Sunday, November 3, 2019

Spiritual Truth and Legitimacy

Exodus 6:14-27 
14 These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben. 15 And the sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the families of Simeon. 16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were one hundred and thirty-seven. 17 The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimi according to their families. 18 And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three. 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Levi according to their generations.
    20 Now Amram took for himself Jochebed, his father's sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were one hundred and thirty-seven. 21 The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. 22 And the sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri. 23 Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 And the sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These are the families of the Korahites. 25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, took for himself one of the daughters of Putiel as wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.
    26 These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.” 27 These are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are the same Moses and Aaron.

The families of the some of the tribes of Israel are accounted for from the time they arrived in Egypt as they are close to liberation by God’s saving had of power and grace.  They are listed from the firstborn who spoke to save Joseph’s life when his brothers were ready to kill him out of jealousy, with an emphasis on the Levites.  The lineage of Aaron and Moses is accounted for to prove to the readers that they were real people, and where they came from when God called them to speak to the king of Egypt with the command to bring God’s people out of bondage from there.  Our genealogy is now based on rebirth in Christ, not a bloodline nor family inheritance; we are chosen children of God in Christ Jesus, not made His by being born of Israel’s stock or who our parents (or other family members) are.  Being born in a family whose parents are of Israel or Christians or pastors will never earn us a place in God’s kingdom.  Only being in Christ makes this true.  He sets us free by His command which is the gospel entrusted to us as God’s message of deliverance was entrusted to Moses and Aaron.  This is our spiritual proof and legitimacy. 

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