S) "13 and Jesse became the father of Eliab his firstborn, then Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, 14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh; 16 and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab and Asahel."
1 Chronicles 2:13-16 (NASB)
O) This is not a huge revelation, but somehow it had always escaped me that Joab and King David were related, much less that they were related so closely. Joab was the nephew of the king, although we don't know what kind of age separated them. David was the youngest boy in his family, and he only had two sisters. Because Zeruiah could have been born anywhere in line among her brothers, Joab could certainly have been older than his uncle and king. All three of these nephews, Abshai, Joab, and Asahel, would become pivotal people in the ascension of David to the throne over all the tribes of Israel, and Joab had the biggest role.
A) This highlights God's nature, because it reminds me that I have a lot of choices to make in my life, but I don't choose my siblings, and I don't choose the family that is born around me. However, God certainly knows, and by His grace, I was born into the Cannelora family, into this generation. This is not to say that all of the things that happened in and to my family, and to me, were by divine ordination. However, they were no mystery to God. My parents, my older brothers, my aunts, uncles, and other relatives, had all been born already. And then God put me into this family - that much can't really be argued. So, I need to look at my family through the lens of grace. I need to remember that God put me among them. That doesn't mean I will always get along with them. It does mean I should afford them all patience and grace. God made me to be their relative. He will certainly equip me to handle that. Even more to the point, it really is a blessing to be part of this family, despite all of the complicated (and sometimes very dark) family history. I can be the start of something new. There can be a revival among Canneloras that starts with my generation. Whether I become as prominent in my family as David, or even as important as Joab, I do not know. Maybe I'll serve as small and short a role as Asahel. The most important thing for me to remember, though, is that God knew when and where I would be born. It was not a mistake that I was born to the parents I had.
A) This highlights God's nature, because it reminds me that I have a lot of choices to make in my life, but I don't choose my siblings, and I don't choose the family that is born around me. However, God certainly knows, and by His grace, I was born into the Cannelora family, into this generation. This is not to say that all of the things that happened in and to my family, and to me, were by divine ordination. However, they were no mystery to God. My parents, my older brothers, my aunts, uncles, and other relatives, had all been born already. And then God put me into this family - that much can't really be argued. So, I need to look at my family through the lens of grace. I need to remember that God put me among them. That doesn't mean I will always get along with them. It does mean I should afford them all patience and grace. God made me to be their relative. He will certainly equip me to handle that. Even more to the point, it really is a blessing to be part of this family, despite all of the complicated (and sometimes very dark) family history. I can be the start of something new. There can be a revival among Canneloras that starts with my generation. Whether I become as prominent in my family as David, or even as important as Joab, I do not know. Maybe I'll serve as small and short a role as Asahel. The most important thing for me to remember, though, is that God knew when and where I would be born. It was not a mistake that I was born to the parents I had.
P) Father, Your wisdom and grace are beyond compare. I will never know the scope of the reasons You had, for me being born when I was, and to the parents I had. However, I can still seek to honor You as I look to do what You are calling me to do. I know You have grace for me, and that makes me want to extend grace to my family. I know You put me among them for a reason, and I want to fulfill it. Probably, it will never be as grandiose as Joab, let alone David, but I know that I have a role to play. Help me be faithful in loving my siblings, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Help me to honor my father and mother, and to make the name Cannelora synonymous with faithfulness to Christ Jesus. Help me to build up everyone in my family, to encourage, strengthen, and promote them to greatness in Christ Jesus, all to Your glory. Use me, and use us, however You want. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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