1 Chronicles 1:1-7: a reflection

1Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, 4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 5The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 6The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah. 7The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

The book of Chronicles opens with the barest of beginnings: Adam, Seth, Enosh, and on through the generations. It starts at the very beginning of the human race, with Adam, the first man, and traces the line down through the generations that followed. From the very first man, God's purpose was being carried forward, generation by generation, toward its unfolding in his people and, ultimately, in the coming of Christ. The whole sweep of human history, from Adam onward, was the arena of God's unfolding purpose.

Notice where the story begins, and what it implies: God's purpose has been at work from the very beginning, from Adam. The genealogy starts not with Israel, but with Adam, the first man; God's purpose reaches back to the very beginning of the human race. From the first man onward, through all the generations, God was at work, carrying his purpose forward toward its fulfillment. His plan did not begin recently, or with one people only; it has been unfolding from the very beginning of human history, from Adam, through the long line of generations. God's purpose spans the whole of human history.

That is worth taking to heart, for it reminds us that God's purpose is vast, spanning the whole of human history from the very beginning. We can think of God's work in small, recent terms, forgetting that his purpose has been unfolding from the very beginning of the human race, from Adam onward, through all the generations. God has been at work, carrying his purpose forward, across the whole sweep of human history. Take comfort and wonder that the God who works in your life is the same God who has been carrying his purpose forward from the very beginning, from Adam through all the generations; his purpose is vast, spanning all of human history, and you are part of a story God has been unfolding from the first man onward. Trust the God whose purpose has been at work from the very beginning of the human race, and who carries it forward still, as the genealogy from Adam onward shows God's purpose spanning the whole of human history.

Lord, the book of Chronicles opens with the barest of beginnings: Adam, Seth, Enosh, and on through the generations. It starts at the very beginning of the human race, with Adam, the first man, and traces the line down through the generations. From the very first man, your purpose was being carried forward, generation by generation, toward its unfolding in your people and, ultimately, in the coming of Christ. Show me where the story begins, and what it implies: your purpose has been at work from the very beginning, from Adam. The genealogy starts not with Israel, but with Adam; your purpose reaches back to the very beginning of the human race. From the first man onward, you were at work, carrying your purpose forward. Your plan did not begin recently, or with one people only; it has been unfolding from the very beginning of human history. Your purpose spans the whole of human history. Take that to my heart, for it reminds me that your purpose is vast, spanning the whole of human history from the very beginning. I can think of your work in small, recent terms, forgetting that your purpose has been unfolding from the very beginning of the human race, from Adam onward. You have been at work across the whole sweep of human history. Help me take comfort and wonder that the God who works in my life is the same God who has been carrying his purpose forward from the very beginning, Lord; I am part of a story you have been unfolding from the first man onward. Help me trust the God whose purpose has been at work from the very beginning.