May the mumbling commence!
Well, here’s another day and another list of names in
the genealogy of First Chronicles. It is
interesting to see stories of the Bible buried in the genealogy. You know, what is does and does not say. Read from First Chronicles chapter three:
Then David moved the capital to Jerusalem, where he
reigned another thirty-three years. The
sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Bathsheba, the
daughter of Ammiel, was the mother of these sons. David also had nine other sons: Ibhar,
Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
These were the sons of David, not including the sons of
his concubines. David
also had a daughter named Tamar. (Verses 4b-9)
Though we get some heritage that goes with Bathsheba, we
hear nothing about her first husband Uriah the Hittite. And, though Tamar is mentioned, nothing is
said of her say story – a story that is connected with the stumbling of David with
Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. It’s
the way of the Chronicler – to gloss over David’s failings.
We know the stories of some of the people in the
genealogies. But I often wonder about
some of the others. Much was made a
number of years ago about Jabez and the prayer that was included in the
genealogy from First Chronicles chapter four.
Read it below:
There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguished than any of his brothers.
His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh,
that you would bless me and extend my
lands! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and
pain!" And God granted him his request. (Verses 9-10)
The prayer of Jabez is straight forward. Increase my lands. Bless me.
Remove all trouble and pain from my life. All of us would like these prayers answered
for our own lives. There would be much
responsibility. But imagine: trouble and
pain gone!
Jabez was born into the world with much pain. I wonder – did his mother die in
childbirth. We are not told. It is stories like this one that spark my
imagination. It has all the elements for
a vibrant faith in the Lord, which we all must cultivate. Read from Romans chapter four:
When
God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed
him. God had also said, "Your descendants will be as numerous as the
stars," even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a
father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able
to have children.
Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In
fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able
to do anything he promised. And because of
Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous.
Now this wonderful truth – that God declared him to be righteous – wasn’t just
for Abraham's benefit. It was for us,
too, assuring us that God will also
declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord
back from the dead. He was handed over
to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right
with God. (Verses 18-25)
Have faith.
Believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ.
And rise to righteousness through him.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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