because He lives on

Posted on December 21, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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because He lives on

1 Chronicles 7:1-40

1 Chronicles 7:1 Sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron — four.
1 Chronicles 7:2 Sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, the heads of their ancestral families. During David’s reign, 22,600 descendants of Tola were recorded as valiant warriors in their family records.
1 Chronicles 7:3 Son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. Sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah. All five of them were chiefs.
1 Chronicles 7:4 Along with them, they had 36,000 troops for battle according to the family records of their ancestral families, for they had many wives and children.
1 Chronicles 7:5 Their tribesmen, who were valiant warriors belonging to all the families of Issachar, totalled 87,000 in their genealogies.
1 Chronicles 7:6 Three of Benjamin’s sons: Bela, Becher, and Jediael.
1 Chronicles 7:7 Bela’s sons: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri– five. They were valiant warriors and heads of their ancestral families; 22,034 were listed in their genealogies.
1 Chronicles 7:8 Becher’s sons: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth; all these were Becher’s sons.
1 Chronicles 7:9 Their family records were recorded according to the heads of their ancestral families– 20,200 valiant warriors.
1 Chronicles 7:10 Jediael’s son: Bilhan. Bilhan’s sons: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
1 Chronicles 7:11 All these sons of Jediael listed by family heads were valiant warriors; there were 17,200 who could serve in the army.
1 Chronicles 7:12 Shuppim and Huppim were sons of Ir, and the Hushim were the sons of Aher.
1 Chronicles 7:13 Naphtali’s sons: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum– Bilhah’s sons.
1 Chronicles 7:14 Manasseh’s sons through his Aramean concubine: Asriel and Machir the father of Gilead.
1 Chronicles 7:15 Machir took wives from Huppim and Shuppim. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, but he had only daughters.
1 Chronicles 7:16 Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son, and she named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem.
1 Chronicles 7:17 Ulam’s son: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead son of Machir, son of Manasseh.
1 Chronicles 7:18 His sister Hammolecheth gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.
1 Chronicles 7:19 Shemida’s sons: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
1 Chronicles 7:20 Ephraim’s sons: Shuthelah, and his son Bered, his son Tahath, his son Eleadah, his son Tahath,
1 Chronicles 7:21 his son Zabad, his son Shuthelah, also Ezer, and Elead. The men of Gath, born in the land, killed them because they went down to raid their cattle.
1 Chronicles 7:22 Their father Ephraim mourned a long time, and his relatives came to comfort him.
1 Chronicles 7:23 He slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because there had been misfortune in his home.
1 Chronicles 7:24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah,
1 Chronicles 7:25 his son Rephah, his son Resheph, his son Telah, his son Tahan,
1 Chronicles 7:26 his son Ladan, his son Ammihud, his son Elishama,
1 Chronicles 7:27 his son Nun, and his son Joshua.
1 Chronicles 7:28 Their holdings and settlements were Bethel and its surrounding villages; Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its villages as far as Ayyah and its villages,
1 Chronicles 7:29 and along the borders of the descendants of Manasseh, Beth-shean, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor with their surrounding villages. The sons of Joseph son of Israel lived in these towns.
1 Chronicles 7:30 Asher’s sons: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah, with their sister Serah.
1 Chronicles 7:31 Beriah’s sons: Heber, and Malchiel, who fathered Birzaith.
1 Chronicles 7:32 Heber fathered Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, with their sister Shua.
1 Chronicles 7:33 Japhlet’s sons: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were Japhlet’s sons.
1 Chronicles 7:34 Shemer’s sons: Ahi, Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram.
1 Chronicles 7:35 His brother Helem’s sons: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
1 Chronicles 7:36 Zophah’s sons: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
1 Chronicles 7:37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.
1 Chronicles 7:38 Jether’s sons: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara.
1 Chronicles 7:39 Ulla’s sons: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.
1 Chronicles 7:40 All these were Asher’s descendants. They were the heads of their ancestral families, chosen men, valiant warriors, and chiefs among the leaders. The number of men listed in their genealogies for military service was 26,000.

because He lives on

By the time the chronicler records this genealogy, it is all history – gone. The northern kingdom is no more, and all of these mighty warriors listed are dead. That is the way things are now. Nothing is permanent. God lives on, but no one else does. The best that anyone could hope for was to make their mark, either as a soldier, or as a builder, or as a leader. Yet, these names are recorded exactly because the God they served lives on. Because He lives on, eternal life is a true hope. Because He lives on, what we do can be significant. If there is no God, nothing matters. Since there is a God, we all matter.

LORD, give us eyes to see the eternal significance of our mundane lives.

