There may be many reasons for which the genealogies of Adam
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times, Psalms 12:6. God never speaks idle words, so therefore, there may be many reasons for which the genealogies of Adam, 1 Chronicles 1; that of the sons of Israel, 1 Chronicles 2; and that of David and his sons, 1 Chronicles 3; are mentioned (along with the specific mention of certain names) in such detail and care!
As we study the descendants of Ham, we find that the Canaanites were part of his descendants, 1 Chronicles 1:8, so also was Nimrod*, vs 10 *as well as
the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite, and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite*, vs 14,15! Abraham was the descendant of Shem, vs 27. Amalek was a descendant of Esau, vs 35,36. From this genealogy, we are given to understand that there were kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel, vs 43. So, it is this attitude of ‘lording it over others’ that comes directly from the descendants of Esau which symbolises, the flesh, and which is what Esau represents!
Later on, as Israel also sought to follow the pattern they saw in other Nations, they also asked Samuel to give them a king”, *1 Samuel 8:4,5,19,20! On account of Tamar’s bold stand in her fight for justice, her sons carried forward the line of Judah, through which family line Jesus was born! Achan, who stole the forbidden riches, for which Israel suffered defeat at the hands of Ai, was a descendant from the tribe of Judah, 1 Chronicles 2:7; Joshua 7:1. David’s sister’s sons, Zeruiah, and Abigail, had sons who were indeed fine warriors, vs 16,17!
Among Caleb’s outstanding descendants was his daughter Acsah, vs 49, and Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, who was appointed and anointed to make many items of the sanctuary in Moses’ time, vs 20; Exodus 35:30. From David’s descendants we get the entire kingly tribe of Judah, and 1 Chronicles 3:5 tells us that David had 3 more sons through Bathsheba besides king Solomon*!
There Bathsheba is mentioned as the daughter of Ammiel. Let us make sure to live godly in Christ Jesus, even though we may be persecuted by those who don’t, so that our descendants will eventually inherit the blessing of Abraham too, even as they are encouraged by our example and precept.
Each soul is important to God and He brings them on earth at a particular point of time to fulfill a particular purpose. However, if we are careless about seeking to know and walk in our calling, we will end up as a spiritual casuality, and our generation will suffer loss, while the Kingdom of darkness will rejoice!
Let us pray for the passion of Apostle Paul, who said in Acts 20:24: “I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.”. Let us also seek to be like king David about whom it is written in Acts 13:36, David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, died…
They were not perfect people, but as they laid hold of God, God enabled them to accomplish their work before leaving this earth*.
May we too do likewise, to the glory of God and the spread of His kingdom here on earth. Amen.
Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.