Readings:
Exodus 1
Exodus 2
Psalm 26
Psalm 27
Comments:
What image comes to your mind when you think of Moses? Charlton Heston on the epic movie “The Ten Commandments”? Maybe the cartoon “The Prince of Egypt” which was made in the late 1990s? What happens when we study our heroes closer?
We see that Moses very easily could have been killed as a baby boy. We also see that Moses killed an Egyptian. We would call him a murderer? Today, we want our murderers to be locked up forever, if not put to death by lethal injection. Moses was a murderer, who runs away. He is a fugitive. He becomes a shepherd, marries, and starts a family.
But God will use Moses in something very incredible. God does not use “perfect” people. God uses ordinary people just like you and me. And sometimes God even uses very imperfect people.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 49
Genesis 50
Psalm 25
Comments:
Re-read Genesis 50:20. Memorize it. It is one on the best verses in the entire Bible. "You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it." That is the way the new Common English Bible (CEB) phrases it. When bad things happen to us, we can believe in the power of God to bring good out of it. No matter what we think about how the world operates, God's role in how events unfold, our free will, or even the intent of people towards us, God is able to bring about good!
What Joseph's brothers meant as bad toward him in the end God brings about good. Joseph's story ends well. As we prepare for Exodus, we see however that life has its ups and downs. Israel (the nation) is about to entire a very trying time. It's a time that will define for them who they are as a nation and as God's people.
Genesis 49
Genesis 50
Psalm 25
Comments:
Re-read Genesis 50:20. Memorize it. It is one on the best verses in the entire Bible. "You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it." That is the way the new Common English Bible (CEB) phrases it. When bad things happen to us, we can believe in the power of God to bring good out of it. No matter what we think about how the world operates, God's role in how events unfold, our free will, or even the intent of people towards us, God is able to bring about good!
What Joseph's brothers meant as bad toward him in the end God brings about good. Joseph's story ends well. As we prepare for Exodus, we see however that life has its ups and downs. Israel (the nation) is about to entire a very trying time. It's a time that will define for them who they are as a nation and as God's people.
Through the Bible in 2012
This Week’s Readings:
Monday: Exodus 1, Exodus 2, Psalm 26, Psalm 27
Tuesday: Exodus 3, Exodus 4, Psalm 28
Wednesday: Exodus 5, Exodus 6, Exodus 6
Thursday: Exodus 8, Exodus 9, Exodus 10, Psalm 29
Friday: Exodus 11, Exodus 12, Psalm 30
Saturday: Exodus 13, Exodus 14, Exodus 15
Sunday: Exodus 16, Exodus 17, Exodus 18
Monday: Exodus 1, Exodus 2, Psalm 26, Psalm 27
Tuesday: Exodus 3, Exodus 4, Psalm 28
Wednesday: Exodus 5, Exodus 6, Exodus 6
Thursday: Exodus 8, Exodus 9, Exodus 10, Psalm 29
Friday: Exodus 11, Exodus 12, Psalm 30
Saturday: Exodus 13, Exodus 14, Exodus 15
Sunday: Exodus 16, Exodus 17, Exodus 18
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 46
Genesis 47
Genesis 48
Comments:
The story of Joseph is one of the great stories of the Bible! We have two more chapters to go and I promise you there is no surprise sad ending or cliffhanger. It’s a story full of drama, but one that ends well.
One piece of information that Joseph and brothers could not know, however, is what would happen in the future – not to them, but to those who will come after them. The story of the famine and the move of Jacob’s family to Egypt will set the stage for the second book of the Bible, Exodus. And what happens in Exodus will be a defining moment in the life of the nation of Israel.
For now, let’s just enjoy the story of Joseph.
Genesis 46
Genesis 47
Genesis 48
Comments:
The story of Joseph is one of the great stories of the Bible! We have two more chapters to go and I promise you there is no surprise sad ending or cliffhanger. It’s a story full of drama, but one that ends well.
One piece of information that Joseph and brothers could not know, however, is what would happen in the future – not to them, but to those who will come after them. The story of the famine and the move of Jacob’s family to Egypt will set the stage for the second book of the Bible, Exodus. And what happens in Exodus will be a defining moment in the life of the nation of Israel.
For now, let’s just enjoy the story of Joseph.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 37
Genesis 38
Psalm 21
Comments:
In Jacob’s life we see that he loved one of his wives more than the other and now we see he loves Joseph more than his other children. Sometimes parents mess up.
We also see that Joseph for whatever reason doesn’t handle his dreams very well. Could there have been a better way for him to tell his family about his dreams? Understandably, his brothers are not happy with what the dreams seem to be implying.
Jacob ends up mourning a son who is not dead. However, this same son will save his family in the end.
What can I say about the story in chapter 38? One thing is sure, the Bible is not always rated G or even PG. The Bible is a book full of stories that show human beings in their best light and their worst light.
Matthew 1:3 reveals that the ancestry of Jesus is through Perez and his father Judah. What does this tell us about people and people God can work through?
Genesis 37
Genesis 38
Psalm 21
Comments:
In Jacob’s life we see that he loved one of his wives more than the other and now we see he loves Joseph more than his other children. Sometimes parents mess up.
We also see that Joseph for whatever reason doesn’t handle his dreams very well. Could there have been a better way for him to tell his family about his dreams? Understandably, his brothers are not happy with what the dreams seem to be implying.
Jacob ends up mourning a son who is not dead. However, this same son will save his family in the end.
What can I say about the story in chapter 38? One thing is sure, the Bible is not always rated G or even PG. The Bible is a book full of stories that show human beings in their best light and their worst light.
Matthew 1:3 reveals that the ancestry of Jesus is through Perez and his father Judah. What does this tell us about people and people God can work through?
Through the Bible in 2012
(I forgot to post this here on Tuesday.)
Readings:
Genesis 34
Genesis 35
Genesis 36
Psalm 21
Comments:
Again, the Bible does not present to us a perfect world. It’s a world where not only is there beauty and goodness, but it’s a world that also contains sin, pain, depravity, and evil. Dinah, Jacob and Leah’s daughter, is raped. Her brothers, understandably upset, take matters into their own hands. This leaves Jacob in the position of being retaliated against. That is human nature, isn’t it? We want to get someone back, then they want to get us back, and the cycle repeats itself. Of course, those who harmed Dinah needed to be punished.
Jacob returns to Bethel and builds an altar there. The promise of God is repeated: God will make Jacob the father of many. It’s the promise that was given to Abraham and Sarah, to Isaac, and now to Jacob. Despite all the faults and misgivings and even sinful behavior, God works through people like Jacob! We are reminded that God has changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the one who struggles with God.
