Main Scripture: 1 Chronicles 6
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
That certainly doesn't include the "begats" of this chapter, now does it? Why not? "All" does mean ALL.
Isn't one of the tasks of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every true Christian, to guide us into ALL Truth?
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
(John 16:13)
So help us, Holy Spirit, to come to terms with the "begats" throughout 1 and 2 Chronicles.
Because the Jews had just returned from years of being in captivity, Ezra, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit set out to remind them of their special heritage as the people of God, calling each person by his name. Not once, but several times! How reassuring this must have been to them at that time of insecurity, of doubt, of apprehension .....
If to God, numbering (Not counting, and there IS a difference) each strand of our hair, is important, then certainly our names and our identities are too. It is amazing how much data can and is stored in computers and other modern, high-tech devices. It is just mind-boggling. Yet God's record-keeping ability is infinitely superior to those. In Revelation it talks about books and books being opened, from which the dead will be judged:
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Revelation 20:11-12)
So undoubtedly lists, names and deeds matter to God. They should definitely matter to us too, but not only as a warning, but certainly as an encouragement as well. Contrary to the books mentioned above, which will deal only with condemnation, at the "Judgment Seat of Christ", true believers will be rewarded for their bona fide good deeds. You see, God keeps a record of those too, not so we can deserve entrance into heaven. That was conclusively taken care of by Jesus Christ on the cross. This record-keeping will be simply to reward good deeds done after our conversion. Deeds done to impress others or for any other ulterior motive, will be burnt. No rewards will be received for those! (2 Corinthians 5:10)
So help us Lord not to shun away from these lists, but to read them carefully, with the eyes of the Holy Spirit, realizing that because of the intimate naming and numbering, we can have quiet confidence, hope and joy for our future.
RE*J*oicita 
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