Thurs.’s Devo - Judah, Simeon, Gad and Reuben

Read: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19 Ashhur was the son who was born to Hezron after Hezron died. This son founded the city of Tekoa. Tekoa which means “a trumpet blast” lies 12 miles south of Jerusalem and was the home of the woman Joab used to convince King David to let Absalom back into the city (2 Samuel 14) and Tekoa was the home of the prophet Amos. We have all heard of Jabez thanks to a man who wrote a whole book on these two verses (4:9,10). Jabez was born painfully but prayed that God would bless him and expand his territory and keep him from anymore trouble or pain. God granted his request and healed him of whatever pain he was born into. Jabez means “affliction” so I guess he was born with a painful disease or handicap. It also says of Jabez that he was honorable. Othniel was the son of Kenaz. When Caleb needed a man to volunteer to lead his army in a battle he promised his daughter in marriage to whoever spoke up first. Othniel did and led the army to victory and married Caleb’s daughter (Judges 1:12,13). Judah’s clan were kings and craftsmen for the kings. Next, the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon were recorded. The tribe didn’t grow large because only Shimei had a large family. The tribe of Simeon was right in the middle of the tribe of Judah. The people of the tribe of Simeon were shepherds and soldiers. Reuben was Jacob’s oldest but dishonored his father when he slept with one of his father’s concubines. His birthright was given to his brother Joseph. Reuben’s descendants became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation but the birthright belonged to Joseph. The tribe of Gad lived next to the Reubenites. Joel was their leader and there were seven clans of their family. They lived in the land of Gilead. In Acts, Paul was still in prison and the guards had changed. Felix was replaced by Festus. One of his first things on his agenda was to visit Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders were waiting to meet with him and give him their accusations against Paul. They wanted Festus to transfer Paul to Jerusalem so they could kill him on the way. Festus told them Paul was in Caesarea and he was on his way there now. They could come too and present their accusations there. They all met in Caesarea and brought Paul out to defend himself. Paul denied all charges, but Festus wanted to gain the favor of the Jews so he asked Paul if he was willing to be tried in Jerusalem. Paul said, “No” because he knew he would not get a fair trial there. He wanted to be tried right there. Then he appealed to Caesar. Festus and his advisors decided that since Paul had appealed to Caesar, he should go and let Caesar decide his fate. King Agrippa came to visit Festus and Festus told him about Paul’s case. He found it interesting and asked to speak with Paul himself. The next day Paul was brought out before them so they could question him and decide how to word his charges to Caesar. Festus sounded like a weak leader who feared man and needed approval. Lord, help us not to fear man but only You. You have the power over life and death. You are the creator of everything so we honor you and your opinion.