Today’s reading: Genesis 5:1-32

Do you ever read something in Scripture and think to yourself “I wonder why God included this in the Bible?” I know I sure have (and still do sometimes) and genealogies (family trees) is one area where I used to ask this question. I didn’t particularly like to read through these lists, and would often skim over or skip them altogether. But then one day it hit me that every word God recorded in the Bible is important to God, is meant for me to read and has a purpose. This “aha” moment changed my perspective, and in turn, how I approach genealogies and other portions of Scripture that contain lists, numbers and things such as detailed laws and instructions (like those found in Exodus regarding sacrifices, worship and the tabernacle). That being the case, I now take extra care when I read these types of passages, specifically looking for what I can garner from this information that God has specifically placed in the Bible for me to read and know.

Why do you think God includes genealogies as part of Scripture? In other words, why are they important and what are some of the things we glean from seeing lineages? Why do you think God included the family tree from Adam to Noah at this point in the Bible? What does Genesis 5 reveal about God’s timelessness? Tami

Source: Tami’s Blog