May the mumbling commence!
There are other hidden stories in the genealogies from
the beginning of First Chronicles that make me wonder about the stories that
are behind the vaguest of hints. One of
these instances is in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin recorded in First
Chronicles chapter eight. Read it below:
The sons of Ehud, leaders of the clans living at Geba, were driven out and moved to Manahath. Ehud's sons were Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. Gera, the father of Uzza and Ahihud, led them when they moved.
After Shaharaim divorced his wives Hushim and Baara, he had children
in the land of Moab. Hodesh, his new wife,
gave birth to Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These sons
all became the leaders of clans.
Shaharaim's wife Hushim had already given birth to Abitub
and Elpaal. The sons of Elpaal were
Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and Lod and their villages), Beriah, and
Shema. They were the leaders of the clans living in Aijalon, and they drove out
the inhabitants of Gath. (Verses 6-13)
The people of Benjamin were driven out. I wonder what the circumstances were. Gera led them. I wonder how that leadership took form.
And, to add to the intrigue of this passage, there are
three women mentioned – Hushim, Baara and Hodesh. Women in genealogies are somewhat of a
variety for the Hebrews. I take note
when I see any woman’s name at all.
And it must not be missed that divorce is mentioned. I cannot think of another instance of divorce
being noted in the context of genealogies in the Bible. Did Hushim and Baara put their collective
feet down and refuse to move to Moab – the scene of Naomi and Ruth’s
story?
It is exhilarating to extrapolate what stories this
passage may be based upon! What grace
and freedom might be discovered in this story that will overcome the sinful
nature of humanity? Read from Romans
chapter six:
So since God's grace has set us free from
the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don't you
realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death,
or you can choose to obey God and receive his
approval. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new
teaching God has given you. Now you are
free from sin, your old master, and you have
become slaves to your new master, righteousness. (Verses 15-18)
God’s grace and the gift of freedom is not license to
sin. Whichever nature you feed will rule
you… will be your master. Will you feed
the sinful nature and be easily mastered by it?
Or will you feed the godly nature and obey God? Receive the kindest master you can… the Lord
Jesus. Be mastered by righteousness.
Do so, and you we realize that your story becomes a part
of the mega-story of God’s story. It is
both a comforting and terrifying thought.
I am no longer the center. Christ
Jesus is. That fact can be terrifying to
the me generation. But it also means
that everything does not depend on my performance. That is a relieving and comforting thought.
Thank God for a new master found in the Good News of
Jesus Christ!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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