There are over 3000 people named in the Bible and it’s easy to think these people are more important to God and more loved by God than the rest of the people in the world. But this goes against the scriptural teachings on the universality of God’s image, sin, and redemption and also misses the inclusive mission of the church as commissioned by Christ. The Bible’s message is one of redemption available to all humanity, reflecting God’s desire for a relationship with every individual, transcending historical, cultural, and ethnic boundaries.
The Bible narrative mentions many people throughout the world
The genealogy of people found in the Bible is significant for several reasons, including establishing historical context, fulfilling prophecy, and demonstrating God’s plan for humanity. The Bible contains numerous genealogical records, but I will highlight a few key lineages.
The genealogy from Adam to Noah, detailed in Genesis 5, outlines the descendants of Adam through his son Seth. This lineage is significant for showing the long lifespans before the Flood and includes figures like Enoch, who “walked with God” and was taken by God without dying, and Methuselah, the longest-lived human recorded in the Bible.
After the Flood, the Bible traces the genealogy from Noah’s sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth) in Genesis 10, often called the Table of Nations, which explains the origins of various peoples in the ancient world. Abraham (initially Abram), a key figure in the Bible, is a descendant of Shem. Genesis 11 details this lineage, showing Abraham’s place in God’s plan.
Abraham’s genealogy is crucial because God establishes a covenant with him, promising to make him the father of many nations and to bless all the families of the earth through his offspring. Abraham’s lineage includes his son Isaac (by his wife Sarah) and grandson Jacob (later named Israel), who becomes the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The New Testament begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, showing his descent from Abraham and David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. Matthew 1 and Luke 3 present two genealogies of Jesus. Matthew traces Jesus’ legal lineage through Joseph, focusing on his royal descent from David and Abraham, highlighting Jesus’ role as the promised King. Luke’s genealogy, which some interpret as tracing Mary’s lineage, goes back to Adam, emphasizing Jesus’ connection to all humanity.
For Christians, these genealogies affirm the historical reliability of the Bible, demonstrate God’s faithfulness across generations, and underscore the fulfillment of messianic prophecies. Jesus’ genealogy is particularly significant for showing his rightful place as the Messiah, who is both fully divine and fully human, capable of redeeming humanity from sin.
In summary, the genealogies in the Bible are not merely lists of names but carry deep theological significance, connecting the story of humanity from the creation of the world to the life of Jesus Christ, reflecting God’s overarching plan of redemption.
The Bible narrative does not mention everyone in the world
Understanding the history and stories of people not mentioned in the Bible involves recognizing the Bible’s purpose and scope. The Bible primarily focuses on God’s relationship with humanity, the history of Israel, and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his followers. It is considered by believers to be divinely inspired and authoritative for faith and practice, but it does not claim to provide a comprehensive history of all peoples and cultures. This means there are millions and billions of people not mentioned in the Bible.
The Bible does mention various nations and peoples in its historical narrative, especially those that interacted with the Israelites, such as the Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, and neighboring tribes like the Philistines and Moabites. However, because its main intent is theological and moral teaching rather than exhaustive historical or scientific documentation, many people groups and cultures that have existed throughout history are not mentioned. But that does not make them any less significant in God’s eyes.
For people and cultures not included in the Bible, Christians often turn to general principles of their faith to understand and interact with those outside the biblical narrative. These principles include the belief in the creation of all people in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), the universality of sin (Romans 3:23), and the offer of salvation to all through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Acts 4:12). Christians believe that God’s love and plan for redemption extend to all people, regardless of whether their specific histories are recorded in the Bible.
Furthermore, Christians also engage in anthropological, archaeological, and historical studies to learn about peoples not mentioned in the Bible. Such studies can provide insights into God’s interaction with humanity throughout history and across cultures, as part of God’s common grace and providence.
In summary, while the Bible may not mention every people group directly, its teachings are applicable to all humanity. The emphasis is on the spiritual truths and moral guidance it provides, alongside a recognition that God’s love and redemptive plan encompass all people, irrespective of their specific historical or cultural background.
But the gospel is offered to every nation and tribe and people and language
The phrase “from every nation and tribe and people and language” found in Revelation 7:9 is a powerful expression of God’s inclusive plan for redemption and reflects a key theme in evangelical Christian theology. This passage is part of the vision given to John of Patmos, depicting a multitude of people standing before the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) in heaven. Consider these verses:
The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.” (Galatians 3:8, WEB)
All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your [Abraham’s] offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’” (Genesis 22:18, WEB)
Indeed, he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give you as a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6, WEB)
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20, WEB)
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9-10, WEB)
This has important theological significance because it involves understanding how these elements relate to the study of the divine, the nature of God, religious beliefs, practices, and the implications for faith and life. This is about the depth and breadth of Bible teaching in terms of doctrine, spiritual life, moral guidance, historical impact, and its practical and sometimes eternal implications for believers and the broader community. It’s a way of asking, “What does this mean for our understanding of God, our faith, and how we live our lives?”
