Genesis 11:10–26 (ESV)
Shem’s Descendants
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.
Well, today’s reading is more genealogy. Some will find it boring and some will find it exciting. The
one thing we should take from today’s reading is this genealogy is paving the way for Christ. We see a direct connection from Noah to Abram (Abraham). The connection is through Noah’s son Shem. We also still see some men living
long lives, but it is starting to shorten. The Lutheran Study Bible talks about this as well: “Sin weighs heavily on the human race as spans of life are drastically shortened. Yet this section assures us that the promised messianic line continues
through human history.
I pray: Thank You, O Lord, that You never abandon Your people, that they
may hold fast to the hope of everlasting life. Amen.