The Name Game, Gen 46:13-47:12; 1 Chronicles 4 & 7

May the mumbling commence!

It’s the name game.  For the first time this year, a majority of the reading has been the genealogies – you know, the begats.  Those who make a goal to read the entire Bible dread these long lists of names.  How did these lists make the cut for the inspired Scriptures..?

It is very tempting to skip all these names that I would blanch at the thought of pronouncing aloud.  For one thing, to skip these parts would deny the importance of lineage.  Regardless of what denomination you call home, there is the game of finding out who belongs with whom.  I’ve witnessed the “Mennonite” Game and the “Brethren” Game.  It’s all about those last names and the spelling of those last names.  Sometimes pronunciation also matters.  And there is also the TV show where celebrities trace their roots.  Genealogies, for some people, are a life’s passion – particularly when stories are unearthed.  Yeah, those names are important…

Another reason not to skip over these begats is that nuggets of story and wisdom are hidden within them.  Today’s reading uncovers one of them – 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.  Yes, here it is all you fans of the Prayer of Jabez.  And it is not the only example of those hidden nuggets.  Think about Genesis 5 (the reading from January 2^nd).  In the begats, the story of Enoch is found.  After his first son is born, Enoch’s life is changed.  He follows God more faithfully.  In fact, Enoch did not die – God simply took him away.  Yeah, children can change your perspective on life.  I give thanks for my son, Micah.

So read those genealogies!

Speaking of families, in Genesis 46 and 47, there is a full family reunion.  The reunion between Israel and Joseph is particularly heartwarming.  Israel tells Joseph, “Now that I see you alive with my own eyes, I am ready die.”  Israel’s bucket list is apparently done…

Then, in Genesis 47:7, Israel blessed Pharaoh.  The greater person blessed the lesser person.  Israel, too, is greater than Pharaoh – Pharaoh even accepts his blessing.  As children of the faith, we, too, can bless great political leaders if we choose to do so.  And Pharaoh expected to be blessed after his experience with Joseph.  When Pharaoh discovered that Joseph’s family was shepherds, he ordered them to settle in Goshen, where the best pastures of Egypt were.  He asked Joseph which of his brothers is the best shepherd, because Pharaoh wanted the best shepherding his livestock.

Though Joseph did not join his family in Goshen, Joseph did supply them with food enough for their families – without cost.  Being the family of Joseph had its privileges.  Joseph had other duties to attend to as the second in command of Egypt.  He had to distribute the food to the people as needed – a burdensome task with so many years of famine left.  Joseph had to make sure the supply did not run out.

I give thanks this day for my biological family, for my church family at Community Church, and for my family in the transportation department at Buhler.  I give thanks, too, for those who serve others away from their families.  I give thanks for the missionaries who are on the other side of the world as their family.  I give thanks for pastors who serve churches far away from their hometown.  And I give thanks for those who serve me as pastors – Paul, Marlo, Ed, and Jud.

Enough mumbling for this day…

Peace Out