Wednesday's reading required more thought and contemplation. My reading was Genesis 32:1-35:27. While this reading interesting with regard to the reuniting of Jacob and Esau. It also spoke of the rape of Jacob's daughter Dinah and the subsequent murder of all the males in the city of Schechem including Hamor and Shechem. Shechem who raped Dinah and Hamor his father. They then return to Jacob where he tells them of his concern that others will attempt to kill him (Jacob) in retaliation. He does not mention the concern that his two sons just killed several other people many of whom were innocent. This makes me question Jacob.
Jacob buries Isaac who dies at 180 years of age. Again, I'm confused because I thought God said he was limiting lives to 120 years.
Is everyone else living to 120 but those he chooses live longer.
hmmm
The really confusing part that required more thought was Genesis 32:22 which discusses Jacob wrestling with God. I was very confused by this passage and needed to seek the advice and reflections of others that are more familiar with the bible. I spoke with a few of my facebook friends as well as the chaplain of my hospital where I'm a nurse. She believes this to me a spiritual battle almost a vision or dreamlike battle testing Jacob's faith. I spoke with a co-worker who views it literally as God can take any form he would like and believes he presented himself literally and wrestled with Jacob.
Interesting either way you view it.
Do you have any thoughts?
Showing posts with label Isaac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isaac. Show all posts
Friday, January 14, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
the death of Abraham
In todays reading it was a lot of geneaology and a little story. In this reading Isaac and Rebekah have twin sons Esau and Jacob. God told her that one would serve the other. The younger would serve the older.
After Sarah's death Abraham marries Keturah and has 6 children. It says that Keturah was his concubine defined as (A concubine is generally a woman in an ongoing, matrimonial-like relationship with a man, whom she cannot marry for a specific reason. The reason may be because she is of lower social rank than the man (including slave status) or because the man is already married. Generally, only men of high economic and social status have concubines. Many historical rulers maintained concubines as well as wives.)
These children are given gifts at Abraham's death but a majority of the land went to Isaac. It does not mention anything being left to Ishmael at Abrahams death. Abraham is then buried by Isaac and Ishmael in the cave with his wife Sarah. I think it is interesting that Ishmael returns to bury Abraham when he was sent away by him.
I stopped by Borders today to look at the Archaeological bible and it said that the Cave of Machpleah where Abraham and Sarah are buried is still marked today! During the times of Herod the Great a monumental enclosure was built over the site 200 x 100 foot bearing a similarity to Herod the Great's temple in Jerualem. Here are some pictures of the tomb of Abraham. Thanks Wikipedia!
After Sarah's death Abraham marries Keturah and has 6 children. It says that Keturah was his concubine defined as (A concubine is generally a woman in an ongoing, matrimonial-like relationship with a man, whom she cannot marry for a specific reason. The reason may be because she is of lower social rank than the man (including slave status) or because the man is already married. Generally, only men of high economic and social status have concubines. Many historical rulers maintained concubines as well as wives.)
These children are given gifts at Abraham's death but a majority of the land went to Isaac. It does not mention anything being left to Ishmael at Abrahams death. Abraham is then buried by Isaac and Ishmael in the cave with his wife Sarah. I think it is interesting that Ishmael returns to bury Abraham when he was sent away by him.
I stopped by Borders today to look at the Archaeological bible and it said that the Cave of Machpleah where Abraham and Sarah are buried is still marked today! During the times of Herod the Great a monumental enclosure was built over the site 200 x 100 foot bearing a similarity to Herod the Great's temple in Jerualem. Here are some pictures of the tomb of Abraham. Thanks Wikipedia!
Friday, January 7, 2011
sacrificing children
Today's reading is Genesis 21:8-23:20,Genesis 11:32 and Genesis 24:1-67
It discusses Hagar and Ishmael being sent away. When Isaac is approaching the age of being weaned (3 years old) Ishmael is 17 and Sarah said he was mocking and insisted to Abraham that Ishmael and Hagar be sent away which according to customs at the time it is not accepted to send away slave wives and their children but God tells Abraham that it is ok. God in turn promised to "make him a great nation" in regard to Ishmael.
I'm sure that it would be hard to send away a child after 17 years. I can't imagine the tension and how different the lifestyles were back then to have slaves and their children and to then cast them away. Especially when servants who provided such children were supposed to be treated favorably. Although it doesn't say how the children were supposed to be treated.
In this reading Abraham offers to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. This was the ultimate gesture in faith in God to willingly sacrifice your only child.
Sarah died and was buried in a cave in the field of Machpelah. This made Abraham realize his death was soon approaching and he sent his servant to his homeland to select a bride for his son Isaac. His servant returns with Rebekah and it was interesting to me that when she was notified that the man in the field would be Isaac she immediately covered herself.
In the other summaries that I have read it mentions that Sarah is the only female in the bible whose exact age is mentioned. She lived to be 127 years old. Isaac would be 37 years old at the time of her death and around the time that Abraham sends for a wife for him.
This is interesting because I would have thought the ages of marriage; etc would have been much younger.
In my newest bible The Chronological Study Bible it mentions in one of the little side notes that "human sacrifice is regarded as one of the worse offenses against God and humankind. It was one of the reasons the Canaanites were condemned. Archaeologists have dug up urns with ashes and the bones of children from the sacred precincts of carthage. Apparently, the Carthaginians sacrificed children as part of their religion."
