Today I have completed Genesis. A small accomplishment but it is important especially when taking on a large commitment to celebrate the small achievements! I have really enjoyed Genesis for the most part. It was at times confusing but also at times rewarding and it taught me lots of the stories that I had never heard. It has allowed me to reflect and understand the bible. I strongly believe my path of reading chronologically is the right path for me. This has allowed me to connect to both my parents, my co-workers and my husbands family in a way never before. It is interesting to me to share time and conversation with those that have a stronger faith, better understanding and different view of the bible than I do. I just hope they continue to understand along with my readers here that this is my first time reading the bible and while my interpretations and feelings about it may be different than yours we all have one thing in common....the reading of the book.
In the closing of Genesis Joseph reveals himself to his brothers after they come to Egypt to get food during the famine. He relocates his father and brothers to Egypt where he holds high authority. His father dies and is embalmed, in Egyptian custom, and then buried in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. This is the same burial location as Abraham, Sarah Isaac and Rebekah and Leah. Rachel as we recall was buried along the way to Ephrath.
Joseph then dies at the age of 110 years. I was a bit surprised because I thought this was the joseph...like Mary and Joseph....Well I guess that would be really pre-mature especially since the birth of Jesus will not come along for several more months. I hope those that are reading along are enjoying it. Again, I use www.oneyearbibleonline.com to send me my daily reading assignments and I can read them online and use whatever version I would like. I am also enjoying referencing the Chronological Study Bible.
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 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.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
a slightly disturbing reading and a wonderful discovery
I will start off with my slightly disturbing reading first. Today's reading was Genesis 18:1-21:7. I had to read this a couple of times and it definitely needed to be mentally digested. Mainly Genesis 19:4-19:9 So Lot said to the citizens of Sodom (now I know where the term sodomy came from) to not touch the Angels that came to him but to instead take his two daughters and do what they would like with them.
Ok on all accounts I think it's horrible the way these people were acting but then he was going to sacrifice his two daughters for them. Oh my. I had to read this a few times. Then it was ok that God rained fire and brimstone down onto Sodom and Gomorrah and eliminated it. Whew. It was really bad there. This however according to Wikipedia is not only how the term sodomy came about but also the belief in Christianity and Islam that homosexuality is wrong. I am leaving my beliefs out of this part completely because my blog is not about judging others. That in my opinion is God's job. I believe that I am supposed to treat others equally and as I want to be treated. Ok...enough of that.
The story of Lot continues to be disturbing in that his two daughters both get him drunk and sleep with him in order to continue lineage. Ugh...I'm thinking there's a possibility I could do without the entire story of Lot. I'm not sure how this is going to be meaningful in the future...I'm sure it will but at this point...wow.
It then moves on to talk about Abraham and Sarah (who happen to be half brother/sister) and their child Isaac. Isaac means laughter which is quite fun since there is a co-worker who has a little Isaac that is just that...a kiddo that likes to laugh! How bizarre!
My new discovery... I went to a bookstore in Lawrence today. Signs of Life. It is a nice little bookstore with a Christian spin. www.signsoflifebooks.com I couldn't take it any longer...I had to buy the Chronological Study Bible in the New King James Version. I resisted an entire 3 days. Pathetic isn't it.
I did resist buying the Archaeological Bible even though they have it in a leather backed edition there!! I about screeched in the store. It is beautiful with the leather cover and gold lined pages. I'm not kidding...I might have been drooling. It was beautiful...but so was the price tag. $60.00 maybe $69.00 I can't remember...it was out of my price range that was for sure.
While I was there I met the nicest lady. She was wonderful. She and I got to chatting about my bible purchase and she really likes the Archaeological bible and I was buying the Chronological bible and she was asking me what I was doing and we chatted for a while about reading the bible and learning about it. She also encouraged me to write what I was thinking especially since it was the first time I was reading the bible. I told her about my blog and she wanted to know where to find it...So if you have found it...Hello!!! She gave me a hug and told me I was inspirational to her. But little did she know how much she made my day. I really like nice people and she just seemed quite genuine. It definitely sealed the deal that my future religious purchases will be from Signs of Life. What a lovely little store with lovely employees.
Until tomorrow.
Ok on all accounts I think it's horrible the way these people were acting but then he was going to sacrifice his two daughters for them. Oh my. I had to read this a few times. Then it was ok that God rained fire and brimstone down onto Sodom and Gomorrah and eliminated it. Whew. It was really bad there. This however according to Wikipedia is not only how the term sodomy came about but also the belief in Christianity and Islam that homosexuality is wrong. I am leaving my beliefs out of this part completely because my blog is not about judging others. That in my opinion is God's job. I believe that I am supposed to treat others equally and as I want to be treated. Ok...enough of that.
The story of Lot continues to be disturbing in that his two daughters both get him drunk and sleep with him in order to continue lineage. Ugh...I'm thinking there's a possibility I could do without the entire story of Lot. I'm not sure how this is going to be meaningful in the future...I'm sure it will but at this point...wow.
It then moves on to talk about Abraham and Sarah (who happen to be half brother/sister) and their child Isaac. Isaac means laughter which is quite fun since there is a co-worker who has a little Isaac that is just that...a kiddo that likes to laugh! How bizarre!
My new discovery... I went to a bookstore in Lawrence today. Signs of Life. It is a nice little bookstore with a Christian spin. www.signsoflifebooks.com I couldn't take it any longer...I had to buy the Chronological Study Bible in the New King James Version. I resisted an entire 3 days. Pathetic isn't it.
I did resist buying the Archaeological Bible even though they have it in a leather backed edition there!! I about screeched in the store. It is beautiful with the leather cover and gold lined pages. I'm not kidding...I might have been drooling. It was beautiful...but so was the price tag. $60.00 maybe $69.00 I can't remember...it was out of my price range that was for sure.
While I was there I met the nicest lady. She was wonderful. She and I got to chatting about my bible purchase and she really likes the Archaeological bible and I was buying the Chronological bible and she was asking me what I was doing and we chatted for a while about reading the bible and learning about it. She also encouraged me to write what I was thinking especially since it was the first time I was reading the bible. I told her about my blog and she wanted to know where to find it...So if you have found it...Hello!!! She gave me a hug and told me I was inspirational to her. But little did she know how much she made my day. I really like nice people and she just seemed quite genuine. It definitely sealed the deal that my future religious purchases will be from Signs of Life. What a lovely little store with lovely employees.
Until tomorrow.
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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