1 Chronicles 3-5: Do you ever wonder if you belong in a place? Maybe others make you feel like you don’t belong. In the scripture today we read genealogy again of David’s line. This passage was written as the Children of Israel were returning from captivity. The temple had been destroyed, their lives as they knew it were completely different. They were picking up pieces and trying to put life as they had once known it back together. There were some like Nehemiah rebuilding the physical wall. Everyone had a part in the construction in front of their homes. Others like Ezra where trying to rebuild the temple and not just the physical walls. Ezra knew that they were going to need priests and Levites to serve and lead the people back to a strong relationship with God. There were some trying to be apart of the temple that had intermarried over the 70 years of captivity. The leadership wanted to make sure the those who led and attended the temple were full blooded Jewish. The only way to do that was to trace the family lines. If they could trace their line back to one of the original sons, their position and leadership was affirmed.
Hence the great need for the lists and lists of genealogy. Those names did not just represent forefathers, but they represented present belonging to the nation and people. We too have been captive to sin in our former life. We too have returned by confessing our sin and receiving forgiveness. Now our family line includes the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus and because of His blood we are granted entrance in to His Kingdom and glory forever. I am so thankful that I belong!