Scripture Reading: Ezra 2:61-62
And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

Reflection: The time had come for the people of Israel to prove their ancestry. Each could trace the line of their ancestry through their family names. Now it came to the turn of the priests. The family name Barzillai was presented for verification. It failed to have a place in the genealogical records of priests. Thus the priests with this family name could not prove that their ancestors were priests. As a result, they were assigned an “unclean” status and could no longer be priests. How sad! The action of marrying from outside Israel by their fathers had cost them this level of calamity. The course of their destiny had been altered. Watch out! The things you do in life can alter the course of your posterity. Before you take any major decision in your life, learn to think about how it can affect the course of your posterity. Ask God to help you.