TODAY’S READING: I CHRONICLES 7-9
OVERVIEW:
A continuation ofIsrael’s descendants: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, Ephraim, Asher, Benjamin; those who returned from captivity; the genealogy of Saul.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
The genealogy continues today, bringing us through the remainder of the descendants ofIsrael: Issachar (7:1-5), Benjamin (7:6-12), Naphtali (7:13), the half-tribe of Manasseh west of theJordan(7:14-19), Ephraim (7:20-29), Asher (7:30-40), Benjamin (Chapt. 8). Chapter 9 then gives us the record of those who returned from captivity (9:1-34), and then, the descendants of Saul (9:35-44).
A particular phrase that is mentioned twice in chapter 7 is well worth noting: Chapter 7 and verse 11 talks about the number of the “… soldiers FIT to go out FOR WAR AND BATTLE;” and chapter 7 and verse 40 talks about the number of the “mighty men of valour… that were APT to the WAR AND TO BATTLE.” The New Testament is very specific in letting us know that as believers in Jesus Christ, we are soldiers (II Tim. 2:3) who are engaged in an incredible war (II Tim. 2:4; II Cor. 10:3).
If God were making a list today of the number of New Testament soldiers and mighty men and women of valour who are “fit” and “apt to the war and to battle,” would the number include your name? Ephesians 6:10-17 lets us know that the number includes only those who “STAND” in the victory Christ has already won, having on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”. Are you “FIT” and “APT” for the “WAR” we call the Christian life?
Chapter 9 and verse 2 says, “Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.” The “Nethinims” were very simply the “Templeservants.” Their job was to do whatever needed to be done. Because of their love for the Lord, they didn’t need the limelight; they were willing to work behind the scenes so that the work of the Lord could go forward. Verse 28 says of the Levites, “and certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale (or, count).” Again, from an earthly standpoint, it doesn’t seem like any big thing. Others, according to verse 29 and 30 “were appointed to oversee the vessels and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.” Again, from the mind of a natural man, these responsibilities are hardly worth mentioning. But to God, each individual fulfilling their role and completing their personal assignment was well worth mentioning, because God knew that every individual was key for what He intended for the service of the Tabernacle.
The New Testament teaches us that all of us have been given a different SHAPE (an acronym for Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences) by God, so that we can fulfill our MINISTRY in the CHURCH, and ourMISSIONin the WORLD. Regardless of how insignificant we may think our value to His Kingdom may be, He views our responsibility as a sacred trust, and vital to His will and work in and through the Body of Christ! Play your position! Fulfill your role! Be faithful! You are as vital to the Body of Christ in our local church, as any member of your body is to you!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
InJERUSALEM(which means, “Foundation of peace”) – I Chron. 9:3 – (Christ is the only foundation of peace upon which man can stand before God – I Cor.3:11; John14:27; II Cor.5:18; Eph.2:14)