Genesis 12-14 left me with some thoughts about Abram. He definitely was willing to follow God if He took up his family and left. He didn't have any children so I guess he considered Lot, his nephew, more of a son. He was rich. I wonder how he got that way. He was powerful, basically in charge of his own city with an trained battery of soldiers and everything. He was recognized by pharaohs and kings. I guess when you live long enough (100s of years) those blessings add up!
And yet, there were times that he wasn't perfect. Think about that part where he lied about his wife--just in case someone might want to kill him. Wasn't exactly trusting God there, was he? But God worked it out anyway! Shows that God loved her too. Even in that society that doesn't mention women much! It also shows that God loves us, as ordinary, mistake-making people.
As a teacher, these chapters seem like a good introduction to more of the story. We have some background on a fellow who is 11 generations from Noah; with hundreds of years between generations.
God has been around an awfully long time hasn't he. And I thought God had said people would only live 120 years after the flood. (Might go back and look that one up)
Seems like more questions than answers today, God. But some days are like that until you hang in there to see the bigger picture. Thanks for being in it with me even when I have questions---no, change that to---especially when I have questions.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Who begat you?
Genesis 10-11
So.....who begat you? It occurs to me that we all claim to be sons of Adam and yet we are also sons of Noah! And some of those names are familiar, aren't they? Amazing that cities and places can really mark a life lived--a real person going through all the same things we do. These people set down their families and cities grew around them. Communities developed as each need was met.
I've always marveled at how so many people in the world could have started from just one family. But then, I look at how fast our family reunion has grown over the years. At one part of the reading, I had to draw a family tree just to get it straight and sure enough, I realized that someone had to marry a close relative to keep it all going. The famous Abram's brother married his own niece. And as we read the Bible, I know that kind of thing will continue; just not as big of a deal back then as in our society. Even today, they say we are all only separated by 7 generations before we find someone that is related to ourselves and each person we meet.
I always try to keep their society and culture in mind as I read. It was very different from ours. Did you notice that daughters were not mentioned by name? But as a sideline at the end of each of the genealogies. Interesting. Other things throughout the Bible will reflect this different society and culture as well and it is important as you glean the message from the Word that you analyze it with the correct mindset. It still always amazes me that it applies to us today. I guess because even though culture may change, human nature doesn't and God really doesn't change. His truths are the same now as they were then and always will be.
So today we connect one main character--Noah--to our next main the next main character in the Bible--Abram. But stuck in the middle of all these "bagats" there was this story of the tower of Babel. This story shows how quickly mankind can become "full of himself." The world was just destroyed 4 generations previous if we are to read the Bible straight through. Perhaps it was longer from the flood than that, but you know the people knew the story of the flood. And you might think that it was a good thing for man to be working together on a great project. Many times, a mutual project can pull a group together for good. But God didn't see it that way. He does know our hearts after all, and He was thinking about how man getting together was a bad thing. Probably because they were getting together to glorify themselves. Never a good thing--for we are to live for the glory of God. But, just think what we could do if we WERE trying to glorify God and all of us got on board!! Now that's my idea of heaven! All God's children on the same page working for His glory!
It's definitely something to consider as you look at your own family along with your church family!
Don't have much of that? It might be time to look for some. Most would welcome you with open arms. God can lead you there.
Lord, help us see the trends in our families that can tie us together and glorify you!
So.....who begat you? It occurs to me that we all claim to be sons of Adam and yet we are also sons of Noah! And some of those names are familiar, aren't they? Amazing that cities and places can really mark a life lived--a real person going through all the same things we do. These people set down their families and cities grew around them. Communities developed as each need was met.
I've always marveled at how so many people in the world could have started from just one family. But then, I look at how fast our family reunion has grown over the years. At one part of the reading, I had to draw a family tree just to get it straight and sure enough, I realized that someone had to marry a close relative to keep it all going. The famous Abram's brother married his own niece. And as we read the Bible, I know that kind of thing will continue; just not as big of a deal back then as in our society. Even today, they say we are all only separated by 7 generations before we find someone that is related to ourselves and each person we meet.
I always try to keep their society and culture in mind as I read. It was very different from ours. Did you notice that daughters were not mentioned by name? But as a sideline at the end of each of the genealogies. Interesting. Other things throughout the Bible will reflect this different society and culture as well and it is important as you glean the message from the Word that you analyze it with the correct mindset. It still always amazes me that it applies to us today. I guess because even though culture may change, human nature doesn't and God really doesn't change. His truths are the same now as they were then and always will be.
So today we connect one main character--Noah--to our next main the next main character in the Bible--Abram. But stuck in the middle of all these "bagats" there was this story of the tower of Babel. This story shows how quickly mankind can become "full of himself." The world was just destroyed 4 generations previous if we are to read the Bible straight through. Perhaps it was longer from the flood than that, but you know the people knew the story of the flood. And you might think that it was a good thing for man to be working together on a great project. Many times, a mutual project can pull a group together for good. But God didn't see it that way. He does know our hearts after all, and He was thinking about how man getting together was a bad thing. Probably because they were getting together to glorify themselves. Never a good thing--for we are to live for the glory of God. But, just think what we could do if we WERE trying to glorify God and all of us got on board!! Now that's my idea of heaven! All God's children on the same page working for His glory!