We also see Benjamin born to Jacob and Rachel. Jacob’s family is complete. Watch these children closely - they will play an important role in the rest of Genesis and for much of the nation of Israel’s history.
We also see that Esau and Jacob bury their father. Despite their tumultuous relationship when they were younger, we know that Esau and Jacob were able to get along in their older years. However, their descendants will not get along. The list of Esau’s descendants in chapter 36 may bore us and appear to be meaningless to us, but Esau’s descendants will be a thorn in the side of Israel. Watch for them in the rest of the Bible.
Readings:
Genesis 34
Genesis 35
Genesis 36
Psalm 21
Comments:
Again, the Bible does not present to us a perfect world. It’s a world where not only is there beauty and goodness, but it’s a world that also contains sin, pain, depravity, and evil. Dinah, Jacob and Leah’s daughter, is raped. Her brothers, understandably upset, take matters into their own hands. This leaves Jacob in the position of being retaliated against. That is human nature, isn’t it? We want to get someone back, then they want to get us back, and the cycle repeats itself. Of course, those who harmed Dinah needed to be punished.
Jacob returns to Bethel and builds an altar there. The promise of God is repeated: God will make Jacob the father of many. It’s the promise that was given to Abraham and Sarah, to Isaac, and now to Jacob. Despite all the faults and misgivings and even sinful behavior, God works through people like Jacob! We are reminded that God has changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the one who struggles with God.
We also see Benjamin born to Jacob and Rachel. Jacob’s family is complete. Watch these children closely - they will play an important role in the rest of Genesis and for much of the nation of Israel’s history.
We also see that Esau and Jacob bury their father. Despite their tumultuous relationship when they were younger, we know that Esau and Jacob were able to get along in their older years. However, their descendants will not get along. The list of Esau’s descendants in chapter 36 may bore us and appear to be meaningless to us, but Esau’s descendants will be a thorn in the side of Israel. Watch for them in the rest of the Bible.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 31
Genesis 32
Genesis 33
Comments:
I like how Rev. Ellsworth Kalas* puts it – Jacob has unfinished business to attend to. First, he has unfinished business with his father-in-law. We see that played out in chapter 31.
Second, he has unfinished business with his brother, Esau, whom he hasn’t seen in years. We see that played out in chapter 32. But before it’s resolved, Jacob is confronted by a stranger (or a Stranger). They wrestle throughout the night. The stranger gives Jacob a new name. The new name is “Israel” and means “one who struggles with God.” The relationship of Jacob/Israel and God is a picture of the relationship of the emerging nation of Israel and God. We will see that begin in the second book of the Bible, Exodus.
After his struggle with the stranger, Jacob and Esau are able to resolve their differences and make peace with their past.
Are you struggling with God at the moment? What issues need to be resolved in your life? What does God have to say about it?
*Kalas, Ellsworth. The Grand Sweep. page 15
Genesis 31
Genesis 32
Genesis 33
Comments:
I like how Rev. Ellsworth Kalas* puts it – Jacob has unfinished business to attend to. First, he has unfinished business with his father-in-law. We see that played out in chapter 31.
Second, he has unfinished business with his brother, Esau, whom he hasn’t seen in years. We see that played out in chapter 32. But before it’s resolved, Jacob is confronted by a stranger (or a Stranger). They wrestle throughout the night. The stranger gives Jacob a new name. The new name is “Israel” and means “one who struggles with God.” The relationship of Jacob/Israel and God is a picture of the relationship of the emerging nation of Israel and God. We will see that begin in the second book of the Bible, Exodus.
After his struggle with the stranger, Jacob and Esau are able to resolve their differences and make peace with their past.
Are you struggling with God at the moment? What issues need to be resolved in your life? What does God have to say about it?
*Kalas, Ellsworth. The Grand Sweep. page 15
This Week's Readings
This Week’s Reading:
Monday: Genesis 34, 35, 36; Psalm 20
Tuesday: Genesis 37, 38; Psalm 21
Wednesday: Genesis 39, 40, Psalm 22
Thursday: Genesis 41, 42, Psalm 23, 24
Friday: Genesis 43, 44, 45
Saturday: Genesis 46, 47, 48
Sunday: Genesis 49, 50, Psalm 25
Monday: Genesis 34, 35, 36; Psalm 20
Tuesday: Genesis 37, 38; Psalm 21
Wednesday: Genesis 39, 40, Psalm 22
Thursday: Genesis 41, 42, Psalm 23, 24
Friday: Genesis 43, 44, 45
Saturday: Genesis 46, 47, 48
Sunday: Genesis 49, 50, Psalm 25
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 28
Genesis 29
Genesis 30
Comments:
My head is spinning as I read these chapters! Such drama! Such deceit! Odd customs! Sexual tension!
Last week, on a television sit-com, it appeared as if a pre-school age child was saying a very naughty word. The word was bleeped and her mouth was pixilated, but it was obvious what word the writers wanted the audience to think the girl was saying. In reality, the actress was saying “fudge.” Predictably, some people were upset saying this shouldn’t be shown during prime time when children may be watching! Predictably some Christians were upset at the kind of programming being shown on network television. While agreeing, there are some things that can go too far, I did not think this situation was one of them. And as I read today’s chapters from the Bible, I have to wonder what some Christians make of the situations we see our ancestors in the faith getting themselves into! A father who lies to his future son-in-law by saying he can marry his youngest daughter. When the time comes, the father deceives him by giving him the older daughter. After discovering the deceit and confronting the father, the father offers the man both the older daughter and the younger daughter. So between Leah and Rachel and their two servants, Jacob has twelve children who become the “twelve tribes of Israel.” The promise of being blessed and being a blessing and being the father of many is passed from Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. Don’t forget that Jacob’s nickname could very well be “Grabber” as he is a deceiver and one who “grabs” things that are not his to grab! In his father-in-law, Jacob meets his match, however!
Saints of the Bible? Heroes of the faith? How in the world can it be that God is going to work through Jacob and his children? But that is exactly what God does! And if God can work through them, then surely God can work through us! We may not appear to be as bad as some of these characters, but truthfully, we are not angels either. We will hear Paul say to us in the New Testament, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Tomorrow’s Readings:
Genesis 31
Genesis 32
Genesis 33
Genesis 28
Genesis 29
Genesis 30
Comments:
My head is spinning as I read these chapters! Such drama! Such deceit! Odd customs! Sexual tension!
