Holy Heritage?

The Bible says: “The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam.” 1 Chronicles 6:1-3 (KJV)

Thus we read of the descendants of the Levitical branch of Israel. But why? What is the purpose of this list? Is it not that we should take an interest of our own heritage, or those who have gone before us? I used to tell my Dad and Mom how blessed I was to have such a godly heritage. Dad would say he was blessed to have a godly heritage. Is that important? I would say yes.

Writing in the Los Angeles Times Magazine Stanley Meisler writes: “Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the first African Secretary General of the United Nations, has more than a passing interest in politics. His grandfather, Boutros Ghali, the only Christian prime minister of Egypt, was shot by an assassin in 1910. Cairo crowds hailed his Moslem killer, but the family did not intend anyone to forget the grandfather. They adopted his given name, Boutros (Peter), and anointed the new grandchild with the same given name. The family then built a church in Cairo to honor the martyred patriarch. ‘On his tomb were the words; ‘God is witness that I served my country to the best of my ability,’ says Boutros-Ghali. ‘For a boy to grow up with such things creates an impact. I felt I would betray the tradition of our family if I didn't play a political role.’”

So, what is to be our own heritage? If the Lord tarries (His timing is always perfect) and we have generations to follow us, what will they say about us? Will they see Jesus Christ in our lives? Will we be stepping stones or stumbling blocks? May these thoughts temper our thinking and our doing! 

     Daily Chronological Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 6