1st Chronicles 2 REPUTATION When giving a historical account of a family history, there are always some sordid details that have no reason to be told. To "hang 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. 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 has come into God's family those who have been born again into the kingdom of God.
Judah's firstborn son, Er, is marked out as an evil, wicked person whose reputation was so tarnished he was not allowed to live. A number of generations later, covetous Achan is named as one whose bad reputation negatively affected the whole nation. People died because Achan 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, leaveneth the whole lump." There are always bad 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.
Nahshon was a "prince, " a leader of God's people when they were in the wilderness. To go before God's people in difficult times, or when circumstances seem to be hopeless, is a very difficult role to fill. Quiet consistency has a strength to it 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 look around and see how effective they were and why their influence was so important, even though it wasn't noticed or acknowledged at the time.
Dignified, trustworthy Boaz is only named, as is David. Their testimonies were well established in the stories of the children of Israel. Likely the reputation of Boaz and Ruth, and of Jesse's youngest son would have bed-time stories Israelite parents told their children before they went to sleep. Honorable people have a reputation that does not have to be promoted. It is part of their personal history in spite of one's background and/or failures. The three nephews of David were a problem to him even though they were family members. Not all of our kinsfolk, see things the same way as we do. There is a degree of fellowship and participation that we can share, but we have to maintain our own reputation and fulfill our own responsibility in spite of what others in our family might do.
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 as far as human experience is concerned. Yet it is well for us to remember that God knows every person and every event in one's life as well as every word that proceeds from our lips and well as 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 the way our reputation is made and hopefully well maintained. "The families of the scribes" were notable to the Lord and to 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," means 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 of one kind or another. 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 and they have a good ancestral pattern to follow in their own lives and that they can pass on to their offspring who follow them.