Genesis 25:1-6
1 Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah.
2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurim, the Letushim, and the Leummim.
4 The descendants of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All of these were descendants of Keturah.
5 Abraham deeded everything that he owned to his son Isaac.
6 To his sons by concubinage, however, he made grants while he was still living, as he sent them away eastward, to the land of Kedem, away from his son Isaac.

THE 13 DESCENDENTS OF KETURAH

SONS GRAND SONS MEANING OF THEIR NAMES
Zimran Celebrated- but didn't leave descendents
Jokshan Flesh used for bait
SHEBAH Promises made to God
DEDAN Low
MEDAN Judgmental
MIDIAN Challenger that makes judgments
EPHA Obscure
EPHER Deer -one who jumps
HANOCH Dedicated *(only good name)
ABIDA Father of knowledge - knows everything
ELDAAH God Called me
ISBHAK I'm leaving
SHUAH Depressed

The names of these 13 descendants are all bad with the exception of one. This is a direct opposite of the spiritual descendants of Jesus. The 12 apostles of the Lord where in essence all good with the exception of Judas.

6 Children - Number six in the Bible represents the flesh, these six children where Abraham's kids but had no part in his inheritance.

7 Grandchildren - Number seven in the Bible represents perfection or establishing. The fact that they where seven children demonstrates that their families were established and that they prevailed as a people.

Zimran - Celebrated- but didn't leave descendents

Many Christians are like this; they accept and celebrate people around them but don't leave spiritual descendants. Even if you don't bring people to Christ you should take care of those that come to Church. We must be fruitful by sharing the gospel and bringing new people to the Lord.

Jokshan - Flesh used for bait

People would put meat in traps in order to capture a prey. Some people in church don't understand we are called to be holy and they may cause others to fall into a trap. How many of us fell into the bait of Satan? Jesus said that we have to crucify our flesh in order to be disciples. If we walk in the flesh we may cause others to fall.

SHEBAH - Promises made to God

Some Christians will promise things to God and they quickly forget them. They promise giving their tithes and then they decide to keep it, they promise they will quit drinking but soon they forget. Be careful of what you commit doing for the Lord because He will hold you accountable for your own words,

DEDAN - Low

How many times we see Christians having bad attitudes and low standards. We need to raise to the full measure of Christ!

MEDAN - Judgmental

Our role is church is to love one another and to respect each other.

2 Peter 2:3,10

MIDIAN - Challenger that makes judgments

The Midianites were enemies of God's people. They practiced sexual immorality and destroyed the harvests of Israel. They hired a prophet named Balaham to curse Israel. Some people today try to judge, criticize and by doing so cause new Christians to backslide by their bad attitudes. They challenge the Pastors, talk bad about deacons and board members and cause many to stumble.

2 Peter 2:14-17 gives a warning about those who fall into the ways of Balaham.

The 5 Children of Midian are mentioned as descendants of Ketura because they where probably raised by her.

EPHA - Obscure

Some Christians do things in darkness but we are called to live in the Light.

EFER - DEER - One who jumps

This is typical of Christians that are always jumping from one place to another. Sometimes is not from Church to Church, but they are always going from place to place without finding any peace in what they do.

HANOCH - Dedicated *(only good name)

Finally a good name! This is the same root name as Enoch, the only man in the Bible that didn't die but was taken *(raptured) by the Lord.

ABIDA - Father of knowledge - knows everything

Have you ever met someone that knows everything? We will always come across people that think they know all things. The Bible tell us to be humble and not to desire knowing more than what we should.

ELDAAH - God called me

Many people in the Church claim that God called them but their call is never confirmed by any fruit. When someone is called there is always a confirmation of that calling by correspondent fruit and actions.

ISBHAK - I'm leaving

When we serve the Lord we will face many times some opposition. People are sometimes to quit doing things at Church. I wonder if they also quit their jobs if they don't like what the boss said or if they had an argument with a colleague.

John 6:60,66,67

Jesus verified that many of his disciples had the attitude of Isbahk, when they didn't like what they listened would easily leave.

SHUAH - Depressed

This is another sin of the Church. Many Christians are constantly depressed and they want everybody else to be like them. The Bible tells us to cast our burdens upon Him and He will take care of us.
Depression can be a disease but many times it's a spirit or spiritual attitude.

Conclusion

Matthew 14:24,30

We are not perfect people and this is not the perfect Church but we should try to be every day more like Jesus. I am sure we are all guilty of some of these sins but if we want to follow Christ we ought to be Christ-like. If we confess and leave our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us.

What is your choice?
Blessing - Inherit all the promises made to Abraham and his descendants
Curse - Be in Church and not receive God's grace into our lives

Choose the right thing!