1 Chronicles 4: The Importance of Geneaology

Their surrounding villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Token and Ashan—five towns—and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath^. These were their settlements. And they kept a genealogical record. -1 Chronicles 4:32-33

The descendants of Simeon were not as many as other clans in Israel, yet Scripture points out one important trait that is left for us today in a single line of Scripture: “And they kept a genealogical record.”

Why does this matter? Because family matters. To the adopted child who searches years for his biological parents to the immigrant who seeks to rediscover her heritage, family matters.

Genealogy helps us understand where we came from, who we are, and influences who we will become. Without it, we feel incomplete; with it, we better understand our place in history and our sense of destiny.

Have you ever taken the time to track down your family history? I did, but not until I had past 30 years of living. In the process, I discovered a wealth of information that has changed how I view my life today, for both good and for bad.

Positively, I learned my ancestors included some of the earliest immigrant to the US from England as well as Native American descendants who assimilated with European culture in the nineteenth century. Negatively, I also discovered several broken branches in the family tree, divorce, and early deaths due to war and disease. My forefathers have fought in most major American wars, served as farmers, various trades, and in education. As with most families, there is a mix of excitement and a sense of reality. Yet with this reality is also a sense of responsibility to make our lives better–for us, our own family, and those who would come after us.

When we understand our roots, it helps us to better plant our roots and make a difference that truly matters, both now and for generations to come.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.