Read: 1 Chronicles 3:1, 10-24; Matthew 13:5-8
The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani, seven. (1 Chron. 3:24)
Recently, my wife and I were given a gift that would trace our ancestry using our DNA. The results weren’t too surprising, based on the stories of our families. But both of us also had some results that we weren’t expecting.
Several centuries before the birth of Christ, the author of Chronicles writes to people who know their ancestry through King David (1 Chron. 3:1) and King Solomon (v. 10). Nothing surprising there! But then in verse 24 the Chronicler lists the seven sons of Elioenai. This generation has returned from exile in Babylon around 400 BC, but the glorious promise of the Old Testament prophets hasn’t become a reality. He reminds the sons of Elioenai—the contemporary generation—that they’re a part of God’s family tree. Yes, it includes David and Solomon, but also many less-known people that have gone on before them.
Today we’re like the “sons of Elioenai.” We live in a time of rapid change, and like them we need to remember our spiritual roots. We need to begin with “the old, old story” of ancient Israel and Jesus and his love. Just like in Jesus’s parable of the seed that “fell on good soil and produced grain” (Matt. 13:8), so we need the stories of King David, King Solomon, Jesus. And we also need to include the everyday stories of faith in our families and spiritual mentors too.
As you pray, give thanks for a spiritual mentor who has contributed to the roots of your faith.
About the Author
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland Michigan.
