REPUTATION. 1st Chronicles 2 Some sordid details have no reason to be told when giving a historical account of a family history. Hanging out dirty laundry doesn't benefit anyone. It may be appropriate to learn from the mistakes of others in a different context, but when seeking to unify God's people, it is not wise to deal with those things that would make the leadership of the saints despised.
The Hebrew nation, the descendants of Abraham, carefully kept records, and from them the chronicler gave the lists of the tribe of Judah. Those who returned from exile mainly settled on land designated to Judah, from which the name “Jew” has been derived. Chapter 2 begins with the sons of Judah, two of whom died without children. The fourth son of Judah, Hezron, is the focus of the genealogy and relationships within this clan.
Being associated with the family of Israel was significant because they were linked to and identified with the God of Israel. We learn from Israel (Jacob), that even though we have sinned, God honors faith in Him. This link and God with whom a covenant had been made meant they were closely associated with all that God had taught their ancestors down through many generations. That sense of history in their tribe would hopefully positively affect the attitude and actions of those in the present and future generations.
The words, sayings, and pictures of people of faith in our families set us apart as those who have been sanctified by believing parents and forebearers. To turn away from that spiritual sanctification leaves those who follow without a spiritual foundation, a clear path of faith to follow, meaningful goals in life, moral strength to overcome temptations, and the motivation to maintain a God-given heritage to pass on to following generations.
One act of defiance, disobedience, or divisiveness can leave all who were in the line of spiritual blessing outside of all the promises of God made to those who are faithful to the Lord. What may have been an action taken because of personal opinion can result in many of the next generations not hearing the word of the Lord. It may keep them from taking God seriously and rejecting the infallible, unchanging word of Scripture.
Those words have been given to us as profitable for our moral and spiritual maturity and for making us capable of doing God’s will to benefit other people. They are profitable to us because they correct our wrong thinking, instruct us as to what is right, and equip us to meet the demands of holy living in an ungodly world system.
Israel's (Jacob's) sons are listed, but not according to their ages. They were not a good bunch of men. Apart from Joseph, they were a quarreling, discontented, mean-spirited group that God was willing to use in grace to fulfill His purposes. From the tribe of Judah, our Lord came—holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. Through Him, those who have been born again into God's kingdom have come into His family.
Judah’s heritage heads this list because through that tribe, God’s promise will be fulfilled. Even though he was a wicked man, God changed him and can still change wicked people into those through whom blessings can come. Judah's firstborn son, Er, is marked out as an evil, wicked person whose reputation was so tarnished that he was not allowed to live. Tamar reminds us that God may use a sinful event to fulfill a divine purpose, and Perez makes it plain that God does not hold our background in life against us.
Many generations later, covetous Achan (Achar) is named as one whose bad reputation negatively affected the whole nation. People died because Achan, “the troubler of Israel,” did what God told His people not to do. He took gold, silver, and nice clothes from Jericho and, by that deliberate sin, brought about the defeat of Israel at the little city of Ai. A lesson for us to learn is "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." There are always dire consequences to accept when we covet that which we should not have. Those things we think are hidden will be brought into the light of divine justice.
Was it just the one act, or was there even more? Covetousness has a way of being repeated over and over because it is never satisfied. When a person gives way to one temptation, others quickly take its place. Before long, life becomes a daily chase of things that others have, and one thinks he needs more. Instead of one or two, he is going for three or four because he gave way to a habit, following the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. A troubler is never satisfied until the forbidden thing is his prize.
One serious problem with covetousness is that many others are affected by one person's avarice and greed. Wrong things are sought; right things are often neglected; one forbidden thing is taken, and other people see what you have gotten away with and its effect. Dealing with covetousness is a very serious act that many must take to bring the miscreant back to fellowship with God’s people. If it is carried out biblically, hopefully, others, too, may fear and turn away from forbidden things when the devil tempts them.
Some may not understand that morality is involved with covetousness. It is an addiction, not just a problem that can be easily solved. The heart of man is never satisfied by the things we may obtain through covetous means. Ill-gotten gains affect the soul, and discipline brings the pain that is necessary to be applied so that the covetous one forsakes any and all habits and cravings before he takes that first wrong step. All of God’s people are affected when one makes that kind of decision. We all need to be reminded of the consequences of actions that are forbidden.
Nahshon was a "prince," a leader of God's people when they were in the wilderness. Going before God's people in difficult times or when circumstances seem hopeless is challenging. Quiet consistency has a strength that doesn't have to be advertised. Some of God's people are hardly noticed until they are gone. Then, those who took them for granted looked around and saw their effectiveness and why their influence was so significant, even though it wasn't noticed or acknowledged then.
Dignified, trustworthy Boaz and David are named as those whose testimonies were well-established in the stories of the children of Israel. Boaz, Ruth, and Jesse's youngest son's reputations would likely have been bedtime stories that Israelite parents told their children before they went to sleep. Those who show kindness will receive kindness. Even though David had many failures, his heart for God opened many doors of effective service.
Honorable people have a reputation that does not have to be promoted. It is part of their personal history, regardless of one's background and/or failures. David's three nephews were a problem to him, even though they were family members. Not all of our kinsfolk will see things the same way we do. There is a degree of fellowship and participation that we can share. Still, we have to maintain our reputation and fulfill our responsibility despite what others in our family might do. Joab wanted power by any means and died with nothing.
In the list of names in chapter two, there are likely many stories behind the scenes of victories and defeats. Some things that happen are joyful events. Some things are tragedies. Hezron was well along in life when he married and didn't live to see his son. Apparently, he died while his new wife was still pregnant. Another man named Seled never had any children. There are those whose lives seem to be a series of disappointments regarding human experience. Yet it is well for us to remember that God knows every person and every event in one's life and every word that proceeds from our lips and the thoughts and intents of our heart.
It is well for us to remember the poetic words: "Only one life 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."
Our occupation may be how our reputation is made and hopefully well maintained. "The families of the scribes" were notable to the Lord and His people. It was important for them to be accurate as they fulfilled their calling in the nation and for the benefit of the nation. I have heard people say, "He was a good farmer." The words, "You can count on him to do what he says," mean a lot when it comes to keeping one's good reputation. "She is one you can go to for advice and know she can be trusted to keep the matter private" are words that are worth considering. We can identify those of our ancestors who lived before as worthy people when we hear older people talk about them in good terms. We should seek to emulate them and keep the family name with honor.
Family names carry a certain weight. Integrity, honesty, and reliability are all characteristics that should be in all of us. Then, we can teach our children and grandchildren who come after us to be the same kind of people. They will have a good ancestral pattern to follow in their own lives, and they can pass it on to their offspring who follow them.