It's definitely something to consider as you look at your own family along with your church family!
Don't have much of that? It might be time to look for some. Most would welcome you with open arms. God can lead you there.
Lord, help us see the trends in our families that can tie us together and glorify you!
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Perfect Timing
To read the full story of Noah, one must read Genesis 6-9. It makes me wonder about God's timing and His perspective over mine.
For instance, taking time to read all of that....
Wow! It's a long story! It was a long time in the ark! Especially when you consider that Noah was 6 hundred years old! That's a long time in itself! And that was repeated many times, too, wasn't it? I wonder at the importance, but it made it stand out to me. Maybe it was to put things into perspective like this--when you've lived 600 years and your sons have lived 100 years--40 days doesn't seem that long!
And did you notice how long they were actually on the boat! It was over a year, I think, by the time the water receded enough to get off with all those animals. So, when I'm waiting for "God's timing" on my next prayer, I'm going to have to consider the length of time Noah waited and how long he lived. And in all those years, there is only one portion of his life that was important enough for us all to know about it.
After Noah led such a long life, I noticed that God decided that man should only live 120 years. I guess He knew that was long enough for us to do something of significance. Yet, I still don't know anyone who has lived THAT long or taken that long to make an impact on others.
I also noticed that they began tilling the earth and planted the first vineyard. And they didn't know the power of that yet. The comparisons that would be made of God and the vine-keeper, the lessons of the fruit and the vine. And yet it was immediately misused--I laugh to think that we are told that Noah got drunk after that voyage. I didn't really blame him that that it was surely an ordeal to live through! But then I realized, it was only after the vineyard had grown, the fruit had fermented, and the wine had been made. So, we're looking at years again, instead of the days that it seems like when you read it all at once.
I guess that's how we look at others, when passing judgment on their actions. We see the actions and connect them to past events that may not really have anything to do with the actions. Or we skip from one event to another and forget that there are many things about the person that we do not know about them. We are only allowed to see part of their lives.
It's nice to know that God sees us from the beginning events, through the middle events, and past the ending events that tell our true life stories. I pray that I may remember that the next time I am wishing, questioning, or hoping for a change---just as Noah must have while building, riding, and landing that ark.
An amazing story that teaches us that good things come to those who wait. May I always trust in your planning and your timing, dear Lord.
For instance, taking time to read all of that....
Wow! It's a long story! It was a long time in the ark! Especially when you consider that Noah was 6 hundred years old! That's a long time in itself! And that was repeated many times, too, wasn't it? I wonder at the importance, but it made it stand out to me. Maybe it was to put things into perspective like this--when you've lived 600 years and your sons have lived 100 years--40 days doesn't seem that long!
And did you notice how long they were actually on the boat! It was over a year, I think, by the time the water receded enough to get off with all those animals. So, when I'm waiting for "God's timing" on my next prayer, I'm going to have to consider the length of time Noah waited and how long he lived. And in all those years, there is only one portion of his life that was important enough for us all to know about it.
After Noah led such a long life, I noticed that God decided that man should only live 120 years. I guess He knew that was long enough for us to do something of significance. Yet, I still don't know anyone who has lived THAT long or taken that long to make an impact on others.
I also noticed that they began tilling the earth and planted the first vineyard. And they didn't know the power of that yet. The comparisons that would be made of God and the vine-keeper, the lessons of the fruit and the vine. And yet it was immediately misused--I laugh to think that we are told that Noah got drunk after that voyage. I didn't really blame him that that it was surely an ordeal to live through! But then I realized, it was only after the vineyard had grown, the fruit had fermented, and the wine had been made. So, we're looking at years again, instead of the days that it seems like when you read it all at once.
I guess that's how we look at others, when passing judgment on their actions. We see the actions and connect them to past events that may not really have anything to do with the actions. Or we skip from one event to another and forget that there are many things about the person that we do not know about them. We are only allowed to see part of their lives.
It's nice to know that God sees us from the beginning events, through the middle events, and past the ending events that tell our true life stories. I pray that I may remember that the next time I am wishing, questioning, or hoping for a change---just as Noah must have while building, riding, and landing that ark.
An amazing story that teaches us that good things come to those who wait. May I always trust in your planning and your timing, dear Lord.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Fixing Problems Out-Loud!
And now we understand the phrase "as old as Methuselah"! It amazes me how long everyone lived!! Were the years measured the same? Was the world turning faster? Slower? Someone once told me that because of the mist instead of rain that bodies did not age. The sun was blocked and that had an effect as well. I’m just not sure. But can you imagine how wise they must have been. How much life had taught them? What they shared with others?
God certainly shared some things with man as well, didn't He?
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Meeting Goals, A Little at a Time
When I read Genesis 1 and 2, I think "Wow--there's alot in these two little chapters!" Read it for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
Did you set a goal at new year's? How's that going for you? Have you set a new goal recently? The hardest part for me when I set a goal is getting started. I'm looking at this hard task and wondering if I'm going to be able to really do it. So, I think....just do it today.
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