Nahor's Genealogy is a Christmas Story (Genesis 22:20-24)

Take a moment to read Genesis 22:20–24.

Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: 21 Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” 23 (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. 24 Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
What do you see? A list of names? Yes. Anything else? Maybe a list of names you don’t know? Probably. Did you find one name that stands out? Rebekah, maybe. What about the number of names? Did you count them?

Indeed, when you read Genesis 22:20–24, it is likely you have more questions than answers. And if you are like me, you have to be forced to slow down and make sense of this ostensibly senseless genealogy.

If any of these sentiments resonate, be encouraged. That is how I started the week, too. After looking at Genesis 22:1–19, I turned to the next passage anticipating that we’d look briefly at this transitional genealogy in Genesis 22 and then move on the the story of Sarah’s death in Genesis 23. But, after staring at and studying these five verses, I’m convinced we need to spend a Sunday marveling at the Lord’s work in the birth stories of Milcah and Reumah.

Sure, we may not know these two women, nor the names of their children. And we probably won’t honor them by naming any of our offspring Uz, But, Tebah, or Gaham. Yet, we should do more than just skip over this genealogy—especially at Christmas!

For what is Christmas but a celebration of childbirth. Yes, it is the birth of one child in particular. But as Matthew begins his Gospel with a genealogy and Luke adds his too (Luke 3:23–38), we are primed think more carefully about all the genealogies in Scripture. And in fact, there are many. Genesis has ten of them. Exodus 6 has another. So does Ruth 4. And when you read 1 Chronicles, you have to wade through nine chapters of genealogies before getting to the story of David, Solomon, and the kings of Judah.

In short, genealogies are not parts of Scripture to skip over, for in fact they reveal much about our God and his purposes for salvation in the world. And on Sunday, that is what we will see as we string Christmas lights from Genesis 22 to the birth of Christ. For in fact, there are many ways this passage relates to the coming of our Lord. It just takes little time to see them.

So, as you prepare for Sunday take time read the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. And pray that that God would open our eyes to see more of Christ this Sunday. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you then, as we gather to worship our risen Lord.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David


Discussion Questions on Genesis 22:20–24
1. When you read genealogies in the Bible, what do you? Be honest.
2. What role do they play in Genesis? In the Bible?
3. How does Genesis 22:20–24 relate to Genesis 12–22? Look at Genesis 11:27–32, specifically.
4. How does Genesis 22:20–24 relate to Abraham? Isaac? And Jacob?
5. Read Genesis 22:20–24, 35:9–20, 48:4–7? Did you catch the repeated elements (promise, journey, birth, death)? What does observing this repeated pattern teach you about Genesis?
6. How might seeing these patterns inform your Bible reading? How closely do you read the Bible?
7. How does the Lord use mothers and children to bring salvation into the world? Read Genesis 3:15; 12:1–3; Galatians 4:4–6.
8. How does this genealogy invite us to marvel at Christ’s advent?
9. What does this genealogy say to every childbirth? How do we connect God’s sovereignty over all children to the one child born in Bethlehem?
10. What else do you see Genesis that helps to marvel at Christ and his work in your life?