Bible Blogging

(09/08/06) Exodus 21:1-36

2006-09-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Exodus 21. This chapter talks about the laws for the people to follow. There are many verses about what to do with servants and children that are sold as servants in the first verses. Then the verses talk about many of the eye for an eye type punishments (note: it is clear that servants are treated only a little bit better then any onther property.) The final verses talk mostly about how to handle situations where a animal harms another animal.

(09/06/06) Exodus 20:1-26

2006-09-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Exodus 20. God spoke to Moses and gave him the 10 commandments. God spends the most time on the first three (1-11) and then the last seven (12-17).

The Israelites heard the trumpets and saw the smoke and lightning and trembled in fear and asked Moses to only be the one to speak to God, for they feared if they did they would die. Moses told them not to be afraid that God had come to test them and to cause them to fear so they would not sin. (18-21)

Then God says to Moses to remind the Israelites of the first commandment. He also tells him how altars and sacrifices should be done. Verses 25 and 26 talk about not using a tool to dress an altar or steps to go up to an altar incase your nakedness is exposed. (22-26)

(09/05/06) Exodus 19:1-25

2006-09-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

Exodus 19. The Israelites have been in the desert for 3 months and they came to Mt. Sinai. They camped there and Moses went up the moutain to God and God spoke to him. The Lord told Moses to remind the people of all He had done and that if they kept the covenant they would be God's treasured nation. When Moses told the peopl they all said they would everything the Lord asked. (1-8)

The God told Moses that he would come to him in a dense cloud that all the people would see so they would continute to put their trust in Moses. He told him to have all the people consencrate themselves and that anyone who touched the mountain would be killed. God told him to prepare themselves for the third day. (9-15)

On the third day their was loud thunder on the mountain and smoke billowed up. So Moses went up to be with the Lord. The Lord told him to remind the people not to come up and that Moses should bring Aaron with him. Moses obeyed. (16-25)

(04/17/06) Exodus 17:1-18:26

2006-04-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

Exodus 17. After the people left the Sin Desert they started to run out of food and the people started to get angry at Moses. The Lord instructed him to take some of the leaders to a rock and to strike the rock with his staff and water would flow. Moses did and the water flowed. (1-7) Then the warriors of Amalek came to fight the Israelites. Moses instructed Joshua to call the men to arms to fight them. Moses, Aaron and Hur went to a nearby hill to watch. Whenever Moses held the staff in the air the Israelites had the advantage, however he began to get tired. Aaron and Hur held up his arms when he got tired. Eventually the Israelites won and God instructed Moses to write down a permanent record and to announce it to Joshua that the Lord would blot out every trace of the Amalek. (8-16) (Note: It does not say anywhere that the Lord instructed Moses to fight or to raise his staff in the air.)

Exodus 18. Word of what God had done for the Israelites soon reached Jethro Moses' father-in-law. Jethro came to visit Moses from his home land. He listened to what had happened and thanked God and gave sacrifices. (1-12) Jethro also saw all that Moses was doing for the people and suggested that he was going to ware himself out. Jethro told Moses he should appoint judges for the small cases and Moses accepted this idea. After this Jethro returned home. (13-26).

(04/13/06) Exodus 16:1-36

2006-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Exodus 16. The Israelites left Slim and went into the Sin Desert. They traveled for about a month and the people began to complain again saying they would rather God killed them in Egypt than in the desert where they were starving. (1-3) The Lord heard their complaining and told Moses that he would provide bread in the morning and meat at night. He told him that there would be enough for each day and that on the 6th day they should gather enough for the 6th and 7th days. The 7th day would become the Sabbath. Of course the people did not listen and some tried to gather more then they needed and that food rotted. But eventually everyone believed. (4-31) Moses gave a command from the Lord to save 2 quarts of manna (the bread) forever as a reminder of what the Lord proveded for them. They did this and then for 40 years God provided manna in the morning and meat in the evening while they were in the desert. (32-36)

(04/11/06) Exodus 14:1-15:27

2006-04-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Exodus 14. The Lord led the Israelites to what appeared to be a dead end so that the Egyptians would follow them. When Pharaoh heard where the Israelites were he sent out his army to get them. (1-9) When the Israelites saw the army coming they panicked and complained to Moses that he had led them there to die. He told them not to fear that God would save them. (10-14)

Then the Lord told Moses to lift his arms over the sea and then a wind came and parted the water for the Israelites to pass. The Lord confused the Egyptians and caused their chariot wheels to come undone as they crossed the river behind them. Then after the Israelites had crossed the river the Lord told him to raise his arms back over the river. Then the Lord filled the river again and not a single Egyptian survived. Then the Israelites feared God and put their faith in Moses. (15-31)

(Note: It is amazing how the Israelites saw all the miracles that God had done but then didn't trust Him when they seemed trapped. We always need reminders.)

