January 31st -- Exodus 1:8-2:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%201:8-2:10&version=NLT)
So this section's kind of about how slavery in Egypt got worse under a new king and then a bit about Moses' birth.
So basically a new king takes over who feels that the Israelites are becoming a threat to the Egyptians, so he made them into slaves. However, the harsher the Egyptians were on them, the more Isrealites there were.
The Pharaoh tells the midwives to kill the Hebrew boys, but they were Christian so they refused. When asked why, they came up with an excuse as to why they "couldn't". SO, Pharaoh orders all the Hebrew boys
Then along comes Moses. He manages to be hidden for 3 months. But then he couldn't be hidden anymore, so his mother puts him in a basket and puts him in the Nile. His sister watches only to see him be picked up by Pharaoh's daughter. She hires Moses actual mother to nurse him. Then she names him Moses.
I really don't have more thoughts on this, except that it's cool that God worked it out so that Pharaoh's daughter took in Moses despite his being Hebrew, and also that it was his mother that was picked to raise him. God really plans it all despite how small we are next to Him. He is just SO incredible.
That's all, folks!
God bless! :D
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
January 30th
January 30th -- Genesis 49 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2049&version=NLT)
Jacob's Last Words to His Sons
So this is after they've all been in Egypt together a while. Jacob knows he is dying so he calls all his sons together to pass along his message.
Now, you would think that he would praise his sons, as those are his last moments with them, but he starts of by speaking against Rueben for sleeping with his wife, and then against Simeon and Levi for their anger and hatred which led them to slaughter.
After them he moves on to Judah. He tells Judah he will be praised. He also says that the scepter will not leave him or his line until the arrival of the one to whom it rightfully belongs.
He says Zebulun will live by the seashore and Issachar will submit to labor when he sees the country. Dan will rule over his tribe. Gad will be attacked but then return the attack. Asher will be basically I guess a Bible-times chef it sounds like. Napthali will have pretty kids (no idea how else to interpret that XD )
Then he greatly blesses both Joseph and Benjamin, basically saying they will both be attacked but greatly overpower their attackers.
Finally, before he dies, he charges them with where to bury him.
I find this passage interesting, honestly. I think maybe it's just the fact that he knows exactly what will happen to each of his sons, and he tells them. Normally I feel God leaves our paths for our lives unknown to us so we don't try and change them if we want a different one, yet he allowed Jacob to forsee his son's paths and tell them to them. I find that interesting. Also, I find it interesting that he blesses mostly Joseph and Benjamin, who were full-brothers, both being daughters of Leah. I wonder why those two were so specifically picked out, as it seems to be due to heritage. Or maybe it was simply because Leah was the "least favorite" wife of Jacob, so her sons were favored because she was not. I have no idea, it's just a thought.
Anyways, that's all!
God bless!
Jacob's Last Words to His Sons
So this is after they've all been in Egypt together a while. Jacob knows he is dying so he calls all his sons together to pass along his message.
Now, you would think that he would praise his sons, as those are his last moments with them, but he starts of by speaking against Rueben for sleeping with his wife, and then against Simeon and Levi for their anger and hatred which led them to slaughter.
After them he moves on to Judah. He tells Judah he will be praised. He also says that the scepter will not leave him or his line until the arrival of the one to whom it rightfully belongs.
He says Zebulun will live by the seashore and Issachar will submit to labor when he sees the country. Dan will rule over his tribe. Gad will be attacked but then return the attack. Asher will be basically I guess a Bible-times chef it sounds like. Napthali will have pretty kids (no idea how else to interpret that XD )
Then he greatly blesses both Joseph and Benjamin, basically saying they will both be attacked but greatly overpower their attackers.
Finally, before he dies, he charges them with where to bury him.
I find this passage interesting, honestly. I think maybe it's just the fact that he knows exactly what will happen to each of his sons, and he tells them. Normally I feel God leaves our paths for our lives unknown to us so we don't try and change them if we want a different one, yet he allowed Jacob to forsee his son's paths and tell them to them. I find that interesting. Also, I find it interesting that he blesses mostly Joseph and Benjamin, who were full-brothers, both being daughters of Leah. I wonder why those two were so specifically picked out, as it seems to be due to heritage. Or maybe it was simply because Leah was the "least favorite" wife of Jacob, so her sons were favored because she was not. I have no idea, it's just a thought.
Anyways, that's all!
God bless!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
January 29th
January 29th -- Genesis 45 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2045&version=NLT)
Joseph reveals his identity (FINALLY)
So Joseph, since he was in the room with his brothers already, sends everyone else away, and then starts crying and talking to his brothers. Also, it's important to note that the Egyptians there heard him and the word reached the Palace. When Joseph tells his brothers who he is, they're so shocked he has to explain it again.
Joseph sends them all back, though, to get their families and move here, where Joseph could care for them better.
So, Pharaoh also hears the men are Joseph's brothers, and Pharaoh tells Joseph to get them all to come and they will be given Egypt's finest. So Pharaoh really goes ahead and spoils them.
His brothers go back and tell their families the news. Jacob is THRILLED to learn that Joseph is still alive. Well, he had to believe it first, which took a bit, but the things Pharaoh had sent along helped as proof. Jacob then insists he goes and sees Joseph before he dies.
I like that Joseph FINALLY told his brothers who he was. His hiding it was, in a way, rather decietful. I'm still not entirely sure WHY he did it, instead of just telling them and having them bring Jacob and all their families over...
I also find it a bit odd that Pharaoh treats them all so well. He must have figured out when he learned who Joseph's brothers were that they were not Egpytian, so why would he treat them with the best of Egypt? I guess it was just God blessing them...
Well, that's all, folks!
God bless!
Joseph reveals his identity (FINALLY)
So Joseph, since he was in the room with his brothers already, sends everyone else away, and then starts crying and talking to his brothers. Also, it's important to note that the Egyptians there heard him and the word reached the Palace. When Joseph tells his brothers who he is, they're so shocked he has to explain it again.
Joseph sends them all back, though, to get their families and move here, where Joseph could care for them better.
So, Pharaoh also hears the men are Joseph's brothers, and Pharaoh tells Joseph to get them all to come and they will be given Egypt's finest. So Pharaoh really goes ahead and spoils them.
His brothers go back and tell their families the news. Jacob is THRILLED to learn that Joseph is still alive. Well, he had to believe it first, which took a bit, but the things Pharaoh had sent along helped as proof. Jacob then insists he goes and sees Joseph before he dies.
I like that Joseph FINALLY told his brothers who he was. His hiding it was, in a way, rather decietful. I'm still not entirely sure WHY he did it, instead of just telling them and having them bring Jacob and all their families over...
I also find it a bit odd that Pharaoh treats them all so well. He must have figured out when he learned who Joseph's brothers were that they were not Egpytian, so why would he treat them with the best of Egypt? I guess it was just God blessing them...
Well, that's all, folks!
God bless!
January 28th
January 28th -- Genesis 44 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2044&version=NLT)
Joseph's Silver Cup
So Joseph becomes even more of... well, a trickster now. He basically legitimately sets up his brother to make it look like Benjamin, his only full-brother of the group, stole his silver cup...
So basically they ALL go back and Judah tries to explain their story, and offers himself up instead of Benjamin.
Now, I HONESTLY do NOT understand this. I don't see why Joseph did this... I mean, it makes no sense at all. You'd think he'd want his youngest brother to go back to his father, who obviously favored him... it makes no sense to me....
That's all. I really don't know what else to say on the matter other than that it majorly confuses me as I see no rhyme nor reason to it...
God bless!
P.S. I know this post was a day late - I was at a friend's 18th birthday party and wasn't home until quite late and had an exam early the next day so I just crashed when I got home.
Joseph's Silver Cup
So Joseph becomes even more of... well, a trickster now. He basically legitimately sets up his brother to make it look like Benjamin, his only full-brother of the group, stole his silver cup...
So basically they ALL go back and Judah tries to explain their story, and offers himself up instead of Benjamin.
Now, I HONESTLY do NOT understand this. I don't see why Joseph did this... I mean, it makes no sense at all. You'd think he'd want his youngest brother to go back to his father, who obviously favored him... it makes no sense to me....
That's all. I really don't know what else to say on the matter other than that it majorly confuses me as I see no rhyme nor reason to it...
God bless!
P.S. I know this post was a day late - I was at a friend's 18th birthday party and wasn't home until quite late and had an exam early the next day so I just crashed when I got home.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
January 27th
January 27th -- Genesis 43 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2043&version=NLT)
Joseph's brothers return to Egypt.
So when they run out grain from the first trip to Egypt, Jacob tells his sons to go back for more. However, they remind him they aren't supposed to go back without Benjamin. They finally convince Jacob to let Benjamin go.
Jacob, however, sends them with gifts. He also sends them with the payment for the grain of this time as well as what they found in their bags last time. My study Bible has a note on this explaining that Jacob was extremely honest and thought it was important to properly pay for whatever they bought - he did not want to be in any way dishonest.
When they turn up in Egypt, Joseph says they will feast with him. The brothers were actually afraid to be going into Joseph's house. They thought he was going to accuse them of stealing the money from last time and then turn them into slaves. They appraoch the manager of Joseph's house about it and he tells them not to worry as it must have been a gift from God because he recieved the payment he was due.
So when Joseph returns for their feast, the brothers give him the gifts and money. Then Joseph asks about Benjamin, and when he discovers that he is well, he cries because, I assume, he is just really happy to see that his brother is okay.
Then they have a feast, where Joseph spoils Benjamin.
I really can't think of what else to say... so that'll be all for today.
God bless!
Joseph's brothers return to Egypt.
So when they run out grain from the first trip to Egypt, Jacob tells his sons to go back for more. However, they remind him they aren't supposed to go back without Benjamin. They finally convince Jacob to let Benjamin go.
Jacob, however, sends them with gifts. He also sends them with the payment for the grain of this time as well as what they found in their bags last time. My study Bible has a note on this explaining that Jacob was extremely honest and thought it was important to properly pay for whatever they bought - he did not want to be in any way dishonest.
