Exodus 16

Two fantastic lessons emerge from this chapter:

First, Who Are We to grumble against God? He is out Maker and our Savior!

Second, God gives to us each day exactly what we need. Each day is sufficient unto itself.

Exodus 15

vs 13, 17-18:
"In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
in your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.

You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance-
the place, O Lord, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, O lord, your hands established.
The Lord will reign
for ever and ever."

Amen.

Exodus 14

This chapter tells the story of one of the most awesome events of the Bible. God just parts the sea and the Israelites file through a passage with towering walls of water on either side. What an experience it must have been for them!!! But for God, it was just a simple thing to manipulate His creation. I am glad (oh so glad!) that the Creator is on my side and lays out my path. If only I could always remember to use God's forbearance and love to show His grace to others...

Exodus 13

God commands the Israelites to "redeem every firstborn among your sons." (vs. 13) I looked up the word "redeem"on dictionary.com and I still don't understand this statement...

Exodus 12

There is a lot in this chapter! I found interesting that God commanded the Israelites to eat the Passover meal, "with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand." (vs. 11) There is a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice in the Passover. When we accept that sacrifice we are called to be ready (as the Israelites are called to be ready here) to venture out into the great unknown armed with nothing but faith that God will provide for our needs. Hallelujah!

Exodus 11

How hard must Pharaoh's heart have been if he didn't believe the Lord would do what He swore He'd do? The Pharaoh had seen that God was true to His word, and yet Pharaoh gambled his son's life.

Exodus 10

Throughout these plagues, the text tells us that the Lord hardens Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh is playing his part in God's plan for the Israelites. As tough as that sounds, we are called to say, "Let not my will, but thine be done."

Exodus 9

More plagues: livestock, boils, hail. More promises and more heart hardening. I find vs. 31-32 interesting, though. Why did the author find it pertinent to point out which crops were destroyed and which were spared? Who was the author, by the way? Ah, Moses. (Not Leon Uris, as Google tried to prompt. Although, as an aside, I highly recommend Uris' books. His Exodus was awesome!)

Exodus 8

It looks as if God is peeling back the layers of falsehood covering this interaction. With the frogs, Pharaoh concedes to let the Israelites go if the frogs will just go away (although, he goes back on his promise). With the gnats, the Egyptian magicians are unable to duplicate the miracle. With the flies, Pharaoh offers to let the Israelites sacrifice to God within the land of Egypt (though this is not enough). God is chipping away at Pharaoh's heart of stone.

Exodus 7

I wonder what these "secret arts" are of the Egyptian magicians. They were able to do the same miracles Moses and Aaron did. Were they empowered by God to play out this back and forth between Moses and Pharaoh? Or did their powers come from another source? I guess it comes down the the question of whether God allows Satan to work or if all things come from God himself.

Exodus 6

This chapter has more God promising, more Moses questioning, and some etymology. It feels a little annoying, all of this doubt. But I'm sure I have been just as annoying (and then some!) to God. He is God my Father, though, and loves me still!

Exodus 5

I know how Moses feels as he questions God's promise to free the Israelites. I find it easy--at this time in my life, at least--to believe that God will be faithful to me. It's not so easy, though, to imagine that His faithfulness might take another form than that which appeals to me. I might think that I know what is best, but He knows what is better! Patience, patience, patience...

Exodus 4

Like Moses, I worry about what to say to people about God. I also worry that they'll think I'm a simpleton who drank the KoolAid. But God says, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who give them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (vs. 11-12) In other words, it is not for us to worry what comes of our witness, that is in God's hands. It is simply our duty to witness.

Also, what is up with verses 24-26? That's a bit I've never known and totally don't get...

Exodus 3

I posted to the wrong blog the other night!

Here's Exodus 3.

Exodus 2

As a mother, my heart aches in the first few verses. Moses' mother kept him hidden for 3 months! There is a lot of difficulty in the first three months that would make hiding a newborn tough! Then, she just floats him out in the river!!! I wonder what logical thinking led to that idea!?! My other thoughts are with the family in Midian. The father is a priest, but a priest of what? Wikipedia seems to think that Midian was in the east of the Sinai Peninsula and the Midianites worshipped multiple Gods. That must have been an interesting marriage...

