Genealogies… What do we do with them?

As we read the Bible, we will occasionally encounter these long lists of names. For instance, in Genesis 10 there is an entire chapter of a genealogy, and if we are honest, the names are hard to pronounce. When we reach these chapters, we have a tendency to rush through them or to become discouraged. Sometimes, we may even just insert random English names in place of these names to make it easier to read.

This is the Practical Theology Corner, so instead of explaining ways to make reading the genealogies easier, we are going to take some time to talk about why we should embrace these genealogies.

Genealogies may be full of hard-to-pronounce names, but there is something deeper going on inside of these lists. In the middle of these lists are all sorts of opportunities for us to be reminded about God’s faithfulness.

Consider another genealogy in the Bible. In Matthew 1, Matthew writes a genealogy of Jesus. As we start to read it we can become discouraged by difficult names. But if we keep reading and remain focused then we will find ourselves reminded of God’s faithfulness to men like Hezekiah, or Josiah’s devotion to God in a difficult time, or how God promised Zerubbabel a place in this line even as he faced opposition and exile.

These genealogies serve as reminders. In a way, they are a monument to what has been and what is to come. Consider Genesis 10 with me. Genesis 10:6 is talking about Noah’s son Ham and says, “Ham’s sons: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.” Those names might sound familiar. See, those are the Biblical names of 4 places that we read about in the Old Testament. Cush is Ethiopia, Mizraim is the name for Egypt, where Israel would spend 400 years as exiles, Put is Libya, and Canaan is where the Promised Land was! Even as we read this genealogy, we are given a foreshadowing look at what God is going to do.

So, what do we do when we get to genealogies? Do not give up! Instead, slow down! Slow down and make a note when a name sounds familiar. After you are finished reading the genealogy you can look up that name and you can be reminded of their role in scripture!

Pastor Daniel