Every now and then I mention in this Friday Reflection, my own personal bible reading and how it is speaking to me. Usually, I tell of some story that I’ve read or something that Jesus said that really speaks to me, or something the disciples are wrestling with that I can relate to…because I’m wrestling with a similar issue or reality myself. There is really so much “good stuff” in the Bible to help us all grow in our faith and reflect on God’s wisdom for our lives.
However, there are some sections of the Bible that at times I wonder what the point of it is and why it’s included in the scriptures. It doesn’t seem to have anything important or relevant to say. I’ve come across such a section in my current reading. You see, I’m currently reading in the Old Testament book of 1 Chronicles. Now there are a lot of great stories in 1 and 2 Chronicles. But the part that I’m reading now, is the first chapters of 1 Chronicles, which contains a listing of people’s names and genealogies.
So, as I’ve been reading through this section I’ve been wondering, “What is the point? What is there for me to gain in these names? What does God have to say through genealogies?” As I was pondering these questions, an online resource came to mind. It’s called “The Bible Project.” You can google it and go to the website. It’s a great resource providing videos, articles, and even online classes that give insights and explanations for the books of the Bible.
The video from the Bible Project on 1 Chronicles talked about the genealogy being a bridge or a connection in God’s great story from Adam all the way to David. And the end of 2 Chronicles (The 2 books at one point were just considered one book) is pointing forward to the Messiah. So, the genealogy is showing that God’s plan is at work and being carried out through people in the world.
But as I’ve thought more about it, I feel there are several other things going on in this and other genealogies given in the Bible. In part it shows that God works through lots of kinds of people. Sometimes we have an image in our mind of what we think the kind of people God uses look like, but God’s story is such that God uses all sorts of people…even imperfect people.
If you follow the family line, I believe the genealogy is also telling us that it isn’t just major stories that God works through, it’s also the small stories, stories that maybe never get recorded or retold, yet God is still at work and those stories are also important and necessary as a part of God’s plan.
Finally, what struck me about this genealogy is that it tells us we are all connected. A number of years ago my son was very interested in genetics, so he had us all do DNA testing. Once the testing was done it showed us the hundreds, thousands, even millions of people we were related to – past and present. Really this is such an important truth, we are all connected. Just as what the genealogy shows in 1 Chronicles, family members didn’t always see eye to eye or even get along…but they were still connected.
The same is true in our world today. We may not always see eye to eye, as they say, with other people in this world. We may not always get along. But we are connected. We are connected as Children of God. We are connected as people God loves and continues to work through…even yet today. These days, that is an important truth to hear and remember. God is at work AND we are connected!!!
Pastor Keith