Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday May 14, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of I Chronicles, chapters 8-10. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-may-14

Title: Bible Study: God's Heritage
If your were to search out the history of your ancestors I am sure you would find out some pretty amazing things, maybe even some shameful things. Sometimes it is important to know were we came from, in the event of medical issues it helps to learn of what they had so we can be prepared and learn how to treat or prevent the same things from happening. Learning of our ancestors also gives us an insight into the lineage of where we came from, such as property or other things passed down through our inheritance. It would be interesting to see if we could trace our heritage all the way back to the Bible to see exactly which tribe we came from, whether it would have been an Israelite, an Ishamalite, an Egyptian, or somewhere in between, knowing our history can really explain a lot of things that we go through in the present. Regardless of what lineage we have come from, we are all a creation of God and He will accept anyone who accepts Him.

As we have read through the genealogy of the Israelites and beyond, one may question and wonder why these names are even written in the Bible, let alone in the Chronicle books. The word chronicle means history, a record that gives an account for events of the past. The Chronicle books record the history of Israel during the time that kings reigned until the country was taken over and the Jews were taken captive by the Babylonians. The Jews were given this record book to direct them when they returned out of captivity, back to Jerusalem. It is kind of like a person in the present narrating a story being told of days gone by. While the Israelites are in Babylon, this story is being told to the new generation of Jews that had been born while in captivity. “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. Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.” - I Chronicles 9:1,2. The Nethinims were Temple servants, they were like janitors, a job that seems rather insignificant, but it was so important to God that He recorded them in the Bible. Their loyalty to God made them willing to work and to serve Him wherever they were need. They set an example for all of us who serve God in the smallest ways, from cleaning bathrooms to taking care of children in the nursery, every little thing we do to serve God shows Him our loyalty to Him and how important we are to Him.

After the Israelites 70-year captivity, which had been foretold by Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 25:11-12), King Cyrus offered them freedom to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Only a small minority of Israelites responded to the proclamation by Cyrus and left the comforts and safety of the new Persian kingdom to return to the rubble of Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. However, all who did respond to the call became capable of the work God called them to do. "And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God." I Chronicles 9:12-13. Every child of God has a place in God's plan and is needed. Regardless of the seeming importance or insignificance of our abilities, they are a sacred trust from God. God does not expect the person who is given one skill to fulfill the responsibility of the person who has many skills, but though our skills may seem to be minimal, each one can do something as we make ourselves available to Him.

The Chronicles were meant to encourage new loyalty among the Israelites as well as all the people of God. It also gives an account to the Bible giving two insights into Israel from the time David became king to their captivity four hundred and fifty years later, proving that although God inspired forty different men over fifteen hundred years to write His Word, it remained in unity with one another. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - II Timothy 3:14-17. We are so blessed with the privilege to be able to influence others to become followers of Christ and when we choose to use our abilities for His glory, especially by being an example to others, we will never need to fear our future or where we are in our heritage because we are not a part of God's heritage. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and your weekend, I apologize for the late post today.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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