Exodus 15. Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise to the Lord for waht He had done and what He was still going to do for His people. (1-19) Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, led the women in song of praise as well. (20-21)

Then they moved from the sea and crossed the desert for three days without water. Finally they arrived at Marah and found water but it was bitter and not suitable for drinking. The people turned against Moses. (22-24) (Note: After 3 days they were already angry again)

The Lord showed Moses a branch and told him to throw it in the water and the water became good to drink. Then the Lord to laid before them the following conditions to test their faithfulness to him "If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you." (25-26) After the left Marah they arrived in Elim, which had springs and trees, they camped there. (27)

(04/10/06) Exodus 13:1-22

2006-04-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

Exodus 13. The Lord said to Moses to dedicate every firstborn son of Israel and male animal to him. (1-2) Moses told the people that they would have 7 days of no yeast in the bread to celebrate that God had brought them out of Egypt. They were to do this every year to celebrate and explain to their children why. (3-16) (Note: The chapter talks a lot about "redemming" the first born male but doesn't explain what this is.) When Pharaoh finally lets them go God guides their journey by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night. However he does not lead them on the quickest route to the promised land. God does this because He sas "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return through the wilderness." Moses takes the bones of Joseph with him as the sons of Israel swore they would. (17-22)

(04/05/06) Exodus 11:1-12:51

2006-04-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

Exodus 11. The last miracle is started in this chapter. First the Lord tells the Israelites to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of gold and silver. The Egyptian people looked favorably on the Israelites. (Note: I am assuming they gave them the articles). (1-3)

The last miracle would be that the Lord would pass through at midnight and that all the first born sons of every Egyptian family will die (including the animals) but none of the Israelites. (Note: It is interesting that the Lord says I will pass through, I always thought it was an "angel") Again the Lord says that because he has hardened the Pharoah heart he has the opportunity to perform more miracles. (4-10)

Exodus 12. Wow a lot happens in this chapter. It starts with God explaining what should be done on the "Passover." That a one year old perfect lamb or goat must be eaten and how to cook it and what to do with the blood. How people should dress for it how it should be eaten and celebrated every year from now on. Also the 7 days after with no yeast in the bread. (Note: The question is obviously why God would need them to put blood on the door frames to distinguish between Egyptians and Israelites. The answer is obviously for the people. It is very unusual to smear blood on the frame of your door. So if someone, ie your children, see you smearing blood on the frame they will ask why and then you tell them about what God did. I wonder if this is the same idea with yeastless bread) (1-28)

Then the Lord did as he said and "passed over" the Land and the Pharaoh begged him to leave and the Egyptians gave the Israelites anything they wanted just so they would leave and so after 430 years in Egypt they left. (29-42)

Then the Lord spells out a couple more requirements for the Passover meal which include that foreigners can eat but only if they are cirumsized (Note: I wonder how this relates to Jesus having come.) (43-51)

(04/04/06) Exodus 10:1-29

2006-04-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

Exodus 10. The Lord told Aaron and Moses to return to the Pharaoh and make the demands. The Lord said that he would continue to do miracles so that they would have stories to tell their children. (1-2)

The next sign was of locusts that covered Egypt and ate anything that remained from the hailstorm. Pharaoh pleaded with them to stop it and Moses asked that he let all the people go with their flocks. Pharoah hardened and said only the men could go. Moses did not agree. (3-20)

Next a terrifying darkness came over Egypt and Pharaoh agrred to let all the people go but not their belongings, Moses did not agree. (21-29)

(03/27/06) Exodus 8:1-9:35

2006-03-27T07:52:00.000-08:00

Exous 8. The next miracle filled Egypt with frogs and the magicians matched this miracle. However for the first time Pharaoh says he will let the Israelites go worship is they stop the frogs. So God stops the frogs but Pharaoh changes his mind just as the Lord said he would. (1-15)

So the Lord told Aaron to strike his staff on the dust to change it into gnats that filled the land of Egypt. For the first time the magicans could not dublicat this miracle and they told Pharaoh that it must be the finger of God. However Pharaoh still refused. (16-19)

The next miracle involved flies that filled only the lands of the Egyptians. The flies did not go into the places where the Isralelites lived like Goshen. This showed Pharoah that the Lord could distinguish between the people. The Pharaoh reluctantly agreed to let them go but once again changed his mind once the flies were gone.

