QT 8/15/2025 Gen 11:10-26, Overwhelmed by grace

Genesis 11:10–26 (ESV) —

10 These are the generations of Shem. When Shem was 100 years old, he fathered Arpachshad two years after the flood. 11 And Shem lived after he fathered Arpachshad 500 years and had other sons and daughters.

12 When Arpachshad had lived 35 years, he fathered Shelah. 13 And Arpachshad lived after he fathered Shelah 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

14 When Shelah had lived 30 years, he fathered Eber. 15 And Shelah lived after he fathered Eber 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

16 When Eber had lived 34 years, he fathered Peleg. 17 And Eber lived after he fathered Peleg 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

18 When Peleg had lived 30 years, he fathered Reu. 19 And Peleg lived after he fathered Reu 209 years and had other sons and daughters.

20 When Reu had lived 32 years, he fathered Serug. 21 And Reu lived after he fathered Serug 207 years and had other sons and daughters.

22 When Serug had lived 30 years, he fathered Nahor. 23 And Serug lived after he fathered Nahor 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

24 When Nahor had lived 29 years, he fathered Terah. 25 And Nahor lived after he fathered Terah 119 years and had other sons and daughters.

26 When Terah had lived 70 years, he fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

 

NOTE: The story is a collection of historical facts pointing ultimately to Abram. It makes no sense to make up a genealogy, it could be disputed too easily. No, this is a factual history that culminates in the birth of a man whose faith would bless all the nations of the earth. He is not a perfect man, quite the opposite, he has many faults and many failings, but he picks himself up and seeks to do better each time.

 

Abram, like many other biblical characters, are examples of God's grace. They are not perfect, but God is building his story around them. He includes them, not because they deserve it, but because he chooses to bless them so. It is a little like the verse, "Jacob I loved, and Esau I hated." God did not hate Esau, but in comparison to the blessing he showed Jacob (making him part of the line of Jesus), his love for Esau was incredibly less. Jacob certainly didn't deserve his part. But God in his grace uses Abram, Jacob, David, and many others.

 

God uses us too, maybe not on such a grand scale, but for those who have responded to the good news, we are part of God's plan. We don't deserve it. But we do need to be faithful to our new role as children of God.

 

PONDER:

1. What is God calling me to do that I have not responded to yet?
2. Have I ever thanked for the incredible love he showed to me by someone sharing the gospel to me?

 

PRAYER: Father, help us to be serious about our work for you. Jesus' death saved us, it was nothing about us. We only responded to the invitation. But now, as believers, we have a responsibility to work hard for the kingdom (if we truly understand the grace bestowed upon us).