Raising Leaders

1 Chronicles 24:4
“There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar.”

Webster’s dictionary defines a chronicle as “a historical account of events arranged in order of time without analysis or interpretation.” The main purpose of 1Chronicles is to give an historical record of the nation of Judah. This chapter focusses on the descendants of Aaron, the priest. While it may seem less than devotional to read a list of names, I think it is worth noting, that a system based on heritage would require a huge emphasis upon raising the next generation to follow the Lord. If Israel was going to remain as the people of God, then the priests would have to raise their children to love, trust, and obey the Word of God and the God of the Word.

The death and resurrection of Christ has ushered in a new covenant that is no longer based on heritage. We become a child of God, and a priest in our home, the moment we place faith in Christ. This, however, does not diminish the need to raise our children to love, trust, and obey the Lord. We should make it our chief aim to train up our children in the way they should go so when they are old they will not depart from ways of God (Proverbs 22:6). Some basic tools to help us do that include teaching them the Scriptures, setting a godly example, and being sure our home is filled with an atmosphere of grace.

Pastor Jim