Toledot

Knowing where we come from has become a big thing in the world today. People are discovering their ancestral heritage through various companies. It is a nice thing to know where we come from and who our forefathers were. As we learn about our ancestors and what kind of people, they were we begin to see a little bit of them in our lives. I think however knowing where we are going is of far greater importance. Knowing who we belong to allows us to be sure of our final destiny. As Paul writes the letter to the Galatians, he says that if you are in Christ that you are Abrahams seed and therefore and heir to the promise. The promise spoken of here is the blessing that was to come, namely Jesus. This means that being part of the family of Abraham we are able to look forward to the promise found and provided by Jesus. This promise is found in He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

What then does having the Son have to do with this word “Toledot”? Moses uses this word for the first time in This is the history “toledot” of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. It is used a further 12 times in the book of Genesis as Moses gives the genealogy of each family. The Greek equivalent of this word is only used twice once in the book of Matthew and then in Luke. In both of these accounts it is used in reference to the birth of Christ. Toledot means history, genealogy, or Genesis. As Moses uses this word, he is wanting to give Israel an identity that is outside of themselves. Israel has seen themselves as slaves for 400 years. This is their identity. Moses wants to say to them that they are more than that.

What then does having the Son have to do with this word “Toledot”? Moses uses this word for the first time in This is the history “toledot” of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. It is used a further 12 times in the book of Genesis as Moses gives the genealogy of each family. The Greek equivalent of this word is only used twice once in the book of Matthew and then in Luke. In both of these accounts it is used in reference to the birth of Christ. Toledot means history, genealogy, or Genesis. As Moses uses this word he is wanting to give Israel an identity that is out side of themselves. Israel has seen themselves as slaves for 400 years. This is their identity. Moses wants to say to them that they are more than that.

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Moses is saying to us that we are not just slaves to satan we are more than that. If we have the Son then we are heirs to the promise found in Him. We are His children and can look forward to the promised land and salvation found in Him.

This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens

There are ten set of generations that Moses traces all the way from their enslavement in Egypt to Adam and Eve in the paradise. Moses was saying to them that their identity is not found in their current position as slaves but as decedents from Adam and Eve. Even though their current situation was one of heart ache and pain Moses was telling them that there was something greater prepared for them.

Moses make a really interesting list of generations in that the lists he makes distinguishes two groups of people. The first generation of Adam and Eve sets the stage of two groups of people. Cain killed Able who followed the worship of God. Able brought a lamb as a sacrifice, which was what God had instructed, while Cain brought the fruit of the ground. Seth then is born and continues the line of the seed of the woman that would bring salvation to the world. The next time read about the toledot is in the seventh generation here we read of Enoch and the describes him in this way, Enoch walked with God, then he was no more, because God took him. Enoch is the polar opposite of Lamech. Both Enoch and Lamech are the seventh generation from their ancestors Enoch’s being Adam’s and Lamech’s being Cain’s. Lamech is known as the first to be a polygamist and is further described in as killing a man for wounding him and a young man for hurting him. Two groups of people one living for God and another living only for themselves and letting evil and wickedness reign in them. As Moses goes through the generations he is pointing out the extreme violence, detestable boasting of Lamech and the curse of Cain, Babel rebellion. He wants the reader to see the constant human rebellion to God and God’s grace in making new starts to continue the line of the seed of the woman.

The genealogy is not so much to boar us to death as we read but it is show us that there are only two groups in life. Those that follow God and those that do not.

Moses is saying to us that we are not just slaves to satan we are more than that. If we have the Son, then we are heirs to the promise found in Him. We are His children and can look forward to the promised land and salvation found in Him.

There are ten set of generations that Moses traces all the way from their enslavement in Egypt to Adam and Eve in the paradise. Moses was saying to them that their identity is not found in their current position as slaves but as decedents from Adam and Eve. Even though their current situation was one of heart ache and pain Moses was telling them that there was something greater prepared for them.

