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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Through the sacrifice of your Son, I, “a wild olive shoot,” have been “grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree” of Israel (Rom 11:17). What a privilege to be counted as a member of your chosen people! I praise you today for your kindness. You have united me with Jesus, and I now enjoy the fullness of your grace! Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the last of the genealogical records of Israel. As I read, I noticed that Dan and Zebulun are omitted from the records. The tribe of Dan refused to possess their inheritance, abandoned their land, and seized control of a peaceful city far to the north. They also created a rival cult, adopting Micah’s god as their own (Judg 17–18). The tribe of Zebulun did not distinguish itself throughout Israel’s history, and it received little mention after the time of the judges (cf. Isa 9:1). Although both tribes will return in the Millennium (Ezek 48:2, 26), their omission from the records reminds me of the effects of sin at the group level. Tribes and nations who refuse to honor and serve you inevitably decline, first morally, then territorially, and finally, physically (2 Kgs 10:31–32). The graveyard of history is filled with nations and empires which rose to prominence on the world stage, only to be destroyed because of pride and moral decay. This teaches me the importance of loving and obeying you. If I turn away from you, I will fall into the same ruin which has overtaken so many others. Reflection The tribe of Benjamin was almost wiped out during the early days of the judges (cf. Judg 21:1–3), yet you later chose Saul, the son of Kish, to be the first king of Israel. This encourages me not to give up, for great things can grow from the ashes of failure (Paul was also from the tribe of Benjamin!). Request Father, the greatest men and women are those who put you first in their lives and humble themselves under your mighty hand. Help me to be that kind of person. Help me to be someone my family can look up to and respect. Thanksgiving Thank you for the tribes of Israel. “If their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” (Rom 11:12). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Grafted in Christ, the Living Vine” — Samuel F. Smith. Meditation Verse: 1 Chronicles 7:13.