Sheerah

I often need to remind myself to put things into proper perspective, and I find that my current mindset taints my perceptions. For example, when you look at this drawing, do you see an old hag with a big nose, or a lovely young woman?



'Additonal information' could help with your perspective.

If you see this picture first, you will likely see in the lovely young woman.





However, if you see this one first, your perception will be very different.


I noted this issue of perspective when reading the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, which cover the same material as previously written in 1 & 2 Kings, but with a different spin. Chronicles was written (likely 425-400 B.C.) to provide encouragement and also exhortation to the remnant who had returned to rebuild Jerusalem, after having lived as captives in another land. They needed to be exhorted not to repeat the mistakes of the past, they needed to be reminded of their heritage and their covenant with God, and they needed encouragement to stimulate their faith and hope for their future.

Some 'addtional information' is thrown in, often seeming obsure, but by digging a little deeper, we learn that it is an intentional means of providing perspective. A prime example is the mention of Jabez, which seems to be an aside, but you could actually write a book on him ;-)

So that's why I did a little digging after reading 1 Chronicles 7:21-24. The first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are somewhat boring geneologies which trace the exiles's heritage. Then this passage throws in some of that 'additional information'. Ephraim (one of Joseph's sons) had lost sons in a skirmish with some Philistines. He mourned deeply for his dead sons. Then God gave him another son, whom he named Beriah (misfortune), because while he was happy for the new son, he still grieved his loss. Beriah's birth is symbolic of God's restoration, another chance at a new start after hard times.

Verse 24 says, "He had a daughter named Sheerah. She built the towns of Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah." It's rare that a woman is mentioned in Jewish geneologies, so this bit of information stands out as being important. Sheerah, one of Ephraim's descendants, built cities! And, her name means remnant. So the remnant returning was being encouraged with the perspective that their heritage included city-builders, women of honor... and they too, were to rebuild, and not give up. What's more they had God's promise that He would restore them, and give them a new beginning.

Jabez, make room on the book shelves for Sheerah.