Day 31, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Genesis 46:5-47:12; 1Chronicles 5:1-6; 1Chronicles 2:18-55; 1Chronicles 4:1-23; 1Chronicles 7:1-13; 1Chronicles 7:30-40 (note: because of the large number of names of Jacob's descendants, you may wish to skim over them)
Protecting Our Family Heritage
How do we measure the blessings of God? Our finances and assets? Success in business, career, or ministry? The number of children we have? In Israel’s culture, the blessing of the LORD was often measured by how many children they had, and particularly sons. Of course, daughters were needed, too, but the sons would carry on their name and inheritance. Their concern was in some ways the same as ours—how do we protect our family heritage?
Have a large family?
From today’s Bible reading, we see God’s promise to Abraham to bless his seed (his number of descendants) is being fulfilled (Genesis 17:1-7).Jacob started out with just himself. Now, he is an old man with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren— seventy in number. Jacob presents them to Pharaoh.
We might notice from today’s Bible reading that the selected genealogical records of 1Chronicles 2, 4, 5, and 7 list more descendants than living at the time of Jacob’s return. This is no error; the scribes added notable contributions of the tribal relatives in the genealogies, even though some descendants lived later.
In 1Chronicles’ lineage records, we can see God’s blessing and each tribal family’s size. Judah is the largest tribe, and she would later become a country within Israel’s nation. These listings may not mean much to us. However, to the Jewish people, they identified those who were genuine Israelite descendants. Each family’s records were carefully recorded and preserved for the next generation. (See more for an explanation of the reasons for their meticulous genealogical records)
Is having a large number of relatives enough to protect our family line? No, there are always brambles and thorns in the family tree. Each person must seek a personal relationship with God to be saved and establish a godly line’s root or branches (Isaiah 45:21-24; Revelation 22:16-17).
If our family is devoted to the Lord, how do we preserve our godly heritage? We find one possible answer to that question in today’s Bible reading.
Plan Ahead
Jacob is reunited with his son at last! Joseph has come to bring him and all his family to Egypt. But where will they live?
Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’
When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.” (Genesis 46:31-34, NIV)
Sheep-herders. This lowly, dirty, and smelly occupation is detestable to the Egyptians. Joseph asks if his relatives might be allowed to live separately from them in nearby Goshen out of respect for their feelings. The request is granted. In consideration for Joseph, his family is given the best of the land, just east of Egypt in Ramses’ district. They can live there, shepherd their flocks, and worship the LORD in their own way; additionally, they are given charge over Pharaoh’s livestock.
Separate from Ungodly Influences
By separating his relatives from the Egyptians, Joseph is protecting his family from intermixing with them. They will be less likely to intermarry and worship Egyptian gods if they are separate. Unfortunately, when the Israelites (descendants of Jacob) would finally leave Goshen, they would take Egypt’s idols with them…but that is an event we will discuss later. We can remove people from an evil culture, but we have difficulty removing an evil culture from people.
What are we willing to do to maintain a godly heritage? The LORD doesn’t want us to be separated from the world (John 17:15-17); we would have to be taken out of it to do that. He does want us, however, to be separate from wickedness! Sometimes, we must remove ourselves from the influence of wicked people and harmful environments. Here are God’s instructions for us given through the Apostle Paul:Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Therefore come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord. “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. (2Corinthians 6:14-18, NIV)
Do we wish God to be a kind and loving father to us? Do we want his favor? Then we must each learn to live holy lives before him.
Discussion
What did Joseph do to protect his family’s heritage?
Are there other things we can do to protect our family heritage? Explain.
In what way should we be separate from the world? How?
Focus Verse
3John 1:4 (NIV) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
You can watch a video presentation of this lesson here. Begin at 1:46:22 and end at 1:47:04
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Jacob is at the end of his life. When he gives his blessings on his twelve sons, he leaves a legacy and tells their destiny. How can we leave a Legacy and Destiny with our children? Join us to find out.
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