Today's Reading:

1 Chronicles 3
1 Chronicles 4
1 Chronicles 5

The family dynamics of Jacob/Israel’s household unfolded under God’s hand. The Reubenites were the firstborn, but Reuben forfeited his birthright after defiling his father’s marriage bed. The birthright was transferred to Joseph, one of the favored sons of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph’s double portion of birthright flowed to his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.

God had a purpose, and human sin could not divert His plans. Flawed lineage like that of Simeon was absorbed by Judah, yet they were still honored. A prayer like Jabez’s could bring honor to an entire family line.

Today’s society mirrors these patterns, in which blended families can honor one child over another and give that child a “double portion.” Non-traditional families, through marriage, adoption, and divorce, can bring inheritance and birth order into many situations. No one is being disqualified; they're just being rearranged. Just as God had Judah absorb Simeon over time, one loss was the other’s gain. Even through scandals, God turned brokenness into blessings and significance. No family is too broken for His redeeming grace. He just asks us to trust the same grace that the patriarchal families were given.

Do you have your own blended or non-traditional family, where one has received the unexpected “double portion” of love, inheritance, or honor? How has that rearrangement brought healing instead of division?

 

We continued with the genealogy today. The other day, chapter 2 had covered Judah, one of Israel’s (Jacob’s) 12 sons from the 12 Tribes of Israel. Judah had Perez and Zerah (twins born to Tamar, his D.I.L), then the line continued from Perez and eventually led to David. Judah’s son Perez’s descendants had been broken down into Hezron’s sons: Ram, Caleb, and Jerahmeel, then focused on the clans of Caleb.

Continuing with the tribe of Judah, the sons of David who were born in Hebron and those born later in Jerusalem were listed. This was to focus on David’s royal lineage. Then, the other clans of Judah, the king’s lineage, were listed.

The point was to remember that each of our family lines today goes back to Creation and Adam. Reading the names can be difficult; again, remember to look for the familiar and the connections. Sometimes it is easier to have Scripture read to you through an app, but I find the visual interruptions and chapter headlines easier to keep track of. God was faithful in the beginning through Adam, to the journey from Egypt in the Wilderness, and continued His faithfulness into the land of Canaan. This genealogy report could trace their inheritance as God’s chosen people back to the beginning of time.

David had 6 sons in Hebron, and 33 in Jerusalem. Note that Jesus lived 33 years. Both Jesus and Judah’s sons were born in the territory of Judah. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and David and his sons were born in Hebron.

Simeon, born to Jacob and Leah, was listed as their allotted inheritance land from the Lord, which was within the boundaries of Judah. They had a smaller list of people’s names due to the tribe shrinking and being

absorbed into Judah. In 4:27, Scripture noted they were having fewer children. Remember back to Shechem and Dinah, when Jacob prophesied the tribe of Simeon would be scattered. The first census by Moses, and the second by Joshua, showed they had already declined by half. Towards the end of chapter 4, Scripture showed God’s faithfulness in the protection of the Israelites and His territory.

Chapter 5 covered Jacob’s sons Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (east). These were the Transjordan tribes that settled east of the Jordan River and were described as valiant warriors. Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob (Israel) to Leah. Rueben had lost his birthright when he defiled his father’s bed. His birthright had been given over to Joseph (the double portion was handed to Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim). Gad was born to Jacob and Zilpah (Leah’s servant). This genealogy listed the chiefs of Gilead. It was recorded during the reigns of King Jotham (S) of Judah and King Jeroboam (N) of Israel. Gad had waged war with the Hagrites and won a lot of animals for their tribe. The Half-Tribe of Manasseh, the eastern tribe, was listed as brave warriors. The genealogy went up to the time of Pul, the King of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-Pileser), who exiled the Transjordan tribes. The exile came due to their unfaithfulness to God as they committed idolatry by turning away and lusting after the gods of the peoples of the land that God had destroyed using their skills.

Today's Discussion question: 

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