Exodus 6:14–27 “The Transmission of Faith”

Exodus 6:14-27 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• I Will Follow – Chris Tomlin
• Keith & Kristyn Getty – By Faith
• Speak O Lord – Keith & Kristyn Getty

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Part I – Story for Kids Moses and Aaron Meet Pharaoh
• Part II – Story for Kids Moses Talks to God
• “I AM A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N” – BoomBox Kids – Song for Kids
• Father Abraham by Listener Kids – Song for Kids
• Wild About Us | Treasured VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

At this point, the author introduces Moses’s genealogy. The genealogy begins by listing the descendants of Reuben (v. 14), the first son of Israel (that is, Jacob), and Simeon (v. 15), the second son. Levi was the third son born to Leah. He had three sons (v. 16), and Moses came through the second son, Kohath (vv. 17–19).

Amram married Jochebed, his younger aunt (v. 20). Although the Law later forbade marriage between close relatives, this marriage took place before the Law was given. In ancient times, preserving one’s lineage was considered of great value, and such close-relative marriages were common. Amram had a daughter named Miriam, but as was customary, only the names of his two sons were recorded in genealogy.

The genealogy continues by introducing the descendants of Kohath’s other sons (vv. 21–22), then gives a separate account of the descendants of Korah, the son of Izhar (v. 23). The reason for this selective inclusion is that Korah’s lineage later played an important role in Israel’s history. Though Korah rebelled against Moses and was put to death, his descendants were spared (Numbers 26:11). In later generations, the descendants of Korah served as temple gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 9:19), cooks (1 Chronicles 9:31), and singers (1 Chronicles 15:19). They also contributed to the Psalms, composing several “Songs of the Sons of Korah” (Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87–88).

Aaron’s eldest son, Eleazar, married “a daughter of Putiel” (v. 25). “Putiel” is an Egyptian name, as is the name of their son, Phinehas.” This indicates that intermarriage between Hebrews and Egyptians was common during that time. Phinehas became well known for his zealous act of piercing an Israelite man who was sleeping with a Moabite woman in the plains of Moab (Numbers 25:10–13). He would later be remembered as a symbolic figure of “zeal for God.”

Meditation:

Genealogies have been called “condensed histories.” While most of the names listed in Moses’ genealogy may seem unfamiliar to us today, for the ancient Israelites, each name evoked memories of their shared history. Every time they read a name, they likely imagined the stories associated with that person. For those who knew the background, the reading could stir emotions—sometimes surprise, sometimes admiration. They may have thought, “How could the son of such a godly man turn out so wicked?” or “How could such a holy man have come from someone who lived such an ungodly life?” or even, “Ah, like father, like son!”

There is a saying: “God has no grandchildren.” This means faith does not automatically pass down to the next generation just because one’s father or mother has strong faith. Faith is a personal responsibility and a personal decision. To say, “If the parents have strong faith, then the children should too,” is to imply the opposite—that children of unbelieving parents must also be unbelievers. Just as it is frustrating and unfair when material wealth is passed down unequally, it would be even more unjust if spiritual inheritance were transferred similarly.

Faithful believers often feel sorrow that they cannot pass on their faith like a possession to their children. But while it cannot be handed down like an object, it does not mean we are helpless. We can pray for our children’s faith and live as an example of faithful living. Though it may seem weak and slow, this is the only way. If we walk faithfully in the way of faith, trusting in God’s love, which loves and cherishes our children even more than we do, then that faith will, in time, be passed on to the next generation.

Prayer:

Lord, please hear our prayers for our children. Correct and strengthen our own faith so that through us, our children may come to seek You. Preserve the tradition of faith so that it may not be broken with us. We ask this in Your name. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Faith is not something we inherit like a family treasure—it must become our own. Just as each name in Moses’ family history carried a story, our own lives become part of the faith story when we choose to follow God. Even if our parents have strong faith, we each must decide to trust and follow God for ourselves. But we are never alone—God listens to the prayers of those who love us and walks with each of us on our faith journey.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Do you know what your name means? Who gave it to you, and why do you think they chose it?
  • Who in your family shows you what it means to love and trust God?
  • If someone wrote your name in a faith story, what would you want them to say about you?
    
    
• For Youth
  
  
  • The Bible says faith isn’t inherited—why do you think each person must choose their own faith?
  • Have you ever felt inspired (or discouraged) by your family’s faith background? How did that shape your own beliefs?
  • What does it mean to “live in a way that helps others find God through you”?