Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Chronicles 2 Devotional

Grace Through a Tangled Line

The record turns first to Judah, and it does not tidy up the family. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight, so the LORD put him to death (2:3). Perez and Zerah were born to Judah by Tamar, his own daughter-in-law (2:4). Achar appears as the man who brought trouble on Israel by taking what was devoted to God (2:7). Later, a man with no sons gives his daughter in marriage to his Egyptian servant, and the line goes on through them (2:34-35).

Yet this is the family that leads to David, the seventh son of Jesse (2:15). God's chosen king did not come from a spotless line, and the list makes no attempt to hide it. Sin is not small, but God's purpose never rested on the family's goodness. Matthew begins the genealogy of Jesus with these same names: Judah, Tamar, Perez and Zerah (Matthew 1:3). The grace that carried this line forward still receives people with tangled histories.

To think about: Is there something in your own story or family history that you assume puts you outside God's grace?

About 1 Chronicles 2: The Family of Judah and Line to David

After naming Israel’s twelve sons, the record turns first to Judah, noting Er’s wickedness, the birth of Perez and Zerah through Tamar, and Achar’s sin. It follows the line through Boaz and Jesse to David, then lists the families of Caleb and Jerahmeel, including Bezalel.

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