What lessons on obedience can be drawn from Sheshan's actions in this verse? The Setting and the Verse “Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.” (1 Chronicles 2:35) Sheshan’s Obedience in Context • Sheshan belongs to the tribe of Judah, a tribe through which God preserves covenant promises (Genesis 49:10). • He faces a cultural crisis: no sons to carry the family name or inheritance (1 Chronicles 2:34). • Mosaic law provides guidance: if a man dies without sons, daughters may inherit, but the estate should remain within the clan (Numbers 27:8–11; 36:6–9). Key Acts of Obedience Displayed • Cherishing the covenant line – Sheshan refuses to let his family heritage end. Obedience means safeguarding what God entrusts, even when circumstances appear bleak. • Honoring God’s legal provision – By marrying his daughter to a man who is already part of his household, the inheritance remains within the family, fulfilling Numbers 36:6–9. • Welcoming a Gentile into God’s people – Jarha is Egyptian, yet Exodus 12:48 allows a foreign servant to become part of Israel through circumcision and covenant commitment. Sheshan recognizes Jarha’s faith and obedience to God’s law, mirroring precedents like Rahab (Joshua 2) and Ruth (Ruth 1–4). • Elevating obedience over social norms – In Israelite society, giving a daughter to a former servant was counter-cultural. Sheshan chooses faithfulness to God’s instruction over cultural pride, demonstrating Galatians 3:28’s principle that all are one in the Lord. Scriptural Connections • Numbers 27:8—God makes a way when earthly structures fail. • Numbers 36:7—Inheritance must not “transfer from one tribe to another.” Sheshan complies. • Exodus 12:48—Provision for foreigners to join Israel through covenant obedience. • Isaiah 56:3—God welcomes the foreigner who “holds fast My covenant.” • Ruth 4:10—Boaz marries Ruth to “preserve the name of the deceased,” paralleling Sheshan’s aim. Lessons on Obedience for Today • Guard what God assigns: Preserve faith, family, and witness even when usual channels seem closed. • Submit to Scripture over culture: Cultural expectations yield to divine instruction. • Celebrate covenant inclusion: Genuine faith, not pedigree, defines membership in God’s family. • Take courageous, decisive action: Obedience often requires unconventional choices grounded in trust that God’s ways are best. Takeaway Snapshot Obedience, modeled by Sheshan, means stewarding God’s promises, following His statutes precisely, embracing all who submit to the covenant, and prioritizing God’s will above social conventions. |
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