In today's section, we read about:
God creating the world
The fall of man and eviction from the garden of Eden
The story of Noah and the first reference to the Covenant
The Tower of Babel
The call of Abram and God's Covenant promise to Abram
The birth of Ishmael
Some of the things that struck me:
When Satan tempts the woman in Gen 3, one of his lines of attack is that she “will be like God, knowing both good and evil” (v5). Yet it is very clear from Gen 1:27 that man was formed in the image of God, ie we were created like God. It is the lack of trust in God, the unwillingness to believe what God says and accept God’s view of things, that creates the problem, which leads to sin.
I have often wondered why Cain’s offering wasn’t acceptable to God, but Abel’s was. Today I think I saw a clue that I had missed before. Gen 4:4 says “Abel also brought a gift – the best of the firstborn lambs from the flock.” This is in contrast with Cain’s offering, which is described as “some of his crops”. God wants our best, our first fruits – this was the command to the Israelites under the Law.
In these passages, God asks a number of rhetorical questions (3:9, 11; 4:9) – he already knows the answers, but wants people to think. This is a style that Jesus used a lot.
Our children love it when they see a rainbow. Yet, how often do we remember that the rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant with Noah and his descendants (9:17)?
Gen 10:6-20 lists the descendants of Ham (Noah’s son who refused to cover his father’s nakedness). Among those are all the main enemies the Israelites faced – Mizraim (the Hebrew for Egypt), the Philistines (13) and the tribes in the promised land when they come out of Egypt (15-17).
I never cease to be amazed at the promises God gives to Abram, and the fact that Abram believes, even if it sometimes seems very difficult (15:2-3). The amazing verse for me is 15:6 “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous, because of his faith.”
So, now we have started. Let's see what amazing things God has in store for us!
4 comments:
Gen 6 v1 - what is the difference between the sons of God and the daughters of men?
Gen 11 v6 - God deliberately sets confusion at the Tower of Babel because He seems worried that "nothing they propose to do will be impossible for them" - seems strange to me - like God deliberately tries to make life difficult.
Just to say how much I am enjoying this reading plan. Typically when Bible reading, I get stuck into questions that arise, which take up my time. I almost cannot proceed until I have understood. however, the need to read 10-15 chaps each day is keeping me focused on only reading - this is quite new for me as regards Bible reading. Thanks! Roger
Well, here we are again and I'm reading in a different translation (NRSV). I was struck by Gen 3:22. God banishes men from the Garden of Eden, because "man has become like one of us" and he might ... live forever." Yet, isn't this what God sent Jesus to us to achieve for us, that we might become more like him and might live with him forever. Also in 11:6, "nothing they propose to do will now be possible for them", cf Phil 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." The point I have drawn is that without God, we are destined to fail and to death. With GOd, through Christ, we are destined for eternal life and glory.
I enjoyed reading the first reading last night but was struck by how many years people seemed to live - 400, 500, 900? Can someone please explain what that means?! Thanks
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