Last week, on a television sit-com, it appeared as if a pre-school age child was saying a very naughty word. The word was bleeped and her mouth was pixilated, but it was obvious what word the writers wanted the audience to think the girl was saying. In reality, the actress was saying “fudge.” Predictably, some people were upset saying this shouldn’t be shown during prime time when children may be watching! Predictably some Christians were upset at the kind of programming being shown on network television. While agreeing, there are some things that can go too far, I did not think this situation was one of them. And as I read today’s chapters from the Bible, I have to wonder what some Christians make of the situations we see our ancestors in the faith getting themselves into! A father who lies to his future son-in-law by saying he can marry his youngest daughter. When the time comes, the father deceives him by giving him the older daughter. After discovering the deceit and confronting the father, the father offers the man both the older daughter and the younger daughter. So between Leah and Rachel and their two servants, Jacob has twelve children who become the “twelve tribes of Israel.” The promise of being blessed and being a blessing and being the father of many is passed from Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. Don’t forget that Jacob’s nickname could very well be “Grabber” as he is a deceiver and one who “grabs” things that are not his to grab! In his father-in-law, Jacob meets his match, however!
Saints of the Bible? Heroes of the faith? How in the world can it be that God is going to work through Jacob and his children? But that is exactly what God does! And if God can work through them, then surely God can work through us! We may not appear to be as bad as some of these characters, but truthfully, we are not angels either. We will hear Paul say to us in the New Testament, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Tomorrow’s Readings:
Genesis 31
Genesis 32
Genesis 33
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 26
Genesis 27
Psalm 19
Comments:
Some days you have to fasten your seat belt because a lot of information is packed into just a couple of chapters of the Bible.
The promise to Abraham is now also to Isaac. Isaac is to be given “the land” and he will be blessed by God. All the nations will be blessed because of Isaac’s descendants. We see that the work God began in Abraham and Sarah continues after their deaths.
Isaac and Rebekah’s two sons – Jacob and Esau – are very different. And there is a struggle between them. We see how this struggle plays out with all the usual family dynamics of most (if not all) families – parents who favor one child over the other, children going against their parents’ wishes, siblings outsmarting one another. Deceit. Strife. Sin.
Rebekah is successful in making sure her favorite, Jacob, receives his father’s blessing. But there’s a price – she sends him away for his own protection!
The Bible is full of stories of people like people we all know! Not saints. Not perfect. Not exactly heroes. People just like you and me. Perhaps that’s why we can relate so well to it and to the people we find in its pages. They are ordinary people. And many of them do extraordinary things because of the power of God in their lives.
Genesis 26
Genesis 27
Psalm 19
Comments:
Some days you have to fasten your seat belt because a lot of information is packed into just a couple of chapters of the Bible.
The promise to Abraham is now also to Isaac. Isaac is to be given “the land” and he will be blessed by God. All the nations will be blessed because of Isaac’s descendants. We see that the work God began in Abraham and Sarah continues after their deaths.
Isaac and Rebekah’s two sons – Jacob and Esau – are very different. And there is a struggle between them. We see how this struggle plays out with all the usual family dynamics of most (if not all) families – parents who favor one child over the other, children going against their parents’ wishes, siblings outsmarting one another. Deceit. Strife. Sin.
Rebekah is successful in making sure her favorite, Jacob, receives his father’s blessing. But there’s a price – she sends him away for his own protection!
The Bible is full of stories of people like people we all know! Not saints. Not perfect. Not exactly heroes. People just like you and me. Perhaps that’s why we can relate so well to it and to the people we find in its pages. They are ordinary people. And many of them do extraordinary things because of the power of God in their lives.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 24
Genesis 25
Psalm 17
Psalm 18
Comments:
The birth of Isaac was a miracle. But for Abraham to have as many descendants as the stars in the sky, Isaac will need to marry and also have children. Isaac marries Rebekah and she gives birth to two very different boys – Jacob and Esau. Esau is the older and should be the heir. But it is not to be. Jacob is God’s pick. Why should we like Jacob? Would we pick Jacob?
Do you see why I always say the Bible (and especially Genesis) is just like a good movie or television mini-series?
Sarah and Abraham die. The saga moves to the next generation. The story of God and God’s people is unfolding. Has the promise died with Sarah and Abraham?
Genesis 24
Genesis 25
Psalm 17
Psalm 18
Comments:
The birth of Isaac was a miracle. But for Abraham to have as many descendants as the stars in the sky, Isaac will need to marry and also have children. Isaac marries Rebekah and she gives birth to two very different boys – Jacob and Esau. Esau is the older and should be the heir. But it is not to be. Jacob is God’s pick. Why should we like Jacob? Would we pick Jacob?
Do you see why I always say the Bible (and especially Genesis) is just like a good movie or television mini-series?
Sarah and Abraham die. The saga moves to the next generation. The story of God and God’s people is unfolding. Has the promise died with Sarah and Abraham?
Monday, January 16, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 22
Genesis 23
Psalm 16
Comments:
There are parts of the Bible that are troubling, deeply troubling. Genesis 22 is one of those parts. God, who was upset with Cain when he killed his brother Abel, now tells Abraham to sacrifice his own son. You know, the son that he promised to Abraham more than once. In Abraham’s old age! The son who was born after Abraham tried to pass off his servant as his heir. The son who was born after Abraham had a son with his wife’s servant! Oh yeah, THAT son. God tells Abraham to now sacrifice Isaac. “Laughter”? Not much to laugh about in chapter 22.
What kind of God is this?
I have to admit at this point I do not have any easy answers. Except to say the story ends well in that Abraham is stopped from going through with it by God. The story tells us that God was testing Abraham. Evidently Abraham passed the test!
Yesterday in church we were exploring the idea of God communicating with us and how to determine if it’s really God or not. Someone asked, “Why is it important to prove that it’s God?”
I think in my own personal example from yesterday’s sermon, there were no real implications. It was not a matter of life or death. However, in this story, it is a matter of life or death – Isaac’s life!
If God told you to sacrifice your own child today, every one of us would think you were crazy. We would say that is not God!
It’s a perplexing story. It’s a tough story. We should not read it too quickly and move on to nicer stories. Nor should we be satisfied with easy answers. “Well, God KNEW he would provide the ram. God KNEW Isaac would not really die! God was MERELY testing Abraham.” Those very well may be true statements, but when listening for God’s voice, it is very important for us to know when God is truly speaking to us.
What bothers us most about this story? That God would ask this of Abraham? That Abraham was evidently willing to do it? Or that Abraham’s commitment to following God appears stronger than ours? How many times have we felt God calling us to do something, but we don’t follow through? Or we give up easily?
What are your thoughts about Genesis 22?
