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In Order. The Importance Of Names

September 18, 2017. Ezra 1-3.

 

The first few chapters of Ezra are not the easiest reads, or they are the easiest reads if you decide to just skim them quickly or skip them all together.  The second chapter is made up entirely of names and numbers.  It chronicles every person that was taken captive and now was returning to their own towns of Jerusalem and Judah.

Now when you read this chapter you can look at it from two different perspectives.  

You could think, “WOW, this is so boring.  It just goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on.. Who even are these people?”  And you would not be alone in those thoughts.  But as you read this passage today and in the future when you happen upon lengthy passages documenting generations try reading it with this perspective in mind: God knew each one of those individuals by name and knew their story.  They were important enough to Him to have their names recorded in His word.  

God knows your name as well.  He knew it even before you were conceived.  Your name, your life, is important to Him.  Even when others seem less than interested in your life, the One True God is more than interested.    

Names are important.  You are strangers with a person until you know their name and when you grow even closer you start to have nicknames for people that express your relationship to one another.  There is one name that is the most important.  The one name that has the power to save.  The name of Jesus.

Acts 4:12

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Learn someone's name today.  Remember how special yours is.  And most important of all share the ultimate name of Jesus with some today.