Jesse, King David’s father, doesn’t seem to get much air time in the written narrative of the Bible. Perhaps we have heard him mentioned in Children’s Sabbath School Classes or in a picture book, yet, his story is rarely told.
The grandson of Ruth and Boaz, Jesse plays a key role in the lineage of Jesus. Like many amazing parents, Jesse created a foundation for his family; he set down roots for his sons. David was his youngest son, the son who would become king, yet, even before David, he was a devoted father and foundation builder.
He did not plan on having a king for a son- in fact he almost couldn’t believe it when it happened. As David was being anointed, Jesse did what many of us may do in situations when greatness is occurring, he doubted it. Jesse could not believe that his last son, David, of all his sons, was to be king. He had yet to see how God could make use of someone so seemingly insignificant.
Perhaps Jesse’s story is rarely researched because we know him; we are Jesse. We too aim to create foundations for those in our lives. We too aim to be devoted and loving no matter who is involved. We too may not yet understand how God will use us in amazing ways.
Jesse was a servant of God, whether or not he was in the lineage of Jesus; he served and loved others not knowing what was to come. Isaiah 11:1-3 reads, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots, a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
The stump of Jesse was an important stump, underrated, rarely discussed, and yet his parenthood served an important role in Jesus’ lineage. I believe many of us can relate to Jesse, maybe our heads are down, our work is getting done, we are loyal and faithful and we have yet to see how God wants to use us.
May we look around and accept the call to be a faithful stump, providing roots to a new and important generation.
Kalmani Huether-Amoah is the lucky partner of Pastor Ben Amoah and a youth leader at La Sierra University Church. She loves good food and good coffee.