Exodus 1

So, I got out of the habit a little while back and I stressed for a time about how I would catch up. That led to me doing nothing for far too long. So, I have broken my pledge to read and blog uninterrupted for three years. I think I ought to pick up and keep going, nonetheless. I finished Matthew (privately), so I'm going to start now with Exodus 1. Luckily, we have Mark, Luke, and John to review the gospel again soon. The Israelites lose their champion in Joseph's Pharaoh and are treated terribly by the Egyptians. God is still watching over them, though, and has a plan to redeem them. It reminds me that our own leaders and circumstances vary for good and ill with each passing year and each passing generation. I am one of God's children, though, and I have been (and continue to be) redeemed!

Matthew 19

vs 26: "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' " With God, a camel can pass through the eye of a needle, a rich man can enter the kingdom of heaven, and I can rest assured in unconditional love!!!

Matthew 18

Jesus commands us to come to him as children. I love the "Father God" image and I see it as reality. A thought that struck me as I was reading this chapter: it is humbling for us adults to be as children and reliant and all, but I look at my son and see how incredibly happy he is! Joy is our for the taking!

Matthew 17

Rather than spout off about what I read about John the Baptist and Elijah (vs.10-13), I'll direct you immediately to the passage itself. Enjoy!

Matthew 16

Jesus begins to speak of his pending crucifixion and resurrection in this chapter. The disciples can't see past the death to the repercussions of overcoming it. I feel sorry for them, because all they can see is an era coming to an end.

Matthew 15

As the Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus, he responded, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." (vs. 24) When she challenged him, he relented, saying, "Woman you have great faith!" (vs. 28) Was his denial just a show to make a point?

Matthew 14

Jesus called Peter out of the boat to walk on the water with him. Peter took the amazing step out of the boat and demonstrated faith beyond what most of us can imagine. While out there on the water with Jesus, Peter faltered, afraid, yet Jesus reached out his hand to catch him.

It seems hard to compare that story with our acts of faith, but they are really the same thing. The risks may seem incomparable, but in God's eyes they are just alike.

Matthew 13

vs 16: "But blessed are your eyes because the see, and your ears because they hear." We live in difficult times. Every day is a struggle because of the fall of man. But we are reminded in this passage that we are extremely blessed to live in the days after Christ, to have heard his message and have reason for hope!!!

Matthew 12

vs. 34: "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." I have to remember this verse and keep check on the motives of my heart with my sarcasim and snarkiness.

Matthew 11

I don't understand this interchange with John the Baptist. John already acknowledged Jesus as Lord at his baptism and now he's questioning Jesus. Hmmm....

vs. 30: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Our greatest struggles occur when we question God, when we don't rely on Him, when we opt to trust in our own knowledge and experience. Life is hard because we are fallen men. Relief comes when we turn to the Lord and say, "It is in your hands and I have faith in your perfect wisdom."

Matthew 10

Though he has moved quickly before, Matthew dwells a whole chapter on Jesus' instructions to his disciples. I love that these same instructions apply to me and my witness to the world! There are many priceless words of wisdom in this chapter. Among them:

"...do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of the Father speaking through you." (vs. 19-20)

and

"So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but do not kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (vs. 26-28)

Matthew 9

When the teachers of the law accuse Jesus of blaspheming he asks them, "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" I learned in Sunday School that the people of Jesus' day believed that bad things happened to people because of sin (we are studying John). So, it made no sense for the teachers to accept the healing of afflictions but not the forgiveness of sins. To them, they were the same thing.

Matthew 8

Matthew is so efficient, ticking off topic after topic! There is a lot to chose from here, but I'm going to focus on the Centurion.

There are many people who come to Jesus and ask him for miracles. It is a testament to their faith that they even ask. But the Centurion understands Jesus' greatness beyond all the others. He understands that Jesus' Grace is Irresistible! When God wants something done, wants someone to follow Him, no man can stand against His will. It will be done!

Matthew 7

The conclusion of the Sermon: judging others, asking/seeking/knocking, the narrow gate, the tree and its fruit, and building wisely. "Ask and it will be given unto you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you." (vs. 7) Hallelujah! It doesn't take much on our part, here. We just must believe that God is faithful, swallow our pride, and ask.

Matthew 6

More Sermon: giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, heavenly reward, and instructions to not worry. "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (vs. 34) I need to put this verse on my computer, my refrigerator, and my bedside table. I am in God's hand!

Matthew 5

Man the Sermon on the Mount has so much to comment on!!! Chapter 5 covers the Law, Murder, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Revenge, and Love. Verse 48 sums up a lot of it, though. "Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect." Oh, okay. No problem!

