Scripture Readings:
1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27;
Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19
For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for me.
~Jesus- Acts 9:15
~Jesus- Acts 9:15
1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Well, today we have another genealogy list. The author of Chronicles, who is believed to be Ezra, is preserving the historical and genealogical information that is crucial for the people group chosen to bring the Messiah into the world. This list includes Jabez who is famous for his prayer to God that gave him extended land and God's blessing.
We learn today that Reuben, the first born son of Jacob/Israel, lost his birthright to Joseph's sons because he slept with his father's concubine. It is also noted that Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation of Israel.
Hope you are enjoying the small break in reading long Old Testament passages. These sections at the front of 1 Chronicles give you a little breather!
Acts 25:1-27
You have to wonder as Paul sat confined in Caesarea if he thought back to what was told to him after his conversion incident on the road to Damascus. He had been told that the Lord was calling him to testify before kings and rulers about Jesus Christ. He was also told that he must suffer for the sake of Jesus.
Today, Festus has become the governor. Felix is gone and Festus takes over the case of Paul. When approached by the Jewish religious leaders about bringing Paul to Jerusalem for trial, Festus brings the idea to Paul. Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen and appeals to Caesar, rather than going back to Jerusalem. It is in Rome that Paul will have the opportunity to witness to the most powerful man on earth.
In the meantime, another king is in town to visit Festus. His name is King Agrippa. He is in town with his wife Bernice, and King Agrippa is the last in the line of the Herodians. He is a Jew by religion, but was wholly committed and loyal to Rome.
Paul will have an opportunity to witness to the power players of his day. God chose him for this very purpose.
What have you been chosen by God to do?
Psalm 5:1-12
I like Verse 3, "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."
Proverbs 18:19
This proverb is true. It is hard to make amends with an offended friend. Arguments separate good friends.
What did you notice today?
Blessings,
Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
It's cool to think of these names as part of an historical record, written so long ago.
ReplyDeletePaul spent YEARS in prison. Amazing.
It would be like Billy Graham being put in prison for a couple of years, but then think of the lowly guards and other prisoners influenced by Paul as the timing for him to speak in front of certain rulers came around. God's ways are not our ways.
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