DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Generation after Generation
by Judy Webb
I hope you are as excited as I am to begin the New Testament and reading from Matthew 1:17 (NIV) "Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.”
We just finished learning about God’s faithfulness and the covenant and now Matthew 1 begins listing that genealogy of Jesus. And then while reading the names we come to the realization that we know the story behind these names because of the weeks leading up to now. These family names have real meaning now.
We not only can acknowledge the amazing line Jesus was born from, but the names Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Boaz, Ruth, David, Solomon are from stories we now know something about. We have traveled the roads of bondage with them. We have traveled into captivity with the Israelites, and we have hidden in the hills with David as he attempted to escape King Saul. There is now, so much more meaning to time spent in God's Word. The story comes alive.
We have traveled through forty-two generations, arriving now at the Birth of Jesus Christ. I wonder what surprises and life lessons are ahead for us. I thought I knew the Old Testament before, but discovered I only had a narrow picture. Now, by digging into the Old Testament more, and studying it every day, each time I read through a story I will be better equipped to place it in the proper context and add so much to my understanding.
PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for Your Word. Thank you for using Your Word to fill us with faith and hope and love. These stories of struggle and pain are relatable to us and help us identify with those who have gone before us. Thank you mostly for Jesus. Amen
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