Roots & Wings
One Year Bible (July 6)
I Chronicles 2:18-4:4
ROOTS & WINGS
What’s In a Name? Eureka! I found it!! It’s not gold. It is more precious than gold to me…
I Chronicles 3:10 has my favorite name in all the genealogies. It’s the very last word in the verse, So, look closely. It is the single word, “Josiah”.
It just jumps off the page at me. You see, I have a grandson named Josiah and he is very close to the age of King Josiah in the Bible. My grandson is sweet, sensitive, and very smart. I pray that he will be the kind of man that King Josiah turned out to be as he sought after God with all of his heart.
King Josiah’s name means “God Supports and Heals” and he did just that! King Josiah was God’s greatest reformer! He became king at the young age of eight years old and reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem.
“He did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left.” ( 2 Kings 22: 2) His zeal for the Lord started at just 12 years of age, and at the age of 26 (in his 18th year as king) he took steps to repair the damages to the house of the LORD, and to the people.
King Josiah is just one of my absolute favorite names that can be found on the pages we are reading? Who is your favorite name listed there?
To many of us, the long list of genealogies is far from “Riveting Reading”, but I and I Chronicles will show us many of the people of God that will always be remembered for their amazing faith stories.
You see, this book Chronicles the “ROOTS” and “WINGS” of real people.
They have an important story to tell us… The nation of Israel had “ROOTS” through the Temple and the covenant that God had made through Abraham.
It also has “WINGS” as is found in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This nation is coming out of captivity and needs to hold onto its “ROOTS” until they find their “WINGS”. Their only hope is in the long-awaited Messiah and that hope is rising…
As you read through all the genealogies, you will see glimpses of God’s covenant at work even in the worst of times and with broken, unfaithful people.
The worst scoundrel could not impede the sovereignty and plan of God, and the most faithful servant could not bring redemption to pass. Yet, as you look at their names she should see a scarlet strand running through this tapestry of people.
Ask yourself this question, What’s in a name?
Adam… God clothed him and promised “A New Adam”.
Abraham… God asked him to sacrifice his son but provided the perfect lamb as the sacrifice.
David… Out of the lineage of David will come the Messiah.
Noah… God rescued a remnant of his people and saved them from destruction.
Every single name that you have read in that long, lengthy genealogy is part of God’s plan of redemption.
You see, a name gives you “ROOTS” and God’s redemption will give them “WINGS”...
What’s in a name?
“His name will be Jesus, and he will save the people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