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worship and grace

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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worship and grace

1 Chronicles 6:1-81

1 Chronicles 6:1 Sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
1 Chronicles 6:2 And sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
1 Chronicles 6:3 And children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 6:4 Eleazar fathered Phinehas; Phinehas fathered Abishua;
1 Chronicles 6:5 Abishua fathered Bukki; Bukki fathered Uzzi;
1 Chronicles 6:6 Uzzi fathered Zerahiah; Zerahiah fathered Meraioth;
1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth fathered Amariah; Amariah fathered Ahitub;
1 Chronicles 6:8 Ahitub fathered Zadok; Zadok fathered Ahimaaz;
1 Chronicles 6:9 Ahimaaz fathered Azariah; Azariah fathered Johanan;
1 Chronicles 6:10 Johanan fathered Azariah, who served as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem;
1 Chronicles 6:11 Azariah fathered Amariah; Amariah fathered Ahitub;
1 Chronicles 6:12 Ahitub fathered Zadok; Zadok fathered Shallum;
1 Chronicles 6:13 Shallum fathered Hilkiah; Hilkiah fathered Azariah;
1 Chronicles 6:14 Azariah fathered Seraiah; and Seraiah fathered Jehozadak.
1 Chronicles 6:15 Jehozadak went into exile when the Lord sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.
1 Chronicles 6:16 Sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
1 Chronicles 6:17 These are the names of Gershom’s sons: Libni and Shimei.
1 Chronicles 6:18 Sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
1 Chronicles 6:19 Sons of Merars: Mahli and Mushi. These are the Levites’ families according to their fathers:
1 Chronicles 6:20 Of Gershom: his son Libni, his son Jahath, his son Zimmah,
1 Chronicles 6:21 his son Joah, his son Iddo, his son Zerah, and his son Jeatherai.
1 Chronicles 6:22 Sons of Kohath: his son Amminadab, his son Korah, his son Assir,
1 Chronicles 6:23 his son Elkanah, his son Ebiasaph, his son Assir,
1 Chronicles 6:24 his son Tahath, his son Uriel, his son Uzziah, and his son Shaul.
1 Chronicles 6:25 Sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth,
1 Chronicles 6:26 his son Elkanah, his son Zophai, his son Nahath,
1 Chronicles 6:27 his son Eliab, his son Jeroham, and his son Elkanah.
1 Chronicles 6:28 Sons of Samuel: his firstborn Joel, and his second son Abijah.
1 Chronicles 6:29 Sons of Merari: Mahli, his son Libni, his son Shimei, his son Uzzah,
1 Chronicles 6:30 his son Shimea, his son Haggiah, and his son Asaiah.
1 Chronicles 6:31 These are the men David put in charge of the music in Yahveh’stemple after the ark came to rest there.
1 Chronicles 6:32 They ministered with song in front of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built Yahveh’s temple in Jerusalem, and they performed their task according to the regulations given to them.
1 Chronicles 6:33 These are the men who served with their sons. From the Kohathites: Heman the singer, son of Joel, son of Samuel,
1 Chronicles 6:34 son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah,
1 Chronicles 6:35 son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai,
1 Chronicles 6:36 son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah,
1 Chronicles 6:37 son of Tahath, son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah,
1 Chronicles 6:38 son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel.
1 Chronicles 6:39 Heman’s relative was Asaph, who stood at his right hand: Asaph son of Berechiah, son of Shimea,
1 Chronicles 6:40 son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah,
1 Chronicles 6:41 son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah,
1 Chronicles 6:42 son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei,
1 Chronicles 6:43 son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi.
1 Chronicles 6:44 On the left, their relatives were Merari’s sons: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch,
1 Chronicles 6:45 son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah,
1 Chronicles 6:46 son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer,
1 Chronicles 6:47 son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi.
1 Chronicles 6:48 Their relatives, the Levites, were assigned to all the service of the tabernacle, God’s temple.
1 Chronicles 6:49 But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the most holy place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offerings and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
1 Chronicles 6:50 These are Aaron’s sons: his son Eleazar, his son Phinehas, his son Abishua,
1 Chronicles 6:51 his son Bukki, his son Uzzi, his son Zerahiah,
1 Chronicles 6:52 his son Meraioth, his son Amariah, his son Ahitub,
1 Chronicles 6:53 his son Zadok, and his son Ahimaaz.
1 Chronicles 6:54 These were the places assigned to Aaron’s descendants from the Kohathite family for their settlements in their territory, because the first lot was for them.
1 Chronicles 6:55 They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:56 but the fields and settlements around the city were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh.
1 Chronicles 6:57 Aaron’s descendants were given: Hebron (a city of refuge), Libnah and its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:58 Hilen and its pasturelands, Debir and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:59 Ashan and its pasturelands, and Beth-shemesh and its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:60 From the tribe of Benjamin they were given Geba and its pasturelands, Alemeth and its pasturelands, and Anathoth and its pasturelands. They had thirteen towns in all among their families.
1 Chronicles 6:61 To the rest of the Kohathites, ten towns from half the tribe of Manasseh were assigned by lot.
1 Chronicles 6:62 The Gershomites were assigned thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh in Bashan according to their families.
1 Chronicles 6:63 The Merarites were assigned by lot twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun according to their families.
1 Chronicles 6:64 So the Israelites gave these towns and their pasturelands to the Levites.
1 Chronicles 6:65 They assigned by lot the towns named above from the tribes of the descendants of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
1 Chronicles 6:66 Some of the families of the Kohathites were given towns from the tribe of Ephraim for their territory:
1 Chronicles 6:67 Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:68 Jokmeam and its pasturelands, Beth-horon and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:69 Aijalon and its pasturelands, and Gath-rimmon and its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:70 From half the tribe of Manasseh, Aner and its pasturelands, and Bileam and its pasturelands were given to the rest of the families of the Kohathites.
1 Chronicles 6:71 The Gershomites received: Golan in Bashan and its pasturelands, and Ashtaroth and its pasturelands from the families of half the tribe of Manasseh.
1 Chronicles 6:72 From the tribe of Issachar they received Kedesh and its pasturelands, Daberath and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:73 Ramoth and its pasturelands, and Anem and its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:74 From the tribe of Asher they received Mashal and its pasturelands, Abdon and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:75 Hukok and its pasturelands, and Rehob and its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:76 From the tribe of Naphtali they received Kedesh in Galilee and its pasturelands, Hammon and its pasturelands, and Kiriathaim and its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:77 The rest of the Merarites received: From the tribe of Zebulun, they received Rimmono and its pasturelands and Tabor and its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:78 From the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan at Jericho to the east of the Jordan, they received Bezer in the desert and its pasturelands, Jahzah and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:79 Kedemoth and its pasturelands, and Mephaath and its pasturelands.
1 Chronicles 6:80 From the tribe of Gad they received Ramoth in Gilead and its pasturelands, Mahanaim and its pasturelands,
1 Chronicles 6:81 Heshbon and its pasturelands, and Jazer and its pasturelands.