But that is our call! To strive for perfection! I don't believe any man is expected to be perfectly perfect, though. But we are to consciously strive for it. And, very occasionally, we probably achieve it for a second.

Matthew 4

Jesus called to Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to come follow him, and they all immediately dropped what they were doing and followed him. I wonder if they had heard of him and knew who he was. Doubtful, since he hadn't begun preaching and healing, but they could have heard of John the Baptist, I suppose. Regardless, they followed him without a moment's hesitation. Jesus called, his disciples responded at once, and they were his from that point forward. It's that simple, but our human nature makes it so difficult!

Matthew 3

Was baptism a practice prior to Christianity? Why was John the Baptist doing this?

Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. I suppose Jesus did it as an example for all of his followers to come and as a springboard for his ministry. He was baptised, spent 40 days in the desert fasting, and then began to gather his people to him. He pin-pointed baptism as a starting point. Often, it seems like the end of a path in search of the truth, but baptism is the beginning of true life!

Matthew 2

Matthew continued to connect Jesus to the prophesies in this chapter.

The Magi, or Wise Men, came from the East seeking the "king of the Jews" and quoting Micah. Could these men have been of the Lost Tribes of Israel?

What a strange life Mary and Joseph led, sacrificing all of their plans to protect their son, the Son of God. Wow!

Matthew 1

As I wrote in my first post, I'm jumping back and forth between Old & New Testaments. So, welcome to the Gospel!

Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus, from Abraham to the Messiah. He was concerned with Jesus' connection to the prophesies. He told of the conception and birth of Jesus in a matter-of-fact manner and correlated it directly to what Isaiah foretold (vs. 22-23). He was writing his account for a Jewish audience.

Genesis 50

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." (vs. 20)

I truly believe that we do things--follow paths--that are not for "good," but they are in God's plan and, ultimately, for His glory. This doesn't absolve us of the responsibility for our choices, but we need not fret over what we have done if we ask forgiveness with a true repentant heart. A fine line, I know, but I believe it.

Bye bye Genesis...

Genesis 49

I meant to blow through some posts to catch up, but I got interested in this chapter. I'm interested in the actual fates of the Tribes of Israel and how they compare to this Blessing, so I took some time to do a Wikipedia search (love the Wikipedia!). Here are my findings (which are, by no means, conclusive):

Generally,the northern tribes (all but Judah, which included Simeon, the Levites, and some of Benjamin) were conquered by the Assyrians and scattered. They are considered to be the Lost Tribes of Israel. Some scholar dude believes that it was about 1/5 of the Israelites. Prior to the scattering, the tribes were ruled by a lose council of Judges, then the house of Saul, then the house of David.

Tribe of Reuben:
The blessing characterises the tribe as fickle. They fought in some instances and abstained in others. The tribe didn't excel, supposedly due to Reuben's sexual betrayal.

Tribe of Simeon:
Simeon's blessing, along with Levi's, is actually a curse due to their reaction to the rape of Dinah. The tribe was never fixed in location and was scattered throughout Judah.

Tribe of Levi:
Levi was never a landed tribe, but a priestly class within Judah. Levi sired Moses, Samuel, Ezekiel, Ezra, John the Baptist, Mark, Matthew, and Barnabas, among others.

Tribe of Judah:
The blessing says, "the scepter will not depart from Judah...until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his." (vs 10) David came from the Tribe of Judah, but, more importantly, so did Jesus. Judah was not conquered by the Assyrians, but by the Babylonians. Their history was not lost.

Tribe of Zebulun:
The tribe lived by the Mediterranean Sea. They are believed to have financially supported the Tribe of Issachar--who were religious scholars for the most part--in hope for some spiritual reward. They were fighters.

Tribe of Issachar:
As I said, they were scholars, fitted nicely geographically to turn their attention toward religious matters. They were thought to be influential in proselytism (look it up--paraphrasing is hard!).

Tribe of Dan:
Their settlement was limited by the force of the Philistines. Samson was one of the tribe. They are not included with the rest of the Tribes of Israel in the seals of Revelation. Wikipedia mentions that this might be because they were considered to be the "seat of idolatry." The blessing does say that Dan is a "serpent by the roadside" and a "viper along the path." (vs. 17)

Tribe of Gad:
This tribe settled to the east of the Jordan and was never secure on the north, west, and south. They seem to have been migratory.

