Wed.’s Devo - The Descendants of Judah, Simeon and Gad

Read: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19 Today we begin by reading the other descendants of Judah. One of them was Jabez. His mother brought him to the earth in pain. Historians record that Jabez became a famous and just lawyer who wrote many patriotic works. He was so famous and loved that they named their town in honor of him. He prayed the prayer that has become famous in our day known was the Prayer of Jabez. His prayer is that God would bless him and make his reputation spread. Next we have the sons of Simeon who were wealthy farmers. They had wanted the land from the descendants of Ham when they came from Egypt because the land was so fertile. The Ruebenites were next. Rueben was first-born but lost his first-born status when he went into his father’s concubines dishonoring his father. The birthright went to Joseph who was Rachel’s first-born. The tribe of Gad settled next to Rueben. They lived in the land they had taken from the king of Basin. Joel was their leader. In Acts, Festus has become the new governor of Caesarea. He immediately took a trip to Jerusalem where the Jewish leaders who wanted Paul dead met with him about Paul. They saw this as their opportunity to end his life once again. They tried to persuade Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem. They planned to kill him on the way. Festus told them that he would listen to Paul’s defense when he got back to Caesarea and decide what to do. When he came home, he had Paul brought before him for questioning. He asked Paul if he was willing to go and stand trial in Jerusalem. Paul told him he wasn’t. He was innocent and he knew that Fetus knew it too. He appealed to Caesar. Days later King Agrippa came to visit Caesarea and discussed Paul’s case. King Agrippa was curious to meet Paul himself. Festus had arranged it for the next day. Festus knew Paul was innocent but wanted King Agrippa to help him word the letter he would send to Rome. Lord, thank you for your steadfast love. Thank you that you defend our innocence before the world.