Our reading this month is not only taking us into the psalter, but today we step into 1 Chronicles as we divert from our reading in 2 Samuel. Since this is a chronological reading plan, the reading in 1 Chronicles takes us through the genealogies to show the path from Adam to David and his royal lineage which ultimately leads to Jesus. I always struggle reading these genealogies because let’s face it – the names aren’t easy to pronounce. But because every letter and syllable of Scripture is there for a purpose, let’s not skip over them. While there is no test or quiz at the end, we trust that God has purpose and reason for including these in the canon.
I love Psalm 19. I love the opening verses because they remind us that all of creation speaks of its Maker. Every star, the sun, the clouds, the trees – all of it point us to a Master Artisan. There is nothing that is not made by him in all of creation! Then we get an abbreviated version of Psalm 119 in the middle verses. In these verses we see the different titles of scripture (law, testimony, precepts, commandments, rules). We also see the ‘properties’ of Scripture (perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, righteous). And lastly, we see the results of Scripture (reviving the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, enduring forever). And most importantly Scripture is always meant to point us to the Lord. This is not a book about people. It is a book about Him.
And just as creation should cause us to stand in awe and reverence of the not only its beauty, but of the majesty and glory of the One who created it all – Scripture should stir in our hearts awe and reverence in the same way. So, when we read genealogies like the ones in 1 Chronicles, let’s not get bogged down in the difficulty of the names – but rather let our hearts focus on the One who is behind all of it. The One who ordained the names to be preserved in his word for a reason. The One whose hand guides all of history according to the praise of his name and the purpose of his will.
And let us rejoice in that fact that this Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign King, loved us so much that he sent his Son to redeem us through his death and resurrection.
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