October 20
Jeremiah 35:1-36:32; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 25:25-27
Two prophecies appear to be on a collision course. In Jeremiah 36:30 (see also Jeremiah 22:30) God, as an act of judgment, tells King Jehoiakim—a descendent of David—that his heirs will not follow him to the throne. His son Jehoiachin will attempt to rule, but is quickly deposed by Nebuchadnezzar. And yet 400 years before the rule of Jehoiakim, God had promised David that the royal line coming from him “will continue forever” (Psalm 89:35-37). Two conflicting prophecies: David’s line will come to an abrupt end with Jehoiakim; David’s line will be ongoing.
This mystery takes us to the genealogies of Jesus. Matthew 1 gives us the family tree of Joseph who, though living in obscurity and poverty, is in the royal line of David. Through Joseph, Jesus has a legal claim to the throne. And yet if Jesus had been the physical child of Joseph—not virgin-born—he would have been disqualified as king (because of Jehoiakim’s prophecy).
Luke 3 traces Jesus’ genealogy through Mary. Mary is also a descendant of David, but through another one of David’s sons and outside of the royal line. And that is the answer. Through Joseph, Jesus has a legal claim to the throne (but is not physically descended from Jehoiakim). Through Mary, David’s blood runs through Jesus’ veins (and David’s line continues forever).
If all of this seems tedious and a bit hard to grasp, take hold of the truth that we worship a God who solves the unsolvable. He meets us where there seems to be no resolution. He has answers we would never consider. His response may not be what we’ve scripted. It rarely is. He takes us down roads not on our maps. He does that with our work, a marriage, a child, a relationship with a friend, with bitterness or fear buried deep within our hearts. He breathes hope where there is panic. Life where there is numbness. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Father, you are faithful to your Word, as well as to your children—including me. I put my concerns before you and trust you for solutions that are beyond me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Question: What are you facing at work, in your family, in a relationship with a friend, or within your own heart that lies beyond a human solution?
Two prophecies appear to be on a collision course. In Jeremiah 36:30 (see also Jeremiah 22:30) God, as an act of judgment, tells King Jehoiakim—a descendent of David—that his heirs will not follow him to the throne. His son Jehoiachin will attempt to rule, but is quickly deposed by Nebuchadnezzar. And yet 400 years before the rule of Jehoiakim, God had promised David that the royal line coming from him “will continue forever” (Psalm 89:35-37). Two conflicting prophecies: David’s line will come to an abrupt end with Jehoiakim; David’s line will be ongoing.
This mystery takes us to the genealogies of Jesus. Matthew 1 gives us the family tree of Joseph who, though living in obscurity and poverty, is in the royal line of David. Through Joseph, Jesus has a legal claim to the throne. And yet if Jesus had been the physical child of Joseph—not virgin-born—he would have been disqualified as king (because of Jehoiakim’s prophecy).
Luke 3 traces Jesus’ genealogy through Mary. Mary is also a descendant of David, but through another one of David’s sons and outside of the royal line. And that is the answer. Through Joseph, Jesus has a legal claim to the throne (but is not physically descended from Jehoiakim). Through Mary, David’s blood runs through Jesus’ veins (and David’s line continues forever).
If all of this seems tedious and a bit hard to grasp, take hold of the truth that we worship a God who solves the unsolvable. He meets us where there seems to be no resolution. He has answers we would never consider. His response may not be what we’ve scripted. It rarely is. He takes us down roads not on our maps. He does that with our work, a marriage, a child, a relationship with a friend, with bitterness or fear buried deep within our hearts. He breathes hope where there is panic. Life where there is numbness. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Father, you are faithful to your Word, as well as to your children—including me. I put my concerns before you and trust you for solutions that are beyond me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Question: What are you facing at work, in your family, in a relationship with a friend, or within your own heart that lies beyond a human solution?
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