Genesis 22
Genesis 23
Psalm 16
Comments:
There are parts of the Bible that are troubling, deeply troubling. Genesis 22 is one of those parts. God, who was upset with Cain when he killed his brother Abel, now tells Abraham to sacrifice his own son. You know, the son that he promised to Abraham more than once. In Abraham’s old age! The son who was born after Abraham tried to pass off his servant as his heir. The son who was born after Abraham had a son with his wife’s servant! Oh yeah, THAT son. God tells Abraham to now sacrifice Isaac. “Laughter”? Not much to laugh about in chapter 22.
What kind of God is this?
I have to admit at this point I do not have any easy answers. Except to say the story ends well in that Abraham is stopped from going through with it by God. The story tells us that God was testing Abraham. Evidently Abraham passed the test!
Yesterday in church we were exploring the idea of God communicating with us and how to determine if it’s really God or not. Someone asked, “Why is it important to prove that it’s God?”
I think in my own personal example from yesterday’s sermon, there were no real implications. It was not a matter of life or death. However, in this story, it is a matter of life or death – Isaac’s life!
If God told you to sacrifice your own child today, every one of us would think you were crazy. We would say that is not God!
It’s a perplexing story. It’s a tough story. We should not read it too quickly and move on to nicer stories. Nor should we be satisfied with easy answers. “Well, God KNEW he would provide the ram. God KNEW Isaac would not really die! God was MERELY testing Abraham.” Those very well may be true statements, but when listening for God’s voice, it is very important for us to know when God is truly speaking to us.
What bothers us most about this story? That God would ask this of Abraham? That Abraham was evidently willing to do it? Or that Abraham’s commitment to following God appears stronger than ours? How many times have we felt God calling us to do something, but we don’t follow through? Or we give up easily?
What are your thoughts about Genesis 22?
Friday, January 13, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 20
Genesis 21
Psalm 15
Comments:
Abraham is called by God to be an important figure in the history of God’s people. We see that clearly in chapter 12. Abraham is to have an heir and will be the ancestor of many, many people. He is the patriarch of God’s people. Nevertheless, the author of Genesis shows us Abraham with all his faults as well as his good features. In chapter 20, Abraham is afraid that something bad will happen to his wife Sarah if people in Gerar know she is his wife. So he lies and says she is his sister. As the story unfolds, we see the consequences. How often do we think fibs, white lies, and half-truths won’t really matter? In this story, everything ends well. But we know in life that is not always the case.
Isaac is born in chapter 21. Remember his name means ‘laughter’ for not only did his parents laugh, but he himself brings laughter into their lives. As you can imagine, there is trouble ahead as Abraham’s other son (Isaac’s brother by a different mother!) is still in the picture. Sarah wants to send Ishmael away along with his mother Hagar. God takes care of Hagar and Ishmael. In fact, God says Ishmael will also form a great nation. Do you think these two parts of Abraham’s family will get along? Do you think they will cross paths in the future?
Do you see why I like Genesis? It has all the drama of a good television mini-series or movie. Many people become bogged down in details and bored in many parts of the Bible. I don’t see how that can be the case in Genesis.
Genesis 20
Genesis 21
Psalm 15
Comments:
Abraham is called by God to be an important figure in the history of God’s people. We see that clearly in chapter 12. Abraham is to have an heir and will be the ancestor of many, many people. He is the patriarch of God’s people. Nevertheless, the author of Genesis shows us Abraham with all his faults as well as his good features. In chapter 20, Abraham is afraid that something bad will happen to his wife Sarah if people in Gerar know she is his wife. So he lies and says she is his sister. As the story unfolds, we see the consequences. How often do we think fibs, white lies, and half-truths won’t really matter? In this story, everything ends well. But we know in life that is not always the case.
Isaac is born in chapter 21. Remember his name means ‘laughter’ for not only did his parents laugh, but he himself brings laughter into their lives. As you can imagine, there is trouble ahead as Abraham’s other son (Isaac’s brother by a different mother!) is still in the picture. Sarah wants to send Ishmael away along with his mother Hagar. God takes care of Hagar and Ishmael. In fact, God says Ishmael will also form a great nation. Do you think these two parts of Abraham’s family will get along? Do you think they will cross paths in the future?
Do you see why I like Genesis? It has all the drama of a good television mini-series or movie. Many people become bogged down in details and bored in many parts of the Bible. I don’t see how that can be the case in Genesis.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 18
Genesis 19
Psalm 13
Psalm 14
Comments:
Previously, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah. Abram means “exalted ancestor” and Abraham means “ancestor of multitudes.” The name Abraham would be a reminder that God is going to make this man the father of many! Sarai and Sarah both mean “princess.”
In chapter 18, we again hear the promise that Abraham and Sarah will have a child. Previously, Abraham has tried to have the head of his household become his heir. Sarah made sure Abraham had a child with her servant Hagar. This was not God’s plan, however! But upon hearing the promise again, Sarah laughs. When Sarah does conceive and have a son, they name him Isaac which means “he laughed.”
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is a sad one indeed. Evidently, sin was rampant. What do you make of the conversation between Abraham and God in 18:22-33? What do you make of Lot’s daughters in 19:30-38? Are there echoes here of the story of Noah – God saves Lot and his daughters but soon after sin enters the picture! Sin is a concept and reality woven throughout the entire Bible.
God is a God of forgiveness and grace. God is also a God of judgment. Humans are created in the image of God and are “very good.” But humans also are sinful creatures. The Bible is humanity’s story of this struggle and it’s our story too.
Genesis 18
Genesis 19
Psalm 13
Psalm 14
Comments:
Previously, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah. Abram means “exalted ancestor” and Abraham means “ancestor of multitudes.” The name Abraham would be a reminder that God is going to make this man the father of many! Sarai and Sarah both mean “princess.”
In chapter 18, we again hear the promise that Abraham and Sarah will have a child. Previously, Abraham has tried to have the head of his household become his heir. Sarah made sure Abraham had a child with her servant Hagar. This was not God’s plan, however! But upon hearing the promise again, Sarah laughs. When Sarah does conceive and have a son, they name him Isaac which means “he laughed.”
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is a sad one indeed. Evidently, sin was rampant. What do you make of the conversation between Abraham and God in 18:22-33? What do you make of Lot’s daughters in 19:30-38? Are there echoes here of the story of Noah – God saves Lot and his daughters but soon after sin enters the picture! Sin is a concept and reality woven throughout the entire Bible.
