Why do we need such extensive genealogies that occupy the first NINE chapters of 1 Chronicles? By Fr Tadros Malaty (Part 2/4)

6. These genealogies that goe back to Adam, provokes us not to isolate ourselves, neither from the near or the far past.

7. This genealogies constitute persons who lived on this earth, then were forgotten by the time, and their names were buried in ancient records One day, our names will also be buried in similar records and be forgotten. Whereas he, who enjoys the new spiritual birth, As a son of God by baptism, he has got the grace of adoption (John 3: 3-6); and has got a place in God’s heart and plan; And as a son of God, his name is inscribed on His divine palm; is recorded in the book of life, that even death cannot wipe out. “The world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2: 17). In His love for humanity, God is not only preoccupied with recording the names of billions of men in the book of life, but He even inscribes every name on His palm; personally knows him; grants him a personality unique from all others; and keeps for him a specific mission in life. Everyone gets attached to God perceives that he is unique, and an object of God’s personal care. While meditating in such amazing love of God, St. Augustine wonders, as though he is the only one on earth, and if God loves anyone as He loves him. That is the kind of feeling oby him who experience the adoption by God, and counts himself the unique cherished son, who preoccupies the mind of God.

8. The genealogies provoke us to renew our trust in God, our relationship with Him, and our anticipation of encountering Him eternally.

9. This genealogies represent Abraham’s family tree, then that of Israel and Judah, and finally of David; for our souls to make sure that our Lord Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of David, who reigns on the hearts. As to the genealogies going back to Adam, it is to confirm that the kingdom of God is set in man, whatever his race is, being a son of Adam.

10. Genealogies are important to set the lineage of the tribe of Levi concerning the priesthood, and the Levites as ministers of the temple; until the heavenly High Priest comes.

11. Those genealogies had their importance for those who returned from captivity; and those born in captivity, or carried there as little kids, who know nothing about the promised land, the city of Jerusalem, the temple of the Lord, the offering of sacrifices, singing praise, and celebrating feasts. Having returned according to the divine promise, they need to live in faith, and to experience the fellowship with God. If the Babylonian captivity passed on them like a great flood that wiped the past away, and brought on men some kind of confusion, these genealogies came to call on us to cast a quick look at the past, to consummate the walk, and to enjoy the holy life lived by good fathers.

12. These genealogies help anyone to search for his origin, to perceive that, as a descendant of Abraham, he has a portion in the divine promises that were offered to Abraham for the sake of his descendants.

13. These genealogies has their specific importance for the Jews, to anticipate the coming of the Messiah the Son of David, the Son of Judah, the Son of Abraham, the Son of Adam. And they have their importance, as well, for us Christians; confirming that Jesus Christ is a descendant of David the son of Abraham, the One promised to the people of God as the Savior of the world; in whom the prophecies were fulfilled.