I Chronicles 1-10 - These first 10 chapters contain an extensive record of the genealogies of Israel.. from Adam to the days when Israel returned from the exile.  Chapter 10 recaps the death of Saul and his sons. The rest of the book concentrates on the reign of David.   Having read Paul's warnings to both Timothy and Titus about the controversies  and arguments over genealogies.. I wonder if these were the basis for those arguments?

 Paul called them "unprofitable and worthless".. (Titus 3:9) and in I Timothy 1:4 he wrote, "nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.." 

The Chronicles are attributed to Ezra after his return to Jerusalem.  The nation of Israel needed to be reestablished and the core of that would include the true people of God, descendants of Abraham and the Law of God. The people had been in exile for so long that they needed to be reminded of who they were and what they were called to do.. their purpose as a nation.  

What can we learn from this.. this long list of names we cannot even pronounce?  We learn that God preserved for Himself a remnant.. just as He promised.  We learn that God still loved Israel and had a purpose for her.  We learn that the history of Israel was preserved for a reason. We learn that the line of David was preserved.. for the root of Jesse would again sprout up and the Messiah would come, just as God promised. 

We don't have to worry about our physical genealogies .. they don't make a difference for our salvation.. as Paul wrote.. "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. " ( I Tim. 1:5)  The truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all we need.  Praise the Lord!

Father, there is so much I don't understand, but what I do understand, I believe. I pray.. with Paul's words.. that our hearts "may be encouraged, having been knit together in love and attaining all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." ( Col. 2:2-3).  And this is the Truth that we stand on.. the solid ground.. Jesus Christ, who died on a cross to pay our ransom; who rose again on the third day..just as He said; and who will come again to take us with Him forever; to the praise and glory of Your Name.  Our names do not need to be written in the genealogies of Israel, but in the Lamb's book of Life.. and for that we praise You! Amen and amen!