Not Just Names

“So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.” (1Ch 9:1 AV)

 

The first eight chapters of First Chronicles can be a bit difficult to read.  Reading the names and lineages of some of the people of Israel makes it a bit difficult to see an obvious application.  However, there is a purpose for the listing of the names.  We find that purpose in the verse above.  Israel and Judah were carried away captive.  Israel to Assyria and then Babylon.  Judah to Babylon.  They were removed from their land.  Their temple was burned to the ground, and with it, the sacrificial system of worship was given to them by Moses.  They were settled in all portions of the kingdoms that conquered them and used for the pleasure of the reigning king.  No longer were they surrounded by all things Jewish.  Rather, they were emerged in a multicultural kingdom that viewed assimilation as the highest reality.  Although allowed to maintain some of their cultures,  most of it was lost.  We see this when Ezra returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.  The people were losing the Hebrew language in favor of Aramaic.  While emerged in a contrary culture, it was important for them to maintain their roots.  Hence, the genealogies.  By establishing a tie to the past, they would not forget their present.  By giving them a line that went back to their beginnings, they would not forget their future.  Remembering from where one comes helps to keep in mind where one should be going.

Let’s face it.  The world has a way of changing us.  We, unfortunately, conform to this world rather than this world adjusting to us.  History is important.  It teaches us from where we came so that we know where we must go.  There was a time when history meant very little to me.  However, the older I get, the more fascinated I am with history.  In school, we took three history classes.  The first was general church history.  The second was Baptist history.  The third was Baptist history in America.  I enjoyed those classes thirty years ago, or so.  But recently, I have been reading several historical books like the Life of Adoniram Judson as well as William Bradford’s diaries.  I have also watched several Biblical documentaries defending biblical/historical accuracy.  Foxe’s Book of Martyrs should be required reading for all who call themselves born-again Christians.  One of my favorite books was actually written by a Jewish author on the history of Christianity.  It was a secular view of Christendom and not a defense of biblically based Christianity.  It was fascinating to read how a secular historian perceives the political and social impact of Christendom throughout the history of the world.  In time, what we are and should be can be lost.  The way to preserve it is to keep a tie to the past.

This is exactly what the writer of First Chronicles was attempting to do.  There is a more practical reason as well.  In keeping the genealogies, the writer was keeping in the mind of those in captivity that their situation was temporary.  The genealogies are important.  They are the legal reference to inheritance.  Without them, individual families would not be able to return and reclaim what was theirs.  By keeping a record, it ensured justice in the future.  But it was also a reminder that God does not renege on His promises.  In keeping history from the past, the promises of the future were in view.  These legal listings served no purpose in captivity.  Practically speaking.  But if and when they returned to Canaan, these genealogies meant everything.  So, when we read these chapters of names, let us not lose interest.  Let us remember these names were more than mere names.  They were definition.  They were culture. They were hope.  They were the future.  And let us remember most importantly the key to the future is to remember our past.  We are to keep the world from assimilating us to the point we cease to exist as unique and needed people.  The people of God who have the light of Christ and the hope of all mankind!

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