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1/17 Reading Portions: Genesis 18; Matthew 17; Nehemiah 7; Acts 17

Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.

DNA

This was not a mere account, as in David’s day, when he foolishly numbered Israel (1 Chr 21:2). Joab advised against it (1 Chr 21:3). David’s pride got the best of him, because he’d forgotten the LORD had told him Israel would be increased like the stars of heaven (1 Chr 27:23); and because God’s wrath fell against David and Israel, Joab could not finish numbering the people (1 Chr 27:24). David had no reason to number the tribes or families, or tally the fighting men because he was told by YHVH God that the Messiah would come through his descendants (2 Sam 7:12).

Many years later, after the exiles returned from 70 years of Babylonian captivity, the genealogies of the families must be recognized so an account of Christ’s pedigree could be verified in the fullness of time (Matt 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). When the Lord Jesus Christ was born and His name was entered into the records of the Hall of Hewn Stone when He was circumcised, the Messiah’s genealogy could be verifiably traced back to David easily enough by anyone in the Sanhedrin… until the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. The gospel accounts containing Christ’s genealogy could have easily been refuted while the temple still stood, were it not so. Yes, God placed the genealogical enrollment into the heart of Nehemiah.

No other person can claim to be the true Christ foretold in Scripture because only One— Jesus of Nazareth— has fulfilled Scripture, truly and verifiably by forensic and testimonial evidence. This is why we are told not to devote ourselves to “endless genealogies” (1 Tim 1:4). Since we have been redeemed by God’s grace, we have one genealogical enrollment that matters— we are born of the seed of the living God through Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Pet 1:23; 1 Jn 3:9). Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Today’s int’rest in DNA
Is foolish at its best;
There’s just one line you’ll need that Day
When Christ returns to bless.