Tag Archive | genealogies

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 275

Oct2

A NEW MONTH – THE NEW TESTAMENT!

Day 275 – Reading – Matthew 1 and Luke 2

Read and believe in Jesus!

MATTHEW.

Yes! Read the genealogy!  (Don’t worry about pronunciation.) 

If you’ve been with me in the Old Testament study, you will recognize some names. (Most recently, Jechoniah/Jehoiachin [the king who surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar and was later honored] and Zerubbabel.)  Also, there are FOUR women mentioned, three by name. (Can you find them?)  THIS genealogy is the history of Joseph, Mary’s husband, and the stepfather of Jesus.  It traces the ROYAL line and places Jesus firmly in the kingly heritage of King David, as God promised this “man after His heart.”

(Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus’ lineage through another son of King David, Nathan (not the prophet), down to Mary, which avoids the curse on the later kings of Judah). 

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Matthew 1.

The genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham down, through King Solomon to Jesus’ stepfather, Joseph.  

Matthew also gives us a glimpse of the man, Joseph, who is called a “just man.”  When he learned/SAW that his fiancée, Mary, was pregnant and knew the baby was NOT his, Joseph had the right by Jewish Law to either have her “stoned to death” or divorce her.  He loved Mary, so he decided to divorce her quietly. 

Had Mary told him the story of Gabriel’s announcement? Did he not believe her? Was it too outlandish?

But before he could start proceedings, the angel of the Lord (Gabriel?) appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph! son of David! Do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus (Savior), for He will save His people from their sins.

This fulfilled what the LORD had spoken to the prophet Isaiah, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Isaiah 7:14), and “they will call Him Immanuel, or ‘God with us.'” (Isaiah 8:8, 10)

So, the “just, but obedient” man, Joseph, did as the angel commanded and married the pregnant Mary.  But they stayed apart, intimately, until after she gave birth. 

Oh, and they did call the baby JESUS, as the angel told Joseph.

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Luke 2.

This is the most familiar account of the birth of Jesus, with portions of it printed on many Christmas cards each year.  So often is it read in December that many of us could recite the 20 verses by heart. (Our son, a 6th grader at the time, did just that for Bible reading at our church one Christmas Sunday.).

Old Caesar Augustus thought it a good idea to “register” everyone in the Roman Empire. He commanded “all the world” to go to their ancestral town and be counted. It was primarily to register young Roman men for the draft.  Formerly, Israel had been exempt from a census because Jewish men did not serve in the Roman army. But this census (to be repeated every 14 years) would also enable Augustus to levy poll taxes on everyone.

So, as we’ve seen in the genealogies, Joseph was in the line of David, so he had to travel the 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, David’s ancestral home. The same with Mary.

But … Mary’s due date was only days away!  Nevertheless, they traveled with a large family group to Bethlehem.  (Of course, we KNOW this was to fulfill prophecy about where the Messiah would be born. (Micah 5:2).  

They walked (or rode) and arrived in a completely packed town. Mary started having contractions.  The only private place was where they kept the animals, so Joseph booked it. Mary started labor as the animals looked on.

In hours, Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, was pushed out into a hostile world which would, in a mere 33 years, horrifically kill Him. But for now, He was held safely in warm swaddling cloths, close to Mary’s breast. Later, he was placed in a straw-filled, stone feed trough while Mary slept.

So many prophecies fulfilled.  So many more to be fulfilled. God’s plan of salvation had begun.

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Meanwhile, those shepherds outside Bethlehem got a FIVE-STAR show in the midnight sky.  First,  an angel appeared in lightning brightness with a heavenly birth announcement.

“FEAR NOT! For behold, I bring you Good News of great joy for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ (Messiah), the Lord.” 

The angel went on to tell the shepherds HOW they would recognize this Savior-Messiah. “You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger …. YES, a manger.”

Then that glorious, brilliant, light and song of a million angels began. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.”

Then a silence and blackness.  It took the shepherds a few minutes for their hearts to slow, their vision and hearing to return.  They looked at each other. “Did you…?” “Yes!” “The Messiah…?”  “I KNOW!”  And then, the agreed, “Let’s go!”   And forsaking their sheep (sleeping through it all, no doubt), and ran as one towards Bethlehem.  The star – Yes, THAT star – pointed to the stable.  AND THEY FOUND HIM just as they’d been told. 

