1 Timothy
1 Timothy1:4 mentions 'endless genealogies'. Paul warns against false teachers who devote themselves to these 'endless genealogies'. What's so wrong with genealogies? Apparently the Jewish bloodlines had become so intricate that tracing lineage back to the twelve tribes really did make for endless genealogies. The importance of keeping the twelve tribes separate really disappeared after Jesus, the Messiah, came to save the whole world, rather than just the Jewish nation. Devotion to these genealogies wasn't necessary, and was likely a sign that the false teacher was, well, false, and insistent on still following the Jewish law rather than God's grace. So in this case, I guess genealogies really aren't that great after all.
Showing posts with label genealogy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label genealogy. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Neverending genealogies with a purpose
1 Chronicles
I'm not going to lie - after now having read 7 chapters of genealogy in 1 Chronicles, I'm a little bored... The Chronicler sure liked to chronicle things! However, I understand that there is a point to all the names. He is showing the lineage and heritage of the great kings of Israel - David and Solomon. God made a number of promises to King David, stating that he would always have someone from his line on the throne. God keeps his promises! Nonetheless, it seems that maybe the information could have been presented in a more interesting manner.
Here's a fun fact, though. The Chronicles tell roughly the same story as 1 and 2 Kings, but the focus is different. In Kings, the author seems keen on showing how the Israelites failed to follow God's commands and subsequently, God would punish them, show love to them again when they started obeying, and then punish them when they fell back into pagan, sinful ways. In Chronicles, I believe we will see how God's promises to King David came true. Track along with me as we read continue to read the Chronicles and we'll find out!
I'm not going to lie - after now having read 7 chapters of genealogy in 1 Chronicles, I'm a little bored... The Chronicler sure liked to chronicle things! However, I understand that there is a point to all the names. He is showing the lineage and heritage of the great kings of Israel - David and Solomon. God made a number of promises to King David, stating that he would always have someone from his line on the throne. God keeps his promises! Nonetheless, it seems that maybe the information could have been presented in a more interesting manner.
Here's a fun fact, though. The Chronicles tell roughly the same story as 1 and 2 Kings, but the focus is different. In Kings, the author seems keen on showing how the Israelites failed to follow God's commands and subsequently, God would punish them, show love to them again when they started obeying, and then punish them when they fell back into pagan, sinful ways. In Chronicles, I believe we will see how God's promises to King David came true. Track along with me as we read continue to read the Chronicles and we'll find out!
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