Many times we care so much about the background of people- where do you come from, who is your father, where is your family, your tribe, your country, your culture, etc. Indeed, some fruit do not fall far from the tree, but I have also seen fruit that, even when picked at the foot of the tree, taste so bad that you’d doubt the same tree yielded them.
Time and time again, we see people distinguish themselves by their traits that are completely different from what their families are known for, whether good or bad.
To highlight this, let’s take a cursory look at the man Nabal.
Nabal, the churlish evil fellow.
Nabal was a wealthy man, a Judahite who lived in the land of Maon. The Bible recorded that he had vast lands, livestock, and many servants, to be classified as a very great man. Although Nabal’s name meant foolish, he helped himself through hardwork, I suppose and by marrying a beautiful, intelligent woman, who was kind-hearted. It may not be a stretch if I say that his prosperity could in part be owed to this great young woman that he married. In fact, the meaning of their names describes an interesting contrast. Whereas Nabal means “foolish”, or “senseless person”, Abigail means “father’s joy” or “father’s rejoicing” or “father of exultation.”
The churlish character of Nabal had been displayed severally, but on this particular occasion it was about to cost his life and the lives of everyone in his household. David’s army in Carmel had offered protection, night and day, to all his servants and livestock that were grazing. David’s army neither stole nor coerced them to pay anything.
When it was the time of shearing, David sent ten of his young men to visit Nabal and tell him all that they did for him, which things are easily verifiable from Nabal’s servants. Afterwards, the young men were to ask Nabal for some animals for food. Instead of a soft welcome and granting the request of David, Nabal railed on them and uttered foolish words against David and his men. David would learn that day that not everyone respected his name nor his family’s name because the man insulted all of them. Upon hearing what had happened, David readied his army and set forth to wipe away all the males in the house of Nabal. Had Abigail, who got a wind of the plan from her servant, not intervened promptly, Nabal would have died that day.
When Abigail returned from appeasing David, Nabal was in the house partying like a king to the point that he became drunk. He had wealth enough for a flamboyant party, but nothing to give to David and his men who had safeguarded his livestock and servants. Such an unwise trait.
Nabal’s surly disposition earned him a label as the son of Belial, whom no one can speak to. And this label was coming from his servant and his wife, Abigail.
Now, imagine the shock I got when I learnt that Nabal was a Calebite. That is, he is from the house of Caleb, the man of faith who was among the only two people who brought good report after spying the promised land. That such a rude, mannerless, and evil fellow could come from Caleb’s lineage is proof that one can come from a good tribe but carry and manifest ugly traits.
The rest of the story is found in 1 Samuel 25:1-42.
Your background is important but not as important as your personal decision to live right and your dedication to growth and development of capacity to accomplish God’s purpose for your life. Prior to Jabez, Rahab, Ruth, Jephthah, David, and Esther, we knew no famous person coming from their families, but their stories changed the trajectories of their lineage.
Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that they could come from the physical Abraham, but their lifestyle is far from that of Abraham. He charged them to bring forth fruits worthy of Abraham. And in the resurrection, they will see children of Abraham from places other than Israel.
Esau was the first son of Isaac, but his character made him miss the blessings of his father. There are defining moments in the life of every person, and your decision, not your family background, sets you apart. It is a matter of trait and not of tribe.
