Protecting Lineages

Protecting Lineages

Exodus 21: ⁷ “And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. ⁸ If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. ⁹ And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. ¹⁰ If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. ¹¹ And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.

 

============

 

GOD continued with HIS conversation with Moses by telling him rules of deceitful dowries and divorce.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be protecting the lineage of CHRIST and the lineage of people who would point people to HIM.
• GOD told Noah there was evil on the boat, knowing that a mindset of conquering people was present.
• Women rarely owned land and animals, used for dowries and divorce settlements, due to the lack of protection from the mindset of Canaan.

 

This is a very complicated set of scriptures that needs a broader view than the words. GOD loves people and loves freedom withing CHRIST. HE made Adam and Eve as free people and told them to multiply that freedom. Satan tricked Adam and Eve into becoming something different by obtaining knowledge they could not handle.

 

The knowledge of good versus evil could be manipulated into something used by those who feel “only the strong survive.” Out of the people of Canaan bore raiders, thieves and liars who would steal land and people and enslave them to do harsh work or provide pleasure.

 

GOD seemed to want to protect the lineage of CHRIST that was laced with adultery and brokenness. HE was also protecting the lineage of people who would serve CHRIST and point the way to HIS ultimate reign.

 

But what does this have to do with a dowry or a divorce settlement? GOD did not want women, who could not take care of themselves at the time due to “customs”, to be left destitute. I believe each rule seen needs to have JESUS at the core for understanding.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules for protecting wives and ex-wives?
• What promises has GOD given you to protect you?
• Are your customs and traditions pointing people to CHRIST as the Savior and daily leader?

 

Be a Special Treasure

Be a Special Treasure

Exodus 19: In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. ² For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.

 

³ And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ⁴ ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. ⁵ Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. ⁶ And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

 

============

 

Three months into the journey, GOD led the people to Mount Sinai. Moses went up to speak with GOD who told him that if the people would obey HIM and keep HIS covenant, then they shall be a special treasure to HIM.

 

My Observations:

• GOD brought the people out of Egypt without their power being used or their sin being addressed.
• GOD provided a condition that reached beyond sin management.
• GOD said everyone and everything is HIS and the children of Israel would be viewed as special to HIM.

 

Sometimes I forget that everything GOD made is HIS. Every person, every place and every thing is GOD’s. When I limit GOD to how well I can keep the commandments, I begin to think that GOD is a lousy ruler who sets impossible standards and blames me for not being able to keep them.

 

GOD seems to be pointing to JESUS. Keeping HIS covenant was the last thing on the children of Israel’s mind throughout the Bible. GOD had to intervene to make sure JESUS came as a human to save mankind. The children of Israel did in fact become a special treasure because JESUS was born and did complete HIS purpose of dying for our sins.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about whet HE said on the first trip up Mount Sinai?
• Have you fallen into the trap of trying to manage sin, thinking you can manipulate GOD into getting your way?
• Can you look beyond sin management for a minute to praise GOD for HIS leadership, despite your sins?

Israel’s Prophecy for Judah

Israel’s Prophecy for Judah

Genesis 49: “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;
Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
Your father’s children shall bow down before you.
⁹ Judah is a lion’s whelp;
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
And as a lion, who shall rouse him?
¹⁰ The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
¹¹ Binding his donkey to the vine,
And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
He washed his garments in wine,
And his clothes in the blood of grapes.
¹² His eyes are darker than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.

 

============

 

Judah went along with the original plan to kill his brother Joseph. But when the caravan of slave traders appeared, he was the one who suggested selling Joseph into slavery versus killing him. Later Judah volunteered to become a slave to save Benjamin.

 

My Observations:

• Israel prophesied the lineage of JESUS through Judah.
• JESUS is referred to as the Lion of Judah.
• JESUS will bring Shiloh, or peace through HIS bloodstained garments.

 

Through Judah came King David. Through David, JESUS was ultimately born. Imagine being filled with so much jealousy, that you would go along with a plot to murder someone. That’s where Judah was. BUT GOD intervened and provided an alternative that Judah voiced.

