Don’t Skip the Begats

Today I read a passage in Numbers as part of my Bible reading plan. If I’m honest, parts of these Torah books can feel … slow. The genealogies—the “begats,” as we used to call them—and the detailed rules, measurements, and regulations. You know the ones where you think, Lord, help me stay focused. But nestled in those hard-to-read-and-understand sections are powerful and unforgettable stories of people who trusted God—and people who didn’t. 

I know these stories. Moses striking the rock. Aaron’s rod that budded. Balaam’s donkey speaking truth when a prophet wouldn’t. But how do I know them? They were told to me when I was a child in Sunday school, often with paper figures on a flannel board. With handmade props and simple explanations. With teachers who had done the hard work of reading and understanding Scripture—and then made it come alive for a little girl.

Those teachers impressed the stories on my mind and heart, showing who God is and how he moves, provides, corrects, and redeems. I remember the stories well, and I remember the principles.

This is the legacy of men and women who studied the Word—even the hard parts—and passed it on. I can’t thank them now, and I wonder if anyone thanked them then. 

The Legacy of Mrs. Twitty

Could Mrs. Twitty, who taught fourth grade girls, have known the power of her homemade visual aids? A tabernacle replica crafted from cardboard. A scroll with seven seals. Tiny sheep complete with cotton ball wool? God used those lessons to plant in me a passionate and life-long love for the Bible. 

The Connection We Can’t Afford to Miss

What they did then is what we do now. We don’t use flannel boards, but we write and we speak. We upload podcasts and reels. We set up courses and seminars. And every time we do, we shape someone’s understanding of God. 

That’s both thrilling and sobering. 

It is our calling. To dig deep so we can speak clearly. We cannot give what we have not first discovered ourselves.

• If we want our words to carry weight, they must be rooted in Scripture.

• If we want to leave a legacy, it must be built on truth—not trends.

• If we want to change lives, we must first be changed by the Word. 

What if our efforts are touching someone for the future? Showing them how to do something for God. Teaching them to live a life of hope. Encouraging them to serve. Demonstrating the love of our Father. Explaining the depths of the Bible. Uncovering the true meaning of faith. Confirming the power and majesty of God. Revealing the redemption story.

The people who influenced me didn’t skip the difficult passages. They studied them. Wrestled with them. Understood them. And then translated them into something a child could grasp.

What Does this Mean to You and Me?

That is our calling too.

To dig deep. To understand deeply. And then to communicate clearly.

Because somewhere—right now—there is a “little girl” listening. Or a weary woman reading. Or a searching heart scrolling.

And what we say may shape what they believe about God for the rest of their lives.

That is legacy. Your legacy.

So, study the Word. Even the hard parts. Especially the hard parts.

Because the stories you uncover today … may become the faith someone stands on tomorrow. And the words you craft today are seeds. And long after you’re gone, they will still be growing in someone else’s life.

Question:  Who opened the doors to Bible stories for you?  What “gold” have you found in one of the hard parts of Scripture? I’m eager to read your comments.

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