DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018 A DANGEROUS CAPTIVITY TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 9:1-13 Key Verse:

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

A DANGEROUS CAPTIVITY

TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 9:1-13

Key Verse: “So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression” (1 Chronicles 9:1).

The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) ended nearly 50 years ago. Yet, the experiences of some people concerning events that took place within the main theatre of war or on the other side still linger.

Israel went into several captivities due to transgression, the longest being the Babylonia captivity which lasted for 70 years. Now the captivity was over and it was time to return to their native land. The first batch of such returnees released by King Cyrus in 537BC was 49,897 with a second group of 1,750 men and their families in 458/457BC. Although some returned to their homeland from Babylon, their lives were never the same again.

The captivity was now over and so it was time, upon their return for all Israel to be enrolled by genealogies. The earliest returnees were the priests, the Levites and Temple servants whom God appointed to restore the true order of worship that was lost during the captivity. A vacuum was created as they lost true relationship with God because of their transgression. They had to begin all over again.

National captivity is a terrible evil upon any nation and its people. The captivity might have ended but the vestiges of their bitter experiences would not be lost upon the survivors for a long time. We must endeavor to avoid anything that will make us disobey God’s commandments and thus escape the captivity of sin. Unlike national or territorial captivities which could be epochal and time-bound, captivities could evoke spiritual, physical and eternal death, an endless separation from God and unending agonies in the lake of fire.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sin brings reproach and loss of relationship with God
COVER to COVER: NUMBERS 16-17.

PONDER:
1. The genealogy in I Chronicles exposed us to key characters in Israel's history, including their greatness and the Messianic line.
2. Our text in particular shows that before and after the captivity, Judah was still the dominant tribe that inhabited Jerusalem v3. Thus, the prophecies that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem-Judah (Micah 5:2) and that Jerusalem will the be called the city of the great King (Matthew 5:35) are without controversy. Thus the Jews should have no problem in recognising their Messiah.
3. God had envisaged the current ownership tussle of Jerusalem. Thus we should not be surprised that the Jews were meticulous about the record of their genealogy even during captivity. Since the Bible is an authentic historical book, the kings and nations of the world are indirectly fighting the Messiah by pretending that they don't know the true ownership of Jerusalem and it is the "city of the great King" Psalm 2.
4. Is it the wisdom of Israel that made them meticulous about the record of their genealogies that spans thousands of years considering the fact that we in modern times are no match to the Jews of old in genealogical records? Or do you have a record of your forefathers up to 10 generations to start with? NO.
5. It is the presence and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that influenced the writing of this record. The light of God in a person or nation gives wisdom and foresight.
6. God inspired Israel to have a book of genealogy and God has His own Book of Life for His children Revelation 20:12. Is your name there? Are you saved from ALL sins?

HYMN: A New Name in Glory (GHS 35)

1 I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord.
This was freely given, and I found
That He always kept His word.

Chorus:
There's a new name Written down in glory,
And it's mine, (And it's mine,)
oh yes, it's mine! (yes, it's mine!)
And the white-robed Angels sing the story,
"A sinner has come home." (home, has come home."
For there's a new name written down in glory,
And it's mine, (And it's mine,)
oh yes, it's mine! (yes, it's mine!)
With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven,
Nevermore to roam.

2 I was humbly kneeling at the cross,
Fearing naught but God's angry frown,
When the heavens opened and I saw
That my name was written down.
[Chorus]

3 In the Book 'tis written, "Saved by grace."
Oh the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know
By the blood I am made whole.
[Chorus]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, I hereby confess my sinfulness and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus so that my name may be in the Book of Life.
2. Lord, thank you because my name is in the Book of Life. Help me to jealously guard it from being removed.
3. Lord, protect Jerusalem and her inhabitants from destroyers.
4. Lord, let my genealogy be blessed make them fit for heaven.