Nun, his son then Joshua his son.
– 1 Chronicles 7:27
In the middle of this list of names here in 1 Chronicles 7:27 we read these six words, two names, Nun, his son then Joshua his son. So as you read through these opening chapters in 1 Chronicles, you see these genealogies, all these lists of names, and it’s really a powerful picture. And we talked about the summer as we were praying through 1 Chronicles, chapter one, to see how every one of these names matters. And every single of these names has a part to play in this big picture story of the Bible. Just like every one of our names by God’s grace matters. And we have a part to play in God’s big picture story in history. But then as you read through these names, occasionally you see this name that you immediately recognize. 1 Chronicles 7:27. It’s Joshua, probably the most famous descendant of Ephraim.
When you see a name you recognize just stop and meditate for a moment on how God worked in and through, or maybe in spite of that particular person and let that lead you to pray that God would work in and through you and your life.
And you immediately start thinking about that particular person. Like I read Joshua’s name and I think about Joshua chapter one. When he’s stepping into leadership after Moses and God says to him, be strong and courageous, Joshua. Do not be afraid or dismayed for I will be with you wherever you go. Don’t let this book of the law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night. Be careful to do according to all that is written in it.
And then you will make your way prosperous. Then you will have good success. Joshua, whose name means the Lord saves. It’s a picture of salvation and him and his leadership that ultimately points to Jesus. All of this to say, that’s just one name, Joshua, who obviously does play a pivotal part in the story of the old Testament. But as you read through different names and these parts of the Bible, just pause and thank God for his grace. Praise God for his beauty in wonderfully creating each of these people.
1 Chronicles 7:27 Reminds Us That God Works Through People
These are real people like you and me. And then specifically, when you see a name you recognize just stop and meditate for a moment on how God worked in and through, or maybe in spite of that particular person and let that lead you to pray that God would work in and through you and your life. And the part he’s given you to play in where you are, where I am in the story of human history. God, we praise you for your creation of every single person.
It is mind boggling, oh God, seven plus billion people in the world right now. And you know every single one of them. You’ve created, breathed life into every single one of them, every single one of us. We are all your creation. And that’s just today at this time in history. You know all people throughout all history, all names, and all times, and all the stories that are represented and all their lives, our lives. Oh God, there is none like you.
We Have Been Created for His Glory
You are the creator of all and we worship you. We realize, recognize that you have created us for your glory. You have created all of us to enjoy you and to exalt you among all the nations. That this is the purpose of our lives. And so we pray, oh God, today and this time and place in which you have placed each one of us cause your purposes to be accomplished through us.
May our names, our lives be willing instruments in your hand for your glory. Use us today in small ways, in big ways. Should you entrust those to us today, however you want to use us behind the scenes, in front of people. Lord, help us to follow you, help us to glorify you, help us to honor you, help us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To love others as ourselves, to see individual people around us, to care for them like you care for them. To see them as you see them, to see the names of people around us, the way you see them.
May Jesus Name Be Made Known
And God, we pray for this on a global scale as we think today, about the Chhetri people of Bhutan, no followers of Jesus in this people group. God, we pray for the spread of the gospel, to the thousands of names and faces among this people group in Bhutan, please God. And among every people group you’ve created all the thousands of people, groups in the world to know, and enjoy, and exalt you. Please help us to make disciples of all the peoples of the world as your church.
God, we praise you for your love for each one of us. I just, I pray that reality over every single person listening right now. That they would know that they are known by you, called by name by your grace to know you and enjoy you. May they live in the fullness of that reality today. May you use us today to lead others, to know and enjoy you. And may that be the story of our lives. Leading many others to know and enjoy you until the time comes when we are not here anymore, spend our lives. We pray to make your name known in this world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical.
David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series.
Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