worship and grace

The Levites (along with the tribe of Judah) are given the central part of this genealogical record. They were assigned the two aspects of worship before and during the Israelite monarchy: sacrifice and song. The song was the human expression of God’s worth-ship. The sacrifices were a message from God to the worshippers. It spoke of the serious nature of sin, but also of a God who seeks reconciliation. Unlike the sacrifices of the other nations, those of the Mosaic law were not a means of manipulating God. They were symbols of grace. God provides the lamb for the sacrifice.

LORD, we worship you because you are worth it. You have provided your own solution to the sin problem in Christ. thank you for your grace.

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hope amid brokenness

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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hope amid brokenness

1 Chronicles 5:1-26

1 Chronicles 5:1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. He is not listed in the genealogy according to birthright.
1 Chronicles 5:2 Although Judah became strong among his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright was given to Joseph.
1 Chronicles 5:3 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
1 Chronicles 5:4 Joel’s sons: his son Shemaiah, his son Gog, his son Shimei,
1 Chronicles 5:5 his son Micah, his son Reaiah, his son Baal,
1 Chronicles 5:6 and his son Beerah. Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites, and King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria took him into exile.
1 Chronicles 5:7 His relatives by their families as they are recorded in their family records: Jeiel the chief, Zechariah,
1 Chronicles 5:8 and Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel. They settled in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal-meon.
1 Chronicles 5:9 They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their herds had increased in the land of Gilead.
1 Chronicles 5:10 During Saul’s reign they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated by their power. And they lived in their tents throughout the region east of Gilead.
1 Chronicles 5:11 The sons of Gad lived next to them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah:
1 Chronicles 5:12 Joel the chief, Shapham the second in command, Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
1 Chronicles 5:13 Their relatives according to their ancestral houses: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber– seven.
1 Chronicles 5:14 These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz.
1 Chronicles 5:15 Ahi son of Abdiel, son of Guni, was head of their ancestral family.
1 Chronicles 5:16 They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its surrounding villages, and throughout the pasturelands of Sharon.
1 Chronicles 5:17 All of them were registered in the genealogies during the reigns of Judah’s King Jotham and Israel’s King Jeroboam.
1 Chronicles 5:18 The descendants of Reuben and Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors who could serve in the army– men who carried shields and swords, drew bows, and were trained for war.
1 Chronicles 5:19 They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.
1 Chronicles 5:20 They received help against these enemies because they cried out to God in battle, and the Hagrites and all their allies were handed over to them. He was receptive to their prayer because they trusted in him.
1 Chronicles 5:21 They captured the Hagrites’ livestock– fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep, and two thousand donkeys– as well as one hundred thousand people.
1 Chronicles 5:22 Many of the Hagrites were killed because it was God’s battle. And they lived there in the Hagrites’ place until the exile.
1 Chronicles 5:23 The descendants of half the tribe of Manasseh settled in the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon (that is, Senir or Mount Hermon); they were numerous.
1 Chronicles 5:24 These were the heads of their ancestral families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were valiant warriors, famous men, and heads of their ancestral houses.
1 Chronicles 5:25 But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They prostituted themselves with the gods of the nations God had destroyed before them.
1 Chronicles 5:26 So the God of Israel roused the breath of King Pul (that is, Tiglath-pileser) of Assyria, and he took the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and Gozan’s river, where they are until today.

