah’s sons following the Flood: Japheth (1 Chronicles 1:5-7), Ham (1 Chronicles 1:8-16), and Shem (1 Chronicles 1:17-23).
The Covenant with Abraham (1:24-27)
Though many of the world’s great nations would emanate from Japheth and Ham, the lineage of Shem and his descendants is the central focus of the Biblical narrative. From Shem’s posterity were born the great patriarchs of the Scriptures beginning with Abraham, whom the LORD commanded to separate from “Ur of the Chaldees” (1 Chronicles 1:24; Genesis 11:10-32). Promised that through him “all families of the earth [would] be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3), Abraham believed and obeyed God (Genesis 12:4).
The Sons of Abraham: Ishmael, Isaac, and the Sons of Keturah (1:28-34)
To Abraham was born Ishmael (his firstborn son by Sarah’s handmaid Hagar the Egyptian, 1:29-31), the sons of Keturah (1 Chronicles 1:32-33), and Isaac (the son of God’s covenant promise born to Sarah, 1:34). To Isaac were born two sons: Esau and Jacob.
The Edomites: The Sons of Esau, the Firstborn Son of Jacob (1:35-54)
Esau was Isaac’s firstborn son, and his sons and the nations descended from him are recorded in 1 Chronicles 1:35-54.
1 Chronicles 2
The Twelve Sons of Israel (2:1-2)
The LORD rejected Esau as Isaac’s heir and chose Jacob, whom He named Israel. To Jacob was born twelve sons who became the fathers of twelve tribes (1 Chronicles 2:1-2).
The Sons of Judah, the Royal Tribe (1 Chronicles 2)
The Twelve Tribes of Israel sprang from Jacob’s twelve sons and became the nation of Israel (recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:1-2). The lineage of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4-55), the fourth-born son of Israel, is of particular interest in this chapter because he became the father of the royal tribe.
Of Judah’s five sons (1 Chronicles 2:3-5) was born Pharez (i.e., Perez), the father of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:9-15) through whose seed would be born King David (1 Chronicles 2:15). From Judah would be born Jesus Christ (both Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph were of the tribe of Judah).
Our study of the providences of God and the Tribes of Israel will continue in future devotional studies. Today’s devotional study will continue with Psalm 43.
Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith
* You can subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals by entering your name and email address at the bottom of today’s devotion.
The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Heart of A Shepherd Inc as a 501c3 public charitable organization. Your donation is welcome and supports the worldwide ministry outreach of www.HeartofAShepherd.com.