When the excitement ended, and the now-awake Jesus was shown around, the shepherds told the young family about the angels, the announcement, and the glorious singing.  Mary, eyes large as saucers, “treasured up all these things in her heart.”

Eventually, the shepherds left, but they weren’t finished.  They went back glorifying and praising God, and sharing all they had heard and seen with everyone they met.

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Eight days later, as per the Law of Moses, baby Jesus was circumcised as a sign he was a Son of the Covenant (a Jew). At that time, He also officially got his name, Jesus. 

Forty days after his birthday, Mary and Joseph, again according to the Law of Moses, went to the temple to present (and redeem) Jesus, and to offer the sacrifice of 2 doves to show that the purification of Mary had been completed.  (Only then could her marriage to Joseph be consummated.)

While they were there, they met two elderly senior citizens: the righteous and devout Simeon, and the godly, widowed praying prophetess, Anna.  Both had been waiting a lifetime for that day….. the day they would see the Messiah of Israel. 

Simeon took the baby in his arms and prophesied over him.

“My eyes, Lord, have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon handed back Jesus and said with a sweet sigh, “Now I can depart in peace.”

After seeing Jesus, Anna began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

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(Luke here omits the visit from the Eastern Kings, and the family’s hurried trip to and stay in Egypt.) 

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He tells of them going back to Nazareth, and Jesus growing strong and filled with wisdom. His parents also saw God’s favor on Him.

Luke then fast-forwards to when Jesus was twelve and the family made the annual trip to Jerusalem for Passover.  After the feast days, they returned, but later discovered that Jesus was nowhere to be found.  His parents hurried back to Jerusalem and searched high and low for the boy. 

Yes, they found him and were both relieved and angry. 

He was at the Temple conversing with the Teachers of the Law (scribes and Pharisees). He was asking and answering questions about the Law, and these learned men were amazed at His wisdom.

Mary scolded Him (hopefully not in front of the Teachers, for at 12, He was considered a man).

Jesus answered that He was in His Father’s House.  Whoa, a slight that Joseph, whom He obeyed and respected, was NOT His true Father.

“What….?” they answered. (More stuff for Mary to ponder in her heart.)

But Jesus obediently returned to Nazareth with them.  And He continued to grow in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man  (….for 18 more years).

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 113

Apr23
Day 113.  Reading 1 Chronicles 1-2
 

Read today’s scripture.

Did you find something new or interesting in this genealogy?

1 Chronicles 1.

Don’t you LOVE genealogies?  Did you see YOUR name there? (I didn’t see mine.)  But God has a specific and good reason to show this list of forefathers.  They affirm the line of Christ from Adam through Abraham and David, and emphasizing the kingdom aspect of Christ. (See Matthew 1:1) These do not include every name, as the genealogies in Genesis do. (That’s not the author’s purpose.) 

Okay, did you muddle through? (The genealogies will continue into Chapter seven). I found some interesting facts as I read the first chapter.

  1. From Noah’s son, Japheth, came familiar names like Magog, and Ashkenaz.
  2. From Noah’s son, Ham, came Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.  The first mighty hunting man, Nimrod, came from Noah’s grandson Cush.
  3. The Philistines came from Noah’s grandson, Egypt.
  4. From Noah’s grandson, Canaan, came Sidon (in Lebanon), and the Jebusites, Hivites, Amorites, and Girgashites, all peoples whom God told Israel to destroy when they came to the Promised Land.
  5. From Noah’s son Shem (the Messianic line) came Peleg (which means divided). In his days, the earth was divided (Tower of Babel).
  6. From Noah’s grandson, Aram, came Uz. (Job 1:1 mentions that area)
  7. Chapter one also lists all the peoples who came from Jacob/Israel’s brother Esau, from Abraham’s other son, Ishmael, and from the sons of Abraham’s second wife, Keturah.
  8. A grandson of Esau was Teman. (Job 4, 15, & 22 mention a Temanite friend)

1 Chronicles 2.

I found more interesting names and facts in chapter two.  