God is a God of forgiveness and grace. God is also a God of judgment. Humans are created in the image of God and are “very good.” But humans also are sinful creatures. The Bible is humanity’s story of this struggle and it’s our story too.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 16
Genesis 17
Psalm 12
Comments:
I have often said that Genesis is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s literally like watching a mini-series on television. It has all the drama of any good movie or even a soap opera. There’s love, marriage, cheating, murder, reconciliation, squabbling among siblings, etc. With chapter 16 we see the story already taking some interesting turns.
Sarai decides that since she and her husband Abram do not have children, and they are advanced in years (and presumably won’t be having children of their one), to have a child by her servant Hagar. You can imagine what kinds of problems unsued. Abrahm sleeps with Hagar and Sarai eventually resents this and the child Hagar gives birth to. Surprise, surprise!
Oftentimes I fear we think of the people in the Bible as being closer to God or more perfect than we are. That is not the case! The people in the Bible are real people, just like you and me! God has called Abram and Sarai, they respond, God has a plan, they try to “help” God with that plan… but things don’t work out in the most positive ways. Nevertheless, we will see that God does not abandon Abram and Sarai nor does he give up on the plan. In fact, in chapter 17, we see God reaffirming the plan.
What are God’s plans for us? How do we try to “help” God? In what ways do we thwart God’s plans? Does God ever give up on us?
Genesis 16
Genesis 17
Psalm 12
Comments:
I have often said that Genesis is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s literally like watching a mini-series on television. It has all the drama of any good movie or even a soap opera. There’s love, marriage, cheating, murder, reconciliation, squabbling among siblings, etc. With chapter 16 we see the story already taking some interesting turns.
Sarai decides that since she and her husband Abram do not have children, and they are advanced in years (and presumably won’t be having children of their one), to have a child by her servant Hagar. You can imagine what kinds of problems unsued. Abrahm sleeps with Hagar and Sarai eventually resents this and the child Hagar gives birth to. Surprise, surprise!
Oftentimes I fear we think of the people in the Bible as being closer to God or more perfect than we are. That is not the case! The people in the Bible are real people, just like you and me! God has called Abram and Sarai, they respond, God has a plan, they try to “help” God with that plan… but things don’t work out in the most positive ways. Nevertheless, we will see that God does not abandon Abram and Sarai nor does he give up on the plan. In fact, in chapter 17, we see God reaffirming the plan.
What are God’s plans for us? How do we try to “help” God? In what ways do we thwart God’s plans? Does God ever give up on us?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Readings:
Genesis 14
Genesis 15
Psalm 11
Comments:
I am reading through the Bible in a new translation this year, the Common English Bible. It’s good to read in different translations because we can benefit from the insights of the latest scholarship. Also, we can become so familiar with the words and phrasings of our own Bible, that when we read familiar sayings or stories in new and different ways, we can be stretched and see the scriptures in a new light. What translation do you use? Many use the King James because its available. But they become bogged down in a language not written for the 21st century. The New International Version (NIV) is a popular Bible and one I recommend. I’ll let you know if I like the Common English Bible (CEB) or not.
One reason this is on my mind is because in today’s reading God is referred to as El Elyon (chapter 14 verses 17-19.) At first I was not clear about the meaning. I know “El” refers to God. So I looked it up in the New Revised Standard (NRSV) which is what we use in worship at Albright. It’s translation “God Most High” and the footnote indicates that the Hebrew (the language the Old Testament was written in) is El Elyon. I can totally understand why people become so bogged down in the details of reading and understanding scripture!
Chapter 14 begins with a lot of foreign sounding names! We cannot become discouraged. The important thing in this story is that a war is declared and Lot, Abram’s nephew ends up being captured. Abram rescues him. After this battle, Abram refuses any reward, but he does give Melchizedek the king of Salem a tenth of everything.
In chapter 15 we are reminded that although God has promised Abram to bless him and his descendants, Abram has no children, no heir. Abram tells God that the head of his household will be his heir. But God tells Abram he will have a biological child. Abram trusts God.
As part of some mysterious ceremony which is perplexing to us, Abram makes a sacrifice. There is foreshadowing of tough times to come. And again, God talks about covenant. God is going to give this land to Abram and his descendants.
Genesis 14
Genesis 15
Psalm 11
Comments:
I am reading through the Bible in a new translation this year, the Common English Bible. It’s good to read in different translations because we can benefit from the insights of the latest scholarship. Also, we can become so familiar with the words and phrasings of our own Bible, that when we read familiar sayings or stories in new and different ways, we can be stretched and see the scriptures in a new light. What translation do you use? Many use the King James because its available. But they become bogged down in a language not written for the 21st century. The New International Version (NIV) is a popular Bible and one I recommend. I’ll let you know if I like the Common English Bible (CEB) or not.
One reason this is on my mind is because in today’s reading God is referred to as El Elyon (chapter 14 verses 17-19.) At first I was not clear about the meaning. I know “El” refers to God. So I looked it up in the New Revised Standard (NRSV) which is what we use in worship at Albright. It’s translation “God Most High” and the footnote indicates that the Hebrew (the language the Old Testament was written in) is El Elyon. I can totally understand why people become so bogged down in the details of reading and understanding scripture!
Chapter 14 begins with a lot of foreign sounding names! We cannot become discouraged. The important thing in this story is that a war is declared and Lot, Abram’s nephew ends up being captured. Abram rescues him. After this battle, Abram refuses any reward, but he does give Melchizedek the king of Salem a tenth of everything.
In chapter 15 we are reminded that although God has promised Abram to bless him and his descendants, Abram has no children, no heir. Abram tells God that the head of his household will be his heir. But God tells Abram he will have a biological child. Abram trusts God.
As part of some mysterious ceremony which is perplexing to us, Abram makes a sacrifice. There is foreshadowing of tough times to come. And again, God talks about covenant. God is going to give this land to Abram and his descendants.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Day 7 Readings:
Genesis 12
Genesis 13
Psalm 10
Comments:
Genesis 12 begins the story of Abram and Sarai and their family. We are starting a story that will span generations and continues even today. The Jewish people trace their history to Abraham. As followers of Christ, Abraham is our ancestor also. This is our story.
I well remember when I graduated from Oklahoma State University and headed off to seminary (graduate school). I had applied to Asbury Seminary in Kentucky and was accepted. But I never visited the campus. I just knew in my gut it was the place for me to go. My car was packed full of my essentials, and I backed out of my parents driveway in August of 1991 and started my journey to Kentucky. This was the farthest I had ever been by myself. And this was before cell phones! It was a two day journey for me. I arrived, started school, and the rest is history! Here I am, at Albright, twenty some years later!
