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 genesis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label genesis. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Day 15
Day 15 in my reading and it's the day my family is celebrating Christmas. Very late, Yes I know but we all have wacky schedules. It was a wonderful day filled with lots of laughter and my mother's amazing food.
Today's reading was about Joseph. He is imprisioned and then begins interpreting dreams for others. This is no problem to me except Genesis 40:8 where Jospeh states "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me please." I'm a little confused why he at first says they belong to God but asks to be told the dream and provides an interpretation of it. Although it is a correct interpretation I read this part as only God interprets dreams so laypeople shouldn't therefore it seems Joseph is comparing himself or referring to himself as God.
Apparently this is not the right perception of this passage as Joseph is treated favorably in God's eyes. He later becomes the "right hand man" to the pharaoh. In my Chronological Bible it discusses how the seven year famine has been found on Egyptian writings and text.
Today's reading was about Joseph. He is imprisioned and then begins interpreting dreams for others. This is no problem to me except Genesis 40:8 where Jospeh states "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me please." I'm a little confused why he at first says they belong to God but asks to be told the dream and provides an interpretation of it. Although it is a correct interpretation I read this part as only God interprets dreams so laypeople shouldn't therefore it seems Joseph is comparing himself or referring to himself as God.
Apparently this is not the right perception of this passage as Joseph is treated favorably in God's eyes. He later becomes the "right hand man" to the pharaoh. In my Chronological Bible it discusses how the seven year famine has been found on Egyptian writings and text.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wrestling with God
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?
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?
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.
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Flood
Today’s reading was Genesis 7-10:5; 1 Chronicles 1:5-7; Genesis 10:6-20; 1 Chronicles 1:8-16; Genesis 10:21-30; 1 Chronicles 1:17-23; Genesis 10:31-32 which addressed the flood of the earth.
I think most people know this story...they must if I'm familiar with it! This reading was about Noah's ark and God telling him to take the animals, Noah's wife, his sons and their wives onto the ark. It was interesting that he asked him to take seven pairs of every clean animal and one pair of every unclean animal. What's clean and unclean? Apparently if termites are considered unclean they are quite hardy those first two little ones made it through to "to be fruitful and increase in number"
Another interesting part was Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind." Everyone's interpretation of this could be different. It makes you wonder how this is interpreted by those that believe or do not believe in capital punishment. So are those that carry out the death sentence to others considered to have shed human blood? Or does this just say that those that shed human blood will not live a full and complete life?
My favorite part of today’s reading was about rainbows! Why doesn't anyone ever talk about the rainbows? That's the best part in my opinion. Genesis 9:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
I think this will change how I look at rainbows.
Overall today’s reading was good and enjoyable. Despite those that have encouraged me not to read the Old Testament It's not too bad so far. I realize there will be parts that will be less than enjoyable but isn't that true of all epic tales?
I think most people know this story...they must if I'm familiar with it! This reading was about Noah's ark and God telling him to take the animals, Noah's wife, his sons and their wives onto the ark. It was interesting that he asked him to take seven pairs of every clean animal and one pair of every unclean animal. What's clean and unclean? Apparently if termites are considered unclean they are quite hardy those first two little ones made it through to "to be fruitful and increase in number"
Another interesting part was Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind." Everyone's interpretation of this could be different. It makes you wonder how this is interpreted by those that believe or do not believe in capital punishment. So are those that carry out the death sentence to others considered to have shed human blood? Or does this just say that those that shed human blood will not live a full and complete life?
My favorite part of today’s reading was about rainbows! Why doesn't anyone ever talk about the rainbows? That's the best part in my opinion. Genesis 9:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
I think this will change how I look at rainbows.
Overall today’s reading was good and enjoyable. Despite those that have encouraged me not to read the Old Testament It's not too bad so far. I realize there will be parts that will be less than enjoyable but isn't that true of all epic tales?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Day 2
Day 2 of reading the bible chronologically. Today's reading was Genesis 4-5:32; 1 Chronicles 1:1-4; Genesis 6:1-22
This tells the story of Cain and Abel, some weird history of genealogy of the decedents of Adam living to be 900 years old and then the story of Noah being told to build the Ark.
