Generations of Daughters

It is not often I spend a lot of time in genealogy, nor will I today, but there are two things that capture my attention in Genesis 5.

First, verses 1 and 2:

This is the history of the descendants of Adam. When God created people, [they were] made …in the likeness of God. [God] created them male and female, and… blessed them and called them "human."

I find it poignant and beautiful that here, outside the garden, we are reminded of the larger story – a narrative without shame. It is full of hope, promise, blessing. No matter what, we are image bearers of God – men and women. There is no holding on to the past, no grudge or dark stain that accompanies Eve or Adam. The story begins again as it should: grounded in God’s image, God’s creation, God’s blessing. If this were the only thing we took from Scripture we’d be on a path toward far more redemption than most of us have known or been taught.

No matter what story has ensued I reflect God’s image.
I am a creation of God – as a woman.
I am blessed by God.

And if that weren’t enough, secondly, we have verses 3-32: a genealogy from Adam to Noah. Read closer. Nine times this phrase occurs: ...and he had other sons and daughters.

Though genealogy reading hasn't been one of my favorite pastimes, I do know that not many of them mention women. The consistent exception is Matthew 1 where five women are mentioned: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, and Mary. Here, though unnamed, every generation of this listing includes daughters. That’s significant.

As the Biblical story continues, now moving quickly from the epic tale of the garden to the epic tale of the flood, we need to see women as integral, included, valued. Too often we see these early chapters, including the flood, as just more tragedy – all begun by Eve. And though I’ve already attempted to establish (at least for myself) that such is not true, having so many women included in chapters 4 and 5 helps me see these texts anew. Even more, it helps me see myself anew – not as one bearing a curse or carrying the weight of the sin of the world (which I'm pretty sure Jesus came to do) – but as one who matters, who is blessed, who reflects the very image of God.

These nine generations of daughters are unnamed but they matter. Thousands of generations of daughters have since lived and died, holding story, bringing forth life, creating, celebrating, loving, suffering, and creating a world that would one day birth me.

I found myself so surprised by Genesis, chapter 4. Chapter 5 has offered me more of the same.

I reflect God’s image.
I am a creation of God – as a woman.
I am blessed by God.

And I come from a long line of women for whom the same realities were true. May I live richly in the gift of that reality, that legacy, that lineage, yes…that genealogy. And may I stay steeped in a post-garden world that seems to be far more beautiful and hopeful than I’ve been told.