Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:) (1 Chronicles 5:1-2)
Today's' Morsel: When we look at the genealogy of Christ, we see some unique names that may cause us to wonder how they got there. We know that Rahab was a harlot, but yet she's listed in the genealogy line. One may become confused and ask the question, if Jesus was God's Son, then why would He be born with a harlot in His lineage line? The answer lies in the fact that the right to the throne has nothing to do with genealogy or the birthright, but with God Himself. He is sovereign and He can do whatsoever He desires. If genealogy would have been followed, Reuben would have received the birthright of his father Jacob. But because of Reuben's sin, it was given to Joseph. The right to the throne came through the line of Judah because he prevailed over his brethren. His father Jacob had told him, "Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be" (Genesis 49:8-10). From Judah would come the chief ruler. Not by genealogy or birthright, but after the order of Melchisedec. "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.... For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 7:1-3;14-17). David ruled, not by genealogy or birthright, but of God, out of the tribe of Judah. It is not your lineage that Jesus is impressed with, it is your new birth blood-line that He looks at. That is what gives you access to the Kingdom.
Sing: When I look into Your Holiness, when I gaze into Your loveliness, and all things that surrounds become shadows in the light of You; I worship You, I worship You, the reason I live, is to worship You.
Thought for Today: The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
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