One With God

Read 1 Chronicles 4:24 thru Chapter 9
 
1 Chronicles 9:1-3 So all Israel was listed in the genealogical records in The Book of the Kings of Israel. The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the LORD. 2 The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites. 3 Some of the people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh came and settled in Jerusalem.
 
THIS is the last reading from the Old Testament from “The Daily Bible”. Some think Ezra wrote this account of Israel’s tribes to teach the entire nation it is one nation under God’s designed will. 1 Chronicles 4:24 – 8:27 lists each of the 12 tribes’ lineage. Surprisingly, you also see an account of Saul’s family. Perhaps this is because Saul was Israel’s first king. His reign was marked with his hateful pursuit of David. His failure to trust God in crisis moments caused much grief and fear in Israel. We can also remember that the 12 tribes were only briefly unified for about 80 years. They divided into 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and two tribes of the Southern Kingdom (Judah).
   But see the sign of unity! With the inclusion of Saul’s family line and the account of all Israel’s heritage, God wants his people to reconcile and be one nation again. That’s why all Israel was listed in the genealogical records in The Book of the Kings of Israel. And some of the people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh came and settled in Jerusalem. Judah and Benjamin were Judah’s tribes. Ephraim and Manasseh were the two largest tribes from Israel. It seems all are living, learning and rebuilding together. God said this was his plan: Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them hearts that recognize me as the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.”  
   This is another illustration of God’s salvation plan to draw people who once were enemies into a unity of faith. We read much of this in the New Testament epistles as the apostles teach of being one in Christ. For example, there is Ephesians 3:6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 
   If you trace the lineage of the Christian church, you will discover many people who were once enemies have become one church under Jesus Christ. One reason for the church is to be the fortress of God’s unifying plan. Ephesians 4:4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
   Are you a Christian? This is your lineage. From Genesis to now God’s Love Story has been moving forward to unite his own with him and with one another.