말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Verse]

“The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death. Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar bore Perez and Zerah to Judah. He had five sons in all.”
—1 Chronicles 2:3–4 (NIV)

[Our Story]

During a recent trip to Korea with my family, we planned a journey that was both meaningful and fun. My father suggested we visit Ppuri Park in Daejeon. Having lived in Daejeon before moving to the U.S., I was familiar with the area and excited to revisit it. Ppuri Park was built on the grounds of an old riverside amusement park on the outskirts of Daejeon. We rode duck boats and learned about our heritage—capturing both joy and meaning in one experience. The park’s brochure reads:

“Created to help people discover their roots, promote filial piety, and awaken the unity of the Korean people, Ppuri Park is the world’s first park dedicated to family surnames. It serves as a living classroom of respect and tradition, featuring symbolic sculptures for each family clan, a pavilion, forest trails, a nature observation area, and more.”

With my children, I stood before the monument of the Gwangsan Kim clan. I shared what I had heard since childhood about the proud legacy of our family name. The beautiful natural surroundings and the symbolic journey of exploring our roots made the experience deeply satisfying. To this day, when we see photos from that visit, we remember the joy of discovering where we came from.

[Bible Story]

Chronicles was written for the Jewish people returning from exile. It traces their history from Adam all the way to the Babylonian captivity—not simply to repeat the past, but to restore their identity as God's chosen people. While Samuel and Kings recount Israel’s history from a prophetic standpoint, highlighting both the triumphs and failures of David and Solomon, Chronicles takes a different approach. It intentionally focuses on their faithfulness, omitting much of their shortcomings. Why? To encourage the returning exiles with a vision of hope and renewal. Chapters 1–9 of 1 Chronicles open with a sweeping genealogy from Adam to King Saul. This isn't just a list of names—it’s a bold declaration that Israel has been God’s people since creation. (Chapter 1) The genealogy then begins with the tribe of Judah (Chapter 2) and concludes with Benjamin (Chapter 8), highlighting the two tribes that formed the Southern Kingdom after Israel divided. The chronicler doesn’t begin with Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, but with Judah—because through Judah came David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. This reveals God's majestic plan of redemption through a specific lineage. At the center of the genealogies stands the tribe of Levi (Chapter 6), underscoring the importance of worship and teaching. The Levites were responsible for leading the people in worship and instructing them in God’s Word—both essential for the restoration of their spiritual identity. This is a call for God’s scattered people to regather around worship, the Word, and their priestly calling.

[Your Story]

What kind of roots do you have? The legacy we receive from our parents is important—but there is something even more precious: our roots in faith. We must be rooted in Jesus Christ. To build a legacy of faith, not just of flesh and blood, we must plant ourselves in Christ, stand firm on that foundation, and live with gratitude. As Colossians 2:6–7 reminds us:

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

As a royal priesthood, we are also called to declare the praises of the One who brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 says:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,
 that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Let us remember our true roots. Let us anchor our identity in Christ and faithfully live out our calling as God’s people.

With joy and blessing,
Pastor Hyung Joong Kim
© 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim