The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 26

m1my of tho names in these genealogies have "El" or "Jah" as a prefix or termina- tion-the former God as Creator, the latter God in covenant or as P.edeemer. Thus each individual bearing this Divine name is seen in direct personal relation to God in theso aspects of his character. But the most important consideration in these genea- logies is that they contain that of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can trace the thread through all the names till we reach the holy family. It runs like a. vein of silver through generations and families, many of whom, despite the holy meaning of their names, bring up a history of shame and sorrow. 'l'his doubtless is the reason why they are so faithfully recorded. They are all here to continue the genealogy of Christ--to lead up eventually to him. He is the fruit of every genealogical tree. We see the seed, the blade, the blossom, the flower, and at last we have the fruit--Jehovah Jesus, God manifest in the flesh, as he appeared among men. All that is repulsive or flagrant in the genealogical tree only serves to bring into more striking contrast the fruit that grows out of it. The summer fruit has sprung out of the corrupt ground, and has ha<l. to contend on every side with elements at war with its very existence. Sometimes these irenealogies, in the very order of their record in the sacred volume, contain within themselves a prophecy pointing to him. An instance of thi8 in ill11stration may be found in Gen. v., the leading names ill which, when translated in the order there recorded, contain the beautHul prophecy," The blessed God shall come down teaching, and his light shall give life and consolation to men." Sometimes names of this kind foreshadow some special aspect of Christ's work. We have the names of El-kanah, Abi-jah, Mori-jah or Moriah. This last-named is the mount on which Isaac, the type of Christ, was offered, and on this mount Solomon's temple was built. "Mor" signifies "bitterness,''" Jah" means "Jehovah." Thus the temple is built on the" bitterness," or sufferings, of Jehovah. So also the spiritual temple is founded upon the cross of Christ. The genealogical tree of Christ runs through the names in these chapters. There are several truths forced upon our notice ns we think of this. First, grace i3 not hereditary. In the lineal descent of the Lord Jesus we find idolaters and slaves. We see it every day. Manasseh is son to Hezekiah, Josiah is the son or Amon. It is still true, and will ever be so. They who are of the family of God arc "born not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Secondly, as Jesus Christ came through all sorts of people, so he came to save and bless all sorts of people-saints and sinners, bond and free, rich and poor. He took the humanity of each without sin, that he might bless them. "This man e.ateth and driuketh with publicans and sinners." Though on his throne of glory, these he still calls and loves to gather round him. Lord Macaulay tells us of a celebrated artist who made a beautiful piece of statuary which was the admiration of Europe. Ilut he had a poor boy who was his apprentice. He gathered up the broken fragments that fell from the master's hand, and with theso he made a work which eclipsed his master's, so that the latter died of a broken heart. Jesus Christ, the despised and rejected carpenter's Son, has stooped down to our fallen world and gothered up the fragments of our fallen humanity, and is forming them into a kingdom which shall eclipse in grandeur and glory every other.-W. Chapters i. and ii.-The genealogies in relation to the Church and the world. Looking over these chapte~s, we find prominent mention of "families" and "sons," These aro the two words which, constantly used, are replete with meaning. 'l'he sons form the families. How important to family life out of which all that is great and good has issued, that the" sons" who bear the names of "El" and" Jah" should be nurtured and trained to a life worthy of those high and holy names! ,vhere this is not the case', there is the real breach of the third commandment. Tl:e Name of the Lord God has been "taken in vain." Our "families" will be what the "sons" make them, and our Churches and the world will ever be what the "family" is. Family training in the fear of God will send forth messengers that will be tbe brightness of the Church and the blessing of the world. All real degeneracy in one and the other will ever be traceable to the "family," and ultimately to the" sons." Mothers, think of this! lt all, under God, is in your hands. And as we saw in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus that he passed through all sorts of people, so we see it here in his people. Here we find ;Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, all honoured names, mingled with names worthless aud mfanw11s. It is for tho same reason, to show th.'\t grace is not hereditary. In the first 16 THE FinST DOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [err. 1. 1-51.