hope amid brokenness

The record of the descendants of Israel here includes the Transjordan tribes, even though by the time the chronicler writes this, they had been broken up and deported by Assyria. From beginning to end, this record manifests evidence of brokenness. It starts with the fact that Reuben lost his birthright as Jacob’s firstborn due to incest. It concludes with the exile, brought on because these tribes whored after other gods, so God gave them into their enemies’ hands. The Bible does not sugar-coat these realities. It reveals the dark background and that accentuates the brilliance of God at work by his grace. It was to this Israel: condemned, broken, dysfunctional, hopeless, that the Messiah was promised.

LORD, thank you for the promise of your coming king.

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Jabez

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:1-43

1 Chronicles 4:1 Judah’s sons: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.
1 Chronicles 4:2 Reaiah son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites.
1 Chronicles 4:3 These were Etam’s sons: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash, and their sister was named Hazzelelponi.
1 Chronicles 4:4 Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, Ephrathah’s firstborn and the father of Bethlehem:
1 Chronicles 4:5 Ashhur fathered Tekoa and had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
1 Chronicles 4:6 Naarah bore Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari to him. These were Naarah’s sons.
1 Chronicles 4:7 Helah’s sons: Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan.
1 Chronicles 4:8 Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel son of Harum.
1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez was more honored than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.”
1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez called out to the God of Israel: “If only you would bless me, extend my border, let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not experience pain.” And God granted his request.
1 Chronicles 4:11 Chelub brother of Shuhah fathered Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.
1 Chronicles 4:12 Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These were the men of Recah.
1 Chronicles 4:13 Kenaz’s sons: Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel’s sons: Hathath and Meonothai.
1 Chronicles 4:14 Meonothai fathered Ophrah, and Seraiah fathered Joab, the ancestor of those in the Craftsmen’s Valley, for they were craftsmen.
1 Chronicles 4:15 The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam. Elah’s son: Kenaz.
1 Chronicles 4:16 Jehallelel’s sons: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
1 Chronicles 4:17 Ezrah’s sons: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered’s wife Bithiah gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
1 Chronicles 4:18 These were the sons of Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah; Mered had married her. His Judean wife gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.
1 Chronicles 4:19 The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham: the father of Keilah the Garmite and the father of Eshtemoa the Maacathite.
1 Chronicles 4:20 Shimon’s sons: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. Ishi’s sons: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth.
1 Chronicles 4:21 The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, the families of the guild of linen workers at Beth-ashbea,
1 Chronicles 4:22 Jokim, the men of Cozeba; and Joash and Saraph, who married Moabites and returned to Lehem. These names are from ancient records.
1 Chronicles 4:23 They were the potters and residents of Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the service of the king.
1 Chronicles 4:24 Simeon’s sons: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul;
1 Chronicles 4:25 Shaul’s sons: his son Shallum, his son Mibsam, and his son Mishma.
1 Chronicles 4:26 Mishma’s sons: his son Hammuel, his son Zaccur, and his son Shimei.
1 Chronicles 4:27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, so their whole family did not become as numerous as the Judeans.
1 Chronicles 4:28 They lived in Beer-sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual,
1 Chronicles 4:29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,
1 Chronicles 4:30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,
1 Chronicles 4:31 Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until David became king.
1 Chronicles 4:32 Their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan– five cities,
1 Chronicles 4:33 and all their surrounding villages as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record for themselves.
1 Chronicles 4:34 Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
1 Chronicles 4:35 Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel,
1 Chronicles 4:36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,
1 Chronicles 4:37 and Ziza son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah–
1 Chronicles 4:38 these mentioned by name were leaders in their families. Their ancestral houses increased greatly.
1 Chronicles 4:39 They went to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley to seek pasture for their flocks.
1 Chronicles 4:40 They found rich, good pasture, and the land was broad, peaceful, and quiet, for some Hamites had lived there previously.
1 Chronicles 4:41 These who were recorded by name came in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, attacked the Hamites’ tents and the Meunites who were found there, and set them apart for destruction, as they are today. Then they settled in their place because there was pasture for their flocks.
1 Chronicles 4:42 Now five hundred men from these sons of Simeon went with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the descendants of Ishi, as their leaders to Mount Seir.
1 Chronicles 4:43 They struck down the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped, and they still live there today.

