Son of Isaac and Jacob

Have you ever tried to assemble your family tree?  It is quite a project, and one that takes time and patience and maybe even a strong stomach.  When we dig into our history and discover the folks who we will claim as our ancestors we might be shocked.  There is a saying, "It takes all kinds to make up this world," could be a line you declare too.

While working on my family tree I discovered descendants with history of heart ailments, amazing military records and some startling truths as to the integrity of a great-grandfather. I learned that while I was born and raised in Wisconsin then moved to Ohio, our family roots began in Ohio.  Providence?

The Scriptures we are directed to today tell of the lineage of Jesus; they point out the ancestral characters in our Savior's line. Family history was important then and still is today.  Jesus' family tree is traced back to David (see Isaiah 11) and then to God. It feels good to know that I am Jesus' kinfolk, and can claim him in my tree.

What amazing story do you have from your ancestral searches?  You may locate some savory characters and learn a few astonishing stories, but none will compare with the story found in Luke 2, The Birth of Jesus.  Listen to it here.

Genesis 21:12; Numbers 24:17, Luke 3:23,34

1 Samuel 16:1-13

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

I wonder how many fewer divorces there would be in the world if humans were able to see people as God sees them.  Did you ever give thought to this?  When I look at someone and truly see them, flaws and all, would it change my choices, my life?  The saying, "You can't judge a book by it's cover," comes to mind.

When Samuel looked at Eliab, David's older brother, Samuel saw a good-looking, strong and vital young man.  We don't know what exactly God saw, but God had someone else in mind.  After reviewing Jesse's sons and finding none of them acceptable to the plan God had, "He asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” (1 Samuel 16:11)

How can we hope to see others as God sees them?  It would require being very close to God, learning His heart so we can discern His will for us.  We will never be able to perfect this, but, we can save ourselves a lot of pain and hardship by praying about everything we do, every decision we make. "Pray continually." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Read the 1 Samuel 16:1-13 text here.    Listen to the 1 Samuel 16:1-13 reading here.