1 Chronicles 8:8-23: a reflection

8Shaharaim became the father of children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away. Hushim and Baara were his wives. 9By Hodesh his wife, he became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10Jeuz, Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ households. 11By Hushim, he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal. 12The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns; 13and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath; 14and Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, 15Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16Michael, Ishpah, Joha, the sons of Beriah, 17Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18Ishmerai, Izliah, Jobab, the sons of Elpaal, 19Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21Adaiah, Beraiah, Shimrath, the sons of Shimei, 22Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,

This genealogy of Benjamin lists many names, and among them are people remembered for particular things. Some, the sons of Elpaal, built the towns of Ono and Lod. Others were heads of families who defended their people and put enemies to flight. In a long list of names that might seem interchangeable, small details preserve the memory of those who built and defended, who did quiet, constructive work that outlasted them.

There is a dignity in being remembered as a builder. The men who built Ono and Lod are named centuries later, their work preserved in the sacred record. They were not kings or prophets, just ordinary heads of families who constructed towns where people could live. And Scripture thought their building worth recording. God notices and remembers the quiet, constructive contributions of ordinary people, the things they build that serve others long after they are gone.

You may never do anything the world calls remarkable, but the quiet work of building, a family, a home, a community, a good and useful work that serves others, matters to God and outlasts you. The builders of Ono and Lod are remembered still. Give yourself to constructive work, to building up rather than tearing down, to leaving something good behind. God records the builders. Whatever you construct in faithfulness, for the good of others, is not forgotten by him.

Lord, in a long list of names you preserved the memory of those who built towns and defended their people, ordinary contributors whose quiet work outlasted them. Help me to be a builder, giving myself to constructive work that serves others and leaves something good behind. Whatever I build in faithfulness, receive it, and let it stand for the good of others long after I am gone. Amen.