The sons of Levi were…. 1 Chronicles 1:1 (MSG)
Reading through what seems like endless genealogical records in the beginning of Chronicles, I begin to appreciate how important lineage was to Israel in the Old Testament. The family you were born into determined all sorts of things from status, to where you lived, to what you did for a living and your responsibilities in temple worship.
I don't think I fully appreciate what it's like to have your life and social status completely determined by the family into which you happened to be born. Being born in a country and a time in which you're raised believing you can do anything and succeed at anything you choose to do if you put your heart and mind to it, it's hard to fathom being constrained by my family name.
One of the awesome things that Jesus did through his life, death and resurrection was to shatter this legalistic system in which your family was of utmost importance. Ephesians 1:5 says "In love [God]predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." Through Jesus, being born into the right family with the right genes and the right name becomes a moot point. When we place our faith in Jesus, we're adopted into the family that really matters.
Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and barbaradoduk
Wayfarer 
Pastures were included in all these towns.
What would the Message say today if it were talking about Pella, DM, or any town? Banks were included in all of these towns. Prosperous businesses were included in all of these towns. Agriculture WAS the way of life in Bibilical times. God’s Message makes a point to show that God provided for each of these families. They had pastures for their livestock and a place to plant crops. How interesting. God’s Message is full of reminders of where our source of support comes from….Him. What a cool thing.
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