1 Chronicles 1

“Two sons were born to Eber.  One of them was named Peleg because the earth was divided during his lifetime, and the name of his brother was Joktan. Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All of these were Joktan’s sons.  Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, and Abram (that is, Abraham).  Abraham’s sons: Isaac and Ishmael.” 1 Chronicles 1:19-28 (HCSB)

Arms folded, feet up and crossed on the table.  That is how he sat, the scoffer pastor who laughed at my idea of leading people through the entire Bible, a chapter a day.  “They may follow you through the New Testament, but when you get to Numbers and Leviticus, you will lose half of them!  And you will lose the rest when you get mired in those genealogies in 1st Chronicles!” So, will you quit today and prove the scoffer right?  Or will you muddle through these next few days to discover why the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, included this holy roll call in His eternal Word?

Today, we focus on the sons of Eber: Peleg and Joktan.  The Bible tells us Peleg’s name means “divided.”  And with a little research, we discover his brother’s name means “small.”  A fairly bleak outlook, huh?  Divided and Small.  Those words describe Israel in the days when a terrified Gideon was visited by the Messiah (Angel of the Lord), Who sat beside Gideon and pronounced his calling.

“Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 (HCSB)

Divided and Small was how Jacob felt as he nervously awaited the reunion between himself and his brother Esau, whom Jacob deceived and Esau swore to kill years earlier.  

“I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant.  Indeed, I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps.” Genesis 32:10 (HCSB)

Later that night, Messiah (Angel of the Lord) would wrestle with Jacob and elicit Jacob’s immense single-minded profession: “I will not let you go!”

Divided and Small is what Messiah (Jesus) prayed against in the upper room.

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message.  May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.” John 17:20-21 (HCSB)

Are you feeling Divided and Small?  Put your trust in Messiah Jesus!  He will make you whole (John 5:6-KJV), and He will never cast you out.  (John 6:37)  Remember, God shines brightest when the days are at their darkest.  (See also: Abraham)