The Lists Kept by God

The lists recorded in Chronicles are often puzzling to the Bible reader. Many wonder why God included them in the Scriptures.

Reading 1 Chronicles 12 brings to mind a great distinction between King David and our Lord Jesus.

That chapter records lists of brave and strong men who helped David obtain the kingdom. Without these great men, David would not have been able to survive the persecution of King Saul and convince Israel to annoint him as king. Thus it is fitting that David should have recorded these lists of names for history's sake.

Our God also keeps books. It is a great condescension to His people that He adopts our mode of recording important information. God has no need to keep books - He knows all things, and never forgets His people. But to assure the Saints, He promises that written records are being kept.

Malachi reports God's preparation of a "book of remembrance" of the Saints who spoke of Him and waited upon His promises. In that book, God records who are His own, and who He will gather together one day to Glory.

Note the striking contrast: David kept records of the mighty men who helped him, but God keeps records of those whom He will save.

Who can forget that other book, Christ's special book, the Lamb's Book of Life! In it are recorded all those who have designated the Lord Jesus as their substitute Lamb of sacrifice.

The Lord's Table reminds us our redemption is all of Christ's work, and none of our own. Christ cannot keep a book like David's, because there were no mighty men to aid Him at Calvary. Even brave Peter forsook and denied Him.

David recorded the men who helped Him. Christ records the Saints whom He redeems!