Genesis 1 through 24 is on the reading menu for this 1st week in January:
- Weekend: Genesis 1-3
- Monday: Genesis 4-9
- Tuesday: Genesis 10-12
- Wednesday: Genesis 13-16
- Thursday: Genesis 17-20
- Friday: Genesis 21-24
Genesis is an exciting book as it contains the account of creation, the beginning of this world, as well as the account of the beginning of a nation, Israel. Whether or not you believe that the account of creation is literal or more symbolical, it is hard to deny the historicity of the story of Abraham and the birth of the nation of Israel, as three major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) all acknowledge Abraham as a main (historical) figure in the founding of their faith. After the stories of creation, Noah and Babylon, Genesis 12 picks up with the story of Abraham (Abram at that time). We read about his calling, his stepping out in faith, and his journey to the land of Canaan. And the birth of his two sons, Ishmael (who became the father of the Arab nations), and Isaac, who became the father of Jacob (Israel), and grandfather of the 12 tribes of Israel. Chapter 24 continues the story with Isaac and the selection of his wife Rebekah.
Enjoy the reading as we embark together on this 1 year journey through the Bible!
I'm always surprised how I stumble on new thoughts in those seemingly well-known first chapters of the Bible. Here are a couple from reading Gen. 1-4 this morning:
ReplyDelete* Gen.3:18-19: I usually try to avoid "thorns and thistles", and I complain when I am too busy (sweat of my brow). These verses remind me that this is all part of life... until Jesus comes back.
* Gen. 3:22: The snake was partly right (see 3:5)! He told one truth, but added a lie: "you will not surely die". That's how this deceiver usually works! He lures us into a sin by presenting one truth and one lie. We usually use the "one truth" to justify our sin...
* Gen. 4:4: Abel brought FAT portions from some of the FIRSTBORN of his flock. Abel chose the BEST he had as a gift for God. You clearly see his heart for God, and one of the reasons why God was drawn to Abel's offer and not Kain's.
* Gen. 4:7: This is still so true for our lives today!!! It shows we have to control our actions and master our sinful nature!!
* Gen. 4:15: I wonder what the mark was that God had put on Kain?? I imagine it must have been something visible, for everyone to see...
* Gen. 4:26b: First mention that people began to "call on the name of the Lord". I imagine this either is 'worship' or 'prayer' or both. As a worship leader, it's kinda cool to see that worship goes back to the beginning of mankind (as it should).
Just a couple thoughts...
Dick
Who are the others that Cain is afraid will kill him? Who is/are/were the Nephilim?
ReplyDeleteMike: the others that Cain is afraid will kill him, could be other offspring of Adam and Eve, although the world population is probably not that large by that time (<130 years old). Josephus (1st century Jewish historian) interprets the others as 'wild beasts', which may be more plausible.
ReplyDeleteThere are several theories on the Nephilim, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilim for a good exposition on the topic. The interpretation that I've come to agree with is that they were the offspring of fallen angels that married human women (Gen. 6:2). You have to read 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude verse 6 in this context as well (both references from the Jewish 'book of Enoch'). This offspring of hybrid angels/human relationships, the Nephilim, were giants.