Birthed and Adopted Part 1
Scripture Texts:
Numbers 27: 1-7 -- Daughters of Zelophehad have a problem
Numbers 36: 3-12 -- Daughters of Zelophehad area allowed to inherit if they follow this condition
1 Chronicles 17: 10-14 -- God makes David a promise
Jeremiah 22:30 -- Oh no! How will God be able to keep His promise now????
Matthew 1:16 and Luke 3:23 -- Why does Joseph have 2 fathers?
Luke 3:31 -- Does Jesus really have blood in his veins from the seed of David?
Matthew 1: 6-7 -- Does Jesus really come from the royal line of Solomon?
1 Chronicles 17: 10-14 -- Has this promise been kept?
Isaiah 44:5 -- Some will be called by the name of Jacob others will take the name of Israel
Theme:
We are born (John 3:6) into new life when we accept redemption through Jesus AND are adopted (Ephesians 1:5) in the courts of heaven. Our scripture verses string together to tell the history of Jesus' birth and adoption as well. I absolutely LOVE how God gives us concrete examples throughout His Word in order to strengthen our faith. This does not disappoint!
Going back to Numbers to explain Jesus' birth?
Yes. Believe it or not, Zelophehad, a man who wandered in the desert during the mighty Exodus from Egypt, was chosen to set a law in place that would be instrumental in the birthright of Jesus. During ancient times, lands/possessions were only inheritable by sons. This was unfortunate for Zelophehad because he had 5 daughters and no sons. This meant that under the custom of his time, his daughters would not inherit his portion of land in Israel. This was a big deal, as Zelophehad was one that would die in the desert. His daughters were wise enough to realize that they would go into the land with a loss...losing anything their father should have inherited. They went to Moses and made their case (Numbers 27: 1-7). He heard them, prayed, and received an answer. God told Moses that He did want the daughters to inherit. Later in the history, we find that Israel made a law that set conditions for the daughters' inheritance. As long as they married within their tribe, they could inherit (Numbers 36: 3-12). Here is the way this worked...When one of the daughters married, the husband would be adopted into her family as a son. Then, the "son" would inherit. This obviously benefited the daughter. Everyone was happy.
For now, let us leave Zelophehad and his daughters and move on to King David, a man after God's own heart. He was so much so, that God made some big promises to him:
11 "When your days are fulfilled that you must go [to be] with your fathers, that I will set up [one of] your descendants after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 "He shall build for Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 "I will be his father and he shall be My son; and I will not take My lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. 14 "But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever."'" [1Ch 17:11-14 NASB] (highlighting is from Debbie)
Within that passage, you will notice that I have highlighted two portions. The blue one in my opinion is translated poorly. The Hebrew word is זַרְעֲךָ which translates more closely as "your seed." The yellow in Hebrew literally says מִבָּנֶיךָ which is plural...meaning 2 of David's sons.
David likely did not catch the meaning at the time. He was too busy worshipping God to question the grammar. He had just been told that Messiah would come from his family. He was undone. But in this passage, God gave us a hint to a miracle that only He could foresee and perform.
Generations pass, and sadly, the royal line became wicked. God became so angry with one particular king that he cursed him. It was Coniah (or Jeconiah), descendant of David and Solomon, and here is what God said to him:
30 "Thus says the LORD, 'Write this man down childless, A man who will not prosper in his days; For no man of his descendants will prosper Sitting on the throne of David Or ruling again in Judah.'" [Jer 22:30 NASB]
Oh no! How could this be? God had already promised David that a seed from his sons would rule His Kingdom forever. Could God have changed His mind? Click HERE for Part 2
Read Part 2 to see how God will keep His promise to David while honoring the conditions of the curse on Jeconiah. Here is a hint...it has something to do with Zelophehad. Until next time, Shalom!
Comments
Post a Comment