Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 28:9-10 (New Living Translation)

9 “Take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel. 10 Six names will be on each stone, arranged in the order of the births of the original sons of Israel.

God is instructing His people on the priestly garments. Here, He tells them about some stones that are to be on a robe. Note, the names of the tribes shall be arranged in the order of birth of the sons.

This occurs after 400 years in Egypt. The people knew the birth order of their ancestors some 20 generations into the past. Are you kidding? How did they know that? How did they pass this knowledge down through all those generations while living in poverty in Egypt? What did they use for recording history?

Perhaps I am too involved in what we call knowledge management and such. At work, we can’t seem to remember what happened two weeks ago let alone 400 years ago and we have all the advantages of (((post(post(whatever)))modern technology.

Was this a miracle? Did this show the (false pride) importance of genealogy of these people at this time? I just ask the questions; I don’t have the answers.