Tag Archive - Genealogy

Context, perspective, and history: 1 Chronicles Summary

July 29, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

How would you summarize the story of God at work in the Old Testament? There are many ways you can talk about how God has interacted with mankind. The book of 1 Chronicles uses the genealogies of men from Adam through David to portray the story. Emphasis was given to the people who were present at key events throughout the history of the descendants of Israel. What is the importance of the history of Israel given through the genealogy of men? What is gained when you know your history?

The relationship between God and Israel can be summarized by His faithfulness and the peoples collective inability to follow Him. The foremost command that the people were given was to love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength as they clung to God from day to day. Continue Reading…

Beautiful picture of God and His beloved: 1 Chronicles 15 and 16

July 21, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

I thought that 1 Chronicles 13 and 14 revolved around the idea of celebration and worship of God but it pales in comparison to the details given in 1 Chronicles 15 and 16. The over all story covers the arrival of the Ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The text also makes it clear why Uzza died at the threshing floor when the ark was transported by cart. In the urgency, excitement, and celebration over the kingship of David the Israelites forgot to adhere to the commands of God about the handling of the Ark. Did the years of everyone doing what was right in their own eyes lead to the forgetfulness of  the people to remember God’s commands? All too often I failure is found to be the best reminder and teacher when it comes to our faith in God. Continue Reading…

Genealogy in untimely way gives a perfect picture: 1 Chronicles 11 and 12

July 19, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

Why does the book of 1 Chronicles not follow a strict chronological order? The book will follow a chronological order for a few chapters and then details from the future are given and then the story is relayed in chronological order again. The death of Saul was told in 1 Chronicles chapter 10 but in chapter 11 and 12 we go backwards in the timeline to before Saul’s death story to see the men of arms at David’s side. And by the end of chapter 12 we are again at a point after Saul’s death with celebration of David’s kingship. What is the point to all of this jumping around in time? Does the book of 1 Chronicles focus more on the key people and the critical events that occurred in their lives? Continue Reading…

Many names and many questions: 1 Chronicles 7 and 8

July 17, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

I’ll be completely honest that many questions are brought to my mind today as I read 1 Chronicles 7 and 8 with few answers. There is a distinct change in the way the genealogy is presented in chapter 7. The previous 6 chapters detailed at most the genealogy of two tribes of Israel at a time but in we are given details of six different tribes. Why is there such a change to the way the text is written? Were the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher not as important or as large as the others? Why are just the descendants listed for some of the tribes while others have detailed ordered genealogies? Why is only one verse given about the sons of Naphtali? Are the people that are detailed in 1 Chronicles the people of renown that had influence or an impact upon the history of Israel? The book of 1 Chronicles almost seems to be similar to the book of Deuteronomy where all that happened in the previous books was retold for the people.

Lineage of Ruben and Levi: 1 Chronicles 5 and 6

July 16, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

The detailed genealogy of the sons of Israel continues in 1 Chronicles chapters 5 and 6 with the lineage of Ruben and Levi. It is amazing to see the connectedness of all the people from the Bible stories. I’ll be honest that I have dreaded reading through the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles because I knew from my previous times glancing through them that they are filled with so many names that didn’t have a connection with. Thankfully I was wrong about how impacting these book of the Bible are.

Ruben’s sinfulness by sleeping with one of Israel’s concubines happened in Genesis and see how that act of sinfulness had effects a many generations after Ruben. What acts do we choose to commit today that will have lasting effects for good or bad for generations? Continue Reading…

God’s promise to Abraham and a prayer prayed: 1 Chronicles 3 and 4

July 15, 2010 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

When you read through 1 Chronicles chapters 3 and 4 you will again find a detailed genealogy. Chapter 3 is devoted to the descendants of David while chapter 4 starts the listing of the genealogies of the tribes of Israel with the descendants of Judah and Simeon. Do you appreciate all the names that are given? Do you care about the names of the people? As I read through all of these names I am amazed at God’s faithfulness. Abraham was given a promise that from his seed he would have descendants numberless as the sand on the seashore. This genealogy is proof again that God will complete the promises he makes to us. Take hope knowing that God never casually gives a promise to us. Continue Reading…

Knowledge of who you are is found in your past: 1 Chronicles 1 and 2

July 14, 2010 in Bible Blog with 1 Comment

Why are all of these names given in 1 Chronicles 1 and 2? What is the point? It seems redundant to repeat these names that are all given throughout the first twelve books of the Old testament. Does difficulty in understanding the importance of the genealogy come from your own perspective? Many of us live in urbanized cities where we go about our daily activities as anonymously as we can taking refuge in our secluded homes. We do not have the understanding of a culture where genealogy is critically valued.

You can make the argument that the genealogies are given to trace the lineage of Jesus Christ but what other reason would compel the Israelites to want such a detailed genealogy? Continue Reading…

Generations of family life from Adam to Noah: Genesis 5 and 6

February 19, 2009 in Bible Blog with 0 Comments

>Who are we? I know that many times I find my value in what I have, can purchase, or obtain. Looking at the genealogy from Adam to Noah makes me humbled because I cannot look back on my family very far before I lose track of people. I wish I could look back generations and know what kind of faith my ancestors had. Looking back Noah knew that who he was, who his forefathers were, and what he believed. Can we make steps today to ensure that our children and our children’s children know where they came from and what we believe of God?