Day 92 – 1 Chronicles: Genealogies of Israel

“So all Israel was listed in the genealogical records in “The Book of the Kings of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 8:40b NLT

Reading 1 Chronicles 1:1 to 1 Chronicles 9:44

This long list of names presents a history of God’s work from Adam through Zerubbabel. Some of these remind us of stories of great faith, and others of tragic failure. Some names are unfamiliar and their stories unknown to us, but God knows them.

These genealogies are the official family records of the nation of Israel. They give us an overview of God’s work from Creation through to the captivity of His people. These records served to teach the exiles returning from Babylon about their spiritual heritage as a nation and to inspire them to renew their faithfulness to God. Although these lists show the racial heritage of the Jews, they contain a spiritual heritage for every believer. We are a part of the community of faith that has existed from generation to generation since the dawn of man.

Prayer: Father, thank You for all these names mentioned in Your Word, giving us the understanding that they were real people with real lives and stories. Each name was a person loved by You. Thank You, Lord, that You know my name and love me too. Amen.