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We should be even more cautious when it comes to genealogies and histories outside the Bible, which are debatable. While they can be interesting and enlightening, they can also become a drain on our spiritual energies if we spend inordinate amounts of time in researching them.
Yet Glover nevertheless made a strong case for the identification of Ollam Fodhla as Jeremiah. His work is available on-line (www.abcog.org/glover.htm)-as are many other articles and publications on this whole subject of the transfer of the throne of David to the British Isles. Another is Judah’s Sceptre and Joseph’s Birthright by J.H. Allen, first published in 1902 (www.giveshare.org/israel/judah).
One major source, already cited, is The Royal House of Britain: an Enduring Dynasty by W.M.H. Milner. First published in 1902, this book has gone through numerous reprintings. It is available to order from The Covenant Publishing Co., Ltd., in London (http://www.britishisrael.co.uk/booklist.htm). For a more recent work, see The Throne of David by Peter Salemi (on-line at www.british-israel.ca/David.htm). Please bear in mind that the recommendation of outside sources for further study is not an endorsement of everything contained within those sources.
For those interested in the Irish king lists and annals, many of them are now available over the Internet (see www.magoo.com/hugh/irishkings.html and related links). However, it should be noted up front that, as already mentioned, these are rather confused records. And they do not contain all the information available on the various characters that have been mentioned. Some material is derived from the various clan pedigrees of Ireland and Scotland-as well as traditional rhymes, poems, songs and stories, some of which have been passed down by word of mouth.
Furthermore, a word of caution is in order regarding such material and, frankly, many other aspects of this study. The apostle Paul said that Christians should not "give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith" (1 Timothy 1:4). This doesn’t mean we’re to have nothing to do with genealogies-for they are found throughout Scripture and God expects us to study the entirety of His Word (2 Timothy 3:16). Instead, Paul means, in part at least, that such items should not constitute a major focus of our studies. Indeed, we should not let such matters consume our time to the exclusion of more important spiritual issues.
We should be even more cautious when it comes to genealogies and histories outside the Bible, which are debatable. While they can be interesting and enlightening, they can also become a drain on our spiritual energies if we spend inordinate amounts of time in researching them.
The real goal in our current study should be to get the basic gist of what happened-to see that the incredible prophetic promises God gave to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Judah and David have been kept. There are a number of key elements here that are obvious and solidly biblical-and we must stand firm on these despite attempts of others to belittle them.
Indeed, God through Paul commanded that we "not despise prophecies" (1 Thessalonians 5:20). For seeing God’s guiding hand in history will inspire faith in His Word-which is of great value. The minutiae of details, on the other hand-particularly those from outside the Bible-can take our focus away from what’s important if we aren’t careful.
This is certainly not meant to discourage interesting and potentially fruitful research. Rather, it is simply a reminder for us all to make sure to maintain the right balance and focus in any of our studies.
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