So Many Genealogies...

1 Chronicles 1-4

    Chronicles is written to a post-exilic community. Their territory is incredibly small, really just the area around Jerusalem. They have neither a real king nor any real independence. And their temple doesn't compare to the one Solomon built and the Babylonians destroyed. They had a ton of reasons to doubt their standing with the Lord.

    One of the purposes of the genealogies that dominate the first chapters of 1 Chronicles is to remind the people, "We are indeed still the people of God, heirs of His promises." I know these genealogies are hard to read, and I know that if we applied ourselves we could probably find deep connections with important lessons for us. But, here's my advice: just skim them. (That goes for tomorrow, too.) Do your best, and hold on to the simple lesson about: these genealogies are intended as proof to Israel in her distress that she is still the people of God. Then, hold on to the simple lesson in your distress: you also are one of God's children. Even if circumstances don't seem to prove it, you are.