When they turn up in Egypt, Joseph says they will feast with him. The brothers were actually afraid to be going into Joseph's house. They thought he was going to accuse them of stealing the money from last time and then turn them into slaves. They appraoch the manager of Joseph's house about it and he tells them not to worry as it must have been a gift from God because he recieved the payment he was due.
So when Joseph returns for their feast, the brothers give him the gifts and money. Then Joseph asks about Benjamin, and when he discovers that he is well, he cries because, I assume, he is just really happy to see that his brother is okay.
Then they have a feast, where Joseph spoils Benjamin.
I really can't think of what else to say... so that'll be all for today.
God bless!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
January 26th
January 26th -- Genesis 42 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2042&version=NLT)
Joseph's brothers show up in Egypt.
So during the famine, Egypt, of course, had food due to Joseph's knowledge of and preparation for the famine. Joseph's family was living off elsewhere, though, and so Jacob sent Joseph's brothers to Egypt to buy grain because they had not prepared for any famine and were starving. Also, Jacob keeps Benjamin home, because he's afraid something will happen to him if he sends him along.
Now, Joseph's brothers show up to Joseph for grain - they do not recognize him, but he recognizes them. However, he doesn't tell them who he is. Instead, he basically keep saying they are theives until one says that they are honest men and there are twelve of them but one was lost and the other is at home. Joseph says he will let one go back to fetch the youngest and jail the rest. So he jails them all for three days.
After three days, he tells them that he will keep one here and send the others home with grain. He will let the last one come home when he has seen that they were telling the truth, meaning he will believe when the youngest brother comes.
Now, Joseph KNEW they were his brothers, so why would he ask that of them when he knew they were telling the truth? I found a note on int in my study Bible. After what had happened to him, Joseph wanted to ask Benjamin in person how his brothers were treating him so that he knew they were not treating Benjamin how they had treated him. The deal was his way of getting Benjamin there to speak in person. I find that really interetsing that he came up with all of that.
Joseph also hears Rueben saying that he had been opposed to harming Joseph. I wonder what he thought upon hearing that. After all those years he found out that Rueben had stood up for him...
Also, at first I figured that he sent the money back with them to be kind, as they were his family. However, the brothers were UPSET to find it...
So they tell this all to their father, who gets extremely upset as he has just lost another son. Rueben says that he will take Benjamin to get Simeon back and if he doesn't bring Benjamin back safely, Jacob can kill his sons. However, Jacob still refuses to risk sennding him.
This story is sad... just to see such a broken family... it's really upsetting. But it again interesting to see how God uses those broken familes - all of the pain, suffering, and fear - to teach others and make a difference for Him.
Well, I think that's all.
God bless!
P.S. Don't forget, again, that if you ever need prayer, you can contact me online here : http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com/ask You don't even need an account, as you can ask without and when I recieve the message it will show up as anonymous. Then if you want to check if I have answered, later, it will be here : http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com - or http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com/archive for faster access.☺
Joseph's brothers show up in Egypt.
So during the famine, Egypt, of course, had food due to Joseph's knowledge of and preparation for the famine. Joseph's family was living off elsewhere, though, and so Jacob sent Joseph's brothers to Egypt to buy grain because they had not prepared for any famine and were starving. Also, Jacob keeps Benjamin home, because he's afraid something will happen to him if he sends him along.
Now, Joseph's brothers show up to Joseph for grain - they do not recognize him, but he recognizes them. However, he doesn't tell them who he is. Instead, he basically keep saying they are theives until one says that they are honest men and there are twelve of them but one was lost and the other is at home. Joseph says he will let one go back to fetch the youngest and jail the rest. So he jails them all for three days.
After three days, he tells them that he will keep one here and send the others home with grain. He will let the last one come home when he has seen that they were telling the truth, meaning he will believe when the youngest brother comes.
Now, Joseph KNEW they were his brothers, so why would he ask that of them when he knew they were telling the truth? I found a note on int in my study Bible. After what had happened to him, Joseph wanted to ask Benjamin in person how his brothers were treating him so that he knew they were not treating Benjamin how they had treated him. The deal was his way of getting Benjamin there to speak in person. I find that really interetsing that he came up with all of that.
Joseph also hears Rueben saying that he had been opposed to harming Joseph. I wonder what he thought upon hearing that. After all those years he found out that Rueben had stood up for him...
Also, at first I figured that he sent the money back with them to be kind, as they were his family. However, the brothers were UPSET to find it...
So they tell this all to their father, who gets extremely upset as he has just lost another son. Rueben says that he will take Benjamin to get Simeon back and if he doesn't bring Benjamin back safely, Jacob can kill his sons. However, Jacob still refuses to risk sennding him.
This story is sad... just to see such a broken family... it's really upsetting. But it again interesting to see how God uses those broken familes - all of the pain, suffering, and fear - to teach others and make a difference for Him.
Well, I think that's all.
God bless!
P.S. Don't forget, again, that if you ever need prayer, you can contact me online here : http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com/ask You don't even need an account, as you can ask without and when I recieve the message it will show up as anonymous. Then if you want to check if I have answered, later, it will be here : http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com - or http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com/archive for faster access.☺
Friday, January 25, 2013
January 25th
January 25th -- Genesis 41:37-57 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2041:37-57&version=NLT)
Joseph is made ruler of Egypt.
So Joseph had advised Pharaoh on what the dreams meant, and had told Pharaoh to put someone in charge of making sure the instructions he gave were followed through. Oddly enough, Pharaoh picked Joseph, since he realized there wasn't anyone else like him around who matched Joseph's intellogence/wisdom.
So Joseph literally gets put in charge of basically everything. He answered to Pharaoh and nobody else. As Pharaoh even says in verse 44 "I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval."
I find it cool how Pharaoh renames Joseph, and calls him "Zaphenath-paneah" because apparently that means "God speaks and lives".
So, well, the next fourteen years go by just as Joseph said they would. Joseph gets married and has two kids - Manasseh and Ephraim - and things are going well even through the famine because Joseph prepared Egypt for it.
I think it's just sort of cool to see stories like this where you can so easily see God's plan falling into place through all these little events. It's encouraging, too, because we all go through rough times, like Joseph (sold into slavery, also jailed when innocent) but God worked through him, so He can work through us, too.
Anyways, I think that's all for tonight. :)
God bless!
Joseph is made ruler of Egypt.
So Joseph had advised Pharaoh on what the dreams meant, and had told Pharaoh to put someone in charge of making sure the instructions he gave were followed through. Oddly enough, Pharaoh picked Joseph, since he realized there wasn't anyone else like him around who matched Joseph's intellogence/wisdom.
So Joseph literally gets put in charge of basically everything. He answered to Pharaoh and nobody else. As Pharaoh even says in verse 44 "I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval."
I find it cool how Pharaoh renames Joseph, and calls him "Zaphenath-paneah" because apparently that means "God speaks and lives".
So, well, the next fourteen years go by just as Joseph said they would. Joseph gets married and has two kids - Manasseh and Ephraim - and things are going well even through the famine because Joseph prepared Egypt for it.
I think it's just sort of cool to see stories like this where you can so easily see God's plan falling into place through all these little events. It's encouraging, too, because we all go through rough times, like Joseph (sold into slavery, also jailed when innocent) but God worked through him, so He can work through us, too.
Anyways, I think that's all for tonight. :)
God bless!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
January 24th
January 24th -- Genesis 41:1-36 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2041:1-36&version=NLT)
Joseph interprets Pharoah's dreams.
So Pharoah has these two dreams, basically in both, there are seven healthy cows in the first and wheat in the second. Then seven unhealthy cows/wheat come along and eat/destroy the other. When he wakes up he's upset over them. He calls for all the magicians and wise-men but none of them knew what the dreams meant. Then the cup-bearer steps up and mentions Joseph.
So Pharoah summons for Joseph, who agrees to see if God will allow him to tell Pharoah the meaning of the dreams. Pharoah tells Joseph about them. Joseph explains the seven healthy cows/wheat stalks represent seven good years and the unhealthy seven cows/wheat stalkes represent seven years of famine.
Nor only does Joseph know what they means, but he knows that because Pharoah dreamed the same thing twice God has said it WILL happen. He the also tells Pharoah exactly what to do - store the food from the good years so they have food in those of famine.
Again, not much to expand on, but I do find the whole dream-interpreting thing neat....
So, yeah....
God bless!
Joseph interprets Pharoah's dreams.
So Pharoah has these two dreams, basically in both, there are seven healthy cows in the first and wheat in the second. Then seven unhealthy cows/wheat come along and eat/destroy the other. When he wakes up he's upset over them. He calls for all the magicians and wise-men but none of them knew what the dreams meant. Then the cup-bearer steps up and mentions Joseph.
So Pharoah summons for Joseph, who agrees to see if God will allow him to tell Pharoah the meaning of the dreams. Pharoah tells Joseph about them. Joseph explains the seven healthy cows/wheat stalks represent seven good years and the unhealthy seven cows/wheat stalkes represent seven years of famine.
Nor only does Joseph know what they means, but he knows that because Pharoah dreamed the same thing twice God has said it WILL happen. He the also tells Pharoah exactly what to do - store the food from the good years so they have food in those of famine.
Again, not much to expand on, but I do find the whole dream-interpreting thing neat....
So, yeah....
God bless!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
January 23rd
Januart 23rd -- Genesis 40:1-23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2040:1-23&version=NLT)
Joseph interprets two dreams.
I'm really not sure what to say on these... other than, well, the cup-bearer was lucky and the baker.... not so much.
Although, I do find it cool how Joseph interprets these dreams. I just wonder how God picks who he does to interpret them, and if he only lets them interpret some or all dreams. Also, well, why does God send along those dreams with meaning to them to warn them beforehand? I guess in this case, though, it was so Joseph has a good word passed along. We always know God has a plan for it all, but it's cool to see it work so well as how it did in this case for Joseph.
Uhm so yeah sorry but that's all....
God bless!!!!!
Joseph interprets two dreams.
I'm really not sure what to say on these... other than, well, the cup-bearer was lucky and the baker.... not so much.
Although, I do find it cool how Joseph interprets these dreams. I just wonder how God picks who he does to interpret them, and if he only lets them interpret some or all dreams. Also, well, why does God send along those dreams with meaning to them to warn them beforehand? I guess in this case, though, it was so Joseph has a good word passed along. We always know God has a plan for it all, but it's cool to see it work so well as how it did in this case for Joseph.
Uhm so yeah sorry but that's all....
God bless!!!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
January 22nd
January 22nd -- Genesis 39 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2039&version=NLT)
Joseph and Potiphar.
So Joseph was sold to a man names Potiphar, who was a captiain of the guard for Pharoah. God was always with Joseph and always blessed him. So, when Joseph began to serve Potiphar, God blessed Potiphar's entire household, too, for Joseph's sake.
Potiphar clued in that God was with Joseph, so he trusted him and put him in charge of everything. As Potiphar noticed this, his wife noticed Joseph's appearance and began to try and seduce him. While he began to trust, she began to lust....
I just think that Joseph deserves some acknowledgement for not giving in to Potiphar's wife. This passage makes it sound as if she was VERY persistent about it. Many people have trouble not succumbing to those temptations and desires without the persistency of someone telling them to give in, but Joseph stood strong even as she tried to make him.
Now, I also find it interesting that Potiphar doesn't clue in to Joseph's innocence. One would think that with his knowing God was with Joseph, he should know better than to think Joseph would really try and rape his wife. However, this wasn't the case and he threw Joseph in jail. Now, when Joseph was in jail, God was no longer blessing Potiphar's household. I'm surprised even that didn't help him clue in he should bring Joseph back.
Ironically, even in jail, God was so faithful to Joseph that the warden put him in charge of the other prisoners because he knew Joseph would take care of it all.
I find it also interesting that Joseph who bragged to his brothers about these dreams of them serving him was now spending his life serving others, and doing it so faithfully that God made him succeed in it always. One would think he would have been slightly unfaithful due to not understanding how he would rule his brothers while he served a jail warden. I guess he just had enough faith, though, to trust, which is certainly something to respect...
That's all. :)
God bless!
Joseph and Potiphar.
So Joseph was sold to a man names Potiphar, who was a captiain of the guard for Pharoah. God was always with Joseph and always blessed him. So, when Joseph began to serve Potiphar, God blessed Potiphar's entire household, too, for Joseph's sake.
Potiphar clued in that God was with Joseph, so he trusted him and put him in charge of everything. As Potiphar noticed this, his wife noticed Joseph's appearance and began to try and seduce him. While he began to trust, she began to lust....
I just think that Joseph deserves some acknowledgement for not giving in to Potiphar's wife. This passage makes it sound as if she was VERY persistent about it. Many people have trouble not succumbing to those temptations and desires without the persistency of someone telling them to give in, but Joseph stood strong even as she tried to make him.
Now, I also find it interesting that Potiphar doesn't clue in to Joseph's innocence. One would think that with his knowing God was with Joseph, he should know better than to think Joseph would really try and rape his wife. However, this wasn't the case and he threw Joseph in jail. Now, when Joseph was in jail, God was no longer blessing Potiphar's household. I'm surprised even that didn't help him clue in he should bring Joseph back.
Ironically, even in jail, God was so faithful to Joseph that the warden put him in charge of the other prisoners because he knew Joseph would take care of it all.
I find it also interesting that Joseph who bragged to his brothers about these dreams of them serving him was now spending his life serving others, and doing it so faithfully that God made him succeed in it always. One would think he would have been slightly unfaithful due to not understanding how he would rule his brothers while he served a jail warden. I guess he just had enough faith, though, to trust, which is certainly something to respect...
That's all. :)
God bless!
Monday, January 21, 2013
January 21st
January 21st -- Genesis 37 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037&version=NLT)
Joseph!
So, I think we all basically know the story of Joseph. He was one of Jacob's sons, and rather Jacob's favorite son. His brothers despised him for that. Jacob was also overconfident in his knowledge he was clearly the favorite. He didn't exactly lie-low about it, but rather flaunted it in his brother's faces, particularily when it came to the dreams. So, when Jacob was sent to check on them, they of course saw the opportunity there.
I find it interesting that Reuben stopped them. I wonder why he did not just agre with the others? To me it almost seems like God knew he needed one to stand against so that the whole story fell into place for Joseph, and God happened to pick Reuben for whatever reasons He did.
Now, I find it interesting, slightly, that when the cloak comes home with a note, Jacob suspects nothing. He did know of his other sons' dislike of Jacob's dreams, yet he did not suspect that they had perhaps done something.
I am also curious about what happens to Reuben, because he, as it says, laments to his brothers over Joseph being gone. I am almost surprised they didn't sell him off, too, or leave him in the cistern for having planned to free Joseph.
Just a thought....
Anyways, that is all for today/tonight!
God bless you all!
P.S. Don't forget if you need prayer for any reason, I am always here to listen! Just message me at http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com/ask then if you want to see my answer, check my blog the next day (http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com) and somewhere down it there should be my answer to your anonymous message.
Joseph!
So, I think we all basically know the story of Joseph. He was one of Jacob's sons, and rather Jacob's favorite son. His brothers despised him for that. Jacob was also overconfident in his knowledge he was clearly the favorite. He didn't exactly lie-low about it, but rather flaunted it in his brother's faces, particularily when it came to the dreams. So, when Jacob was sent to check on them, they of course saw the opportunity there.
I find it interesting that Reuben stopped them. I wonder why he did not just agre with the others? To me it almost seems like God knew he needed one to stand against so that the whole story fell into place for Joseph, and God happened to pick Reuben for whatever reasons He did.
Now, I find it interesting, slightly, that when the cloak comes home with a note, Jacob suspects nothing. He did know of his other sons' dislike of Jacob's dreams, yet he did not suspect that they had perhaps done something.
I am also curious about what happens to Reuben, because he, as it says, laments to his brothers over Joseph being gone. I am almost surprised they didn't sell him off, too, or leave him in the cistern for having planned to free Joseph.
Just a thought....
Anyways, that is all for today/tonight!
God bless you all!
P.S. Don't forget if you need prayer for any reason, I am always here to listen! Just message me at http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com/ask then if you want to see my answer, check my blog the next day (http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com) and somewhere down it there should be my answer to your anonymous message.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
January 20th
January 20th -- Genesis 32:1-33:16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2032:1-33:16&version=NLT)
So firstly angels show up to Jacob, which seems just to be to let him know God is with him. Then he finds out shortly after that his brother is bringing an army to him, so he splits his camps so if one is attacked the other will still live. Then he decides to send gifts to appease him.
So then we have Jacob on his own because he sent his camp across the river. A man shows up and they restle. They end up in basically a stalemate, and the man asks to be let go. Jacob says he won't let him go unless he blesses him. Jacob is blessed and also gets a name change to Israel.
Then Jacob goes to face Esau. Esau in fact runs to him and they both start crying they are so glad to be reunited. Now, they parted on bad terms. It just goes to show that God can heal all relationships if He wants them to be healed. Esau also tells Jacob to keep his gifts, because he has enough, but Jacob eventually convinces him to take it.
Jacob sends Esau along back home, and then catches up slowly at his own pace.
I think this story is just a great example of God's being faithful. Esau set out with an army to face Jacob, and in the end they acted as if nothing had happened. It's beautiful to watch God restore relationships.
That's all for today!
God bless!
So firstly angels show up to Jacob, which seems just to be to let him know God is with him. Then he finds out shortly after that his brother is bringing an army to him, so he splits his camps so if one is attacked the other will still live. Then he decides to send gifts to appease him.
So then we have Jacob on his own because he sent his camp across the river. A man shows up and they restle. They end up in basically a stalemate, and the man asks to be let go. Jacob says he won't let him go unless he blesses him. Jacob is blessed and also gets a name change to Israel.
Then Jacob goes to face Esau. Esau in fact runs to him and they both start crying they are so glad to be reunited. Now, they parted on bad terms. It just goes to show that God can heal all relationships if He wants them to be healed. Esau also tells Jacob to keep his gifts, because he has enough, but Jacob eventually convinces him to take it.
Jacob sends Esau along back home, and then catches up slowly at his own pace.
I think this story is just a great example of God's being faithful. Esau set out with an army to face Jacob, and in the end they acted as if nothing had happened. It's beautiful to watch God restore relationships.
That's all for today!
God bless!
January 19th
January 19th -- Genesis 29:14-30 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2029:14-30&version=NIV)
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
Too me, this firstly comes off as a bit of a love story. Jacob loved Rachel enough he agreed to work seven years with no pay for her hand. Laban tricked him, and married of Leah to him instead, saying Jacob could have Rachel also IF he stayed and worked another seven years. Jacob was so in love he agreed to stay and work seven more years for her. Personally, I find that quite adorable. The fact that he's was willing to work fourteen years of hard work with no pay to spend his life with Rachel is absolutely adorable. ♥ I think that he's definetly one of the better Biblical examples for guys to look at. You know your love is real when _____.
I also think this is a brief lesson that sometimes what goes around does come around (not karma, just God knows how to teach us lessons). Jacob went ahead and tricked Esau and his father. Then he ended up being the one tricked by Laban. He didn't feel so great once the position was reversed. It's just a lesson that we need to be wary of how our action's affect otherwise and how we would feel if the situation was reversed.
May I also briefly throw in I feel kind of bad for Leah. I mean, it's not like Jacob hid his outrage that he had married her - she must've been a little put out he wasn't at least okay with it....
P.S. I realize this post was a day late - Last night/this morning I was up until 2am. Until around 1 was me working on final projects for school, and then a friend texted me because her uncle had just passed so I was up comforting her for a while. After that I was exhausted and resolved to do this post today. I'll put up today's in just over an hour once my show's over!
God bless!