 

This does not make Judah look any better than his brothers. GOD chose Judah to provide the sinless human. A sinful lineage would produce a sinless human. Judah’s siblings would bow down to JESUS just as Israel prophesied.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the prophesy of JESUS through Israel’s words about Judah?
• Do you think your life is all about you?
• How does your life fit in helping GOD tell people about the imminent return of JESUS?

Unexpected Breakthrough

Unexpected Breakthrough

Genesis 38: ²⁷ Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb. ²⁸ And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” ²⁹ Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, “How did you break through? This breach be upon you!” Therefore his name was called Perez. ³⁰ Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.

 

============

 

When Tamar was ready to give birth, a midwife got ready. When the first baby stuck out his hand, the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it. But his brother came out unexpectedly.

 

My Observations:

• Tamar’s midwife must have delivered a lot of babies and knew by Tamar’s size, that she was having twins.
• Zerah was expected to come out first, but Perez came out unexpectedly.
• Perez would become the one who would be in the lineage of JESUS.

 

Humans expect things to happen one way, BVUT GOD makes them happen another. The midwife knew a lot about delivering babies, therefore had an expectation. But that expectation was met with the unexpected. Same goes with our lives. We expect GOD to act one way, and HE does something unexpected.

 

Unlike Esau and Jacob, there was no fighting in the womb. Both brothers were mentioned in the lineage of JESUS. Zerah got a shout out, but Perez had the descendants. The King of kings and the LORD of Lords would come through an unexpected breakthrough.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail to Moses about the birth of Perez and Zerah?
• What are your expectations of GOD?
• Can you believe that GOD is orchestrating an unexpected breakthrough for you?

Hidden Purpose

Hidden Purpose

Genesis 38: ¹¹ Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

 

¹² Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah’s wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. ¹³ And it was told Tamar, saying, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” ¹⁴ So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife. ¹⁵ When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face. ¹⁶ Then he turned to her by the way, and said, “Please let me come in to you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.

So she said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”

 

¹⁷ And he said, “I will send a young goat from the flock.”

 

So she said, “Will you give me a pledge till you send it?”

 

¹⁸ Then he said, “What pledge shall I give you?”

 

So she said, “Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. ¹⁹ So she arose and went away, and laid aside her veil and put on the garments of her widowhood.

 

============

 

Years had passed after Judah’s sons were killed by the LORD for doing evil. Judah’s only living son had grown up enough to be married, but Judah did not present him to Tamar as promised. Judah had a daughter who died during this time. With three of his children dead, it took time for Judah to become comforted. He went to shear his sheep.

 

My Observations:

• Judah was probably very cautious about giving Shelah to Tamar because of the loss of three children.
• Tamar waited years and it did not seem like she would be married to who she was promised to.
• Tamar hid her identity, pretending to be something she wasn’t.

 

There is a lot going on here that is difficult to unpack. We are given the graphic details of the negotiation. Tamar may have seen that Judah was not reliable for many reasons. All she knew was the promise made to her was broken.

 

Her plan was to appeal to her father-in-law as a harlot so she could conceive a child. Her plan worked and she conceived. GOD’s promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was satisfied by Tamar’s hidden action.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Tamar’s actions?
• How does this story make you feel about GOD’s grace?
• Are you able to see GOD differently today so HIS grace can work out your situation?

Only One Blessing

Only One Blessing

Genesis 27: ³⁰ Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. ³¹ He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.”

 

³² And his father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?”

 

So he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

 

³³ Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.”

 

³⁴ When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!”

 

³⁵ But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.”

 

============

 

After hunting, Esau brough Isaac the tasty food he made. Previously Esau had given Jacob his birthright for a meal he could have made for himself. Esau seemed to live a life that was inconsistent with the beliefs of GOD. His marriage to the two Hittite women greatly saddened Rebekah and Isaac. Now that the blessing was gone, Esau wept bitterly.

 

My Observations:

• Isaac’s blessing was far greater than material possession or power.
• Isaac’s blessing could only be given to one person because it carried GOD’s promise.
• Isaac’s blessing would be granted by GOD, even if given to a deceiver.

 

 

Esau asked Isaac to give him a blessing. He may not have believed what Isaac and Rebekah were talking about when they mentioned GOD to him. He may have been thinking that the blessing was about material possessions only.

