Throw-Away Lines: Day 5

Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons that were born to them after the flood.

Genesis 10:1 NASB

The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.                     Matthew 1:1 NASB

You probably recognize these passages as snippets of genealogical material. For many people, genealogies are Scripture’s ultimate throw-away lines and responsible for wrecking countless thru-the-Bible reading programs just as they are getting started. I get that. But it might be helpful to look at them another way.

It’s your birthday and I have given you a beautiful book on your favorite subject which could be flowers or classic cars or Vermont. As you are perusing the first pages, I say to you, “Now you need to begin by thoroughly mastering the table of contents. Don’t bother reading any farther until you know everything listed there. Then you can go on.” Your response would be that the purpose of the table of contents is to show what is in the book and something of the order. It is only an outline. In general terms, that is what the genealogies do. 

Most of the people who are listed in the genealogies are fleshed out and their stories are told elsewhere in Scripture. The genealogy that begins in Genesis 10 and goes through chapter 11 is the family record of Noah’s three sons after the flood and it ends with Abraham. The genealogy beginning Matthew 1 is the record from Abraham to Jesus. 

What comes after Jesus? Well, there is another “genealogy” and it is found in Ephesians. This family line is the most important, most up-to-date record available. In fact, the books are still open.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that he would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will… (Ephesian 1:3-5).

Nancy Shirah