Hidden Treasure

Many look at chapters of Scripture that contain genealogies as worthless except in a historical context. Scripture tells us that “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.” Within the lists of Genesis chapters 5 and 11 we are given a prophetic statement of the coming Messiah and the hope that He brings.

Adam – man or mankind
Seth – appointed
Enos – mortal
Cainan – dwelling, sorrow
Mahalaleel – Praise of God
Jared – descent
Enoch – to bring up
Methuselah – a branch
Lamech – powerful
Noah – comfort
Shem – name, renown
Arphaxad – a healer, releaser, or deliverer
Salah – mission, sending
Eber – one that passes or dies
Peleg – division, divided
Reu – his friend or shepherd
Serug – branch, layer, twining or embracing
Nahor – hoarse, dry, hot
Terah – to breath, bring
Abram – high father (Abraham – father of all people)

What does this prove? Look as we add a few words to what comes out.

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow. Praise of God (a) descent (will) bring up a branch, (a) powerful comfort. (His) name, a deliverer, sent (to) one that passes/dies, divided (from) his friend and shepherd, embracing (the) dry to bring (to) (the) High Father/Father of all people.

Coincidence? Hardly, especially when you consider that the name Jesus means “deliverer”. Here in two seemingly useless lists of names God is telling us that the Messiah will come, what He will come to accomplish, and even what His name is. Consider what other hidden treasure may be lurking in depths of Scripture.