 

Isaac blessed Jacob with a blessing from GOD. He bestowed on Jacob a supernatural blessing that would carry the lineage of JESUS in human form, the possessor of everything. Even Isaac did not know the power of his blessing. GOD would keep HIS promise despite the situation.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about this deception?
• Have you been waiting on a blessing from GOD but have not received it yet?
• Can you hold on without giving up, knowing GOD will bless you as HE promised?

 

All in the Family

All in the Family

Genesis 22: ²⁰ Now it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham, saying, “Indeed Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: ²¹ Huz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, ²² Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” ²³ And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. ²⁴ His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah.

 

============

 

After the flood, GOD said to Noah’s family, “Be fruitful and multiply” just like HE said to Adam and Eve. Generations passed and Terah, father of Abraham, Nahor and Haran, was born. Haran died and tore Terah apart. Abraham and Nahor got a plan. They would get married and bring some joy to Terah.

 

Abraham married Sarah and Nahor married Haran’s daughter Milcah. Someone from Milcah’s family told Abraham about her children.

 

My Observations:

• Milcah was watched over by the LORD.
• Milcah and Nahor also shared in the blessing from GOD.
• Milcah had a child named Bethuel who was the father of Rebekah, who will be discussed later.

 

Though the family faced the difficulties of death, they lived for GOD in a way that HE mentioned them to Moses. JESUS, the Angel of the LORD, seemed close to this family and must have spoken to them regularly. The heartache of losing Haran was filled with joy through Nahor and Milcah.

 

Milcah was opposite of Sarah as she had eight children. They remained in the area that Terah left, amongst the Chaldeans. JESUS’ human lineage would come through this family. To clarify, I believe JESUS was the one who made numerous appearances in the Old Testament.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD give Moses this conversation and lineage?
• Have you ever thought you were not seen by GOD?
• Do you realize you are part of GOD’s family and HE sees you and loves you?

Delight as Promised

 Delight as Promised

Genesis 21: And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. ² For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. ³ And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. ⁴ Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. ⁵ Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. ⁶ And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” ⁷ She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

 

============

 

Abraham and Sarah were reunited. They settled in the land of the Philistines and all was well. Then the LORD removed the supernatural closing of Sarah’s womb, enabling her to have a child. HE did as HE said at the time HE said, one year later.

 

During this time, GOD wiped out Sodom and Gomorrah, causing Abraham and Sarah to move. HE also performed a miracle of closing and opening the wombs of the women associated with Abimelech.

 

My Observations:

• Sarah was delighted to finally become pregnant after decades of waiting on GOD.
• Sarah laughed out of joy that GOD kept HIS promise and probably that she was chosen.
• GOD.
• Sarah referred to Abraham in her statement of delight, perhaps feeling relieved that the prophecy was true and nothing was wrong with her.

 

After years of thinking “is something wrong with me?”, Sarah finally conceived the child she wanted. It seemed like everyone else was able to get pregnant, but Sarah remained barren. Her plan backfired, when she insisted that Abraham have a child by Hagar.

 

Now she was full of delight. Abraham circumcised Isaac, just as the LORD commanded him. Abraham was one hundred years old when Isaac was born and Sarah was ninety.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Sarah’s reaction?
• Have you ever waited on GOD’s promise for a long time and thought HE would not keep HIS promise?
• When GOD makes a promise to you, are you faithful that HE will keep it, even if HIS timing is different than yours?

Traditions and Lifespans

Traditions and Lifespans

Genesis 11: ¹² Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Salah. ¹³ After he begot Salah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.

 

¹⁴ Salah lived thirty years, and begot Eber. ¹⁵ After he begot Eber, Salah lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.

 

¹⁶ Eber lived thirty-four years, and begot Peleg. ¹⁷ After he begot Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters.

 

¹⁸ Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu. ¹⁹ After he begot Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters.

 

²⁰ Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Serug. ²¹ After he begot Serug, Reu lived two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.

