In what ways can we apply Sheshan's decision to our family relationships? Setting the Scene “Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore to him Attai.” (1 Chronicles 2:35) Key Details to Notice • Sheshan lacked sons—no male heir to carry on the line (v. 34). • Jarha was an Egyptian servant, socially beneath Sheshan’s family. • Sheshan’s action preserved the family line and inheritance. • Scripture records this without rebuke, signaling God’s quiet approval of Sheshan’s solution. Why It Matters for Us Though genealogical, this verse is more than a historical footnote. It speaks to real choices we make for our homes today. Principles to Carry into Family Life 1. Value Spiritual Legacy over Social Status • Sheshan looked past Jarha’s station and ethnicity, prioritizing integrity and continuity. • 1 Samuel 16:7—“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” • Application: Encourage relationships founded on godly character, not pedigree or wealth. 2. Act Creatively to Protect Family Stewardship • Without sons, Sheshan risked losing ancestral land (Numbers 27:8-11). • Like Boaz in Ruth 4:10, he acted promptly to secure inheritance. • Application: Craft wills, trusts, and long-range plans that safeguard family resources for God-honoring purposes. 3. Welcome the “Outsider” into Covenant Community • Jarha, though Egyptian, became grafted into Judah’s lineage—anticipating the gospel’s inclusion of all nations. • Ephesians 2:19—“You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints.” • Application: Embrace in-laws and newcomers with warmth, demonstrating that Christ unites diverse backgrounds. 4. Honor Children’s Futures through Prayerful Guidance • Sheshan arranged a marriage that aligned with covenant values. • Proverbs 22:6—Train up a child in the way he should go. • Application: Mentor sons and daughters in choosing spouses who love Jesus first (2 Corinthians 6:14). 5. Demonstrate Sacrificial Love for Family Continuity • Giving a daughter to a servant involved humility; Sheshan laid aside personal pride. • Philippians 2:3—“In humility value others above yourselves.” • Application: Parents sometimes make costly, humble choices—financially, emotionally—to advance a child’s spiritual good. 6. Trust God’s Record-Keeping • Attai, born of this union, is memorialized in Scripture. God honors faithful, hidden decisions. • Hebrews 6:10—“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work.” • Application: Quiet obedience in family matters may never trend online, yet heaven records it eternally. Putting It into Practice • Take inventory of your family’s long-term spiritual and material stewardship; adjust plans where necessary. • Pray for eyes to see beyond social labels when welcoming future sons- and daughters-in-law. • Have intentional conversations with children about seeking spouses whose hearts belong to Christ. • Celebrate small, unseen sacrifices made inside the home; they build a legacy God delights to acknowledge. By following Sheshan’s example—prioritizing covenant faithfulness, humility, and creative stewardship—we strengthen our families and magnify the Lord who weaves every obedient choice into His grand redemptive story. |
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