OVERVIEW:
A continuation of Israel’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 of Israel: Issachar (7:1–5), Benjamin (7:6–12), Naphtali (7:13), the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan (7:14–19), Ephraim (7:20–29), Asher (7:30–40), Benjamin (Chapter 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.” Chapter 7 and verse 40 talks about the number of the “mighty men of valour…that were apt to the WAR and to battle…” You might want to note that the word “apt” is also translated in the Bible as “prepared”; “ready”; and “willing”. You might also want to note that the New Testament is very specific in letting us know that as believers in Jesus Christ, we, too, are SOLDIERS (2nd Timothy 2:3) who are engaged in an incredible “WAR” or “BATTLE”. (2nd Timothy 2:4; 2nd Corinthians 10:3) With that reality in mind, we would do well to consider: 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” like He did here in 1st Chronicles 7, would our name be included in that number? Ephesians 6:10–18 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 “temple servants”. Their job was simply 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! Oh, that God could use us to be as the Nethinims! 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, the job God entrusted to them doesn’t really seem to be all that significant. “Some”, 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!
May we learn from these Old Testament servants that whatever God has called us to do in His service, however insignificant it may appear to others, and however insignificant it may sometimes even feel to us, it is extremely significant to Him! He is simply looking for us to faithfully carry out the assignment to which we have been entrusted. The way Paul said it, in Philippians 3:12, “…but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” In other words, “I’m going to live my life in constant pursuit of taking into my possession the purpose God had in taking me into His possession!” The New Testament teaches that God has given all of us a MINISTRY to fulfill in the CHURCH and a MISSION to fulfill in the WORLD. To fulfill these responsibilities according to God’s design, He has entrusted each of us with a composite of key resources to utilize in fulfilling our intended purpose. He has given each of us spiritual gifts, along with our natural, and yet, God-given talents and abilities. He has given to us our individual personality, and within our personality, has made us passionate about certain things. All along the way, through the course of our life, God has allowed us to encounter many different people and experience many different things. All of these various components are not random. These are all the specific things God has orchestrated, and is orchestrating in our lives to direct us into an understanding of the specific kingdom assignment He intends us to fulfill.
Regardless of how insignificant we may think our value to His kingdom may be, God views our responsibility as a sacred trust, and vital to His will and work in and through the body of Christ! We all must play our position! We all must fulfill our role! God has called each of us to embrace the stewardship of these incredible resources, and do one thing with them: be FAITHFUL! (1st Corinthians 4:1–2) Always keep in mind that you are as vital to the body of Christ in your local church, as any member of your physical body is to you! There are no insignificant individuals and there are no insignificant responsibilities.
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
- In JERUSALEM (which means, “Foundation of peace”) — 1st Chronicles 9:3. (Christ is the only foundation of peace upon which man can stand before God – 1st Corinthians 3:11; John 14:27; 2nd Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 2:14)