Imagine you are Abram and Sarai. God asks you to pack up and go on a long journey. God asks you to go to a place you have never been. You know you will probably never go back home again. You will have a new home. That is what Abram and Sarai do. They leave Haran and head to Canaan. God promises to bless them and they in turn will be a blessing to others. He gives them the land as a new home and this new home will also belong to Abram and Sarai’s descendants.
The journey is just beginning.
Genesis 12
Genesis 13
Psalm 10
Comments:
Genesis 12 begins the story of Abram and Sarai and their family. We are starting a story that will span generations and continues even today. The Jewish people trace their history to Abraham. As followers of Christ, Abraham is our ancestor also. This is our story.
I well remember when I graduated from Oklahoma State University and headed off to seminary (graduate school). I had applied to Asbury Seminary in Kentucky and was accepted. But I never visited the campus. I just knew in my gut it was the place for me to go. My car was packed full of my essentials, and I backed out of my parents driveway in August of 1991 and started my journey to Kentucky. This was the farthest I had ever been by myself. And this was before cell phones! It was a two day journey for me. I arrived, started school, and the rest is history! Here I am, at Albright, twenty some years later!
Imagine you are Abram and Sarai. God asks you to pack up and go on a long journey. God asks you to go to a place you have never been. You know you will probably never go back home again. You will have a new home. That is what Abram and Sarai do. They leave Haran and head to Canaan. God promises to bless them and they in turn will be a blessing to others. He gives them the land as a new home and this new home will also belong to Abram and Sarai’s descendants.
The journey is just beginning.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Day 6 Readings:
Genesis 9
Genesis 10
Genesis 11
Psalm 9
Comments:
In our readings it is not that important that we match up with the day of the calendar (you will notice I didn't start this until January 2). If you fall behind, don't sweat it. The important thing is to develop consistency in reading and studying the Bible. But we don't need to beat ourselves up for missing a day or not staying on track. If you miss a day, just pick back up where you left off. This reading plan and the comments by me are to be read at your pace. We want to dig into God's word rather than be concerned with calendar dates or never missing a day.
In Genesis 9 we have the details of the covenant that God makes with Noah. God tells Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply. This is the same as he told Adam and Eve. Now Noah's family is responsible for filling the earth. We also see that God gives them permission to eat everything. Some believe that prior to this, people did not eat meat or they did not have God's blessing to eat meat. Now they do. However, we do see the value God places on human life: We are not to kill another human being. If we do, there will be consequences.
The sign of the covenant is a bow in the sky. Traditionally this has been interpreted to be a rainbow. That makes sense in the context of rain and floods. However, recent scholars have shown us that the "bow" may in fact not be a rainbow but a bow like a hunter would use. What word does your Bible use for "bow"?
Unfortunately we see that very quickly, humans blow it again. Noah becomes drunk and lies naked. Ham, one of his sons, sees this and tells the other two sons. They cover him and see embarrased and ashamed by this. When Noah awakes, he is upset. A curse results. How quickly we humans go from the highs of mountain top experiences to the lows of our humanity.
Chapter 10 gives us some genealogy. Chapter 11 is the story of the tower of Babel. How quickly we stop relying on God and start relying on our own devices. "Let us build a tower to heaven... let us make a name for ourselves..." The rest of chapter 11 is more genealogy. The important thing to notice here is that it ends with a man named Terah and his son Abram and his grandson Lot and Abram's wife Sarai. Abram and Sarai are to become key figures in the story of God's people.
Genesis 9
Genesis 10
Genesis 11
Psalm 9
Comments:
In our readings it is not that important that we match up with the day of the calendar (you will notice I didn't start this until January 2). If you fall behind, don't sweat it. The important thing is to develop consistency in reading and studying the Bible. But we don't need to beat ourselves up for missing a day or not staying on track. If you miss a day, just pick back up where you left off. This reading plan and the comments by me are to be read at your pace. We want to dig into God's word rather than be concerned with calendar dates or never missing a day.
In Genesis 9 we have the details of the covenant that God makes with Noah. God tells Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply. This is the same as he told Adam and Eve. Now Noah's family is responsible for filling the earth. We also see that God gives them permission to eat everything. Some believe that prior to this, people did not eat meat or they did not have God's blessing to eat meat. Now they do. However, we do see the value God places on human life: We are not to kill another human being. If we do, there will be consequences.
The sign of the covenant is a bow in the sky. Traditionally this has been interpreted to be a rainbow. That makes sense in the context of rain and floods. However, recent scholars have shown us that the "bow" may in fact not be a rainbow but a bow like a hunter would use. What word does your Bible use for "bow"?
Unfortunately we see that very quickly, humans blow it again. Noah becomes drunk and lies naked. Ham, one of his sons, sees this and tells the other two sons. They cover him and see embarrased and ashamed by this. When Noah awakes, he is upset. A curse results. How quickly we humans go from the highs of mountain top experiences to the lows of our humanity.
Chapter 10 gives us some genealogy. Chapter 11 is the story of the tower of Babel. How quickly we stop relying on God and start relying on our own devices. "Let us build a tower to heaven... let us make a name for ourselves..." The rest of chapter 11 is more genealogy. The important thing to notice here is that it ends with a man named Terah and his son Abram and his grandson Lot and Abram's wife Sarai. Abram and Sarai are to become key figures in the story of God's people.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Day 5 Readings:
Genesis 7
Genesis 8
Psalm 8
Comments:
The story of Noah is one of the more well known stories. It is one that children love to hear. It has a big boat. And lots of animals. You can often find an ark with animals and Noah's family in children's toy stores.
As we grow older, we may wonder about this God who destroys everyone except Noah and his family. This will not be the first time we will wonder about God's actions. A careful reading of chapters 7 and 8 reveal not a focus on the destruction, however. The focus is on Noah and God's response to Noah after the flood. Noah worships God after building an altar to God. God is pleased with this. And God makes a promise. Never again will God destroy all the living creatures as he did in the flood. In chapter 9 we will see that God establishes a covenant with Noah. God is not a far off God. On the contrary, God seems to have a desire to be involved in the lives of God's creations. It would appear God is interested in relationship.
On the one hand, we see a God who is able (and does) destroy. On the other hand, we see a God of graciousness. God does not completely destroy, but saves Noah and his family through an ark. In the context of judgement, there is mercy and grace.
There are times today when people bemoan the state of humanity. Famines, wars, evil. Just today I saw online that a woman drowned her one year old in a bucket while her husband watched live over the Internet via Skype. My first thought was how awful and my second thought is that no matter how much we think we have advanced as a society, there is still a great capacity to sin. Evil still exists.
What was it about Noah that God saved him? What was it about everyone else that God destroyed them in a flood? I may not ever figure it out, but what I do know is that God does not give up on us! The story continues.
