 Access today’s Scripture online. The genealogies in 1 Chronicles are long and we have shared the beautiful function they serve in Scripture. Today we will begin with the meditation.
Meditation During Advent Christians celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ as we deepen anticipation and expectation of His second coming. The original audience of Chronicles share the anticipation we have today, longing for God’s covenant blessings and eager for the restoration God brings through His anointed King. Israel was returning from exile and rebuilding Jerusalem. Today Christians are in exile awaiting the New Jerusalem. History joins our hearts in proclaiming, “Lord, come!” Genealogies weave the story of redemption together and for this reason the New Testament begins with a list of families (Matthew 1:1-17). The structure of 1 Chronicles 1-9 highlights continuity, covenant, and consecration. We are all rooted in humanity, beginning with Adam (1:1). God’s people remain in God’s family with continuity through Abraham to Jacob. Israel prioritizes God’s promise by placing Judah’s line first, celebrating God’s covenant with David, while reclaiming their purpose in putting Levi’s line second. The consecration of the priestly line points to a main purpose of the book and the people, namely rebuilding the temple and re-establishing the priesthood. Jesus Christ is the fullness of all these realities, the second Adam and the promised seed of Abraham. Jesus is David’s greater son who is the fullness of God’s covenant promise and blessing. Jesus is the Great High Priest who consecrates His people, by a single sacrifice, making holy a people who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). Genealogies highlight God’s sovereign grace as they stoke hope in our hearts. Jesus is the fullness and foundation of God’s sovereign grace and our hope. Richly Dwelling -How does understanding God’s redemptive story provide beauty to otherwise boring genealogies? -Why is it significant that the Chronicler highlights the lines of Judah and Levi? How does Jesus demonstrate the fullness of the story as God’s promised King and the great High priest? -God is faithful to his covenant promises and will satisfy our hopes of restoration and renewal through His beautiful and bountiful return. How can you hope in His faithfulness today as you wait for Christ’s second advent? Key Verse Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Comments are closed.
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