Genesis 22:20 Some time later Abraham was told, “Milkah is also a mother; she has borne sons to your brother Nahor:
I don’t know about you, but pretty much any time a genealogy is listed in the Bible, my eyes glaze over just a bit. Something about a long list of dusty names just makes them slippery in my mind. Commentary says that this list is given here because Rebekah, listed in verse 23, granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, great niece of Abraham himself, will eventually become Isaac’s wife. Sit with that for a moment.
Genesis 22:21-22 Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the father of Aram), Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel.”
Commentary also says that this section is also the first time that the word concubine is mentioned in the Bible, but that families of concubines are marked by chaos and conflict and were not God’s plan. I’m not going to lie–there are times where I just scratch my head in confusion at what I read in the Bible (and what I read in commentary). Jesus, Help me understand the lessons You would have me to understand.
Genesis 22:23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milkah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor.
Precious Savior, We are human, fallible. We read Your word and formulate ideas about what we think is going on. Help us to always err on the side of love and compassion for all. Help us draw a line that includes instead of ostracizing and excluding. Help us to love like You love–fully, fiercely, abundantly. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 22:24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also had sons: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maakah.
Have a blessed day.