Jabez

The prayer of Jabez became a popular topic a few years back. It stands as a kind of spiritual oasis in the midst of these genealogical records. Jabez probably feared that his name (which contained the same Hebrew letters as the word “pain”) would bring him misfortune. His fears were misguided, but at least he knew where to take them. He prayed to his God, and left his fate in the LORD’s hands.

Everyone has something they fear. For me it was an early death. Both my father and my brother died in their 50’s, and I am 63. I inherited the blood disorder that killed them. I did not know if it would take me last decade, but it was possible. The only thing I could do is what Jabez did – take my fears to the LORD.

LORD, here are our fears. You are our help, and our confidence.

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a dysfunctional lot

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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a dysfunctional lot

1 Chronicles 3:1-24

1 Chronicles 3:1 These were David’s sons who were born to him in Hebron: Amnon was the firstborn, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; Daniel was born second, by Abigail of Carmel;
1 Chronicles 3:2 Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur, was third; Adonijah son of Haggith was fourth;
1 Chronicles 3:3 Shephatiah, by Abital, was fifth; and Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah, was sixth.
1 Chronicles 3:4 Six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years.
1 Chronicles 3:5 These sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bath-shua daughter of Ammiel.
1 Chronicles 3:6 David’s other sons: Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,
1 Chronicles 3:7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
1 Chronicles 3:8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet– nine sons.
1 Chronicles 3:9 These were all David’s sons, with their sister Tamar, in addition to the sons by his concubines.
1 Chronicles 3:10 Solomon’s son was Rehoboam; his son was Abijah, his son Asa, his son Jehoshaphat,
1 Chronicles 3:11 his son Jehoram, his son Ahaziah, his son Joash,
1 Chronicles 3:12 his son Amaziah, his son Azariah, his son Jotham,
1 Chronicles 3:13 his son Ahaz, his son Hezekiah, his son Manasseh,
1 Chronicles 3:14 his son Amon, and his son Josiah.
1 Chronicles 3:15 Josiah’s sons: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim second, Zedekiah third, and Shallum fourth.
1 Chronicles 3:16 Jehoiakim’s sons: his sons Jeconiah and Zedekiah.
1 Chronicles 3:17 The sons of Jeconiah the captive: his sons Shealtiel,
1 Chronicles 3:18 Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
1 Chronicles 3:19 Pedaiah’s sons: Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel’s sons: Meshullam and Hananiah, with their sister Shelomith;
1 Chronicles 3:20 and five others– Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed.
1 Chronicles 3:21 Hananiah’s descendants: Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah.
1 Chronicles 3:22 The son of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. Shemaiah’s sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat — six.
1 Chronicles 3:23 Neariah’s sons: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam– three.
1 Chronicles 3:24 Elioenai’s sons: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani — seven.

a dysfunctional lot

In the center of this three chapter genealogy is the line of David. Long after the demise of the Davidic monarchy, records of David’s line are kept and published. There is still hope that a man will come from Judah’s line who will bring restoration and peace to this troubled people. Every story in the Chronicles is a reminder that God is at work in the lives of these people, but they are a dysfunctional lot. The redeemer has not come yet.

So, today, there is a similar outlook with the church. Our God is at work in our lives, but there is a missing piece to the puzzle. The church is dysfunctional, but she exists. Some become disappointed with the church and separate themselves from her, but she is the bride of Christ. He is coming back for her.

LORD, give us the courage to be and stay faithful to your bride.

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failure and hope

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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failure and hope

