I Chronicles 1

“Abraham fathered Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel/Jacob” (v34).  Chronicles, a retelling of Israel’s history (like Kings, but from a different perspective) begins with a genealogy that establishes the nation of Israel’s descent from Adam (v1) through Noah and Shem and down to Abraham and his children.  This account would have especially encouraged the Israelites who found themselves captive in Babylon (II Kings 24-25) and struggled to hold on to their identity as God’s covenant people in a foreign land.

God knows our hearts need assurance and comfort as we live as His redeemed people in the world: “the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).