Now the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and this Israelite woman's son and a man of Israel fought each other in the camp. And the Israelite woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD and cursed; and so they brought him to Moses. (His mother's name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)
(Lev 24:10-11)
Why is this account recorded in the Bible?
How is it relevant to us today?
Is the Word promoting discrimination?
Why are his mother’s and grandfather’s name mentioned, not the father’s?
(Exo 34:12, 16) Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst.....and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods.
(1Ki 11:2) “.....the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them (foreigners who worship other gods), nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods."
What was Shelomith’s role in the way her son turned out?
(Note: In the bible, generally, only father’s names are mentioned in one’s genealogy accept with regards to the kings of Israel! Check it out in the books of Kings an Chronicles)
The name ‘Shelomith’ means peaceableness.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Mat 5:9)
Peacemaking involves facing and resolving conflict. However, a ‘peaceable’ person is one who tends to avoid argument or conflict.
What kind of person am I?
What is it that made Shelomith the peaceable person she was? Could it be that her father was a ‘wordy’ (as in one who talks a lot!) person? Because that is what the name Dibri means – wordy!
(Mal 2:15) ‘But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one?
He seeks godly offspring. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.’
REFLECTIONS:
What is my role in the spiritual well-being of my family?
How am I fulfilling this role?
Am I a peacemaker or just peaceable?
Heavenly Father, as I begin the journey this new year, I resolve to take up my role in my family actively; especially, in exhorting each other in the things of the Kingdom and to living by Your Word. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
