Completed Genesis

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.

my missed day

I'm sorry to my blog readers...whomever you are. I did not post yesterday. I didn't read either! I could tell too. I missed it and felt it hanging over my head that I needed to read. Today I am catching up. Today's reading was Genesis 30:25 - 31:55. This reading was about Jacob leaving where he has lived for the past 20 years with his wives Leah and Rachel. Joseph was born to Rachel. Jacob requested to leave and Laban (Rachel and Leah's father) wanted him to stay. Rachel steals from her father his household idols and Jacob and his wives and children all leave to return to Jacob's homeland. It is amazing to me that Rachel steals from her father. Laban chases Jacob down after 7 days but was told by God "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad." It is interesting that Rachel steals these household idols and that Laban is so insistent on finding them. According to an ancient tablet found in the 2nd millennium BC these household idols or gods were used as evidence of family leadership. This would explain why Rachel stole those items to give to Jacob so he has leadership. There are pictures of these Teraphim (household idols) online that are quite interesting looking. All the pictures I looked up were copyrighted and I don't want to get into trouble!
Happy Reading to all!