Moses make a really interesting list of generations in that the lists he makes distinguishes two groups of people. The first generation of Adam and Eve sets the stage of two groups of people. Cain killed Able who followed the worship of God. Able brought a lamb as a sacrifice, which was what God had instructed, while Cain brought the fruit of the ground. Seth then is born and continues the line of the seed of the woman that would bring salvation to the world. The next time read about the toledot is in the seventh generation here we read of Enoch and the describes him in this way, Enoch walked with God, then he was no more, because God took him. Enoch is the polar opposite of Lamech. Both Enoch and Lamech are the seventh generation from their ancestors Enoch’s being Adam’s and Lamech’s being Cain’s. Lamech is known as the first to be a polygamist and is further described in as killing a man for wounding him and a young man for hurting him. Two groups of people one living for God and another living only for themselves and letting evil and wickedness reign in them. As Moses goes through the generations, he is pointing out the extreme violence, detestable boasting of Lamech and the curse of Cain, Babel rebellion. He wants the reader to see the constant human rebellion to God and God’s grace in making new starts to continue the line of the seed of the woman.

The genealogy is not so much to boar us to death as we read but it is show us that there are only two groups in life. Those that follow God and those that do not. Scripture is saturated with these two groups. Satan constantly waring with the children of God to get them to turn on God and become part of his group. God does not war with His children, those He created and loves but He as , says 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there, is constantly reaching out to us so that we might accept His invitation to be a part of His family.

Jesus even makes mention of two groups of people in all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. The sheep are those that have accepted the invitation from Jesus. What is interesting is that the last time “γέννησις” gennēsis, which is the Greek for “toledot”, is used in Scripture is in relationship to Jesus birth. This would signify that being part of Jesus gennesis is the most important. It is only then through Jesus that we are then able to inherit His promise. Moses points to the inheritance of the promise through the last family toledot.

This promise is found in the toledot of . It, is the story of Jacob and Joseph and the story of Israel being in slaved in Egypt. As we read the story, we see that it starts out in Canaan, the promised land then they end up in Egypt where we see God’s children in slavery and also a powerful manifestation of God. A manifestation that sets Him apart as the only true God. The story then ends with Israel being freed from slavery and journeying once more to the promised land which they eventually inhabit. This is in a nutshell the story of this world the promised land was lost we are in a land of slavery and are journeying to the promised land. Although it seems far way Israel’s occupancy of the promised land should be for us a sign of hope that the heavenly promised land is a reality.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Jesus even makes mention of two groups of people in all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. The sheep are those that have accepted the invitation from Jesus. What is interesting is that the last time “γέννησις” gennēsis , which is the Greek for “toledot”, is used in Scripture is in relationship to Jesus brith. This would signify that being part of Jesus gennesis is the most important. It is only then through Jesus that we are then able to inherit His promise. Moses points to the inheritance of the promise through the last family toledot.

This promise is found in the toledot of . It is the story of Jacob and Joseph and the story of Israel being in slaved in Egypt. As we read the story we see that it starts out in Canaan, the promised land then they end up in Egypt where we see God’s children in slavery and also a powerful manifestation of God. A manifestation that sets Him apart as the only true God. The story then ends with Isreal being freed from slavery and journeying once more to the promised land which they eventually inhabit. This is in a nut shell the story of this world the promised land was lost we are in a land of slavery and are journeying to the promised land. Although it seems far way Israels occupancy of the promised land should be for us a sign of hope that the heavenly promised land is a reality.

We all need to look at our lives and ask which toledot am I a part of? Being a part of Christ toledot enable us to look at life through different eyes. We do not struggle and strive to have all things of the world. Instead we become content with what God has given us. When the struggles of life overwhelm you in the week that lies ahead do not determine yourself by them. Rather find your meaning for life in Christ. Hold on to the promise of then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

We all need to look at our lives and ask which toledot am I apart of? Being a part of Christ toledot enable us to look at life through different eyes. We do not struggle and strive to have all things of the world. Instead we become content with what God has given us. When the struggle of life take you down in the week that lies a head do not determine yourself by they. Rather find your meaning for life in Christ. Hold on to the promise of then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Being part of Christ toledot means He is my portion and my strength, He is my ever present help in danger. Did you get that. says He is our ever present help. Our Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit is ever present, always present. This every present God is what we can claim as we are part of His generation.

Amen.

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .