Reading
SAA Notes
The three tribes mentioned here were the ones most easily overlooked, the ones who had played ever only a minor part in Israel. God did not want His people to overlook or forget these tribes in the return from exile. The hope was always a return for all Israel – as the Apostle Paul wrote: and so all Israel will be saved. Romans 11:26. Are there people from your congregation’s past whom you have forgotten?
SJA Notes
* Dear God, our soul keeps Your testimonies, we love them exceedingly.
“But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.”
These genealogies are a reminder for the returning exiles, and for us as well.
They are an encouragement to see God’s hand at work (remember!).
And they hold what happens when we reject God and follow after the world and idols (remember!).
Today we read of the sin of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and (half of) Manasseh.
They broke faith with the Lord, and there were consequences.
They returning exiles were not to forget what happened! (remember!)
We are to do the same – To remember. Remember the Lord, flee from idolatry. Remember what happens when you do turn to idols.
When Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, he says 1 Corinthians 10 of fleeing idolatry and the mechanics of temptation,
“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”
Let us learn from these passages, so that we might not desire evil!
* Father God,
Please write Your word on our hearts today, that we might not sin against You.
Please show us what You want for us to learn from this passage.
Please show us Jesus.
Amen.