When I was younger and would get to a long list of names in the Bible I would normally just skip over them. I was convicted though, and acknowledged even the long lists of names are inspired Scripture. I determined to try and understand why the lists were there. In Nehemiah 7 we come to a long list of names. The initial twelve are Zerubbabel and those initially returning to Jerusalem. Then Nehemiah gives a list of many families, groups, and servants. In our next sermon in Nehemiah we will discuss the importance of these names.

These lists remind me God knows the names of His people. He knows who is in the kingdom and who is out. He knows His love is great enough that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The bible even tells us that God knows the number of hairs on our heads, and for many it is a constantly changing number 🙂 (Matt 10:30).

Take joy, comfort and encouragement in the fact God loves you, knows you by name, and is aware of your every word, deed, and even thought. Take great humbling, responsibility, and holy fear in these realities as well.