Ok...on day 2 of my mission of reading the bible I'm lost already. Maybe more confused rather than lost per say. I know and get the story of Cain and Abel and of Noah but the part in between of the ancestry I don't get. I guess I'm confused because Cain didn't want to be left wandering, was banned from Eden and had to go to the land of Nod. Where he met his wife and they had kids...where did this lady come from?? So God created other people all over? I'm confused here. So was Adam and Eve just the first people he made then he made others in other places?
Then we get to all the ancestry stuff with Adam and Cain's decedents. They all lived for 800-900 years. Really? But Genesis 6 tells us god says “My Spirit will not contend with[a] humans forever, for they are mortal[b]; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”
So this had me wondering who was the oldest recorded person to live. Thank You Google....it's Jeanne Calmet of France who lived to be 122 years and 164 days...apparently when you get that old you count the days too! More interesting is the fact that of the top 10 oldest recorded people 9 of them are women and the one man on the list's actual records of proof cannot be found..He could be an imposter! So God has kept his word that no man will live beyond 120 years...only women! Haha!
OK back to the bible.
Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the LORD said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
So God was mad and didn't like the way they were and decided to wipe out the human race. This is also interesting and I'm sure I will understand this more later but I was under the impression that he liked us and was loving and kind? Well I guess he liked Noah so spared he and his family and all the animals (well two of each). This also makes me wonder how much those original animals have changed since biblical times. I do believe animals evolve over time...long periods of time but there is scientific proof that is happens and you can even see it in dogs for example. I just wonder what the animals on the Ark looked like. I wish there were more descriptions of them...maybe there will be.
This is where it leaves me God telling Noah to build the Ark.
I have read my "assignment" for today several times in multiple different versions. Last night I purchased a new book from Borders. The One Year Chronological Bible. This is so I can read my readings again in bed if I want. It goes along with the www.oneyearbibleonline.com chronological plan which is convenient. It has a nice little timeline and map too which is neat. I find that I have read the readings 3 or 4 times in different versions and thought about them often. I find that I have lots of questions that will hopefully be answered some as I continue my quest. It is entertaining that as more people at work find out the more they think it's bizarre that I'm even doing this. One of my co-workers yesterday said "I just didn't see that coming from you" It kind of cracks me up because I'm sure there are lots of aspects to my co-workers that I don't know. Well I hope you are keeping your co-workers, family and friends guessing about you as well. It's never too late to change and to learn! Happy Learning, Happy Changing, Happy Trails and Happy New Year!
This tells the story of Cain and Abel, some weird history of genealogy of the decedents of Adam living to be 900 years old and then the story of Noah being told to build the Ark.
Ok...on day 2 of my mission of reading the bible I'm lost already. Maybe more confused rather than lost per say. I know and get the story of Cain and Abel and of Noah but the part in between of the ancestry I don't get. I guess I'm confused because Cain didn't want to be left wandering, was banned from Eden and had to go to the land of Nod. Where he met his wife and they had kids...where did this lady come from?? So God created other people all over? I'm confused here. So was Adam and Eve just the first people he made then he made others in other places?
Then we get to all the ancestry stuff with Adam and Cain's decedents. They all lived for 800-900 years. Really? But Genesis 6 tells us god says “My Spirit will not contend with[a] humans forever, for they are mortal[b]; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”
So this had me wondering who was the oldest recorded person to live. Thank You Google....it's Jeanne Calmet of France who lived to be 122 years and 164 days...apparently when you get that old you count the days too! More interesting is the fact that of the top 10 oldest recorded people 9 of them are women and the one man on the list's actual records of proof cannot be found..He could be an imposter! So God has kept his word that no man will live beyond 120 years...only women! Haha!
OK back to the bible.
Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the LORD said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
So God was mad and didn't like the way they were and decided to wipe out the human race. This is also interesting and I'm sure I will understand this more later but I was under the impression that he liked us and was loving and kind? Well I guess he liked Noah so spared he and his family and all the animals (well two of each). This also makes me wonder how much those original animals have changed since biblical times. I do believe animals evolve over time...long periods of time but there is scientific proof that is happens and you can even see it in dogs for example. I just wonder what the animals on the Ark looked like. I wish there were more descriptions of them...maybe there will be.
This is where it leaves me God telling Noah to build the Ark.