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
Too me, this firstly comes off as a bit of a love story. Jacob loved Rachel enough he agreed to work seven years with no pay for her hand. Laban tricked him, and married of Leah to him instead, saying Jacob could have Rachel also IF he stayed and worked another seven years. Jacob was so in love he agreed to stay and work seven more years for her. Personally, I find that quite adorable. The fact that he's was willing to work fourteen years of hard work with no pay to spend his life with Rachel is absolutely adorable. ♥ I think that he's definetly one of the better Biblical examples for guys to look at. You know your love is real when _____.
I also think this is a brief lesson that sometimes what goes around does come around (not karma, just God knows how to teach us lessons). Jacob went ahead and tricked Esau and his father. Then he ended up being the one tricked by Laban. He didn't feel so great once the position was reversed. It's just a lesson that we need to be wary of how our action's affect otherwise and how we would feel if the situation was reversed.
May I also briefly throw in I feel kind of bad for Leah. I mean, it's not like Jacob hid his outrage that he had married her - she must've been a little put out he wasn't at least okay with it....
P.S. I realize this post was a day late - Last night/this morning I was up until 2am. Until around 1 was me working on final projects for school, and then a friend texted me because her uncle had just passed so I was up comforting her for a while. After that I was exhausted and resolved to do this post today. I'll put up today's in just over an hour once my show's over!
God bless!
Friday, January 18, 2013
January 18th
January 18th -- Genesis 28:10-22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2028:10-22&version=NLT)
This is about Jacob's dream at Bethel.
Honestly, sorry, but I don't have much to say about this.
Jacob went to sleep and had a dream, and in it, God came and offered him that same covenant that he had offered to Abraham and Isaac before him.
When Jacob wakes up, it's kind of big moment of realization when it hits him that God's real!
So he goes ahead and makes basically an altar to God there.
My study Bible has an interesting note on verses 20-22 in regards to as if Jacob is trying to bargain with God, as that is kind of what it seems like. However apparently it could also be argued that he was merely saying that since God blessed him, he will follow Him. It's an interesting thought, really...
Also, I have no idea if this is way off, but it makes me wonder if this is where the concept of tithing comes from... as I don't think I've heard it anywhere before now in the Bible....
Sorry again for it being so short - it was a short passage and I can't think of much to say on it....
God bless!
This is about Jacob's dream at Bethel.
Honestly, sorry, but I don't have much to say about this.
Jacob went to sleep and had a dream, and in it, God came and offered him that same covenant that he had offered to Abraham and Isaac before him.
When Jacob wakes up, it's kind of big moment of realization when it hits him that God's real!
So he goes ahead and makes basically an altar to God there.
My study Bible has an interesting note on verses 20-22 in regards to as if Jacob is trying to bargain with God, as that is kind of what it seems like. However apparently it could also be argued that he was merely saying that since God blessed him, he will follow Him. It's an interesting thought, really...
Also, I have no idea if this is way off, but it makes me wonder if this is where the concept of tithing comes from... as I don't think I've heard it anywhere before now in the Bible....
Sorry again for it being so short - it was a short passage and I can't think of much to say on it....
God bless!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
January 17th
January 17th -- Genesis 27:1-40 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2027:1-40&version=NLT)
This is the story about how Jacob steals his brother Esau's blessing.
So, we all know Rebekah totally picked Jacob and treated him as a favorite. So when she overheard that Esau was to be getting his father's blessing, she of course intervened to Jacob recieved it instead. When Jacob asks basically "what if he realized I'm not Esau" upon hearing her plan, she says that she'll take the blame, basically.
So basically his mom dresses him up as his brother so he can pretend to be Esau well enough he will convince his dad. It works, just barely, and Isaac blesses Jacob while thinking he is Esau.
This all goes smoothly until of course, Esau gets home. Isaac is confused until the two finally realize that Jacob (and Rebekah) tricked Isaac into blessing him, instead. Esau, after begging, gets a lesser blessing.
I know this isn't the point of these verses, but to me it just makes me think of how careful we have to be to not let ourselves be decieved by the devil. Just as Jacob masqueraded as Esau, the devil masquerades as an angel of light. Isaac ignored the fact that it was Jacob's voice - we need to be wary that no matter how things may look, we need to ensure the voice we listen to is that of God and not the devil, because appearance and such may be decieving.
That's all - sorry it's not much, but again, it's just an account of their tale. Plus I'm sick so my head's a little fuzzy. XD The only thing that really stood out at me is what I mentioned about being wary not to let ourselves be decieved.
God bless!
This is the story about how Jacob steals his brother Esau's blessing.
So, we all know Rebekah totally picked Jacob and treated him as a favorite. So when she overheard that Esau was to be getting his father's blessing, she of course intervened to Jacob recieved it instead. When Jacob asks basically "what if he realized I'm not Esau" upon hearing her plan, she says that she'll take the blame, basically.
So basically his mom dresses him up as his brother so he can pretend to be Esau well enough he will convince his dad. It works, just barely, and Isaac blesses Jacob while thinking he is Esau.
This all goes smoothly until of course, Esau gets home. Isaac is confused until the two finally realize that Jacob (and Rebekah) tricked Isaac into blessing him, instead. Esau, after begging, gets a lesser blessing.
I know this isn't the point of these verses, but to me it just makes me think of how careful we have to be to not let ourselves be decieved by the devil. Just as Jacob masqueraded as Esau, the devil masquerades as an angel of light. Isaac ignored the fact that it was Jacob's voice - we need to be wary that no matter how things may look, we need to ensure the voice we listen to is that of God and not the devil, because appearance and such may be decieving.
That's all - sorry it's not much, but again, it's just an account of their tale. Plus I'm sick so my head's a little fuzzy. XD The only thing that really stood out at me is what I mentioned about being wary not to let ourselves be decieved.
God bless!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
January 16th
January 16th -- Genesis 25:19-34 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2025:19-34%20&version=NLT)
Jacob and Esau.
So even when Rebekah was pregnant with these two, they fought. When Rebekah asked why, God told her why they fought, saying they would become two warring nations, and the younger of the two would be the leader of the stronger one. Or, "your older son will serve your younger son"
I laughed at this in my study Bible: Esau was named Esau because it sounds like a Hebrew term that means "hair" and Esau was apparently hairy when he was born. Then Jacob was named Jacob because it sounds like the word 'heel' (and also 'deciever') and Jacob was grasping Cain's heel when he was born.
So then these two grow up. Esau becomes a hunter and his dad played favorites on him. Jacob liked staying home and his mom played favorites on him, though that may likely have been because she knew from when she was pregnant that his brother would serve him.
One time, Esau comes home from hunting REALLY hungry, to the point he says he is starving of hunger. He asks Jacob for some. Jacob says he can have it in return for his birthrights. Esau accepts. This was a foolish impuslive decision that lost Esau a lot that he could have had later on. It's just an example of why we have to be careful that we don't just look for immediate gratification - especially in today's world - but look more to the future and what effect our choice may have on that.
Just a thought that we really need to think about our decisions. Think about what repercussions they may have and also think about God's view on them.
That's all folks! God bless!
Jacob and Esau.
So even when Rebekah was pregnant with these two, they fought. When Rebekah asked why, God told her why they fought, saying they would become two warring nations, and the younger of the two would be the leader of the stronger one. Or, "your older son will serve your younger son"
I laughed at this in my study Bible: Esau was named Esau because it sounds like a Hebrew term that means "hair" and Esau was apparently hairy when he was born. Then Jacob was named Jacob because it sounds like the word 'heel' (and also 'deciever') and Jacob was grasping Cain's heel when he was born.
So then these two grow up. Esau becomes a hunter and his dad played favorites on him. Jacob liked staying home and his mom played favorites on him, though that may likely have been because she knew from when she was pregnant that his brother would serve him.
One time, Esau comes home from hunting REALLY hungry, to the point he says he is starving of hunger. He asks Jacob for some. Jacob says he can have it in return for his birthrights. Esau accepts. This was a foolish impuslive decision that lost Esau a lot that he could have had later on. It's just an example of why we have to be careful that we don't just look for immediate gratification - especially in today's world - but look more to the future and what effect our choice may have on that.
Just a thought that we really need to think about our decisions. Think about what repercussions they may have and also think about God's view on them.
That's all folks! God bless!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
January 15th
January 15th -- Genesis 24:28-67 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2024:28-67&version=NLT)
More about Rebekah and Isaac. :)
So Rebekah goes and finds her brother, who sees the jewellery and knows something's up, so he invites Elezier to stay. Can I just say I find it rather humorous that basically the first thing he says about Isaac is that he's rich because he got everything his dad had, and his dad was rich? I mean, I know he had to convince the girl to marry Isaac, but still. Also, I find it kind of odd how Rebekah just agrees to marry Isaac who she's never met before and then goes.... mind you, if someone came saying they were sent by God to bring me to the man I'm supposed to marry, I might very well do the same thing Rebekah did. Haha!
When they get back, and Rebekah and Elezier see Isaac, Rebekah gets off the camel and covers her face with a veil. I never understood that, but apparently they are customs. Dismounting from the camel showed respect and the viel was because she was a bride, basically.
And well, "Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah's tent, and she became his wife..." That's about how it ends. I'm really not gonna' touch on that point - that's just my way of saying that's the end of the section and all I can really think to say on it.
God bless!
Also, I may have posted this before, but you don't need a Tumblr account to submit me a message (it will simply come up as anonymous) on Tumblr, so feel free to send me prayer requests and such! ♥
More about Rebekah and Isaac. :)
So Rebekah goes and finds her brother, who sees the jewellery and knows something's up, so he invites Elezier to stay. Can I just say I find it rather humorous that basically the first thing he says about Isaac is that he's rich because he got everything his dad had, and his dad was rich? I mean, I know he had to convince the girl to marry Isaac, but still. Also, I find it kind of odd how Rebekah just agrees to marry Isaac who she's never met before and then goes.... mind you, if someone came saying they were sent by God to bring me to the man I'm supposed to marry, I might very well do the same thing Rebekah did. Haha!