Therefore, we need to be careful differentiating between people who are mentioned or not mentioned in the Bible
The primary difference between those mentioned in the Bible and those not mentioned has to do with God’s purpose for inspiring the Bible. This purpose is highlighted in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” And the things that are not written in the Bible belong to God, as described in Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
Therefore, it is biblically unwise, indicative of poor exegesis (the critical interpretation of the biblical text), and bad hermeneutics (the theory and methodology of interpretation) to develop a theology that fundamentally differentiates between people mentioned or not mentioned in the Bible. This stance is based on several core principles of biblical interpretation and theological reflection:
- Whosoever Will: This vision underscores the universal scope of God’s redemption through Jesus Christ. It affirms the belief that salvation is offered to all humanity, not limited by ethnic, cultural, linguistic, or national boundaries. This inclusivity reflects the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that through his offspring, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
- In the image of God: The Bible teaches that all humans are created in the image of God (Imago Dei), as stated in Genesis 1:27. This foundational truth asserts the inherent value, dignity, and worth of every person, irrespective of their being mentioned in the biblical narrative. To differentiate theologically between people groups based on their explicit mention in the Bible contradicts this fundamental principle.
- The Universal Scope of Sin and Redemption: Scripture affirms that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that Christ’s sacrifice offers redemption to all who believe (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4). The narrative of redemption and the call to faith transcend cultural, ethnic, and historical boundaries. Creating a theology that distinguishes between peoples based on their presence in the biblical record undermines the universal applicability of sin and salvation through Jesus Christ.
- The Great Commission: Jesus’ command to his disciples, known as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), is to make disciples of “all nations,” emphasizing the gospel’s reach to every ethnic group and culture. This directive does not prioritize peoples mentioned in the Bible over those not mentioned but rather affirms the mission to bring the message of salvation to all.
- The Revelation Vision of Unity in Diversity: The vision in Revelation 7:9-10 of a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping before the throne of God exemplifies the ultimate unity and diversity of God’s kingdom. This eschatological vision underscores that God’s redemptive plan is inclusive, embracing all humanity across historical and geographical divides.
- Eschatological Hope: The scene in Revelation 7:9-10 provides a hopeful vision of the future, where the trials and tribulations of the present age give way to a time of eternal peace and fellowship with God. It is a promise of what is to come for those who are faithful to God and the Lamb, offering comfort and encouragement in the midst of suffering.
- Principles of Biblical Interpretation: Good exegesis and hermeneutics involve understanding the text within its historical and cultural context, discerning the author’s intent, and applying the text’s principles to the contemporary world in a manner consistent with the overall message of the Bible. Misapplying scripture to support a theology that differentiates between peoples based on their mention in the Bible would constitute a misuse of the biblical text, ignoring the broader biblical witness to God’s love for and offer of salvation to all people.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is both biblically unsound and theologically misguided to develop a distinction in theological significance or divine regard between people mentioned in the Bible and those not mentioned. Such an approach goes against the scriptural teachings on the universality of God’s image, sin, and redemption and also misses the inclusive mission of the church as commissioned by Christ. The Bible’s message is one of redemption available to all humanity, reflecting God’s desire for a relationship with every individual, transcending historical, cultural, and ethnic boundaries.
In light of Revelation 7:9, Christians should be inspired to share the gospel, reach out to all people, without prejudice or racism, and be prepared for the future. Thus, “from every nation and tribe and people and language” is not just a description of a future reality but a guiding principle for how the church is called to live out its mission in the world, reflecting the comprehensive reach of God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Digging Deeper
- 101 broken people that God used anyway – Throughout the Bible, God demonstrates His love and grace by using broken and flawed people to accomplish His purposes.
- Biblical Christianity vs Religion of Humanism – Biblical Christianity and Religion of Humanism have incompatible world views on God, human nature, morality, and human reasoning.
- Why is the Bible called the Word of God? – Jesus is the Word of God who created the universe, revealed himself throughout history in a personal way, and wants to be your personal savior.
- What does the Bible say about aliens? – Does the Bible predict, prophecy, allow, or deny the existence of extraterrestrial aliens?