Lifting Up Judah
Synopsis 1Chron 1:45-2:10 11/7/2019
The chronicler described the succession of kings in Canaan And after this, he described the genealogy of Esau, Israel’s older brother. Finally, after this, he listed the twelve sons of Israel.
Now, Jacob had two wives who were sisters and two concubines. And all four women produced children from him. The wives were Rachel and Leah. The concubines were Bilhah and Zilpah.
The chronicler recorded the six sons who came from Leah first, and in their correct birth order. But he listed all of the other sons who came from Rachel and the concubines in no special order. And, although Judah was the fourth born to Jacob and Leah, the chronicler described the descendants of Jacob beginning with Judah.
Lifting Up Judah
Judah was the son of Jacob. And Jacob conferred a special blessing on the sons of Joseph. But as his death approached, Jacob also pronounced a prophetic blessing upon each of his sons. And when he blessed Judah, his blessing anticipated that the “scepter” of rulership would always be with the tribe of Judah.
So, the chronicler seems to have interpreted the genealogical record from the perspective of this prophetic anticipation. For this reason, King David’s ascension to the throne governing Israel was a validation of Jacob’s prophetic blessing.
Lift Up Your Head
My life is so different than I ever imagined. In my case, I can honestly say that it’s better than I ever imagined. But still, I could never have guessed how things have turned out based on how my life began.
And yet, in another way, I think not everyone in my family is totally surprised by my life. And some of my family might even say they could have anticipated the way things have worked out.
But, even if every human person I knew is surprised, God is not surprised. He made me with gifts and talents that are unique to me. And He placed in a space and time where I could use those gifts to create value intended to bless others. He spoke this word over me from the beginning.
And He did the same for you. So, lift up your head!
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”Jer 1:5