Genesis 7
Genesis 8
Psalm 8
Comments:
The story of Noah is one of the more well known stories. It is one that children love to hear. It has a big boat. And lots of animals. You can often find an ark with animals and Noah's family in children's toy stores.
As we grow older, we may wonder about this God who destroys everyone except Noah and his family. This will not be the first time we will wonder about God's actions. A careful reading of chapters 7 and 8 reveal not a focus on the destruction, however. The focus is on Noah and God's response to Noah after the flood. Noah worships God after building an altar to God. God is pleased with this. And God makes a promise. Never again will God destroy all the living creatures as he did in the flood. In chapter 9 we will see that God establishes a covenant with Noah. God is not a far off God. On the contrary, God seems to have a desire to be involved in the lives of God's creations. It would appear God is interested in relationship.
On the one hand, we see a God who is able (and does) destroy. On the other hand, we see a God of graciousness. God does not completely destroy, but saves Noah and his family through an ark. In the context of judgement, there is mercy and grace.
There are times today when people bemoan the state of humanity. Famines, wars, evil. Just today I saw online that a woman drowned her one year old in a bucket while her husband watched live over the Internet via Skype. My first thought was how awful and my second thought is that no matter how much we think we have advanced as a society, there is still a great capacity to sin. Evil still exists.
What was it about Noah that God saved him? What was it about everyone else that God destroyed them in a flood? I may not ever figure it out, but what I do know is that God does not give up on us! The story continues.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Day 4 Readings:
Genesis 5
Genesis 6
Psalm 7
Comments:
Chapter 5 is genealogy. The names probably mean very little to us. What do we learn from this chapter? Adam and Eve had another son after Cain and Abel, a son named Seth. People lived a long time in those days. The genealogy ends with Noah and his three sons. Undoubtedly there is more that we can glean from chapter 5. But people often get bogged down in details and then become discouraged. The Bible is, after all, a rather large book! We don't need to get bogged down and discouraged. There is time later to study more indepth. For now, let's move to chapter 6.
6:1-8 explains how humanity spiraled downward. Wickedness and evil prevailed and God was pained by this. God decides to wipe everything humankind from the face of the earth. But one man, Noah, found favor with God. God's plan is to destroy the world with a flood but save Noah. He instructs Noah to build an ark, or a boat. God will also establish a covenant with Noah and Noah's family. Noah is to bring two (male and female) of every animal with him into the ark.
Noah does as God instructs.
Ellsworth Kalas points out that chapter 5 reads like an obituary. In chapter five we are told not about people's lives, but we are told they lived and they died. (Except Enoch. Enoch apparently did not die in the traditional sense.) Kalas says that chapter 6 also is like an obituary. In chapter 6 we see the death of a society.
The story of the Bible is about a God who creates a good world, with very good people in it, and the struggle that ensues as sin, evil, wickedness become a part of the picture.
Genesis 5
Genesis 6
Psalm 7
Comments:
Chapter 5 is genealogy. The names probably mean very little to us. What do we learn from this chapter? Adam and Eve had another son after Cain and Abel, a son named Seth. People lived a long time in those days. The genealogy ends with Noah and his three sons. Undoubtedly there is more that we can glean from chapter 5. But people often get bogged down in details and then become discouraged. The Bible is, after all, a rather large book! We don't need to get bogged down and discouraged. There is time later to study more indepth. For now, let's move to chapter 6.
6:1-8 explains how humanity spiraled downward. Wickedness and evil prevailed and God was pained by this. God decides to wipe everything humankind from the face of the earth. But one man, Noah, found favor with God. God's plan is to destroy the world with a flood but save Noah. He instructs Noah to build an ark, or a boat. God will also establish a covenant with Noah and Noah's family. Noah is to bring two (male and female) of every animal with him into the ark.
Noah does as God instructs.
Ellsworth Kalas points out that chapter 5 reads like an obituary. In chapter five we are told not about people's lives, but we are told they lived and they died. (Except Enoch. Enoch apparently did not die in the traditional sense.) Kalas says that chapter 6 also is like an obituary. In chapter 6 we see the death of a society.
The story of the Bible is about a God who creates a good world, with very good people in it, and the struggle that ensues as sin, evil, wickedness become a part of the picture.
Week 1 Readings
Week 1, Day 1: Genesis 1; Psalms 1, 2
Week 1, Day 2: Genesis 2; Psalms 3, 4
Week 1, Day 3: Genesis 3, 4; Psalms 5, 6
Week 1, Day 4: Genesis 5, 6; Psalm 7
Week 1, Day 5: Genesis 7, 8; Psalm 8
Week 1, Day 6: Genesis 9, 10, 11; Psalm 9
Week 1, Day 7: Genesis 12, 13; Psalm 10
Week 1, Day 2: Genesis 2; Psalms 3, 4
Week 1, Day 3: Genesis 3, 4; Psalms 5, 6
Week 1, Day 4: Genesis 5, 6; Psalm 7
Week 1, Day 5: Genesis 7, 8; Psalm 8
Week 1, Day 6: Genesis 9, 10, 11; Psalm 9
Week 1, Day 7: Genesis 12, 13; Psalm 10
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Day 3 Readings:
Genesis 3-4
Psalm 5
Psalm 6
Comments:
By chapter three, the paradise that God has created begins to fall apart. Adam and Eve disobey God and their son Cain kills their son Abel.
Maybe you feel that way as we enter into the new year. Things are good for awhile, then they fall apart. Psychologically, we feel that January 1 is a brand new start. We desperately want things to be different this year! Over and over, however, people discover that the world has not changed that much. WE have not changed that much. New Year's resolutions we made with gusto may already be abandoned. The so-called good luck effect of the black-eyed peas is dimming. It's only January 4 for crying out loud!
I don't mean to sound depressing today. Just a realist. And the scriptures are real about humanity. We are created in the image of God and God calls us good. AND we blow it horribly. We sin. We mess up.
The good news is that God does not give up on us. One striking feature to me is that when Adam and Eve sin and then begin to feel the effects of their sin (they become ashamed of their nakedness; they hide from God), God comes to them. God does not abandon them. They hear the sound of God walking in the garden. God calls out to them. This is the first question of the Bible: God asks, "Where are you?"
This is the message of Christmas which we have just celebrated. God with us. Emmanuel. A few thousand years before the birth of Christ, God was also with us.
We are beginning a fantastic journey as God walks with his people through history. It all begins right here in Genesis. And you and I are a part of it today.
Genesis 3-4
Psalm 5
Psalm 6
Comments:
By chapter three, the paradise that God has created begins to fall apart. Adam and Eve disobey God and their son Cain kills their son Abel.
