The Importance of Geneologies

“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” ~1 Chron. 1:1-4

Nick,

What is the importance of genealogies? Biblical authors obviously thought they were important. But what function do they serve? The first several chapters of 1 Chronicles list the line of descent from Adam to David. More importantly, they show the covenant line. In ancient times, the Israelites knew their forefathers to several generations. To them it was important to know what their great-great-grandfather did because it was important for them to know how God was working in his life. We have lost that desire. Today, no one cares about genealogies. They are viewed as boring and purposeless. This is often revealed by the way we read 1 Chronicles and the first chapter of Matthew. We tend to skip over them or skim read. We no longer care where we came from. We don’t care if we are descendents of Shem or of Japheth. We have lost our multi-generational vision. Let me ask you a question: Do you care if your great-grandchildren remember you? Also, do you want to have an impact on their lives? By training up your children to be godly men and women, we are teaching them to raise up their children to be godly men and women. Since none of us have children, we should be mentoring and encouraging those younger than us, while ourselves learning from those older than us. One way to be mentors is to talk about the things of the Lord. This should be true of all of your conversations, but as sinners, we often prefer and seek the things of the flesh. Another way of encouragement is by your actions. However, this is most effective if you first encourage them to do something and then soon after, they may see you doing it. Let all your words and actions be rooted in the Word, for it is both the beginning and the end of wisdom, because it leads us to the Lord who is wisdom. Another way of encouragement is by writing letters. If you ask most people, they would call me quiet, but as the saying goes, “my pen is more potent than prattle.” Letters often express things if fewer words and more clearly than a conversation could. I’m encouraging you to start your own group and write letters of your own, either to boys your own age or those younger than you. Encourage your sisters to start groups for the girls. It is never too soon to start doing the work of the Lord. May God bless you this week.

Your brother in Christ,

Corey