32 These are the clans of Noah's sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood. (NIV)
Be honest now did you really read the list of names in this chapter of Genesis? Did you glance at the names and say to yourself, "I can't pronounce them and they really aren't important, let's get on to the good stuff." If so you aren't alone. I even thought about skipping this chapter and just having you read chapters 10 and 11 and using tomorrows passage today. But there is something about a list of names that should make us stop and ponder some things.
- Why are these names here?
- What do these names represent in life stories not told?
- If these people represented by the names here had not lived who would have missed them?
It is the kind of thing that makes people spend hours working on genealogy research on a regular basis. We want to know where we come from and who the people behind the names in our history really are. Names of people and places are always important when they appear in the Bible. The reason why they are important might have been lost over the years but it doesn't change the fact that at one time someone said, "Let us not forget _____."
Whenever we read a list of the genealogy from the Bible we should stop and give thanks for those who have gone before us and at the same time ask ourselves how we will be remembered.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- Who is the oldest person in your family tree that you know anything about?
- Do you have anyone famous in your linage? What are they famous for?
- Who do you credit your faith linage to?
- If someone was including you in a genealogy listing what one sentence would you want them to include beside your name?
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