Why was Jonas skipped in the lineup?

The Ceremony of Twelve is a monumental event in Jonas's community. Before the Ceremony, the author builds suspense as to what Jonas's job will be. Yet, Jonas is skipped during the Ceremony to prove how prestigious Jonas's job is. While the other Twelves are assigned jobs based on attributes specific to them, Jonas was selected to be the Receiver of Memory because he exhibits five unique and essential traits to be the next receiver. After Jonas was skipped during the Ceremony, his friends and family showed their concern for this action; however, shortly after, the Chief Elder explained to the Community, who was uneasy about Jonas being skipped, that Jonas was skipped purposefully. The Chief Elder explained that the selection as Receiver of Memory was an honor. The Chief Elder further explained that Jonas held the qualifications to be the next Receiver: intelligence, courage, integrity, wisdom, and the capacity to see beyond. Jonas accepts this honor with uncertainty for what will come next and returns to his seat. By skipping Jonas during the Ceremony, the reader is able to see the importance of Jonas being selected to be the next Receiver of Memory.

In chapter 7, Jonas's name and number are skipped during the Ceremony of Twelve, which fills him with anxiety and fear. In chapter 8, the Chief Elder explains that the reason she skipped Jonas is because he had not been "assigned" an occupation but was "selected" as the community's next Receiver of Memory. She goes on to explain that the job of the community's Receiver of Memory is the most revered, important occupation in society and requires intelligence, integrity, courage, wisdom, and the Capacity to See Beyond. The Chief Elder then mentions that Jonas meets the qualifications to be the next Receiver of Memory and the audience begins to chant his name. Despite his selection, Jonas is nervous about being the community's Receiver of Memory and does not know what to expect. In the following chapter, Jonas reads his rules for his new assignment and is even more confused and worried about becoming the Receiver of Memory.