Tribe of Asher:
They were secure and their land was super fertile. They were known for their olive oil. Politically, they seem to be disconnected from other tribes.

Tribe of Naphtali:
They were fighters, in a secure position in fertile land.

Tribe of Joseph:
Really it is the House of Joseph, divided into the Tribe of Ephraim and the Tribe of Manasseh since Jacob took Joseph's sons as his own. The Tribe of Ephraim was strong and synonymous with the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel. From the map it seems that the tribe of Manasseh took up a big chunk of land. In more recent news, a group in NE India claims to be descendant from Manasseh, and they were acknowledged by Israel in 2005. They are to return to Israel (under the Law of Return) if they live a Jews.

Tribe of Benjamin:
Prior to Saul (who was a Benjaminite), the tribe was combative. They were almost wiped out by other Israelite tribes. 600 men were allowed to survive and marry widows of other tribes. They became much more placid in the aftermath. They survived the Assyrians with Judah.

So, now we know.

Genesis 48

(I was out of town for the weekend, but it isn't a good excuse for falling behind on my posts...)

When Jacob blessed Joseph on his deathbed, he referred to the Lord as "the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day" (vs. 15). I love that image of God as my Shepherd. Jacob and his family were shepherds and they knew exactly what that role entails. He is a God who protects, guides, watches, and fights for me.

Genesis 47

Jacob blesses the Pharaoh when they meet and he blesses him again when they part. Pharaoh was a complete stranger to Jacob as well as a heathen, but that didn't stop Jacob from treating him with the utmost respect. We should all take note.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Genesis 46

vs 4: God told Jacob, " 'I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again.' " God was certainly with the people of Israel during their enslavement in Egypt, and He was true to His pledge to bring them out. It is so with us, as well. God holds us in His righteous hand throughout our struggles and carries us to the other side. Amen!

(can one "amen" oneself?)

Genesis 45

I just read my Student Bible's commentary on Joseph's story and I discovered that it was two years between Joseph first seeing his brothers and revealing himself to them!!! He really did toy with them a little bit! Joseph drove his brothers to the point where they had to confess their sin and the process was hard on all of them.

So now all the nations of Israel are coming to Egypt...

Genesis 44

I'm not sure what Joseph's end game was here. He was obviously toying with his brothers, maybe looking for a little pay back, but what was he planning to do with them before he lost his resolve?

Genesis 43

I cannot imagine Joseph's emotions as he rejoined his family. He understood that his hardships, although due to his brothers' treachery, were part of God's plan for his life. Joseph had an amazing ability to see the big picture. He forgave his brothers.

Genesis 42

I am touched By Jacob's caution. He loathes to send Benjamin away since Joseph is already lost to him. I've been thinking today about the trials of parenthood. This time of "control" I have with my son are so fleeting. They are tough in that I have complete responsibility for his survival and happiness, but that is nothing in comparison to the difficulty of letting him lead his own life. God, give me strength!

Genesis 41

Joseph's attitude is amazing! After all of his suffering, he still managed to present himself upright before Pharaoh and he refrained from grovelling and self-promotion. Joseph said plainly to one of the most powerful people in the world, "I can't do what you ask, but God can." We must remember that, but for the grace of God, we have nothing!

Genesis 40

Even the Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker played a part in Joseph's rise to power and, therefore, Egypt's survival through severe drought. They had know idea that the Lord was using their hardships to bless others.

We should pray that God not only brings us though our trials, but uses them for good!

(I'm completely caught up on my postings!!!)

Genesis 39

God was with Joseph and he moved quickly to the top of the ladder in Potiphar's household. In this position, Joseph was able to learn great management skills which serve him well later. He was brought down once again by Potiphar's wife, but God was still with him as he gained credibility in prison.

All the pieces are clicking into place and "the LORD was with him."

Genesis 38

So, Judah was afraid that his youngest son would die if he married the widow of his other two sons. Sending Tamar back to her father's house with a promise he never intended to keep was really rotten of Judah. Even though, I don't see why Judah declared that Tamar was more righteous than he once he realized the trick she played on him. In my opinion, they were both wronged and both wrong.

Genesis 37

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children. Joseph attracted people wherever he went. I don't think anyone would argue that his brothers were justified in selling him, but God used every bit of Joseph's hardship to mold him into the man he needed to be.