Maybe you feel that way as we enter into the new year. Things are good for awhile, then they fall apart. Psychologically, we feel that January 1 is a brand new start. We desperately want things to be different this year! Over and over, however, people discover that the world has not changed that much. WE have not changed that much. New Year's resolutions we made with gusto may already be abandoned. The so-called good luck effect of the black-eyed peas is dimming. It's only January 4 for crying out loud!
I don't mean to sound depressing today. Just a realist. And the scriptures are real about humanity. We are created in the image of God and God calls us good. AND we blow it horribly. We sin. We mess up.
The good news is that God does not give up on us. One striking feature to me is that when Adam and Eve sin and then begin to feel the effects of their sin (they become ashamed of their nakedness; they hide from God), God comes to them. God does not abandon them. They hear the sound of God walking in the garden. God calls out to them. This is the first question of the Bible: God asks, "Where are you?"
This is the message of Christmas which we have just celebrated. God with us. Emmanuel. A few thousand years before the birth of Christ, God was also with us.
We are beginning a fantastic journey as God walks with his people through history. It all begins right here in Genesis. And you and I are a part of it today.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Day 2 Readings:
Genesis 2
Psalm 3
Psalm 4
Comments:
The chapter and verses were not a part of the scripture when it was first written. They were added much later. Because we are human, we tend to read the Bible as it is divided for us. But sometimes the divisions do not make sense. For example, Genesis 2:1-3 are the concluding verses for all of chapter 1. Verse 4 begins a new section. Why did someone start chapter 2 where they did? I do not know.
Chapter 2 verse 4 begins the second creation story. By that, I don’t mean a completely different story. It’s the same creation, just a different version. Can you feel the difference? One of the first obvious differences is that in the first creation story God is referred to as “God.” In the second creation story, God is referred to as “LORD God.” It is important to note the difference.
“God” is a generic word referring to a deity. “God” is not God’s name. We will learn God’s name in the second book of the Bible (Exodus 3:15). Whenever you see in your Bible “Lord” written with the “ord” in small caps (LORD) it is referring to God’s name as God gave it to Moses in Exodus. We are not entirely sure how to pronounce that name, often written as YWHW or Yahweh. And the Jewish people believed that to mispronounce it or even to write it improperly would be breaking one of the ten commandments, so they came up with another way to write and say it. Thus, LORD is their way of acknowledging God as God revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3:15. To add the word “God” to LORD as in LORD God is to emphasize which God we are talking about. Whoever you think God is, God in this story is the one who revealed himself to us as “I Am” or YHWH or Yahweh. (If you see the word Jehovah in your Bible or in some old hymns, it is the same as Yahweh, just a different way of spelling and pronouncing it.)
Confused? Don’t be! What’s important here is that the first creation story uses the generic term “God” for God and the second creation story is more specific by using LORD God to refer to God.
What other differences do you read in the two creation stories?
How are these differences important?
What reason could there be for these differences?
Genesis 2
Psalm 3
Psalm 4
Comments:
The chapter and verses were not a part of the scripture when it was first written. They were added much later. Because we are human, we tend to read the Bible as it is divided for us. But sometimes the divisions do not make sense. For example, Genesis 2:1-3 are the concluding verses for all of chapter 1. Verse 4 begins a new section. Why did someone start chapter 2 where they did? I do not know.
Chapter 2 verse 4 begins the second creation story. By that, I don’t mean a completely different story. It’s the same creation, just a different version. Can you feel the difference? One of the first obvious differences is that in the first creation story God is referred to as “God.” In the second creation story, God is referred to as “LORD God.” It is important to note the difference.
“God” is a generic word referring to a deity. “God” is not God’s name. We will learn God’s name in the second book of the Bible (Exodus 3:15). Whenever you see in your Bible “Lord” written with the “ord” in small caps (LORD) it is referring to God’s name as God gave it to Moses in Exodus. We are not entirely sure how to pronounce that name, often written as YWHW or Yahweh. And the Jewish people believed that to mispronounce it or even to write it improperly would be breaking one of the ten commandments, so they came up with another way to write and say it. Thus, LORD is their way of acknowledging God as God revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3:15. To add the word “God” to LORD as in LORD God is to emphasize which God we are talking about. Whoever you think God is, God in this story is the one who revealed himself to us as “I Am” or YHWH or Yahweh. (If you see the word Jehovah in your Bible or in some old hymns, it is the same as Yahweh, just a different way of spelling and pronouncing it.)
Confused? Don’t be! What’s important here is that the first creation story uses the generic term “God” for God and the second creation story is more specific by using LORD God to refer to God.
What other differences do you read in the two creation stories?
How are these differences important?
What reason could there be for these differences?
Monday, January 2, 2012
Through the Bible in 2012
Day One Readings:
Genesis 1
Psalm 1
Psalm 2
Comments:
Each day will have three readings with a couple days each week having four readings. If you read all the scriptures for each day, you will read through the entire Bible in one year. Let the journey begin!
The first book is called Genesis which means beginnings. The sciptures start with the assumption that God exists. There is no explanation of God or how God came into being. We learn about God and God's characteristics as we read about the actions of God in human history. The first chapter is one of the creation stories and tells us that God created but not necessarily how God created. Well, honestly, it does tell us God simply speaks and what God speaks comes into existence.
One key term repeated throughout this chapter is good. Everthing God created was called good. And when God created humans, God called them very good.
Most of us know that the world often does not appear to be good. Bad news is broadcast everyday in the newspapers, on the televisions, and across the internet. And quite a lot of us have experienced "bad news" in our own personal lives.
But we begin with all of creation as good. And despite all our shortcomings and failures and sins, humankind is very good.
Genesis 1
Psalm 1
Psalm 2
Comments:
Each day will have three readings with a couple days each week having four readings. If you read all the scriptures for each day, you will read through the entire Bible in one year. Let the journey begin!
The first book is called Genesis which means beginnings. The sciptures start with the assumption that God exists. There is no explanation of God or how God came into being. We learn about God and God's characteristics as we read about the actions of God in human history. The first chapter is one of the creation stories and tells us that God created but not necessarily how God created. Well, honestly, it does tell us God simply speaks and what God speaks comes into existence.
One key term repeated throughout this chapter is good. Everthing God created was called good. And when God created humans, God called them very good.
Most of us know that the world often does not appear to be good. Bad news is broadcast everyday in the newspapers, on the televisions, and across the internet. And quite a lot of us have experienced "bad news" in our own personal lives.
But we begin with all of creation as good. And despite all our shortcomings and failures and sins, humankind is very good.
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