1 Chronicles 2:1-55

1 Chronicles 2:1 These were Israel’s sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,
1 Chronicles 2:2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
1 Chronicles 2:3 Judah’s sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite woman. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in Yahveh’s sight, so he put him to death.
1 Chronicles 2:4 Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar bore Perez and Zerah to him. Judah had five sons in all.
1 Chronicles 2:5 Perez’s sons: Hezron and Hamul.
1 Chronicles 2:6 Zerah’s sons: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara — five in all.
1 Chronicles 2:7 Carmi’s son: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel when he was unfaithful by taking the things set apart for destruction.
1 Chronicles 2:8 Ethan’s son: Azariah.
1 Chronicles 2:9 Hezron’s sons, who were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai.
1 Chronicles 2:10 Ram fathered Amminadab, and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, a leader of Judah’s descendants.
1 Chronicles 2:11 Nahshon fathered Salma, and Salma fathered Boaz.
1 Chronicles 2:12 Boaz fathered Obed, and Obed fathered Jesse.
1 Chronicles 2:13 Jesse fathered Eliab, his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third,
1 Chronicles 2:14 Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth,
1 Chronicles 2:15 Ozem sixth, and David seventh.
1 Chronicles 2:16 Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.
1 Chronicles 2:17 Amasa’s mother was Abigail, and his father was Jether the Ishmaelite.
1 Chronicles 2:18 Caleb son of Hezron had children by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth. These were Azubah’s sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.
1 Chronicles 2:19 When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, and she bore Hur to him.
1 Chronicles 2:20 Hur fathered Uri, and Uri fathered Bezalel.
1 Chronicles 2:21 After this, Hezron slept with the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead. Hezron had married her when he was sixty years old, and she bore Segub to him.
1 Chronicles 2:22 Segub fathered Jair, who possessed twenty-three towns in the land of Gilead.
1 Chronicles 2:23 But Geshur and Aram captured Jair’s Villages along with Kenath and its surrounding villages– sixty towns. All these were the descendants of Machir father of Gilead.
1 Chronicles 2:24 After Hezron’s death in Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore Ashhur to him. He was the father of Tekoa.
1 Chronicles 2:25 The sons of Jerahmeel, Hezron’s firstborn: Ram, his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.
1 Chronicles 2:26 Jerahmeel had another wife named Atarah, who was the mother of Onam.
1 Chronicles 2:27 The sons of Ram, Jerahmeel’s firstborn: Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.
1 Chronicles 2:28 Onam’s sons: Shammai and Jada. Shammai’s sons: Nadab and Abishur.
1 Chronicles 2:29 Abishur’s wife was named Abihail, who bore Ahban and Molid to him.
1 Chronicles 2:30 Nadab’s sons: Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children.
1 Chronicles 2:31 Appaim’s son: Ishi. Ishi’s son: Sheshan. Sheshan’s descendant: Ahlai.
1 Chronicles 2:32 The sons of Jada, brother of Shammai: Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.
1 Chronicles 2:33 Jonathan’s sons: Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.
1 Chronicles 2:34 Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, but he did have an Egyptian servant whose name was Jarha.
1 Chronicles 2:35 Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore Attai to him.
1 Chronicles 2:36 Attai fathered Nathan, and Nathan fathered Zabad.
1 Chronicles 2:37 Zabad fathered Ephlal, and Ephlal fathered Obed.
1 Chronicles 2:38 Obed fathered Jehu, and Jehu fathered Azariah.
1 Chronicles 2:39 Azariah fathered Helez, and Helez fathered Elasah.
1 Chronicles 2:40 Elasah fathered Sismai, and Sismai fathered Shallum.
1 Chronicles 2:41 Shallum fathered Jekamiah, and Jekamiah fathered Elishama.
1 Chronicles 2:42 The sons of Caleb brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha, his firstborn, fathered Ziph, and Mareshah, his second son, fathered Hebron.
1 Chronicles 2:43 Hebron’s sons: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema.
1 Chronicles 2:44 Shema fathered Raham, who fathered Jorkeam, and Rekem fathered Shammai.
1 Chronicles 2:45 Shammai’s son was Maon, and Maon fathered Beth-zur.
1 Chronicles 2:46 Caleb’s concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran fathered Gazez.
1 Chronicles 2:47 Jahdai’s sons: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
1 Chronicles 2:48 Caleb’s concubine Maacah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah.
1 Chronicles 2:49 She was also the mother of Shaaph, Madmannah’s father, and of Sheva, the father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Achsah.
1 Chronicles 2:50 These were Caleb’s descendants. The sons of Hur, Ephrathah’s firstborn: Shobal fathered Kiriath-jearim;
1 Chronicles 2:51 Salma fathered Bethlehem, and Hareph fathered Beth-gader.
1 Chronicles 2:52 These were the descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites,
1 Chronicles 2:53 and the families of Kiriath-jearim — the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. The Zorathites and Eshtaolites descended from these.
1 Chronicles 2:54 Salma’s descendants: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites,
1 Chronicles 2:55 and the families of scribes who lived in Jabez– the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of Rechab’s family.

failure and hope

Looking back on this family record, the remnants of Judah are seeking some kind of word from God that explains who they are and where they are going. Their story is one of brokenness and failure. They have plenty of skeletons in their closet. Even Judah himself acted irresponsibly toward Tamar, but finally admitted that she was more righteous than himself. There is Achan as well, who troubled the whole people with his greed.

But there is also the proof in these records of a faithful God who preserved and prospered his people. Judah is left hanging by a thread at this time, but they also know that God is able to preserve them, and to bring back their honor. These are the chronicles of a people who refuse to forget God.

LORD, make us a people who refuse to forget what you have done for us, and still hope in you.

