1 Chronicles: Your Father In Heaven

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Chapters: 1 Chronicles 5-6
Message: 1 Chronicles: Your Father In Heaven

Hello My Friend,

When reading through the Bible, and even from our own experience, we learn not every person comprehends or does the things they are taught from a child. Oh, a parent can teach their children the exact same things, but not every child responds the same way to their teaching. Some will understand and obey, some will not understand, and yet some will understand and not obey. The thing is, no two children can be taught the same way since we all learn at differently, each of us learn and either accept or reject the same doctrine at our own level. It comes down to this, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” - Matthew 7:11-13.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:” There are two paths to life, the narrow, which takes a little longer and keeps us on the path of the things we desire, and the wide, which is the quickest way possible to obtain them and the most destructive. According to law regarding inheritance, the first born son of the family would be the rightful heir to the blessings passed down from their father. However, Reuben, the first born son of Israel (Jacob) forfeited his birthright and all those blessings were passed down, not to another son, but his sons sons.

“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him. And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand. For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity. And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.” - 1 Chronicles 5:1,18-23.

“his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel:” Reuben did the unthinkable, now, I am sure that his father taught him about right from wrong, perhaps his mother tried to also, but Leah herself deceived Jacob from the start of their marriage so maybe not. That one immoral act caused Reuben to not only lose his birthright, but his respect and honor from God too. Yes, God respects and honors us when we respect and honor our parents. There is really not much history given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, or Manasseh because they chose to stay away from Israel and God. These tribes were also the first to succumb to false god worship and get taken captive into Syria. You know, it is not God who moves and separates us from Him, it is the people. Lifestyles, circumstances, sin, these all play a part in distancing ourselves from God, and eventually forsaking Him all together. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” - Romans 1:20,21.

Now, we come to the Levites, God chose them for Himself to work in the tabernacle and eventual temple, He was their inheritance. There are more details given into the lineage of the Levites than all the others. David appointed the jobs they would do in the temple other than the sons of Aaron who were there specifically chosen by God to be the priests and high priests.

“And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel, Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God. But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,” - 1 Chronicles 6:31-33,48-50.

“and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy,” While all the Levites played a part in the services of the tabernacle and later in the temple, only descents of Aaron were appointed to receive the sacrifices. Before they were even able to accept the sacrifices and offer them to God they had to be consecrated, cleansed of their sins and clean before God. Today, Jesus, the sinless and perfect sacrifice Himself, is the high priest, He alone is the only one able to receive your offering. What’s your offering? Admitting you have sinned, believing on Him as the only atonement sacrifice needed for permanent redemption, and confessing that you are only trusting in Him for your salvation. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10.

Israel was by far the model example that the world needed to see how different it can be with God in it, it is a model example of how merciful and graceful God is to all of us. If you have received Christ as your Saviour you receive an inheritance into the kingdom of God, and let me tell you, no one can take that birthright away. We are going to mess up, and God will chastise us when we do, He may even bring some people home before their time because they are behaving as Reuben did, but regardless we are God's, and He will never go back on His promise to save anyone who believes in and receives His Son. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the cities of refuge given to the Levites as a place where criminals would be safe while awaiting trial. Jesus is our refuge, He saves all who believe in Him from hell. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” - Romans 5:8,9.

Today's Prayer: God, It truly is amazing to learn of some of the people in Your family, murderers, cheats, and cons, to say the least, but I am no one to judge because I am one of them too. I am so glad that You do not use my good works to make me a part of Your family, because if I did, I know I would be in hell. Only by believing the death, burial, and resurrection of Your Son and bringing Him in my life can I be Your child, and I thank You for that. Lord, I do not know when You are coming to get me, but while I am here I do want to make the most of my life by living my life for You, give me Your power to be the child You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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