And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants. (Neh 11:1-3)
Just as he had done with other records, Nehemiah kept a list and recorded the names of those who were selected and those who dispersed by family and prominent names among the Israelites. This reckoning was important for ownership of the land and the continuing record of the genealogy of those of Israel according to their family and tribe.
Though it is often difficult for us to peruse through such records and lists, all parts of the Scripture are important and have their purpose. This, as the other lists in the Bible, are legal records God chose to preserve and when we study them correctly and in their context, we can see how important keeping legal and genealogical records is not only to God but to us as people. Knowing our heritage does not mean we are to think of ourselves as better than others in any way, nor does our position in Christ or in His church give any Christian any privilege. God chose His people, not because of their status, but because of His purposes, and we are chosen and adopted into His family for the same reason.
It is not because of who we are, or what we have done, but out of His great love for us, that He offered Himself in our place, and redeems those who surrender to Him on His terms. Though we are made children of the King when we repent and come to Him in faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross, we are not yet revealed or made manifest as the children of God. We still reside in this world, but not of it, until such time as He chooses to take us Home.
Until He is done with us, we are to grow in Him and learn more of our Lord, learning and doing His will for His people to minister to those around us who are hurting and in need, as He provides. We serve, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet