1Ch 7:23 | KingComments | STEP | Men of the Philistine Gath kill sons of Ephraim ( ). These men feel themselves the owners of the land, because they are the native people. They see the Israelites as intruders and do not care about what God has determined. They take over the cattle in ‘their’ land and kill its owners. In the next chapter, the inhabitants of the Philistine Gath are driven out by the Benjamites ( ). In the men of Gath and their actions we see a picture of our sinful flesh. This is how we were born and is therefore also called ‘original sin’. At the birth of their children, parents give this power of the lusts of the flesh to their children. If the lusts of the flesh are not kept in death, they will kill us and bring great grief upon us ( ). Then Beriah is born ( ). Beriah means ‘unfortunate’ and is associated with misfortune that had come upon his house, that is the house of Ephraim. We can ignore the ‘unfortunate’ lusts of the flesh if we walk through the Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” ( ). In a woman, Sheerah, is mentioned as builder of cities. Women have a large share in the building of the kingdom of God, which consists of families. They govern families, raise children and determine the atmosphere in the family. That the inspired chronicler mentions her may certainly be an encouragement to any woman who wants to help build the kingdom of God. Her efforts are noted by God. Joshua, the son of Nun, here called Non ( ), is the man who was given by the LORD to His people as successor of Moses to bring them into the promised land.

‏ 1 Chronicles 7:23

Descendants of Ephraim

Men of the Philistine Gath kill sons of Ephraim (1Chr 7:21). These men feel themselves the owners of the land, because they are the native people. They see the Israelites as intruders and do not care about what God has determined. They take over the cattle in ‘their’ land and kill its owners. In the next chapter, the inhabitants of the Philistine Gath are driven out by the Benjamites (1Chr 8:13).

In the men of Gath and their actions we see a picture of our sinful flesh. This is how we were born and is therefore also called ‘original sin’. At the birth of their children, parents give this power of the lusts of the flesh to their children.

If the lusts of the flesh are not kept in death, they will kill us and bring great grief upon us (1Chr 7:22). Then Beriah is born (1Chr 7:23). Beriah means ‘unfortunate’ and is associated with misfortune that had come upon his house, that is the house of Ephraim. We can ignore the ‘unfortunate’ lusts of the flesh if we walk through the Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal 5:16).

In 1Chr 7:24 a woman, Sheerah, is mentioned as builder of cities. Women have a large share in the building of the kingdom of God, which consists of families. They govern families, raise children and determine the atmosphere in the family. That the inspired chronicler mentions her may certainly be an encouragement to any woman who wants to help build the kingdom of God. Her efforts are noted by God.

Joshua, the son of Nun, here called Non (1Chr 7:27), is the man who was given by the LORD to His people as successor of Moses to bring them into the promised land.