When they get back, and Rebekah and Elezier see Isaac, Rebekah gets off the camel and covers her face with a veil. I never understood that, but apparently they are customs. Dismounting from the camel showed respect and the viel was because she was a bride, basically.
And well, "Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah's tent, and she became his wife..." That's about how it ends. I'm really not gonna' touch on that point - that's just my way of saying that's the end of the section and all I can really think to say on it.
God bless!
Also, I may have posted this before, but you don't need a Tumblr account to submit me a message (it will simply come up as anonymous) on Tumblr, so feel free to send me prayer requests and such! ♥
Monday, January 14, 2013
January 14th
January 14th -- Genesis 24:1-27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2024:1-27&version=NLT)
This is the story of Isaac and Rebekah. :)
I find this story really neat. I like how God answered the prayers of the servant so very clearly, to show that Rebekah was the one for Isaac. I just think it's really kind of neat how the servant asked for clear signs one way or another, and God gave him the clear sign. I think sometimes we forget that we can ask God for signs - we don't always need to be someon He has called out for a large task or some famous person or religoius leader, because we ourselves as his followers can ask Him for a sign. This doesn't mean He will always answer it, or answer how we want, but we can at least ask, and sometimes He will answer (it's happened to me before, so...)
Also, I kind of wanted to know, always, why that sign of them all? Well, I have a little note in the bottom of my study Bible that Eliezer (the servant) was asking God for that sign because he wanted to see which woman had a servant's heart. Apparently women had to offer water to the traveller, but not the traveller's animals, yet Rebekah did. This servant wanted to ensure that the woman was beautiful not only in appearance but in character, too. Eziel was trying to find not any woman, but a Proverbs 31 woman (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:10-31&version=NLT).
Well, that's all I can think of - my brain's been exhausted all day on school assignments and such.
God bless!
This is the story of Isaac and Rebekah. :)
I find this story really neat. I like how God answered the prayers of the servant so very clearly, to show that Rebekah was the one for Isaac. I just think it's really kind of neat how the servant asked for clear signs one way or another, and God gave him the clear sign. I think sometimes we forget that we can ask God for signs - we don't always need to be someon He has called out for a large task or some famous person or religoius leader, because we ourselves as his followers can ask Him for a sign. This doesn't mean He will always answer it, or answer how we want, but we can at least ask, and sometimes He will answer (it's happened to me before, so...)
Also, I kind of wanted to know, always, why that sign of them all? Well, I have a little note in the bottom of my study Bible that Eliezer (the servant) was asking God for that sign because he wanted to see which woman had a servant's heart. Apparently women had to offer water to the traveller, but not the traveller's animals, yet Rebekah did. This servant wanted to ensure that the woman was beautiful not only in appearance but in character, too. Eziel was trying to find not any woman, but a Proverbs 31 woman (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:10-31&version=NLT).
Well, that's all I can think of - my brain's been exhausted all day on school assignments and such.
God bless!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
January 13th
January 13th -- Genesis 22:1-19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022:1-19&version=NLT)
This is the story about Abraham and Isaac -when God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. I love and despise this story at the same time...
First thing I notice: In verse 3 "The next morning".... okay, THE NEXT MORNING. God told him to sacrifice his only son - he didn't even put it off, he got started to the mountain the next morning.
Also, in verse 8, upon Isaac's asking where the sheep is for the offering, Abraham manages not to break down, but instead tell him God will provide the lamb... that, I can imagine, takes a heck of a lot of strength to do.
Then in verse 10 and 11, Abraham comes within seconds of killing his son as God had asked him too before the angel came down. Now, okay, I really doubt I could come within seconds of killing my own child (God-willing I get married and have some). I especially do not think I could do on a three day (my study bible has a note saying it was three days) travel leading up to it. Even if God had told me to do it, I cannot imagine the trust in God it would take to follow through all that way... even if He stopped me in the end. Abraham had no assurance that an angel would stop him - he merely trusted and did as God commanded. Now, if he had gone through with it, imagine the repurcussions other than having lost his son - imagine the reaction of his wife and his serveants as well as his friends, for he could have easily been considered a murdered. With even all that stacked against him, he followed through because God told him to.
I frequently pray for a character more like that of Abraham - that I would be more willing and able to do exactly what God clearly asks without making up excuses and no matter what doubts I may have because of whatever may happen to me for doing it.... I can say I have gotten better about it, but I still am nowhere near the level God has commanded all his followers to be at.
That's all folks!
God bless you!!!!
This is the story about Abraham and Isaac -when God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. I love and despise this story at the same time...
First thing I notice: In verse 3 "The next morning".... okay, THE NEXT MORNING. God told him to sacrifice his only son - he didn't even put it off, he got started to the mountain the next morning.
Also, in verse 8, upon Isaac's asking where the sheep is for the offering, Abraham manages not to break down, but instead tell him God will provide the lamb... that, I can imagine, takes a heck of a lot of strength to do.
Then in verse 10 and 11, Abraham comes within seconds of killing his son as God had asked him too before the angel came down. Now, okay, I really doubt I could come within seconds of killing my own child (God-willing I get married and have some). I especially do not think I could do on a three day (my study bible has a note saying it was three days) travel leading up to it. Even if God had told me to do it, I cannot imagine the trust in God it would take to follow through all that way... even if He stopped me in the end. Abraham had no assurance that an angel would stop him - he merely trusted and did as God commanded. Now, if he had gone through with it, imagine the repurcussions other than having lost his son - imagine the reaction of his wife and his serveants as well as his friends, for he could have easily been considered a murdered. With even all that stacked against him, he followed through because God told him to.
I frequently pray for a character more like that of Abraham - that I would be more willing and able to do exactly what God clearly asks without making up excuses and no matter what doubts I may have because of whatever may happen to me for doing it.... I can say I have gotten better about it, but I still am nowhere near the level God has commanded all his followers to be at.
That's all folks!
God bless you!!!!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
January 12th
January 12th -- Genesis 21:8-21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2021:8-21&version=NLT)
This is a bit about when Ishmael and Hagar are sent away at Sarah's request.
A bit of background info: Even though Sarah was promised a son by God, she and Abraham doubted. So, she convinced Abraham to sleep with her servant, Hagar, by whom he had a son he named Ishmael. Then, however, God kept his promise to Sarah and Abraham and Sarah became pregnant and had a son who they names Isaac (which means "he laughs" and is fitting because he is a boy, so he, but Sarah laughed when the messengers had told her she would become pregnant in her old age).
I think that's all the more important information you need to understand to catch you up to where this starts.
I find it interesting that God tells Abraham it is okay to send them away - why would He not want them to stay so that the lines would not be divided and hostile to eachother in future?
So Abraham sent them away with water, but Ishmael was crying, and God heard him, so an angel called out to Hagar and told her not to be afraid because God would make a nation from his descendants (he was still in Abraham's line, after all). Then God made a well appear so she could drink. Ishmeal grew up in the wilderness and God was with him as he did. He settled in the wilderness, but his mom arranged for him to get married to a woman from Egypt.
I really don't have many thoughts on this other than the question I put above about why God didn't want them to stay. Also, I wonder a bit why Hagar and Ishmael never went and settled in a town instead of living in wilderness...
That's all!
God bless! :)
This is a bit about when Ishmael and Hagar are sent away at Sarah's request.
A bit of background info: Even though Sarah was promised a son by God, she and Abraham doubted. So, she convinced Abraham to sleep with her servant, Hagar, by whom he had a son he named Ishmael. Then, however, God kept his promise to Sarah and Abraham and Sarah became pregnant and had a son who they names Isaac (which means "he laughs" and is fitting because he is a boy, so he, but Sarah laughed when the messengers had told her she would become pregnant in her old age).
I think that's all the more important information you need to understand to catch you up to where this starts.
I find it interesting that God tells Abraham it is okay to send them away - why would He not want them to stay so that the lines would not be divided and hostile to eachother in future?
So Abraham sent them away with water, but Ishmael was crying, and God heard him, so an angel called out to Hagar and told her not to be afraid because God would make a nation from his descendants (he was still in Abraham's line, after all). Then God made a well appear so she could drink. Ishmeal grew up in the wilderness and God was with him as he did. He settled in the wilderness, but his mom arranged for him to get married to a woman from Egypt.
I really don't have many thoughts on this other than the question I put above about why God didn't want them to stay. Also, I wonder a bit why Hagar and Ishmael never went and settled in a town instead of living in wilderness...
That's all!
God bless! :)
January 11th
January 11th -- Genesis 19:15-29 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2019:15-29%20&version=NLT)
This is just the story of Lot and his family being saved from Sodom and Gommorah.
Bit of background info on the story: Sodom and Gomorrah were extremely ungodly and immoral places. God had planned on destroying them, but Abraham had called out to God on account of Sodom, asking God to spare the city for the righteous. After a long conversation Abraham had gotten God's promise to spare the city if 10 righteous people could be found.
Then, two angels came to Sodom looking like men, and they ended up staying at Lot's house. (It's important to note that Lot is Abraham's nephew, though he was far more like a brother) Men from all over Sodom came around and demanded Lot to send out the guests so they could rape them, basically, and Lot offers up his daughters instead, but the angels fortunately pulled Lot back in, bolted the house's door, and blinded all the men who were there. My study bible has a note on it that says this "How could any father give his daughters to be ravished by a mob of perverts, just to protect two strangers? Possibly Lot was scheming to save both the girls and the visitoes, hoping the girls' fiancés would rescue them or that the homosexual men would be disinterested in the girls and simply go away. Although it was custom of the day to protect guests at any cost, this terrible suggestion reveals how deeply sin had been absorbed into Lot's life. He had become hardened to evil facts in an evil city. Whatever Lot's motives were, we see here and illustration of Sodom's terrible wickedness - a wickedness so great that God had to destroy the entire city."
So, anyways, God destroyed the city because He could not find even 10 innocent people, however, He did let the angels save Lot and his family. The angels told Lot and his family to go, and when Lot hesitated, they pulled him along and told him whatever he did, not to look back. Lot was told to the mountains but bargained for a nearby small village named Zoar (which means "little place" which is fitting as it was one). Lot's wife looked back, though, as they fled, and she became a pillar of salt. When Lot reached the village, God rained fire and burning sulfur onto Sodom and Gomorrah.
I find it neat that God saved Lot for Abraham. It makes me wonder still more, why Abraham to become the father of many nations and to be allowed to, in a way, bargain with God? I know God has His reasons, but I'd find it fascinating to understand better why.
I also find the idea of fire and burning sulfur raining down to be kind of cool. I mean, it's awful that it killed so many, but it's still a cool thought. Also, well, it shows you how powerful God is.
P.S. Yes, I know this post was a day late - I apologize. I typically do these in the evenings, but I spent my evening yesterday at youth, so I did this post today, and I am doing today's today as well.
This is just the story of Lot and his family being saved from Sodom and Gommorah.
Bit of background info on the story: Sodom and Gomorrah were extremely ungodly and immoral places. God had planned on destroying them, but Abraham had called out to God on account of Sodom, asking God to spare the city for the righteous. After a long conversation Abraham had gotten God's promise to spare the city if 10 righteous people could be found.
Then, two angels came to Sodom looking like men, and they ended up staying at Lot's house. (It's important to note that Lot is Abraham's nephew, though he was far more like a brother) Men from all over Sodom came around and demanded Lot to send out the guests so they could rape them, basically, and Lot offers up his daughters instead, but the angels fortunately pulled Lot back in, bolted the house's door, and blinded all the men who were there. My study bible has a note on it that says this "How could any father give his daughters to be ravished by a mob of perverts, just to protect two strangers? Possibly Lot was scheming to save both the girls and the visitoes, hoping the girls' fiancés would rescue them or that the homosexual men would be disinterested in the girls and simply go away. Although it was custom of the day to protect guests at any cost, this terrible suggestion reveals how deeply sin had been absorbed into Lot's life. He had become hardened to evil facts in an evil city. Whatever Lot's motives were, we see here and illustration of Sodom's terrible wickedness - a wickedness so great that God had to destroy the entire city."
So, anyways, God destroyed the city because He could not find even 10 innocent people, however, He did let the angels save Lot and his family. The angels told Lot and his family to go, and when Lot hesitated, they pulled him along and told him whatever he did, not to look back. Lot was told to the mountains but bargained for a nearby small village named Zoar (which means "little place" which is fitting as it was one). Lot's wife looked back, though, as they fled, and she became a pillar of salt. When Lot reached the village, God rained fire and burning sulfur onto Sodom and Gomorrah.
I find it neat that God saved Lot for Abraham. It makes me wonder still more, why Abraham to become the father of many nations and to be allowed to, in a way, bargain with God? I know God has His reasons, but I'd find it fascinating to understand better why.
I also find the idea of fire and burning sulfur raining down to be kind of cool. I mean, it's awful that it killed so many, but it's still a cool thought. Also, well, it shows you how powerful God is.
P.S. Yes, I know this post was a day late - I apologize. I typically do these in the evenings, but I spent my evening yesterday at youth, so I did this post today, and I am doing today's today as well.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
January 10th
January 10th -- Genesis 18:1-15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2018:1-15&version=NLT)
So today/tonight's the story of how God promised Sarah (Abraham's wife) a child despite her and her husband's old age.
I find it interesting how this story starts with Abraham serving 3 random men who appeared while he was outside one day. I notice he says, to the three of them "my lord" which is singular.
Also, another random thing I notice is that he tells them to rest for a bit, and then just makes bread and has a servant prepare a calf as if it's so common to just go kill and cook a cow when someone stops in for lunch.... Sorry, I just find it odd how it's written to casually when it's absurd to think of (in my opinion at least).
So. Sarah laughs when she hears one of the men say he'll be back in a year when she will be having a child... and then God asks her husband why, but Sarah denies she did. I just find it interesting firstly that God confronted Abraham for it - she laughed not him. I also find it odd that in a way it was like God expected Sarah to know it wasn't just a man who stopped being random, but it was Him. I think I'd have laughed in her shoes, too, if some random guy showed up when I'm like 60 (or just basically too old to have kids anymore) and said I was gonna' have a kid in a year. My first thought would not be God unless He spoke it to me Himself out of the sky or something.... just my thoughts.
That's all, as I am quite exhausted and need to go get some sleep.
God bless! :)
So today/tonight's the story of how God promised Sarah (Abraham's wife) a child despite her and her husband's old age.
I find it interesting how this story starts with Abraham serving 3 random men who appeared while he was outside one day. I notice he says, to the three of them "my lord" which is singular.
Also, another random thing I notice is that he tells them to rest for a bit, and then just makes bread and has a servant prepare a calf as if it's so common to just go kill and cook a cow when someone stops in for lunch.... Sorry, I just find it odd how it's written to casually when it's absurd to think of (in my opinion at least).
So. Sarah laughs when she hears one of the men say he'll be back in a year when she will be having a child... and then God asks her husband why, but Sarah denies she did. I just find it interesting firstly that God confronted Abraham for it - she laughed not him. I also find it odd that in a way it was like God expected Sarah to know it wasn't just a man who stopped being random, but it was Him. I think I'd have laughed in her shoes, too, if some random guy showed up when I'm like 60 (or just basically too old to have kids anymore) and said I was gonna' have a kid in a year. My first thought would not be God unless He spoke it to me Himself out of the sky or something.... just my thoughts.
That's all, as I am quite exhausted and need to go get some sleep.
God bless! :)
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
January 9th
January 9th -- Genesis 12:1-9 and 17:1-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2012:1-9&version=NLT and http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2017:1-8&version=NLT)
As I told you guys yesterday, today's about Abram/Abraham. :)
I think Abraham is also another commonly reffered to person in the Bible - more so than we would think from Sunday School and such.
I think Abraham to me, personally, is one of the more interesting characters/stories in the Bible. I think I say this only because, before Abram is suddenly called in chapter 12, we hardly hear any mention of him. He just sort of turns up when God's telling him where to go and he goes there. Then we know he was 75 when he left and he was pretty rich and took it all along. Yet, God comes along and says "I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” My question is, why Abram? Was there something about him that made him so unique? Or was the point that he was just normal and God likes to make the "ordinary" into the "extraoardinary"?
Also, can I just say Abraham, like Noah, is one of those guys whose faith I just admire incredibly? God tells him to just up and move (into basically enemy territory no less), and he does it no questions asked. He doesn't sit down and go "but God it's comfortable here, why should I leave? What does it matter if I stay or go? Can't I stay?", but instead went "Okay, God, I trust you", then packed up and went. It wasn't even like a short plane trip like we could make nowadays, but it was probably years of long and harsh travelling. So I quite admire him for that and wish I were always so unhesitant and eager as to just jump up and do as God told me the moment He tells me to do it.
That's all I can think of for tonight!
God bless you!
As I told you guys yesterday, today's about Abram/Abraham. :)
I think Abraham is also another commonly reffered to person in the Bible - more so than we would think from Sunday School and such.
I think Abraham to me, personally, is one of the more interesting characters/stories in the Bible. I think I say this only because, before Abram is suddenly called in chapter 12, we hardly hear any mention of him. He just sort of turns up when God's telling him where to go and he goes there. Then we know he was 75 when he left and he was pretty rich and took it all along. Yet, God comes along and says "I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” My question is, why Abram? Was there something about him that made him so unique? Or was the point that he was just normal and God likes to make the "ordinary" into the "extraoardinary"?
Also, can I just say Abraham, like Noah, is one of those guys whose faith I just admire incredibly? God tells him to just up and move (into basically enemy territory no less), and he does it no questions asked. He doesn't sit down and go "but God it's comfortable here, why should I leave? What does it matter if I stay or go? Can't I stay?", but instead went "Okay, God, I trust you", then packed up and went. It wasn't even like a short plane trip like we could make nowadays, but it was probably years of long and harsh travelling. So I quite admire him for that and wish I were always so unhesitant and eager as to just jump up and do as God told me the moment He tells me to do it.
That's all I can think of for tonight!
God bless you!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
January 8th
January 8th -- Genesis 11:1-9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2011:1-9&version=NLT)
Today's passage is about the Tower of Babel. :D
I think we all know this basic story - the people tried to build a tower to the sky but God did not want them to, so He caused them to all start suddenly speaking different languages which caused them to split off and scatter in smaller groups of those who spoke the same language.
I don't know why, but I really have always just found this story SO cool. I mean, I doubt I'd be so thrilled if it happened to me, but I love picturing it in my head: All these people building, when suddenly they can't understand eachother. I'd LOVE to have seen the looks on their faces when they heard the "strange noises" their friends suddenly began to make.
The one thing I don't fully understand, though, is why God was so opposed to them building a tower to the sky (or trying to at least). I guess I can understand it as they wanted it to become famous, basically, because that is typically a great way to cause pride to grow, and I hope I don't need to explain why pride isn't a great trait to have an abundant amount of.
It seems God was almost more opposed to their being united.... but I don't fully understand why that is. It would have been so much easier to spread and share the gospel if everyone had kept only one language.
Also, does anyone else ever wonder if maybe the Tower of Babel was how, like, all base languages (for lack of a better thing to call them) came about? If they just originated there and that's why there's really no explanation for why certain words mean certain things because we can see no connection? (I can't be the only one who wonders that can I... ? )
Also, neat fact, Babel is actually a word that sounds like a Hebrew term that means "confusion". :D I find that cool. :D
That's all for today! I'll return tomorrow to talk about Abram/Abraham. :)
God bless you!
Today's passage is about the Tower of Babel. :D
I think we all know this basic story - the people tried to build a tower to the sky but God did not want them to, so He caused them to all start suddenly speaking different languages which caused them to split off and scatter in smaller groups of those who spoke the same language.
I don't know why, but I really have always just found this story SO cool. I mean, I doubt I'd be so thrilled if it happened to me, but I love picturing it in my head: All these people building, when suddenly they can't understand eachother. I'd LOVE to have seen the looks on their faces when they heard the "strange noises" their friends suddenly began to make.
