Have you ever wondered why the Bible contains so many long lists – called genealogies – tracing lines of descent continuously from the earliest known ancestors?
For many years, when reading through the Word, I was inclined to skip over these family history lists, which certainly do not comprise the most invigorating and uplifting sections of Scripture. I remember on occasion even silently apologizing to the Lord for finding these passage arduous and, dare I day it, boring.
After choosing to read more carefully through these genealogies, however, I discovered a number of important reasons for their inclusion in Scripture. Among other things, they authenticate Biblical history, adding context, continuity, color, depth and realism to the stories we know so well. They also often “hide” interesting “secrets” which it can be a thrill to “uncover.”
For example, have you noticed what earth-altering events took place during the lifetime of an otherwise unknown entity called Peleg? Or are you aware that most of the people born into this world before the Great Flood, when men lived for hundreds of years, were actually living out their lives alongside one another? By closely tracking their genealogies we can get a solid sense of just how much time passed between, say, the building of the Tower of Babel and Abraham’s arrival in Canaan. Just an importantly, we can trace blood and national lines to and from important figure, like King David.
Click below to follow some of these intriguing trails down the passages of time, and learn more about the events and people at the roots of the world-grabbing events in the Middle East today.
