Here is in a nutshell the things I have taken away from my reading the past 14 days since my last update!
January 7th: Sodom and Gomorrah
This story has always bothered me for several reasons. 1) Lot offers his young, virgin daughters to these men! How insane is he? I would never dream of offering my daughters up to a bunch of sex crazed fools outside my door. 2) Fire rains down on the city! Drops of fire, people! 3) His wife turns into a pillar of salt! What!?! Granted, she was warned not to look back. Lesson learned this night: Do what God says and how he says it!
The nights reading ended with Lot's daughters lying with him and having children by their father (I didn't even know that was in Genesis!). I'll be honest, this day was a tough read.
January 8th: Isaac was born.
I do like this story. As a mother who struggled to get pregnant with her second child (and not even as long as some women work to get pregnant) it was great to see Sara finally become a mother and the joy she felt at having this child. She was so proud to do this for her husband (Gen. 21:6,7)
January 9th: Abraham is told to sacrifice Isaac
I know this is a story of Abraham's faith, but as I read this story, I thought about Sara. This is a woman who in the previous chapter to have given her husband a son. Did she know what God had told Abraham? I would like to think they had a marriage where they shared and communicated. I know she had to know something was bothering her husband as he went to make the sacrifice with no lamb or other animal. I know the lesson is that Abraham's faith was tested, but what about Sara's? I think this is more than just a story of Abraham's faith being tested, but I think it is a story of submission for Sara. She knew that Abraham was going to do what was best for his family. Even in the times before when he had lied to save himself (he lied about Sara being his wife twice), she honestly thought he was doing what was best. I know the Bible doesn't delve much into what women think so maybe this is reaching. Just some food for thought.
January 10th: Issac gets hitched!
This was a beautiful story! I loved how the servant prayed for guidance in choosing Isaac's wife and there she was, Rebekah! And she was brave and goes with this servant to marry a man she had never met! And when they met he instantly married her and loved her. Awww!!! I love a good romance story! (Camels and all!)
January 11th: Abraham remarries! (Gen. 25:1-6)
Why didn't I know he remarried? I am feel so ashamed as I am reading Genesis. I feel like I am just now learning who these people are.
January 12th: Isaac and Rebekah become parents to Esau and Jacob
We know the story of Jacob and Esau and it has always struck me that Esau just gave his birthright away for food! While reading this, Klint and I discussed there was so much more to this that just wanting food. Esau just didn't want his birthright. He wanted to hunt and be a man! I don't think he wanted the responsibility that came with being the firstborn. I really am not sure he was serious about it. I think he was just saying whatever he could to get some grub. The reason I say this is because in Chapter 27:36-41 he talks of Jacob deceiving him twice. Once out of his birthright and the other out of his father's blessing.
January 13th: Jacob runs!
Jacob ran from Esau because he was scared he would kill him for tricking him. He falls in love with Rachel. He works for her father 7 years just to marry her and then gets tricked. Now how this trick happened I am still clueless. How did he not know he was marrying Leah, Rachel's sister? I know the women wore veils. Just seems strange. So Jacob spent a week with Leah and then got to marry Rachel after agreeing to work for another seven years for her father. So two things: 1)He has two wives! How is this okay? 2) He doesn't love Leah. How bad do you feel for her?
This is where the story gets weirder. God gave Leah four sons because Jacob didn't love her and with each child she hoped it would make him love her more. After the fourth son she quit having children for a time. Meanwhile, Rachel can not have children so she gives Jacob her maidservant, Bilhah, and they have two sons. Once again, how is this okay??? So, Leah gets jealous and gives her maidservant to Jacob and they have two sons. I won't even ask it this time. So then another weird twist, Leah and Rachel bargain a night with Jacob for some mandrakes. Jacob was a just a pawn in all of this....I just can't wrap my mind around it! Finally, after all of this Rachel has a son which is Joseph. That is a lot of children and a lot of crazy women to raise them. (Rachel also has Benjamin and dies in childbirth.)
January 14th: Jacob returns to his home land.
January 15th: Dinah is violated.
Dinah is the daughter of Leah and Jacob. This was a hard story to read too, but I guess it teaches the lesson of don't mess with a girl who has six older brothers! (Genesis 34)
January 16th: Record of the Edomites
I'll be honest, I just kind of skimmed this. It is the last account of Esau's decedents. Esau, in rebellion. married the women of Canaan. Way to show mom and dad, Esau! (That was meant sarcastic!)
January 17th: The story of Joseph begins
I will stop here, even though I have read four more days past this point. I want to get through the whole story of Joseph before I write more.
I have really enjoyed my reading of Genesis thus far. As I mentioned, it hasn't all been easy. There are some nights I want to just scream at these people and go "What are you thinking?" A verse I keep going back to is from Gen. 8:21. After God flooded the Earth He makes His promise. "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood." I wonder sometimes if Jacob's crazy women, Lot's bad decisions, Lot's daughters' behavior was a result of what God says. Are we all evil inside and taught different? Is it easier to just be bad and do the wrong things than to do what is right? My study Bible says God knew we were decedents of Adam and because of this we carry the inheritance of sin. Just something to think about.
My picture for the night. Yes, I know there is a Bible app on most phones, but how often do we check that app like we would a real Bible? Do we check the app for messages, use it in case of emergency, etc?
Happy Reading!
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