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roots and branches

Posted on December 15, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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roots and branches

1 Chronicles 1:1-54

1 Chronicles 1:1 Adam, Seth, Enosh,
1 Chronicles 1:2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
1 Chronicles 1:3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
1 Chronicles 1:4 Noah, Noah’s sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
1 Chronicles 1:5 Japheth’s sons: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
1 Chronicles 1:6 Gomer’s sons: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
1 Chronicles 1:7 Javan’s sons are Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
1 Chronicles 1:8 Ham’s sons are Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
1 Chronicles 1:9 Cush’s sons: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabteca. Raama’s sons: Sheba and Dedan.
1 Chronicles 1:10 Cush fathered Nimrod, who was the first to become a great warrior on the land.
1 Chronicles 1:11 Mizraim fathered the people of Lud, Anam, Lehab, Naphtuh,
1 Chronicles 1:12 Pathrus, Casluh (the Philistines came from them), and Caphtor.
1 Chronicles 1:13 Canaan fathered Sidon as his firstborn and Heth,
1 Chronicles 1:14 as well as the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,
1 Chronicles 1:15 Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,
1 Chronicles 1:16 Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.
1 Chronicles 1:17 Shem’s sons: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
1 Chronicles 1:18 Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber.
1 Chronicles 1:19 Two sons were born to Eber. One of them was named Peleg because the land was divided during his lifetime, and his brother’s name was Joktan.
1 Chronicles 1:20 Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
1 Chronicles 1:21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
1 Chronicles 1:22 Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,
1 Chronicles 1:23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All of these were Joktan’s sons.
1 Chronicles 1:24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
1 Chronicles 1:25 Eber, Peleg, Reu,
1 Chronicles 1:26 Serug, Nahor, Terah,
1 Chronicles 1:27 and Abram (that is, Abraham).
1 Chronicles 1:28 Abraham’s sons: Isaac and Ishmael.
1 Chronicles 1:29 These are their family records: Nebaioth, Ishmael’s firstborn, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
1 Chronicles 1:30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
1 Chronicles 1:31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were Ishmael’s sons.
1 Chronicles 1:32 The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan’s sons: Sheba and Dedan.
1 Chronicles 1:33 Midian’s sons: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All of these were Keturah’s descendants.
1 Chronicles 1:34 Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac’s sons: Esau and Israel.
1 Chronicles 1:35 Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
1 Chronicles 1:36 Eliphaz’s sons: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek.
1 Chronicles 1:37 Reuel’s sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
1 Chronicles 1:38 Seir’s sons: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
1 Chronicles 1:39 Lotan’s sons: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister.
1 Chronicles 1:40 Shobal’s sons: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. Zibeon’s sons: Aiah and Anah.
1 Chronicles 1:41 Anah’s son: Dishon. Dishon’s sons are Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
1 Chronicles 1:42 Ezer’s sons are Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. Dishan’s sons: Uz and Aran.
1 Chronicles 1:43 These kings reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: Bela, son of Beor. Bela’s town was named Dinhabah.
1 Chronicles 1:44 When Bela died, Jobab, son of Zerah from Bozrah, reigned in his place.
1 Chronicles 1:45 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
1 Chronicles 1:46 When Husham died, Hadad, son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the territory of Moab, reigned in his place. Hadad’s town was named Avith.
1 Chronicles 1:47 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place.
1 Chronicles 1:48 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates River reigned in his place.
1 Chronicles 1:49 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan, son of Achbor, reigned in his place.
1 Chronicles 1:50 When Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place. Hadad’s city was named Pai, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, daughter of Matred and daughter of Me-zahab.
1 Chronicles 1:51 Then Hadad died. Edom’s chiefs: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
1 Chronicles 1:52 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
1 Chronicles 1:53 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
1 Chronicles 1:54 Magdiel and Iram. These were Edom’s chiefs.

roots and branches

The list of names in this chapter is impressive. Although the chapter traces some of the family tree of Israel, it mostly lists the descendants of Adam who branched off to make an impact on the world in another way. People hearing these words in biblical times would be impressed by how many geographical names they include. They would have heard of great places in the world, and this chapter will remind them that great places were founded by great people. Israelites hearing these words would also hear the names of their enemies: the descendants of Esau, Ishmael, Egypt.

I am fascinated by the PBS program “Finding Your Roots.” Each episode traces the ancestry of some celebrities, reveling secrets they did not know about their family — and thus themselves.

What kind of an impact on this world will we make? When people hear our name on a genealogy list long after we are gone, will it be with pride, disgust, or indifference? It is time to make an impact for the gospel.

LORD, guide our lives so that we make a difference for you.

