Genesis 11:14-26

¹⁴ After Shelah had lived 30 years, he fathered Eber.

¹⁵ then Shelah lived after he fathered Eber 403 years and had other sons and daughters. ¹⁶ After Eber had lived 34 years, he fathered Peleg.

¹⁷ then Eber lived after he fathered Peleg 430 years and had other sons and daughters. ¹⁸ After Peleg had lived 30 years, he fathered Reu.

¹⁹ then Peleg lived after he fathered Reu 209 years and had other sons and daughters. ²⁰ After Reu had lived 32 years, he fathered Serug.

²¹ then Reu lived after he fathered Serug 207 years and had other sons and daughters. ²² After Serug had lived 30 years, he fathered Nahor.

²³ then Serug lived after he fathered Nahor 200 years and had other sons and daughters. ²⁴ After Nahor had lived 29 years, he fathered Terah.

²⁵ the Nahor lived after he fathered Terah 119 years and had other sons and daughters. ²⁶ After Terah had lived 70 years, he fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran. _________________________________________

Only one Abram

Why did the LORD wait so many generations before blessing the world with his unique relationship with Abram? We know little of all the ancestors who came before him. The focus of the Bible’s message is on Abram, and those who follow him in flesh and in faith. It could be that many of those whose names are listed in this genealogy will share eternity with us, but the message the LORD wants us to learn comes from the life of Abram – Abraham.

We would like to believe that our children’s walk with the LORD will be influenced greatly by us, but the fact is that the LORD himself will determine their role in his plan. Ours is but to do what we can, and pray, and trust God to make them the unique person he wills them to be.

LORD, we give our posterity into your hands.