The same principle applies to us. Everything fits perfectly into God's perfect plan!

Genesis 36

I like the name Oholibamah!

Esau here gives Jacob space in order for them to coexist peacefully. I wonder if that was purely a logistical move, having to do with their flocks, or a move meant to preserve mental health. And did Esau stomp off, away from the land he's inhabited his whole life, or did he welcome the change?

To learn more about the Edomites, check out the Wikipedia article.

Genesis 35

"God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone." (vs. 3) He surely is that God!

It is strange that Reuben's dirty deed is just slipped into the chapter so casually!

Also, we see that Jacob finally makes it back to his people and faces his father and brother. Good job, Jacob!

Genesis 34

I wonder what will become of Dinah. Will she be mentioned again after this chapter? She was raped by a stranger who claimed to love her and then a whole townful of men are slaughtered because of it. That is heavy stuff to bear!

Genesis 33

I am availing myself of my parents' free Internet to catch up on my posts. Hopefully, mine will be up and running again soon.

Jacob makes a big to-do here about meeting Esau again and striving to find favor in his eyes. When it comes down to it, though, Jacob still doesn't trust his brother and sneaks off to Sukkoth. Although God had instructed Jacob to rejoin his relatives, he settles amongst strangers. Jacob must really be ashamed of his affront to Esau.

Genesis 32

This physical struggle is odd. Whether or not the stranger who fought Jacob is God Himself or an angel is disputed. God did appear to Abraham in human form in Chapter 18, so why not here? I am certain, though, that the struggle is in God's perfect time and in God's perfect place.

The only way Jacob can be victorious over God is within human boundries. Once God presents His God-ness, with a slight touch to Jacob's hip, Jacob falters.

I think that, for those of us who believe in God, our biggest struggle is in imagining His greatness. We try to pull Him down to a deity we can comprehend, with human limits. When God asserts His power, it astonishes us every time!

Genesis 31

"May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." (vs. 49) Although Jacob and Laban are making this covenant as a warning for misbehavior, I'd like to take this phrase and use it as a blessing. Since I've lived in 5 places over the last 10 years, I have friends all over the country. It is hard to nurture all of those friendships with the intensity I'd like. I wish all my friends from St. Louis, Chicago, DC, and Austin would up and move to Shreveport! But God is watching over us and our relationship...preserving those which ought to be preserved.

Genesis 30

There is a good deal of scheming in this chapter. Rachael vs. Leah and Jacob vs. Laban. God is shown to provide here for His chosen people even when they imagine that, through their wily ways, they are providing for themselves.

Genesis 29

I had a little computer trouble this weekend, so my posting didn't happen. I did read my chapters every day, so now I'll post my comments from my office computer.

Leah was not a desirable match because she had "weak eyes." (vs. 17) As a person with terrible eyesight, myself, I can imagine how debilitating it must have been to not have the assistance of eyeglasses! It is depicted here as being a real handicap. It is easy to take my glasses for granted, but tonight I thank God for them!!! Thank you, God, for inspiring human innovation!

Genesis 28

I wonder if Esau married a daughter of Ishmael's line to please his parents or to stick it to them...

God's promise to Jacob is that his "descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring." (vs. 14) If God is speaking of the Jews here, they have been spread through the earth, though not by their own desires. But, I hope we are all blessed by them...

Genesis 27

It is strange to me how conditional it seems Isaac's love is for Esau. Isaac has his son go and get him a "tasty" meal before he will give Esau his blessing. Maybe God sees this sin in Isaac's heart. I mean, we know that Esau's wives are a burden to his parents and his choices reflect on his character. Anyhow, it is in God's plan that Jacob should be the forefather of Christ, not Esau. And the imperfections in Jacob are apparent, as well. It is as if the contrast to Christ's perfections are deliberate...

Genesis 26

Abimelech fooled again! I guess men were prone to kill for other men's wives at this time...

As Isaac moved away from Gerar, he was forced to move along twice by others claiming his wells. That is, until he gets to be exactly where God wants him--where God can speak to him. As frustrating as those moves must have been at the time, they definitely had their purpose.

Genesis 25

Man, this has become a little family with drama! I imagine that these brothers don't understand or appreciate each other. I'm also picking up on a little strain between Isaac and Rebekah, with Isaac loving Esau and Rebekah loving Jacob. Ancient and Godly peoples were not immune to family discord.