 

²² Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor. ²³ After he begot Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

 

============

 

As GOD transitions from Noah’s plan and purpose, HE lists specific people who would become the lineage of JESUS. I believe this set of people held onto traditions in their way of following GOD. Each person had a child in his thirties which may not have been a coincidence. Lifespans were getting shorter.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be shortening human lifespans with this list.
• This list only contains people who would eventually birth JESUS as the human Savior.
• The list is about JESUS more than a celebration of human tradition.

 

Each of these generations had parents who were having children while they were having children. Shem passed on the conversations of Noah and GOD to Arphaxad, his son and Salah, his grandson, Eber, his great grandson, Peleg, his great, great grandson, Reu, his great, great, great grandson and Serug, his great, great, great, great grandson.

 

This community was probably rich in tradition, listening to stories about people times and circumstances related to the Garden of Eden and how GOD used to walk and talk with humans. I believe they praised GOD for salvation! Shem may have described what the world looked like before the flood in extreme detail that may have made these people to desire to follow GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why, do you think, Shem’s family chose to have children in their thirties?
• Did you grow up with any traditions?
• Do you have any traditions that focus on celebrating GOD with all your heart?

After the Flood

 After the Flood

Genesis 11: ¹⁰ This is the genealogy of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old, and begot Arphaxad two years after the flood. ¹¹ After he begot Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.

 

============

 

All Shem’s life revolved around the ark. From the time GOD told Noah HE was going to flood the earth until the time the ark landed safely, Shem was conceived and watched his father’s extreme obedience. He may have seen Noah trying to convince people to join them in building the ark or to prepare themselves for the flood. This may have been embarrassing. But the flood did happen. Everyone Shem knew, who did not get on the ark, was dead.

 

My Observations:

• Shem may have been cautious after the flood because it was overwhelming.
• Shem seemed to be a good listener and believed in the ways of the LORD.
• Shem respected GOD’s ways by devising a plan to cover his naked father without seeing him.

 

Shem was the beginning of a special lineage, namely that of CHRIST. I know it may be confusing, but I believe it was JESUS who walked and talked with Noah. But getting back to Shem. He heard the curse on his nephew Canaan and he witnessed the building of the Tower of Babel.

 

He also heard the blessing from Noah that everyone’s descendants, meaning Japeth and Canaan, would either live in Shem’s household or serve the descendant of Shem, which would eventually be CHRIST. Shem’s possible embarrassing and traumatic childhood would lead to him staying away from the ways of Canaan. He may have also been cautious in having children, but two years after the flood, he did what the LORD commanded and became fruitful.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention the flood to Moses when describing Shem’s children?
• Have you ever misunderstood someone’s calling and labeled it as embarrassing?
• Is today a good day to reflect on how GOD has saved you and what HIS purpose is for you?

Nations and People Groups 6 of 6

 

Nations and People Groups 6 of 6

Genesis 10:  ²¹ And children were born also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder. ²² The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. ²³ The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. ²⁴ Arphaxad begot Salah, and Salah begot Eber. ²⁵ To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. ²⁶ Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, ²⁷ Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, ²⁸ Obal, Abimael, Sheba, ²⁹ Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. ³⁰ And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. ³¹ These were the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations.

 

³² These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood.

 

 

============

 

Shem was the youngest son of Noah. He seemed to be the one who watched Noah’s interactions with the LORD. When Canaan may have sent his father, Ham, into the tent of Noah in an act of defiance, it was Shem who came up with the idea that would preserve Noah. He and his older brother Japeth would walk into Noah’s tent backward and cover his nakedness.

 

My Observations:

• Shem respected GOD and did not scoff at HIS ways.
• Shem tried to mirror Noah by doing what pleased GOD.
• Noah’s curse included a blessing for Shem’s family.

 

Following GOD became complex early on. Satan had a great plan to steal humans and to protect himself from GOD’s judgment. He made the first humans’ sin, causing all humans to have a sin nature. The “seed of Adam” would be passed down with a nature that opposed GOD. BUT GOD had a plan.

 

GOD chose people who fought against this natural inclination to sin. While not perfect, Shem’s family preserved their love of GOD by fighting their sin nature. GOD blessed this family to the point that eventually JESUS would come as a human through this lineage. Salvation was in this plan!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about the family of Shem to Moses?
• Have you ever wondered why GOD chooses imperfect people to do important things?
• Knowing that GOD wants ALL humans to believe in HIS SON, are your words defiant or reliant in HIS eyes?

