Preparation: A Study in 1 Chroniclesعينة

What does it say?

The Chronicler opens the book with three important genealogies: Adam, Abraham, and David.

What does it mean?

Biblical genealogies are both historical and theological. Every genealogy is a representation of God's story of grace from generation to generation. The author of Chronicles begins his book with Adam, Abraham, and David to remind God's people that his purposes have not been thwarted and his plans have never been confounded. Even as Israel doubts God's covenantal promises, these chapters are a resounding reminder that there is coming a descendant that will one day crush the head of the serpent and defeat all of God's enemies. 

How should I respond? 

The beauty of genealogies is that we too find ourselves in their stories. When the Chronicler mentions specific descendants, his readers would immediately be reminded of their stories of grace, mercy, and redemption. In the same way, we too are living out God's great story of redemption in our lives. Just as God was faithful in the days of Adam, Enoch, Noah and Abraham, Isaac, and Israel - so God will continue to be faithful every day of our lives. What area of your life are you having difficulty trusting God with today? Do you trust God to work out your story like he has since the very beginning?