"So Esau despised his birthright." (vs. 34) How like Man to throw our God-given assets aside!

Genesis 24

I really love this chapter. Everything goes so smoothly! God is faithful to provide Abraham's servant with exactly the sign for which he asks! How often are we looking for clear cut signs and directions from God? We shouldn't be amazed when they come. Also, how wonderfully Rebekah and her family accept God's providence! They say, "Yes, we see God's hand here and are not people to stand against it." Life is so simple when we let go and trust in the Lord!!!

Genesis 23

Sarah dies. Abraham purchases a field with a cave to bury her. My Student Bible tells me that this is the first recorded business deal. I'm sorry to say that I don't have anything to say about this one. Anyone else?

Genesis 22

Wow. I read this chapter while watching my son play in the bathtub. I can't imagine what Abraham was going through as he tied up Isaac for sacrifice. Man! The faith! And God was faithful, as well.

Genesis 21

This chapter describes the beginning of the conflict between Jews and Arabs. God protects Ishmael and promises to make a great nation of him, but God states again and again that His covenant is through Isaac's line. I'm sure that Abraham never imagined that his descendants would still be fighting after all these years!

Genesis 20

What is up with Abraham passing his wife off to other men?

The wondrous event in this chapter is that God protects Abimelech from sin. Abimelech never sleeps with Sarah while she is in his house.

I am grateful that God guides my heart.

Genesis 19

Well, if I had read the first verse of this chapter last night, my question would've been answered. It was God and two angels.

Lot wasn't awesome. He'd been hanging out with moral-less peoples, he offered his daughters up for gang rape (another tidbit of info which escaped the childhood stories), and he balked at the idea of fleeing that wretchedness. When he got away, he hid out in a cave and neglected to join up with society because of his disappointment and shame. He was only spared because Abraham loved him and God loved Abraham.

God also does things for us even when they don't forward His kingdom because he loves us.

Genesis 18

It is interesting to go back and read some of the old stories that I have known the gist of for so long. I didn't recall the first half of this chapter, which portrays the Lord as being amongst three men on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah. I can't tell whether or not the men know that the Lord is with them. Is He there as a man? Or does Abraham recognize the spirit of the Lord as being there? Or is He one of/all of the three?

Genesis 17

In the first verse of this chapter, God tells Abraham, "walk before me and be blameless." Rather than asking Abraham to follow Him, God directs him forward with the assurance that He is at Abraham's back, supporting him. And I wonder whether God is giving a commandment for Abraham to "be blameless," or whether God is telling Abraham that walking in this manner will make him blameless. Any thoughts?

Genesis 16

Abram & Sarah are growing impatient for God to fulfill his promise, so they try to help God out by using Hagar as the mother of Abram's children. So often we think we know the best way to fix the problems in our lives when God already has the perfect way laid out for us.

Genesis 15

I've recently studied the first half of this chapter in Small Group. Together we hit on a very important bit of symbolism that is easily missed. When God is trying to make Abram understand that there is no need to doubt His covenant, He takes Abram outside. Abram physically leaves a small man-made space to contemplate God's promises in the great wide open. The power of God is as limitless as the sky, and it is false to constrain it within human limits (in Abram's case, his and Sarah's age) .

Genesis 14

The king of Sodom offers Abram the spoils of war once Abram defeats the king's enemies and rescues Lot. Abram refuses them so as not to be associated with the king of wicked peoples. We should remember this forbearance when faced with shady choices in our own dealings. We are judged by others according to our associations.

Genesis 13

When Lot moves away from Abram, he moves towards Sodom where the people were "wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord." (vs. 13) I wonder if Lot knew what he was doing in moving that direction.

We men have a way of setting ourselves up for a fall. I watch my 18 month old son, who is still learning to control his impulses, stand right next to--or even gently place his hand upon--that which he knows is off limits. I know that I, myself, have put myself in those positions as an adult. Was Lot looking for a little change in his routine? Or testing himself? He sure is getting himself in a tight spot.

Genesis 12

Abraham exhibits great faith throughout his life and it starts in this chapter. God tells him to pick up and move along with no more information than promises of blessings. Abram knows no destination and has no particular goal. But, he goes along with no evidence of any struggle.

Not to say the man was perfect! What does he do next? Gives his wife over to Pharaoh! Man is sinful no matter who the man.

