It Matters

This is the account of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom). [Genesis 36.1]

On this day in 2020, I wrote Does Genealogy Matter? As I re-read that post before beginning to write here, it seemed prudent to mention it because I believe there is important revelation about genealogy in that post. However, I also believe there is even more to glean from the scripture of today's OYCB reading.

As much as the Old Testament records countless names of people, it struck me today that "it matters." If it mattered to God to record these names, I think we should attempt to understand why.

So, why all the names? Why do they matter?

First, I believe the questions above can be addressed with a very familiar New Testament passage:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

The names we have recorded in the Bible are only representative of the myriads of people who lived, are living, and ever will live on earth. Naturally, the Bible could not list the name of every person to ever live, but its seemingly monotonous persistence to list those it does should tell us something. If we know nothing else of any person named in the Bible, we at least know they were mentioned. For Bible times and translating it to modern times, I believe this history reveals that God is aware of, and deeply loves and cares for, every person today.

Then, I believe the Bible's mention of people by their names speaks to the matter of prayer and intercession. Just like the Bible has inherent limitations on how many names it can list, so we find ourselves in the same position. However, that should not prevent us from accounting for the names we can list! I believe our accounting for those names is best practiced in prayer for them - they matter to God, so they should matter to us. The best foundation - the starting point - for acts of love and benevolence toward another human being is prayer for them.

I want to make a confession here. Sometimes, I read my prayer list like I read portions of scripture (today's OYCB reading in particular). Sometimes, I just mindlessly read and call out the names. It's hard to have conscious thoughts about all the people on my list, but THEY ARE ON MY LIST AND ON MY LIPS! Over and again, God has reminded me of His unimaginable love for the world as I call out names with the understanding that He knows everyone of them just like He knows me - He loves them. If I accomplish nothing but to call out the names of people God loves, there is value to my prayer in the ears of God! How much more significant then is it when I pray for particular needs in those people's lives?

Yes, it matters. People matter to God and their names should matter to us!

Father, thank You for this reminder today of Your love for the world and our duty to love the world as You do!