1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 7: God remembers every family

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the families of Issachar, Ephraim and Asher, let us pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that He remembers every family, even those who mourn, and to lead us to Christ.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. your walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 49:16

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You remember every family of Your people, and show us Jesus, who knows His own by name. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Chapter 7 lists the families of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim and Asher. The lists count fighting men, such as the eighty-seven thousand mighty men of Issachar (verse 5). Some of the news is sad. Ephraim's sons Ezer and Elead were killed by the men of Gath (verse 21). Ephraim mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him (verse 22). Then a son was born, and he was named Beriah because there was trouble with his house (verse 23). The chapter ends with Asher's mighty men, counted for war (verses 30 to 40).

As you read 1 Chronicles 7, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God remembers every family of His people, even the families that mourn.

These lists name six tribes, and they count mighty men and fighting men, so Israel's strength is written down. In the middle, the writer stops for a family in grief, the family of Ephraim (verses 20 to 22). Two of Ephraim's sons were killed by the men of Gath (verse 21). Their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him (verse 22). Here sorrow is written down beside the names. That matters, because God's record holds the grief of His people as well as their victories. It shows God as the One who remembers every family, strong or grieving, and who knows their sorrow (Psalm 56 verse 8). Jesus said He knows His sheep by name (John 10 verse 3). He promised comfort to those who mourn (Matthew 5 verse 4).

How does 1 Chronicles 7 show us that God remembers every family of His people, even the families that mourn?

God remembers the tribes, small and large.

Issachar had mighty men of valor, and their number is written down (verses 2 to 5). Asher's families are counted for war (verse 40). Benjamin, Naphtali and Manasseh are named too (verses 6 to 19). Each family has its place in the record.

God's record includes a family in grief.

Two sons of Ephraim were killed by the men of Gath (verse 21). Their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him (verse 22). A son was born, and he was named Beriah, because there was trouble in the house (verse 23). The writer did not leave this sorrow out.

Jesus knows His own by name and comforts those who mourn.

Jesus said that the shepherd calls his own sheep by name (John 10 verse 3). He wept at the grave of Lazarus (John 11 verse 35). He said that those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5 verse 4). He is the One who comforts His people.

Memorise

Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.

1 Chronicles 7:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I bring my sorrow to Jesus, who knows His own by name?

In the long lists there is one short story. “Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.” God did not leave that grief out of His record. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who calls His own sheep by name (John 10 verse 3).

Jesus wept at a grave (John 11 verse 35). Then He went to the cross and bore the punishment for His people's sin, and His one death paid for their sins once for all. He rose from the grave on the third day.

Bring your sorrow to Him, and bring your sin as well. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus, the Shepherd who knows His own by name. Forgiveness is given to all who trust Him, and He knows them by name.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God remembers every family of His people, and that Jesus knows His own by name. Parents, please explain the death of Ephraim's sons in verse 21 gently, and read verse 22 aloud. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He remembers every family of His people and comforts those who mourn, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 66:13

Lord God, thank You that You remember every family of Your people and know their sorrow. Please turn each of us from sin to trust Jesus, who knows His own by name. Comfort us this week. Amen.