Names

How would you like to be called Hazzobebah or Muppim or Uzzi? If you are a girl, how would you like the name Hazzelelponi? These are just some of the strange sounding names in the geneologies of the Scriptures. Names are very interesting. This morning's reading was a bit dry trying to get through all the names but I did come across the now famous name - Jabez. There has been alot of stuff mentioned about this guy and it is interesting that out of the blue his story is told. In fact, even though his name is written in the geneologies its not connected to anyone. It just appears. Earlier (1 Chron 2:55) I read about a town called Jabez, but other than that there is no mention of this guy anywhere in the Scriptures. Strange. Just this one little spot. He was birthed in pain which is interesting. Every birth is painful but the fact that this is mentioned makes me think that his birth was significant. I wonder if this is a little foreshadow of Christ. Mary had a lot of emotional and social stress. She birthed in a barn/cave. They were poor. Just a thought. Just a few days ago we saw how Rachel had trouble during the birth and she died. Just interesting things to ponder. I probably won't write a book about it. This morning I also read where Joseph meets his father, Israel after many years and "they wept for a long time." A beautiful picture of reunion. I also wonder why the Eygptians considered shepherds destestable. I'll have to look into that. Maybe something to do with the shedding of blood.