Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. (Genesis 25:3 ESV)
Connection
Cynical historians may doubt it, because of a lack of archeological evidence, but it seems to me that in the midst of this Biblical list of descendants of the Patriarchs, many of the listed names were the ancestors of tribes, nations, and people groups.
And there, nestled hidden in one of the lists, is Sheba.
Was this Sheba the ancestor of the Queen of Sheba who visited Solomon years later? Eager to learn not merely about the Israelite King, but perhaps also about the God of Solomon?
Maybe her journey to Jerusalem was the other end of a beautiful thread, woven first here in Genesis. Maybe Sheba was not just coming to study wealth and power, but maybe she was also coming to be returned to the fold.
It’s possible. Because God connects His loved ones. Miles and years mean nothing to Him. He promotes unity in Himself, and in His people. Because He loves all of His children.
Most of us are not interested in someone else’s family reunion. But we probably feel differently about our own.
God reunites. Because He loves.