Reading through 1 Chronicles 5, I have couple of things I had realized.
1. “(1 Chronicles 5:1-2) The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son; 2 though Judah became strong among his brothers and a chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),
It occurred to me that if we neglect to follow what is right in the eyes of God, similar to the situation with Cain in Genesis 4, the opportunity for salvation that God has generously granted to all (Titus 2:11) might be given to others if we fail to value it. Furthermore, even if we strive to do what is pleasing to God, it does not guarantee that our children will follow the same path, as seen in the case of Joseph receiving the birthright, but Judah inheriting the lineage of Christ. This emphasizes the importance of imparting reverence for God to our children. The crucial truth highlighted here is that salvation cannot be passed on or inherited; even if our parents are faithful and born again, it does not automatically ensure the salvation of their children unless they, too, choose to be faithful to the Lord.
(John 1:12-13) 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Our responsibility at present is to testify, ensuring that we will not be held responsible by God for failing to do everything within our power to share the truth with others.
(Acts 20:25-28) 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[e] which he obtained with his own blood
2. “(1 Chronicles 5:19-20) 9 They waged war against the Hagarites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. 20 And when they prevailed[b] over them, the Hagarites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.”
- When the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh engaged in warfare against the Hagarites, Jehurites, Nephishites, and Nodabites, they earnestly cried out to God and placed their complete trust in Him, leading to their deliverance. This prompts me to reflect on our daily struggles, likening them to a battle. In our fight against sin, do we seek God's intervention? Do we actively engage with God to overcome these sins or weaknesses that confront us in our flesh?
(1 Kings 5:3-4) 3 “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.
In this context, it's evident that David remained faithful to God throughout his life because he consistently faced battles, relying on God during times of helplessness—except for the instance when he sinned with Bathsheba, choosing rest over a spiritual battle with God. This contrasts with Solomon, who experienced a life of peace and material abundance, leading him to forget God. It reveals a truth: the more we indulge our flesh with relaxation, the greater the temptation to sin against God. When we are at peace physically, the need for God may fade, causing us to forget Him. The lesson from the three tribes in Israel is clear: when they called on God during their struggles, He delivered them. Do we also turn to God in times of fleshly struggle? Even Jesus, in His humanity, cried out to God, and God, recognizing His reverence, saved Him, ensuring Jesus remained sinless (Hebrews 5:7-9; Hebrews 4:15).
(1 Chronicles 5:22) 22 For many fell, because the war was of God. And they lived in their place until the exile.
At that moment, numerous enemies were defeated as the war was entirely under God's control. Have we contemplated how many of our sins and vulnerabilities in the flesh would be overcome if God had complete control over our lives?
3. “(1 Chronicles 5:25-26) 25 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. 26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, the spirit of Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and he took them into exile, namely, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan, to this day.”
- Following the remarkable salvation experience with God against their enemies, the three tribes, after the war concluded and a period of physical peace began, once again forgot God and turned to worship other deities. Consequently, God allowed them to fall under the dominion of Assyria. This poignant narrative imparts a valuable lesson: salvation is not enduring if we cease to glorify God in our lives.
(1 Timothy 6:12) 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Moreover, in 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul encourages us to endure and engage in the honorable struggle of faith until we attain the promised eternal life from God, allowing us to bear witness to God's glory in our lives.
Failure to persevere, akin to how God delivered Israel into the hands of their enemies, may lead to God abandoning us to the vanity of our minds, causing us to embrace falsehoods and consequently face condemnation for our lack of love for the truth.
(2 Thessalonians 2:10-11) 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
Takeaways:
Just like a good soldier of Christ, we must suffer the same way Christ suffer in his flesh and keep on resisting the flesh, just to please the Father.
(2 Timothy 2) 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
How will we do that? By looking unto Jesus. As we look unto Jesus, we will realize how Jesus became so hostile with his own self will.
(Hebrews 12:1-4) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
By looking unto Jesus, we will also see how he constantly approach the throne of God’s grace with confidence so he can constantly access the grace of God in times where he was tempted, for without God’s grace, like us, it is also impossible for Jesus to fight sin. He constantly does that by always finding time praying to God and communing with God.
(Hebrews 4:15-16) 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 5:7-9) 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus[a] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Just like Jesus, we must do the same way of coming to God, in full humility, and in full reverence. We must acknowledge in our life that nothing is good in us (Just like apostle Paul in Romans 7). In that way, we will always remember that in this battle of life, we must constantly cling to God always unto salvation.
Without humility, we can never access God’s grace (Hebrews 4:15-16). Without God’s grace in us, we will have no power against sin, for nobody will teach us how to deny ungodliness in this life (Titus 2:12).
Also, while learning, we must never forget that God called us to love one another as he loves us (John 15:12), and there is no best way to show that love but by sharing life (1 John 3:16), and we all know that eternal life is only in knowing God and Jesus Christ (John 17:17).
If we lead people to Christ, we will be blameless before God for we are never ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17) and we are also unguilty of not loving our brethren because we show them the love of God.
(1 John 4:16-21) 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
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