1 Chronicles 1:17-27: a reflection

17The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. 18Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber. 19To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 20Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, 23Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 24Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, 25Eber, Peleg, Reu, 26Serug, Nahor, Terah, 27Abram (also called Abraham).

This genealogy runs from Shem down through the generations, name after name, Arphaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, and on, until it arrives at its destination: Terah, and then Abram, whom the text pauses to note is also called Abraham. The whole long list funnels down to one man, and to a name change, from Abram to Abraham, the name God would give him when he made him the father of many nations.

Notice how the sprawling list narrows to a single point. Generations pass, most of the names meaning nothing to us, and the whole line is quietly converging on Abraham, the man God would call, transform, and build a nation and a promise upon. And the detail that he was renamed matters: God did not merely use Abraham as he was; he changed him, gave him a new name and a new identity tied to God's purpose for him. The genealogy funnels toward a man God would take hold of and make new.

There is encouragement in that pattern. God works through the long, ordinary flow of generations, and then takes hold of individuals, calls them, and transforms them, even changing their names and identities to fit his purpose. He is not limited to using us as we are; he calls and remakes. If you feel like just another name in a long, unremarkable list, remember that God's purpose funneled down to Abram and made him Abraham. God still calls ordinary people out of the flow of generations, takes hold of them, and makes them new for his purposes. He may not be finished making you.

Lord, the long genealogy funneled down to Abram, whom you called and renamed Abraham, taking hold of him and making him new for your purpose. When I feel like just another name in an unremarkable list, remind me that you call ordinary people out of the flow of generations and transform them. You are not limited to using me as I am; you call and remake. Take hold of me, and make me new for your purposes.