The one thing I don't fully understand, though, is why God was so opposed to them building a tower to the sky (or trying to at least). I guess I can understand it as they wanted it to become famous, basically, because that is typically a great way to cause pride to grow, and I hope I don't need to explain why pride isn't a great trait to have an abundant amount of.
It seems God was almost more opposed to their being united.... but I don't fully understand why that is. It would have been so much easier to spread and share the gospel if everyone had kept only one language.
Also, does anyone else ever wonder if maybe the Tower of Babel was how, like, all base languages (for lack of a better thing to call them) came about? If they just originated there and that's why there's really no explanation for why certain words mean certain things because we can see no connection? (I can't be the only one who wonders that can I... ? )
Also, neat fact, Babel is actually a word that sounds like a Hebrew term that means "confusion". :D I find that cool. :D
That's all for today! I'll return tomorrow to talk about Abram/Abraham. :)
God bless you!
Monday, January 7, 2013
January 7th
January 7th -- Genesis 9:1-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%209:1-17&version=NLT)
This section is about God confirming His covenant after the flood.
I find it really interesting that in verse 5 where God is speaking, it says "And anyone who murders a fellow human must die." I've been taking a law course, and one issue the briefly came up was capital punishment. This is a majorly controversial issue. The Old Testament law is now considered to be completely washed away, since Christ basically set the new laws of the New Testament which were made to replace the laws of the Old Testament. The only thing is, do things like that still stick? Where God himself said in that covenant (one that still carries on today, as evidenced by rainbows, because yes this was part of that covenant) that a person who kills another person must die. Honestly that verse just made the whole capital punishment debate that much more complicated in my mind.
Also, related to above, some people argue that if God wants the person to be killed for their crime, He will do it in His own way (You know how people tend to think "lightning bolt will come out of the sky and strike them dead"? I think that's almost what they mean XD ). Yet, in verse 6 it says " If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image." So.... I find that majorly confusing. Again, I kind of feel it comes down to if ALL the Old Testament law is to be ignored, or just parts of it (such as sacrifices). Just a thought that I had when I read that part.
Then there are verses 12-17, when God is basically deciding and then reinstating that the rainbow shall be the symbol of that covenant. I think maybe that's kind of why I like rainbows so much. It's just neat to be able to look at one and think "The first one of these appeared in an actual time and a place I can find on a map thousands of years ago (maybe longer, sorry, I'm not much good at history) when God spoke to a man...". I just think that's neat to think of it that way. :)
Well, I must be off. I think I wrote a tad more than the last few times fortunately. :) If you have a blogger account, please leave any comments/questions. If you don't but perhaps have a tumblr account : http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com would be my tumblr blog so feel free to message me on there. Also, even if you do not have an account, you can message me, but it will just show up to me as someone who sent it anonymously. Thanks all! :)
God bless! :D
This section is about God confirming His covenant after the flood.
I find it really interesting that in verse 5 where God is speaking, it says "And anyone who murders a fellow human must die." I've been taking a law course, and one issue the briefly came up was capital punishment. This is a majorly controversial issue. The Old Testament law is now considered to be completely washed away, since Christ basically set the new laws of the New Testament which were made to replace the laws of the Old Testament. The only thing is, do things like that still stick? Where God himself said in that covenant (one that still carries on today, as evidenced by rainbows, because yes this was part of that covenant) that a person who kills another person must die. Honestly that verse just made the whole capital punishment debate that much more complicated in my mind.
Also, related to above, some people argue that if God wants the person to be killed for their crime, He will do it in His own way (You know how people tend to think "lightning bolt will come out of the sky and strike them dead"? I think that's almost what they mean XD ). Yet, in verse 6 it says " If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image." So.... I find that majorly confusing. Again, I kind of feel it comes down to if ALL the Old Testament law is to be ignored, or just parts of it (such as sacrifices). Just a thought that I had when I read that part.
Then there are verses 12-17, when God is basically deciding and then reinstating that the rainbow shall be the symbol of that covenant. I think maybe that's kind of why I like rainbows so much. It's just neat to be able to look at one and think "The first one of these appeared in an actual time and a place I can find on a map thousands of years ago (maybe longer, sorry, I'm not much good at history) when God spoke to a man...". I just think that's neat to think of it that way. :)
Well, I must be off. I think I wrote a tad more than the last few times fortunately. :) If you have a blogger account, please leave any comments/questions. If you don't but perhaps have a tumblr account : http://emdaisy1.tumblr.com would be my tumblr blog so feel free to message me on there. Also, even if you do not have an account, you can message me, but it will just show up to me as someone who sent it anonymously. Thanks all! :)
God bless! :D
Sunday, January 6, 2013
January 6th
January 6th -- Genesis 8:1-22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%208:1-22&version=NLT)
More about the flood today, but this time how it ends.
Just the first part of this section stands out to me - "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livetock with him in the boat". For some reason, thta part just makes me happy - to know that the God of EVERYTHING remembers people, still.
Also, I think I've just given up on counting how long they were on that ship for - basically, just WAY TOO LONG.
The first thing Noah does upon getting off that boat, is build an altar to God and do the proper sacrifices. THAT TAKES DEDICATION. He doesn't whine or complain "God why did that take so long?" but sacrificed. It's also quite good he did as I never noticed before, but it seems that the sacrifice pleased God which is way He promised never to repeat the flood again.
Uhm, sorry, but again nothing more I can really think to write about on here. I'm rather scatterbrained today, sorry. XD
God bless!
More about the flood today, but this time how it ends.
Just the first part of this section stands out to me - "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livetock with him in the boat". For some reason, thta part just makes me happy - to know that the God of EVERYTHING remembers people, still.
Also, I think I've just given up on counting how long they were on that ship for - basically, just WAY TOO LONG.
The first thing Noah does upon getting off that boat, is build an altar to God and do the proper sacrifices. THAT TAKES DEDICATION. He doesn't whine or complain "God why did that take so long?" but sacrificed. It's also quite good he did as I never noticed before, but it seems that the sacrifice pleased God which is way He promised never to repeat the flood again.
Uhm, sorry, but again nothing more I can really think to write about on here. I'm rather scatterbrained today, sorry. XD
God bless!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
January 5th
January 5th -- Gensis 7:1-24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%207:1-24&version=NLT)
So, since yesterday's story was Noah, today's is the flood itself.
I really can't think of much Biblically to say on this matter...
Does anybody else just get sort of sad just thinking about 40 straight days of rain? Makes me feel slightly miserable....
Also, I said in my last post, I'd go crazy stuck on a boat for 40 days with no entertainment. I must amend that - it was 150 or 190 (when it says "the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days" in verse 24, I don't know if that includes the 40 days it rained for or not...) days.
So, well, yeah, sorry for lack of an interesting post.... just I honestly can't think of much to say on this passage... Kind of just like "Yeah, here's the story... enjoy?"
I'll try and be more interesting tomorrow haha. :)
God bless! :)
So, since yesterday's story was Noah, today's is the flood itself.
I really can't think of much Biblically to say on this matter...
Does anybody else just get sort of sad just thinking about 40 straight days of rain? Makes me feel slightly miserable....
Also, I said in my last post, I'd go crazy stuck on a boat for 40 days with no entertainment. I must amend that - it was 150 or 190 (when it says "the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days" in verse 24, I don't know if that includes the 40 days it rained for or not...) days.
So, well, yeah, sorry for lack of an interesting post.... just I honestly can't think of much to say on this passage... Kind of just like "Yeah, here's the story... enjoy?"
I'll try and be more interesting tomorrow haha. :)
God bless! :)
Friday, January 4, 2013
January 4th
January 4th -- Genesis 6:9-22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%206:9-22&version=NLT)
So, this is basically the story of Noah. Yeah, the one I think we all heard a bajillion times in Sunday School with the big boat (ark, more specifically) and lots of animals (two of every kind - one male and one female).
One of the first things that always stands out to me in this story is - Why Noah? I mean, if 'everyone on earth was corrupt" as verse 12 says, then why keep Noah and not just start over? Also, why Noah and not someone else? It just makes me want to meet Noah, y'know? Sit down and have tea with him or something just to talk to the man who God chose to restart humanity in a way.
Now, the second thing that stands out to me was how dedicated Noah was - and maybe that was why God chose Him. I can't speak for anyone else, but I can say if a voice from the sky told me to build a huge boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high and then also gather a pair of every animal on earth because the earth was gonna' be wiped out by a flood, I think I'd be a little hesitant. I doubt I'd just agree and do it without asking some major questions.
Finally, one of my really random thoughts - WHAT DID THEY DO ON A BOAT FOR 40 DAYS TO NOT GET BORED. They had no sort of entertainment like we do. I think I'd go insane - I honestly think I might. But that's a totally not-Bible-related thought haha.
That's all for tonight :)
God bless! :)
So, this is basically the story of Noah. Yeah, the one I think we all heard a bajillion times in Sunday School with the big boat (ark, more specifically) and lots of animals (two of every kind - one male and one female).
One of the first things that always stands out to me in this story is - Why Noah? I mean, if 'everyone on earth was corrupt" as verse 12 says, then why keep Noah and not just start over? Also, why Noah and not someone else? It just makes me want to meet Noah, y'know? Sit down and have tea with him or something just to talk to the man who God chose to restart humanity in a way.
Now, the second thing that stands out to me was how dedicated Noah was - and maybe that was why God chose Him. I can't speak for anyone else, but I can say if a voice from the sky told me to build a huge boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high and then also gather a pair of every animal on earth because the earth was gonna' be wiped out by a flood, I think I'd be a little hesitant. I doubt I'd just agree and do it without asking some major questions.
Finally, one of my really random thoughts - WHAT DID THEY DO ON A BOAT FOR 40 DAYS TO NOT GET BORED. They had no sort of entertainment like we do. I think I'd go insane - I honestly think I might. But that's a totally not-Bible-related thought haha.
