GENEALOGIES

1 Chronicles 1:1-4 Adam, Sheth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered, Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Today, in my Bible reading I read 1 Chronicles 1-3. It gives the geneology of David’s line, as well as others, back to Adam. You might be asking, “Why do we have all these genealogies in the Bible?” Good question.

One thing I like regarding today’s reading is that the list goes all the way back to Adam. Adam and Noah are real people and are named in this genealogy. I once had a Methodist pastor tell me that the first eleven chapters of Genesis were mythical. There are thousands of so-called Christians today that agree with what that pastor told me.

“The genealogies of the O.T. play a vital role in maintaining the integrity, and showing the continuity, of Scripture’s story of salvation.” – Lawrence Richards. The following are some reasons Larry Richards gives:

“(1) To show relationships between Israel and neighboring peoples.

(2) To show relationships between elements in the story of Israel’s origins.

(3) To link periods of time not covered by other material.

(4) As a means of organizing Israel’s men for warfare, by tribe and family.

(5) To demonstrate the legitimacy of a person or family’s claim to a particular role or rank.

(6) To preserve the purity of the chosen people and/or its priesthood.

(7) To affirm the continuity of the people of God despite expulsion from the Promised Land.

(8) To demonstrate progress toward achieving God’s revealed purposes; to show that the Lord is sovereignly shaping history in accord with His own plan.” – Bible Reader’s Companion

The genealogies also point to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Messiah. His genealogy goes all the way back to Adam (Luke 3).

The genealogies give us even more confidence that the Bible is the Word of God! We can trust the Bible! God inspired even the genealogies!

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry