Excerpt From 52 Weeks of Pursuit, Vol. 1
The glorious depth in the simplicity of a genealogy…
The major portion of 1 Chronicles 26–27 is consumed with the listing of names. When reading a genealogy, or lists of names such as this, its interesting to observe the brief comments God inspired the writers of Scripture to interject.
“Real biblical strength and biblically strong men are paradoxical. ”
For example, 1 Chronicles 26:4–5 gives a list of Obededom’s sons, but at the end of verse 5, God drops in this little statement: “for God blessed him.” And that’s it. But do you remember why God blessed Obededom? He was the one who sheltered the ark after the death of Uzza back in 1 Chronicles 13. Listen carefully... Obededom was blessed because the presence of God (represented in the ark) was manifest in his life and in his home (13:14)! We, too, will be blessed like Obededom when God’s presence is manifest in and through our lives and in our homes!
God also gives commentary on Obededom’s sons and grandsons. 1 Chronicles 26 says, “they were mighty men of valour” (v. 6), “were strong men” (v. 7), and were “able men for strength for the service” (v. 8). Most pastors would tell you that what is lacking, but so desperately needed in the church today is strong men! But not necessarily men who are extroverts... or men who are intimidating. Not cocky men, dominating men, or men who are successful by the world’s standards. Yes, men have been called to be strong—but not in our own strength! Ephesians 6:10 commands us to “be strong in the Lord”! And 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us that His “strength is made perfect in weakness”!
Real biblical strength and biblically strong men are paradoxical. Their strength is manifested through their weakness. We must be very discerning!