Roots

TO READ: 1 Chronicles 1:10; 2:3-7; 4:9-10; 5:18-20

Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth.

1 Chronicles 1:10

Scattered throughout a long list of names in 1 Chronicles are several vignettes —small portraits of people the chronicler believed were important enough to mention. Some of these people, otherwise unknown, are noted for their faith in God (1 Chronicles 4:9-10; 5:18-20). These people have found their place among the mighty —the Noahs, the Abrahams, the Isaacs, and the Jacobs!

The writer tells about Er and Achan (1 Chronicles 2:3, 7), who disregarded their heritage and brought trouble on Israel. There is also a record of Nimrod (1 Chronicles 1:10). Like Er and Achan, he did not stand out for his faith in God. Yet he deserved mention as someone who had changed the course of civilization. (He founded the city of Babel for one thing; Genesis 11 records what happened there.) Nimrod had been the world’s first conqueror, a mega-monarch. The Bible does not record him for his faith, but he was known for mighty deeds (Genesis 10:8-12).

Reading this list of names, the Israelites would have been reminded of their family roots and of those whose lives made a difference —for good or bad. Do you want your life to count long after you’ve gone? Then revisit your spiritual heritage. This is your spiritual family tree, too! These people had their place in God’s plan, and so do you. You will be remembered. Ask God to help you be remembered for great faith in God.