End of the Line

End of the Line

Genesis 5: ³² And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

============

 

Nine generations from Adam, Noah arrives on the scene. “And Noah” indicates to me, that this list is now complete and something else is about to happen. Thousands of years had passed and now the world was populated in two distinct ways, those who called to the LORD and those who did not. Satan thought he won by making all humans sin. But he did not know JESUS had a plan.

 

My Observations:

• GOD preserved the lineage of CHRIST by walking with people, never leaving them alone.
• Noah had three sons after he was five hundred years old.
• GOD’s plan of redemption included Noah’s family.

 

Seeing the plan of redemption makes the list of people more understandable. GOD seemed to want us to know why HE cursed creation in the first place. Not that HE needed to explain things to us. HE revealed the pride of Satan, his lies and deceit and the affects they had on mankind.

 

GOD graciously used the best of the worst to save humans and provide eternal life. When I say “worst” I mean, there is no human without sin, not one. Even our best efforts have sin in them.  We were born with it. But some will “cry out to the LORD” asking for help with the sin nature caused by Satan. Noah is the beginning of that story.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD end the genealogy dictated to Moses with Noah?
• Where are you with your walk with GOD?
• Are you being distracted into fear causing you to overthink GOD’s love for you today?

Beginning of a Lineage

Beginning of a Lineage

Genesis 5: This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. ² He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created. ³ And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. ⁴ After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters. ⁵ So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.

 

============

 

After explaining there were two distinct paths in humanity, one path is spelled out. While the term “genealogy” is used, it really isn’t a family tree that shows a parental structure leading back to all ancestors. Instead, this was the lineage of salvation that could be traced all the way back to where the first person made the mistake.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made man and woman in the “likeness of GOD.”
• Adam sinned, brought on GOD’s curse, had two sons, one murdered the other, and then had another son named Seth.
• Seth had siblings, but only he was the beginning of the lineage of JESUS.

 

At first I wondered why the other people were not named. But then it hit me. This book is not about humans, but it is about JESUS. The lineage of CHRIST was preserved and could be traced back to the first sinner, Adam.

 

GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT, always existed. I cannot explain this. BUT GOD, three in one, revealed what I need to have a healed relationship with HIM. I believe it was JESUS who interacted with the humans HE created. I also believe the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT interacted with humans in the Old Testament. This lineage is the beginning of redemption.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Seth?
• Have you ever done a family tree?
• Will you read the Bible from a redemption perspective to know the heart of GOD today?

Background Check

Luke 3: ²³ Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, ²⁴ the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, ²⁵ the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, ²⁶ the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, ²⁷ the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, ²⁸ the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, ²⁹ the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, ³⁰ the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the sonof Eliakim, ³¹ the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David, ³² the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, ³³ the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, ³⁴ the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, ³⁵ the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, ³⁶ the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, ³⁷ the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, ³⁸ the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

============

Fascinated with my ancestry, I asked my parents and grandparents to remember names of relatives as far back as they could go. I was amazed at the fortitude of my family and wondered how we even survived.

• Family history has strengthened my relationship with GOD.
• Family history has shown me the good and the bad of humanity.
• Family history has given me faith in GOD who controls everything.

JESUS’s human lineage was traced back to the first human, Adam. It is a wonder humanity survived. HIS ancestry was spread over years of violence that almost wiped out humans, BUT GOD intervened.

• GOD’s plan cannot be altered by wars and rumors of wars that affect my family.
• GOD’s plan cannot be changed by people in my ancestry who may have made huge mistakes.
• GOD’s plan cannot be modified by the difficulties of life that hurt my family.

Whether it was a depression, slavery or a hostile takeover of a neighboring village, my ancestors made it by the grace of GOD. JESUS shows me that good can come out of hurt and life can spring out of meager beginnings.

• Are you blaming your family on where you are?
• Do you think the circumstances of the times altered your family history so you would either fail or succeed?
• Can you look at the history of your family and be amazed that GOD has your ancestry as part of HIS amazing plan for you?