Precious

"lived and begat"

Genesis 11:11,13,14,16

Do you know what Shem, Arphaxad, Salah and Eber have in common?  They all begat.  They were begatters.  At least in the King James version.  In the New King James, they begot.  And in other versions, they just "became the father of" which is nowhere near as poetic or biblical sounding.

Now, how many of you react negatively when you see genealogy in the Bible?  How many of you dread the "begats"?

Interestingly, the word "begat" is not always used in genealogy because it's generally only used when referring to the offspring from the point of the woman, and only a man does the begatting.  Begetting.   Whatever.

We do all the work, and they get the fancy word... sheesh...

I used to skim over the "begats" in the Bible.  Blah, blah, blah, yeah, yeah...  It's a list of names for pete's sake!  I prefer action!  But God gave me a wonderful insight a few years ago, through a pastor, that changed my view of genealogy.

In the 28th chapter of Exodus, the priestly garments of Aaron are described to us in detail.  And on the breastplate are 12 different stones, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel.  So those beautiful stones represent actual people.

Jesus is our High Priest, and His breastplate bears the precious stones that are His children.  So each of us is an emerald or a sapphire, a diamond or a turquoise, a topaz or an onyx. 

Now look at Revelation 21, at the description of the New Jerusalem ~ a city of gold, adorned by all kinds of precious stones.  These gems picture a brilliant, indescribable array of beautiful colors that send forth the light of God's glory... stones of

gold

white

reddish-brown

light blue aquamarine

golden-yellow

apple green

clear crystal

orange-red

gold-tinted green

intense purple

and more. 

These are the "begats".  Each "begat" is a gem, created by, and precious to, our King.   I love the reminder that though we each have earthly parents, we are children of the King.  

The Creator of the universe has called us by name, knows the number of hairs on our heads, and has prepared a place for us with Him.  Doesn't get any better than that!

~ "He will dwell with them,

and they shall be His people.

God Himself shall be with them,

and be their God."  ~

Revelation 21:3

~