DAY 151
Old Testament reading: 1 Chronicles 7-8
“For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice…” (Gen 18:19). These words of God, given concerning the great patriarch Abraham, might also be said of Issachar. What a family! The sons of Issachar kick off today’s list of genealogies. (Hang in there! Only one more day of these!) Like Abraham, the greatness of Issachar can be seen in his sons and his sons sons. Of his son Tola, it is said, “the sons of Tola were might men of valor in their generations.” Of his son Uzzi, who himself had five sons, “All five of them were chief men.” In summary we read, “the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor.” Today’s text also contains a great compliment to the children of Asher. Of his descendants we find the following description: “All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders” (7:40). These are the kind of men so desperately needed in our churches and in our communities – men who will stand and fight for what is right. Men who will (and want to) lead.
New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 8-11
“Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Cor 8:13). This is one of the most powerful statements of brotherly love as it pertains to the unity of the Spirit and the value of one soul. Too many people are all about self, “my rights,” and getting “what I deserve” (when we ought to thank God that we don’t receive what we truly deserve, cf Rom 3:23). The Christian life is always about JOY – Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. Paul here epitomizes this very truth. In this, he practiced what he preached, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4). This is the kind of love that draws people to Christ!
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