It is interesting in a way Abraham sacrificed one child Ishmael by sending him away because Sarah told him to and God agreed and then a short time later was told to sacrifice his other child which they refer as his "only son" to God.
Sacrifices of any type these days is at times laughed at and looked down upon in society. Even the minor "sacrifice" of giving up something for lent. Imagine all the types of sacrificing that went on then and how much times have changed.
It discusses Hagar and Ishmael being sent away. When Isaac is approaching the age of being weaned (3 years old) Ishmael is 17 and Sarah said he was mocking and insisted to Abraham that Ishmael and Hagar be sent away which according to customs at the time it is not accepted to send away slave wives and their children but God tells Abraham that it is ok. God in turn promised to "make him a great nation" in regard to Ishmael.
I'm sure that it would be hard to send away a child after 17 years. I can't imagine the tension and how different the lifestyles were back then to have slaves and their children and to then cast them away. Especially when servants who provided such children were supposed to be treated favorably. Although it doesn't say how the children were supposed to be treated.
In this reading Abraham offers to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. This was the ultimate gesture in faith in God to willingly sacrifice your only child.
Sarah died and was buried in a cave in the field of Machpelah. This made Abraham realize his death was soon approaching and he sent his servant to his homeland to select a bride for his son Isaac. His servant returns with Rebekah and it was interesting to me that when she was notified that the man in the field would be Isaac she immediately covered herself.
In the other summaries that I have read it mentions that Sarah is the only female in the bible whose exact age is mentioned. She lived to be 127 years old. Isaac would be 37 years old at the time of her death and around the time that Abraham sends for a wife for him.
This is interesting because I would have thought the ages of marriage; etc would have been much younger.
In my newest bible The Chronological Study Bible it mentions in one of the little side notes that "human sacrifice is regarded as one of the worse offenses against God and humankind. It was one of the reasons the Canaanites were condemned. Archaeologists have dug up urns with ashes and the bones of children from the sacred precincts of carthage. Apparently, the Carthaginians sacrificed children as part of their religion."
It is interesting in a way Abraham sacrificed one child Ishmael by sending him away because Sarah told him to and God agreed and then a short time later was told to sacrifice his other child which they refer as his "only son" to God.
Sacrifices of any type these days is at times laughed at and looked down upon in society. Even the minor "sacrifice" of giving up something for lent. Imagine all the types of sacrificing that went on then and how much times have changed.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Today's reading took me much longer than usual. I have been sick and in bed most of the day so reading and retaining information has been challenging. Today's reading was Genesis 17:1-17:27
It was about Abram and his wife Sarai who are unable to have children. Abram tells God he is concerned because his servants children will become heirs. God them assures him he will have a son. Time goes by and his wife remains unable to conceive so she gives her husband her servant Hagar to become Abrams wife and have children. So they have a son Ishmael. Many years later God appears to Abram and tells him he will have a son with Sarai named Isaac. When this happens their names will change to Abraham and Sarah. God also creates a covenant with Abraham that all of his decendents are to be circumcised. He circumcised all males in his household including himself at 99 years of age.
It is also mentioned that all circumsisions occur on the 8th day of life.
God tells Abraham that his decendents will be slaves for 400 years but God will punish that nation and his decendents will end up with great rewards. This would be challenging to know that your decendents will be enslaved for such a long period.
I am reading from the online website but I also have 2 books I read from at home. One is the daily bible and the other is the one year chronological bible. they all have a different reading assignment for today despite the 2 books both being New International Versions. I am sticking to the website to be the ultimate reading. I was very excited to have 2 more family members join me in my chronological bible readings. My husbands Aunt and his Cousin. This is exciting because they are both much more knowledgeable about the bible than I could ever hope to be. I am hoping to have a little gathering in a month or so to chat about the readings so far. I have really enjoyed this and hope to get the two other bibles from yesterday's post soon!
Until tomorrow.
It was about Abram and his wife Sarai who are unable to have children. Abram tells God he is concerned because his servants children will become heirs. God them assures him he will have a son. Time goes by and his wife remains unable to conceive so she gives her husband her servant Hagar to become Abrams wife and have children. So they have a son Ishmael. Many years later God appears to Abram and tells him he will have a son with Sarai named Isaac. When this happens their names will change to Abraham and Sarah. God also creates a covenant with Abraham that all of his decendents are to be circumcised. He circumcised all males in his household including himself at 99 years of age.
It is also mentioned that all circumsisions occur on the 8th day of life.
God tells Abraham that his decendents will be slaves for 400 years but God will punish that nation and his decendents will end up with great rewards. This would be challenging to know that your decendents will be enslaved for such a long period.
I am reading from the online website but I also have 2 books I read from at home. One is the daily bible and the other is the one year chronological bible. they all have a different reading assignment for today despite the 2 books both being New International Versions. I am sticking to the website to be the ultimate reading. I was very excited to have 2 more family members join me in my chronological bible readings. My husbands Aunt and his Cousin. This is exciting because they are both much more knowledgeable about the bible than I could ever hope to be. I am hoping to have a little gathering in a month or so to chat about the readings so far. I have really enjoyed this and hope to get the two other bibles from yesterday's post soon!
Until tomorrow.
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