  1. David’s line continues through Israel’s son Judah.
  2. Achan, the troubler of Israel is mentioned.  Remember, he was the one who took spoil from Jericho, against God’s specific command.  His sin caused Israel’s defeat when they attacked Ai.
  3. We see mentioned Boaz (remember the book of Ruth), their son, Obed who was David’s grandpa.
  4. David had two sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail!  (Whoa, didn’t know that!)
  5. And…..  David’s sister Zeruiah had three sons – Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.  (Remember Joab, David’s army commander? He was David’s nephew!  And Asahel was David’s nephew too, whom Abner killed, and so inspired Joab to kill HIM?)
  6. In this line too was Bezalel (Exodus 31:2). Remember the craftsman, whom God chose to be the chief contractor in building the Tabernacle and all that went with it, at Sinai!) He was also in the line through which David would come.

Yes, the names were tedious to read and hard to pronounce, but they were PEOPLE, and some developed into PEOPLES and COUNTRIES.  Just STAY the course.  In a week we will have read through all seven chapters!  PERSEVERE!

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 119 & 120

Apr29

    Day 119 & 120—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.  What have you learned about God? About yourself?

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

1 Chronicles 7 – 10 (Genealogies of Benjamin [2] others, duties of Levites, Death of Saul & sons)

This is the last of the genealogies in 1 Chronicles. Remember they were important to the returning Jews from exile to claim their portions of land, assure the messianic line of David, and place Levites in temple management. (This book was probably written by Ezra about 500 years after the time of Saul and David when the Jews returned to the land.

Chapter 7 lists the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali (only one verse), Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher.

Chapter 8 Lists the genealogy of Benjamin again, centering on King Saul.  It also foretells a possible “mini-split” in the tribe, after the time of David.

Chapter 9 summarizes why Israel was taken captive in Babylon – “because of their breach of faith.”  And since the Levites were the “first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities, they and their duties are listed again. Some of their duties were as 1) gatekeepers, keepers of the thresholds of the tent, and keepers of the entrance. (David and Samuel had established these in their duties). Others 2) had charge of the service utensils, to count them; some were appointed over the furniture; 3) some were over the flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices; 4) some prepared the mixing of spices and the baking of the showbread. There were 5) singers, free from other services, day and night.

Saul’s genealogy is also repeated; in chapter 10, the story of his death is repeated: how he was mortally wounded, his armor bearer refused to finish him off, and how he “fell on his sword.”

Verses 13-14 are his final, sad epitaph.  “So Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. There, the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse.”

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Day 120 – Psalms 102 – 104 – (A psalm of complaint, and two psalms of praise)

I’m so thankful that both types of prayers/songs are listed in the Bible. I can praise and worship God, and I can also pour out my troubles and depression. He heals all of them.

Psalm 102 is a song by someone depressed and in despair about what is happening to him and his people. He begs God to hear and answer him. He feels that his enemies and God Himself are too harsh with him.

“My days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.”   “My days are like an evening shadow; I wither like grass.” 

But still, the writer acknowledges God’s supremacy and begs him to regard his people and act on their behalf. “But You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.”  He asks God to look down from heaven and help his people, “so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.”

David writes Psalm 103 and blesses the Lord in scores of ways. Many have memorized it as a way to praise God:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”    

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”    “For He knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust.”   “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

Psalm 104 is 35 verses of praise to God for His glory in CREATION.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O Lord my God you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.”

“He set the earth on its foundations so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment.”

“You cause the grass to grow for livestock and plants for man to cultivate that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

“He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.”

“O LORS, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”

“I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 115

Apr24

    Day 115—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 115 – 1 Chronicles 3 – 5. (Genealogies in David’s line, Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.)

1 Chronicles 3 chronicles King David’s line until the Babylonian captivity. We see the sons and the daughter whose actions will cause David severe problems. Solomon, David’s tenth son, is mentioned as well.

1 Chronicles 4 chronicles the line of Judah, the Messianic line, and the diminishing tribe of Simeon, which is eventually swallowed up in Judah’s territory.

1 Chronicles 5 chronicles the line of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn who forfeited the birthright. The double-portion birthright then passed to the firstborn of Israel’s other wife, Rachael, Joseph. This chapter also gives the lineage of the Gadites and the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh which settled east of the Jordan River.

In both chapters 4 and 5, we see God answering prayer. In 4:9-10, Jabez “called upon the God of Israel, asking for more land, blessings, and safety for himself. And “God granted what he asked.”

In 5:18-20, the East Jordan tribes waged war against several pagan nations. Even though there were less than half the enemy’s number, when they “cried out to God in the battle, He granted their urgent plea, because they trusted Him.”