That's all for tonight :)
God bless! :)
Thursday, January 3, 2013
January 3rd
January 3rd: -- Genesis 4:1-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%204:1-16&version=NLT)
This passage is the brief story of Cain and Abel. I am pretty sure any Christian has likely heard this story many times before - Cain kills his brother because he is jealous since God would except his brother's offering but not his.
I noticed, while reading it, that it says "the Lord accepted Abel and his gift...". I find it interesting that God did not merely accept the gift, but He apparently also accepted Abel. I had never before noticed the significance of that - not just the gift, but the giver as well was accepted. That means that not only Cain's gift, but Cain himself was rejected - that made the fact he became so upset as to kill his brother make a bit more sense to me.
I also noticed that it does not say outright what it was that Cain did wrong to cause himself and his gift to be rejected. I think we all tend to assume that it was because Abel brought his best of his livelyhood while Cain did not. However, I does not say anywhere that that was it at all. It almost makes me wonder if Cain and his gift were rejected because God knew Cain was going to kill his brother. Just a thought I had...
Now, something else that I really found interesting was that God did not punish Cain for whatever he had done in order to be rejected. He instead asks why he is upset, and then WARNS him, saying that if he does not do right, he will be allowing sin to control him. It's almost as if God is, in a way, warning Cain that if he does not fix what he has done wrong and overcome/take control of his anger, he will do something awful - such as kill his brother.
When God tells Cain of his punishment - to be a homeless wanderer - Cain says in verse 13 "My punishment is too great for me to bear!" When I read that, I really didn't see how that made any sense, as Cain should have known he would be punished for what he had done. Then, I noticed that in my bible, there is a note at the bottom that says it can also say "My sin is to great for me too bear!" I personally think that that makes more sense, as it is more like Cain crying out in anguish as upon being punished, he realized the wrong he had done.
Cain fears that he will be killed - the Lord assures him that He will terribly punish any person if they do. I find that interesting. I think that maybe it has to do with the fact that firstly, if Cain were to be killed, he would not truly be punished as he would not be wandering for so long. However, I mostly think it is because God is greatly upset by murder. One murder had already occured - Cain had murdered Abel - and in protecting Cain from being murdered, it would hopefully prevent another.
Also, interesting little thing I noticed in my Bible - verse 16 says Cain settled in the land of Nod. "Nod" actually means wandering. The wanderer settled in the land of wandering... just thought that was sort of neat.
That's all for today!
God bless!
This passage is the brief story of Cain and Abel. I am pretty sure any Christian has likely heard this story many times before - Cain kills his brother because he is jealous since God would except his brother's offering but not his.
I noticed, while reading it, that it says "the Lord accepted Abel and his gift...". I find it interesting that God did not merely accept the gift, but He apparently also accepted Abel. I had never before noticed the significance of that - not just the gift, but the giver as well was accepted. That means that not only Cain's gift, but Cain himself was rejected - that made the fact he became so upset as to kill his brother make a bit more sense to me.
I also noticed that it does not say outright what it was that Cain did wrong to cause himself and his gift to be rejected. I think we all tend to assume that it was because Abel brought his best of his livelyhood while Cain did not. However, I does not say anywhere that that was it at all. It almost makes me wonder if Cain and his gift were rejected because God knew Cain was going to kill his brother. Just a thought I had...
Now, something else that I really found interesting was that God did not punish Cain for whatever he had done in order to be rejected. He instead asks why he is upset, and then WARNS him, saying that if he does not do right, he will be allowing sin to control him. It's almost as if God is, in a way, warning Cain that if he does not fix what he has done wrong and overcome/take control of his anger, he will do something awful - such as kill his brother.
When God tells Cain of his punishment - to be a homeless wanderer - Cain says in verse 13 "My punishment is too great for me to bear!" When I read that, I really didn't see how that made any sense, as Cain should have known he would be punished for what he had done. Then, I noticed that in my bible, there is a note at the bottom that says it can also say "My sin is to great for me too bear!" I personally think that that makes more sense, as it is more like Cain crying out in anguish as upon being punished, he realized the wrong he had done.
Cain fears that he will be killed - the Lord assures him that He will terribly punish any person if they do. I find that interesting. I think that maybe it has to do with the fact that firstly, if Cain were to be killed, he would not truly be punished as he would not be wandering for so long. However, I mostly think it is because God is greatly upset by murder. One murder had already occured - Cain had murdered Abel - and in protecting Cain from being murdered, it would hopefully prevent another.
Also, interesting little thing I noticed in my Bible - verse 16 says Cain settled in the land of Nod. "Nod" actually means wandering. The wanderer settled in the land of wandering... just thought that was sort of neat.
That's all for today!
God bless!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
January 1st and January 2nd
January 1st -- Gensis 1:1- 2:3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:1-2:3&version=NLT)
So, well, this is the basic Creation story.
Day 1 = Light
Day 2 = Sky (He separated the waters of earth from the waters of the heavens)
Day 3 = Land (He made the water on earth come together so land would appear) and plants
Day 4 = The sun, the moon, and the stars
Day 5 = Birds and Fish
Day 6 = Animals of the land and then humans
Day 7 = He rested
Now, really I don't know what can be said other than the basics except for that really, when you think about how incredible this earth is, it gives you a slight glimpse at how incredible God is. My study Bible has some little facts that just made me really think there is no way we can understand how incredible God is. Here they are summed up: The galaxy we live in spins at a speed of 490,000 miles per hour. Even at that speed, it takes 200 million years for a rotation. Then there are over a billion other galaxies just like ours out there. Then, scientists say that the number of stars is equal to the number of grains of sand (Which I also find neat as in the Bible Abraham is promised in Genesis 22:17 that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, or the grains of sand on the seashore, which suggests that those numbers are the same thereabouts, so even in that, science is pointing back to God) and yet function in such an orderly way. It's quite incredible. Then we remember that this was all merely spoken into existence by God. It really gives you a sense of wonder about Him.
January 2nd -- Genesis 2:15-3:24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:15-3:24&version=NLT)
This is basically the story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and therefore having to be banished from the Garden of Eden.
Really, there isn't too much that stands out a lot to me in this part. I do notice that it says women were created to be a suitable helper to man. To me that someone makes it sound as if we are both lesser and equal. I'm not sure how that might work, though....
Another part that I find interesting was that in verse 12, Adam's answer to why he ate the fruit is merely that his wife told him to. THE FIRST THING HE DOES IS BLAME HIS WIFE. This is just a totally random thought, but perhaps it is partially due to that - the looking down upon woman and blaming the fall on her - that women took so long to be seen as equals who deserve proper respect.
I also notice that God does not punish Adam and Eve the same for the same wrong. Both are punished separately in different ways.
That's all I can currently think of on those matters.
God bless! :)
So, well, this is the basic Creation story.
Day 1 = Light
Day 2 = Sky (He separated the waters of earth from the waters of the heavens)
Day 3 = Land (He made the water on earth come together so land would appear) and plants
Day 4 = The sun, the moon, and the stars
Day 5 = Birds and Fish
Day 6 = Animals of the land and then humans
Day 7 = He rested
Now, really I don't know what can be said other than the basics except for that really, when you think about how incredible this earth is, it gives you a slight glimpse at how incredible God is. My study Bible has some little facts that just made me really think there is no way we can understand how incredible God is. Here they are summed up: The galaxy we live in spins at a speed of 490,000 miles per hour. Even at that speed, it takes 200 million years for a rotation. Then there are over a billion other galaxies just like ours out there. Then, scientists say that the number of stars is equal to the number of grains of sand (Which I also find neat as in the Bible Abraham is promised in Genesis 22:17 that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, or the grains of sand on the seashore, which suggests that those numbers are the same thereabouts, so even in that, science is pointing back to God) and yet function in such an orderly way. It's quite incredible. Then we remember that this was all merely spoken into existence by God. It really gives you a sense of wonder about Him.
January 2nd -- Genesis 2:15-3:24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202:15-3:24&version=NLT)
This is basically the story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and therefore having to be banished from the Garden of Eden.
Really, there isn't too much that stands out a lot to me in this part. I do notice that it says women were created to be a suitable helper to man. To me that someone makes it sound as if we are both lesser and equal. I'm not sure how that might work, though....
Another part that I find interesting was that in verse 12, Adam's answer to why he ate the fruit is merely that his wife told him to. THE FIRST THING HE DOES IS BLAME HIS WIFE. This is just a totally random thought, but perhaps it is partially due to that - the looking down upon woman and blaming the fall on her - that women took so long to be seen as equals who deserve proper respect.
I also notice that God does not punish Adam and Eve the same for the same wrong. Both are punished separately in different ways.
That's all I can currently think of on those matters.
God bless! :)
So Let's Reset This...
So, my former idea just didn't work out for this. Life just got a bit busy and unfortunately I had other occupations on my youth nights so I wasn't really able to make it out to it that much...
This year, I am starting reading the Bible in 365 days, since as a Christmas gift I recieved an awesome study Bible with a breakdown/guide of what to read each day to get through it in a year. So, this blog will now be dedicated to that. I will post daily when I can, however, sometimes I may have to put the post for the day of and the day before in one post (such as I will have to do shortly for yesterday and today). And what I'll do when I'm done... I don't know... but I have a whole year to decide haha. :)
P.S. My Study Bible is the NLT (New Living Translation) version. Also, I'll try and always remember to post a link to the passage on BibleGateway (in NLT so if I make a reference to phrasing you can understand it).
This year, I am starting reading the Bible in 365 days, since as a Christmas gift I recieved an awesome study Bible with a breakdown/guide of what to read each day to get through it in a year. So, this blog will now be dedicated to that. I will post daily when I can, however, sometimes I may have to put the post for the day of and the day before in one post (such as I will have to do shortly for yesterday and today). And what I'll do when I'm done... I don't know... but I have a whole year to decide haha. :)
P.S. My Study Bible is the NLT (New Living Translation) version. Also, I'll try and always remember to post a link to the passage on BibleGateway (in NLT so if I make a reference to phrasing you can understand it).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)