I have read my "assignment" for today several times in multiple different versions. Last night I purchased a new book from Borders. The One Year Chronological Bible. This is so I can read my readings again in bed if I want. It goes along with the www.oneyearbibleonline.com chronological plan which is convenient. It has a nice little timeline and map too which is neat. I find that I have read the readings 3 or 4 times in different versions and thought about them often. I find that I have lots of questions that will hopefully be answered some as I continue my quest. It is entertaining that as more people at work find out the more they think it's bizarre that I'm even doing this. One of my co-workers yesterday said "I just didn't see that coming from you" It kind of cracks me up because I'm sure there are lots of aspects to my co-workers that I don't know. Well I hope you are keeping your co-workers, family and friends guessing about you as well. It's never too late to change and to learn! Happy Learning, Happy Changing, Happy Trails and Happy New Year!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The beginning of resolutions
Well it's January 1st! Happy New Year. I have started already on my resolution. It helps that I signed up for an online assistant. www.oneyearbibleonline.com I'm reading the bible in Chronological order this year. I have never read the bible. I also am not the religious type. I went to a Catholic school through the 4th grade but after that not much happened in my life by way of religion. My mom has been a catholic her entire life and my dad had a period of strong faith for about 5 years in my early 20's until they moved away from their church. Neither my husband nor I go to church. His parents are Christian and attend church regularly.
Why this year it struck me to read the bible I'll never know but sometimes it’s good to just go with the flow. I'm not sure how this year will change me as a person but I'm sure every year has. I might not recognize it but each year I change. I am accustomed to change and it really doesn't bother me. In fact at times I thrive on change, I look forward to it and I anticipate my reactions to it.
I am a pessimist at heart. I also am a skeptic. I am not sure how I feel about the bible and I must admit I haven't had the strongest faith in God. I actually am not sure what exactly faith is. My husband has faith in God. I realized this after a discussion with him about death. He said of course there is an afterlife and people are in heaven. I was surprise at this "of course" and acceptance of that. Where this year will take me I have no idea. I'm sure I will look back on my blog and be a changed person but isn't that what we are supposed to be? Almost every book I have read has changed me in some way so why wouldn't this one?
Well the first assigned reading for Jan. 1st was Genesis 1:1-3:24
It's basically the creation of the world and of man. Interesting I guess. It is actually interesting the part 16 to the woman he said,
“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
With painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
And he will rule over you.”
I guess it is because I am a fairly independent chick and this part is questionable for me. I guess because I didn't think of God as a punisher. I understand that there is supposed to be a heaven and hell and according to Catholics and Dante a purgatory but I guess I am not really comfortable with this I will punish you or I will punish all women for this behavior. Maybe eventually I will see this part in a different light but thus far....I don't like that part. I am reading different versions of the bible online because I realized there is quite a difference in wording and I just need to find the wording I like. So this quote is from a New International Version. Not all quotes that I use in here will be. I will try to note what version I am quoting from.
Until tomorrow or until I think of something else to post.
Happy New Year.
Why this year it struck me to read the bible I'll never know but sometimes it’s good to just go with the flow. I'm not sure how this year will change me as a person but I'm sure every year has. I might not recognize it but each year I change. I am accustomed to change and it really doesn't bother me. In fact at times I thrive on change, I look forward to it and I anticipate my reactions to it.
I am a pessimist at heart. I also am a skeptic. I am not sure how I feel about the bible and I must admit I haven't had the strongest faith in God. I actually am not sure what exactly faith is. My husband has faith in God. I realized this after a discussion with him about death. He said of course there is an afterlife and people are in heaven. I was surprise at this "of course" and acceptance of that. Where this year will take me I have no idea. I'm sure I will look back on my blog and be a changed person but isn't that what we are supposed to be? Almost every book I have read has changed me in some way so why wouldn't this one?
Well the first assigned reading for Jan. 1st was Genesis 1:1-3:24
It's basically the creation of the world and of man. Interesting I guess. It is actually interesting the part 16 to the woman he said,
“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
With painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
And he will rule over you.”
I guess it is because I am a fairly independent chick and this part is questionable for me. I guess because I didn't think of God as a punisher. I understand that there is supposed to be a heaven and hell and according to Catholics and Dante a purgatory but I guess I am not really comfortable with this I will punish you or I will punish all women for this behavior. Maybe eventually I will see this part in a different light but thus far....I don't like that part. I am reading different versions of the bible online because I realized there is quite a difference in wording and I just need to find the wording I like. So this quote is from a New International Version. Not all quotes that I use in here will be. I will try to note what version I am quoting from.
Until tomorrow or until I think of something else to post.
Happy New Year.
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