Genesis 11

God didn't want man to glorify himself. I wonder how God scattered them all over the earth. I don't imagine that He blew out His breath to spread man around. He used their lives and their circumstances to meet His righteous ends. Gave them ancient wanderlust, it seems. Any other possibilities?

Genesis 10

My Bible subtitles this chapter "The Table of Nations." It is an interesting perspective to think that there were these three brothers who were probably pretty close, who had children who were cousins and counted each other as kinsmen, who had children, who had children, who had children, etc. And at some point, these related people began to discriminate against each other and use each other and go to war with each other. And we're still doing it.

Genesis 9

vs. 5: " 'And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting.' " God gave man a second chance by preserving Noah and his sons. But we are called here to make the lives God gave us worth the effort.

Genesis 8

Noah was so patient. He didn't jump out of the ark as soon as his eyes saw that the land was dry. Noah waited 1 month and 27 days (vs. 13-14) for God to give him the go.

God is so patient with us. It is hard for us, though, to be like Noah and wait for God.

Genesis 7

It rained and poured for forty day-sies, day-sies. And "the waters flooded the earth for 150 days." (vs. 24) Wow. Why?

The Lord was grieved at man's corruptness. Yet being God, and outside of time, He knew it was going to happen. It was His divine plan to press restart with Noah and his sons (and all of those animals!). In doing, He demonstrated His power and He showed compassion. What do others see here?

Genesis 6

Versus 1-4 are curious regarding the Nephilim (vs. 4 "They were the heroes of old, men of renown."). Ideas regarding the Nephilim can be found here. Thanks Wikipedia!

There is much to be amazed by in this chapter, and the most amazing thing to me is Noah's acceptance of God's decree and his faith in the covenant. It is so hard for us to believe that God has been, is, and will forever be faithful to his covenant with us as we go through our own tribulations. And here's Noah saying"Okay, it is going to rain, but God is going to save me in this big boat." When the thought of RAIN or BOAT have never been conceived!

And it is always amazing, though it shouldn't be, that God is faithful. Always. Every day. How do we question it?

Genesis 4

Genealogy. Why don't we live as long as the first men and women? Environmental factors? Spiritual? Does anyone know or have any theories or is it one of those mysteries to be solved in the hereafter?

Of note: Enoch did not die, but, "was no more because God took him away." Was Enoch so righteous that his presence amongst men was neither appropriate nor required for a greater purpose? It is curious. The only other place Enoch is mentioned (as more that just one man in the line from Adam to Jesus) is in Jude where his words are quoted regarding the judgement of mankind (Jude 1:14). Hmmm...

Genesis 4

(whew! cutting it close tonight!)

In verse 7, God says to Cain, " 'But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.' "

This continues on my reflections on shame and sin. God is saying that sin is stalking you WHEN you have already sinned. The Knowledge of Good and Evil causes us to be more vulnerable to slide down that slippery path once we have done wrong.

Beware. Fess up. Ask forgiveness.

Genesis 3

A couple of thoughts:

First, one my Student Bible points out in one of its many asides. When Adam and Eve eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they hide their bodies from each other and hide from God. "Ever since, human beings have been hiding from each other and from God." Is this shame the root of sin? Or the result of sin which leads to more sin? (Chicken or egg?) Either way, our knowledge of what is right and what is wrong leads us to shame and more wrong.

Second, God kicks Adam and Eve out of the Garden so that they are unable to eat of the Tree of Life. vs. 22: " 'He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.' " It seems cruel, but God knew if Adam and Eve were to live forever after the fall, they would live forever in sin and apart from Him. By barring their way to eternal life at this point, God made it possible for mankind to have the eternal life which Christ made perfect!

Genesis 2

Now, we don't get a lot of description on what our lives would've been like had man not fallen. Really, it is just this chapter and part of the next. We struggle so much in our lives because we were made in God's image, yet our sin fights against our purpose. In the beginning, there was direct interaction with God, the was no need to toil, there was no need for rain, there was no shame! Only the life, death, and resurrection of Christ gives us the opportunity to find out more.

Genisis 1

I've probably read this chapter of the Bible more than any other. The thing that stood out to me during this reading was time. God is outside of time. And today I've been thinking it is curious that God created the world little by little over the span of several days. He could've done it all at once, you know? Ta-Da! World. Done.

Most of the time, when asked the question "Why did God do that?" the answer is simply and amazingly "For us." But I can't work out how taking time to create the world is for any one's benefit. Thoughts?