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When he takes away

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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When he takes away

Jonah 4:1-11

Jonah 4:1 Jonah was extremely upset and became furious.
Jonah 4:2 He prayed to Yahveh: “Please, Yahveh, isn’t this what I thought while I was still in my own country? That’s why I ran away toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, with very faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster.
Jonah 4:3 And now, Yahveh, take my throat from me, because it is better for me to die than to live.”
Jonah 4:4 Yahveh asked, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Jonah 4:5 Jonah left the city and found a place east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city.
Jonah 4:6 Then Yahveh God appointed a plant, and it grew over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.
Jonah 4:7 When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, and it withered.
Jonah 4:8 As the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind. The sun beat down on Jonah’s head so much that he almost fainted, and he wanted his throat to die. He said, “It’s better for me to die than to live.”
Jonah 4:9 Then God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “Yes, it’s right!” he replied. “I’m angry enough to die!”
Jonah 4:10 So Yahveh said, “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night.
Jonah 4:11 But should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?”

When he takes away

Jonah had no real reason to be angry at God because of the worm. Jonah did not plant that plant. God did. God did not owe Jonah another comfortable day.

You and I have to come to grips with God’s sovereignty. He does things according to his plan, and he does not have to get our approval to do it.

This applies to our prayer list as well. We have a list of people who we ask God to heal and save every day. But God in his sovereignty does not heal and save these people every day. He has reasons for what he does, and reasons for what he doesn’t do. At the end of the day, we need to evaluate what happened and what did not happen on the basis of God’s sovereignty. We need to be able to say what Job did when he lost everything: “The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. May the name of the LORD be blessed!” (Job 1:21 NET).

Read the whole sermon here.

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what God wants

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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what God wants

Jonah 3:1-10

Jonah 3:1 Yahveh’s word happened to Jonah a second time:
Jonah 3:2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message that I tell you.”
Jonah 3:3 Jonah got up and went to Nineveh according to Yahveh’s command. Now Nineveh was an extremely great city, a three-day walk.
Jonah 3:4 Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and yelled, “In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!”
Jonah 3:5 Then the people of Nineveh believed God. They declared a fast and dressed in sackcloth — from the greatest of them to the least.
Jonah 3:6 When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, put on sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
Jonah 3:7 Then he issued a decree in Nineveh: By order of the king and his nobles: No person or animal, herd or flock, is to taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink water.
Jonah 3:8 Furthermore, people and animals must be covered with sackcloth, and everyone must call out earnestly to God. Each must turn from his evil ways and from his wrongdoing.
Jonah 3:9 Who knows? God may turn and relent; he may turn from his burning anger so we will not perish.
Jonah 3:10 God saw their actions — that they had turned from their evil ways — so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.

what God wants

God did not want to destroy Nineveh. He wanted to rescue them. He wanted to avoid the punishment Jonah warned them about.

God does not want to destroy Delco either. We owe it to our neighbors to let them know that God will punish those who rebel against him. But we also need to tell them that it doesn’t have to be that way.

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him” (John 3:17 NET).

The purpose of God is not revenge, it’s rescue. If people refuse to repent, they will be destroyed. Make no mistake about that. But for thousands of years, our commission has been to declare the good news to the nations. The good news is that we can avoid Gehenna.

The full sermon is here.

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prayer from the fish

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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prayer from the fish

Jonah 1:17-2:10

Jonah 1:17 Yahveh supplied a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:1 Jonah prayed to Yahveh his God from the stomach of the fish:
Jonah 2:2 I called Yahveh in distress, and he answered me. I cried out for help from the belly of Sheol; you heard my voice.
Jonah 2:3 You threw me into the depths, into the heart of the seas, and the current overcame me. All your breakers and your billows swept over me.
Jonah 2:4 But I said, “I have been banished from your sight, yet I will look again toward your holy temple.
Jonah 2:5 The water engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.
Jonah 2:6 I sank to the foundations of the mountains, the land’s gates shut behind me forever! Then you raised my life from the Pit, Yahveh my God!
Jonah 2:7 As my life was fading away on me, I remembered Yahveh, and my prayer came to you, to your holy temple.
Jonah 2:8 Those who cherish worthless idols abandon their faithful love,
Jonah 2:9 but as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation belongs to Yahveh.”
Jonah 2:10 Then Yahveh spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

prayer from the fish

Jonah was in the belly of Sheol when he was drowning in the water — before he was in the stomach of the fish. In verse 7, Jonah says that when his life was ebbing away, he called out to the LORD, and his prayer came to God’s holy temple. Jonah’s prayer from the fish was not a prayer for help, is was a prayer of gratitude (8-10). The fish was not Sheol. The fish was God’s gift to Jonah. It was his means of rescue from the grave. Jonah’s prayer from the fish was not a prayer for help, it was a prayer of gratitude because God spared his life.

You may be in an uncomfortable situation today, and you will be tempted to be bitter at God for it. But this situation you now face might turn out to be God’s means of getting you back to where you should be. Be grateful for the fish and fulfill your vows.

(see also: this sermon and this article).

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