The motif of three sons in Genesis is helpful in understanding that the number three represented a unity to Abraham’s people. Three sons comprise a tribal unit. So Ham, Shem and Japheth; Haran, Nahor and Abraham; and Og, Gog and Magog represent tribal units.
The first-born son inherited his father’s earthly kingdom. Nahor is an example. He inherited Terah's kingdom between Ur and Haran. This indicates that Nahor was Abraham's older brother. Haran may have been the oldest, but according to Genesis he died before his father.
The younger son received a kingdom by divine provision, or what we might term a heavenly kingdom. Abraham is an example. After Nahor inherited Terah's earthly kingdom, God provided Abraham a kingdom which speaks of the Messianic kingdom.
In Genesis, we often find that the third son either dies or is hidden in the text. Abel and Haran are examples of sons who die. Og is an example of third son hidden in the text as is Joktan, Abraham's first-born son (from whom the Jokanite tribes of south Arabia are descended.)
All of these sons point to the divine Person of Jesus Christ, the Son who was hidden in the Father's bosom until His revealing in these last days, who was killed by his brethren, and who inherits the Kingdom that is not of this earth. Genesis is the story of His earliest ancestors.
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2 comments:
Fascinating. I marvel about how you come up not only with the text but with the topic. Love reading your work. Thanks. Rick+
Thanks, Father Rick. Likewise! I visit your blog almost daily. :)
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