Exodus 9. The next miracle involves a plague that would destroy horses, donkeys, camels, cattle and sheep, but only the Egyptians not the Israelites. The Pharaoh saw this but his heart remained stubborn. (1-7)

Then Moses took soot from the furnance and tossed it in the air causing terrible boils to break out on the people and animals. But the Lord MADE Pharaoh even more stubborn. (8-12)

Before the next miracle there is some explanation as to why the Lord MAKE's Pharaoh stubborn. He says he does it so the knowledge of the power of the Lord may be spread throughout the land. (13-17)

The next miracle is hail storn that he tells the Egyptians if the believe in the Lord they will move everything under shelter. Some do but some refuse to believe in him and everything left out, people, animals and crops is destroyed by a hail storm like none that had ever been seen. Once again the Pharaoh tells Moses the people can go if he stops the hail but once again his heart hardens after the storm stops. (18-35)

(03/22/06) Exodus 6:1-7:25

2006-03-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

Exodus 6. The Lord told Moses that they would now see what he would do to Pharaoh. That when Pharaoh feels the Lords power he weill be so anxzious to have the Israelites leave. (1)

The Lord then reminds Moses of the Lords covenant with his ancestors and that the Lord would give them the land of Canaan. He told Moses to tell the Israelites that he hears their groans and that he will rescue them. Moses tells the people but they won't listen anymore. (2-9)

The Lord then tells Moses to return to Pharaoh and demand their release, Moses objects saying his own people won't listen to him. The Lord demands that Aaron and Moses go to Pharaoh. (10-13)

The chapter finishes with a geneology which includes the families of Aaron and Moses. (14-30)

Exodus 7. The Lord told Moses that he wanted him to use Aaron as his prophet to go before Pharaoh to demand the Israelites be free. He told him that Pharaoh would ask for a sign that they were from God (but that Pharaoh's heart would be hard). The Lord told them that Aaron was to throw down his staff and it would turn into a snake. He did this but Pharaoh's magicians did the same with their staffs. Aarons snake swallowed the other snakes whole but Pharaoh's heart remained hard. (1-13)

The Lord then told them to go down and meet the Pharaoh at the river Nile and to use his staff to turn all the water to blood. Aaron did and the water everywhere turned to blood, however Pharaoh's magicians did the same and Pharaoh still refused to let them go. (14-25)

It is a little confusing in versus 19 through 24 because it appeared that Aaron turned all the water in Egypt into blood but their then appears there is more water that the magicians turned to blood.

(03/21/06) Exodus 5:1-23

2006-03-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

Exodus 5. After Moses and Aaron had presented to Israel's leaders they went to Pharaoh to say that the Lord God of Israel says "Let my people go." Pharaoh retorts who is this Lord that I should listen and that he would not let the Israelites go. (1-2)

Aaron and Moses persisted but Pharaoh did not agree and decided that the Israelites did not have enough work to do if they were talking about worhiping their God. So he told his slave drivers to not supply them with any more straw but still demanded they produce the same amount of bricks. They punished the Israelite foreman for not producing enough bricks (3-14).

The foreman went to Pharaoh to beg for mercy and he said no. The foreman then turned against Aaron and Moses, who in turn asked God why he would let them suffer (15-23).

(12/20/05) Exodus 4:1-31

2005-12-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

Ex 4. Moses still argued with the Lord to have someone else go. Then the Lord showed Moses some miracles by turning his staff into a snake and back again and his hand to leprosy and back again. The Lord told him to show these signs to the people and they would believe. (4:1-8) The Lord told him if they still didn't then he was to take water from the Nile and pour it on dry ground and it would turn to blood. (4:9)

But Moses still pleaded with God claiming he was a poor speaker, God asked him who gives the power to speak. After the lord got angery with Moses he told him that his brother Aaron would speak for them and God would tell Moses what to have Aaron do. Moses finally agreed and headed back to Egypt with his wife. (4:10-20) The Lord told him to go to Pharaoh, but that the Lord would make Pharaoh stubborn. (4:21-23)

On the journey there the Lord confronted Moses and was about to kill him but his wife circumcised their son and threw the foreskin at Moses' feet calling him a blood-smeared bridegroom and the Lord let him go. (4:24-26)

Aaron met Moses in the wilderness and they told the people and performed the miracles for the Israelites and they all believed. (4:27-31)

(12/08/05) Exodus 2:1-3:22

2005-12-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

Ex. During the time when the Israelites where slaves to the Egyptians and the king had ordered all the boys to be killed a woman from the tribe of Levi gave birth to a son. (2:1-2)
Note: It is interesting that Moses (the baby born) was born to the tribe of Levi, for Levi was the son who was always violent.

The woman and the baby's sister put the baby in a basket and floated him down the Nile. Soon the Pharaoh's daughter found the baby. The baby sister had been following the basket in the distance and now came up to the princess. The princess asked the girl to find a Hebrew to nurse the baby, so she went and got her mom. The princess told the mom that she would pay her to nurse the baby. So she did and when he was old enough she took her son to the princess and she named him Moses. (2:3-10)

Many years later Moses had grown up and went to visit the Israelites and saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. When he thought no one was looking he killed the Egyptian and buried him. He soon found out that he had been seen and that Pharaoh had ordered he be captured and killed. So he ran away. (2:11-15)

He ended up by a well that the priest of Median daughter's brought the flock to. Moses helped them draw water and was soon asked to be part of the family and so he stayed with them. He married one of the daughter's Zipporah and they had a boy named Gershom. (2:16-22)

Years past and the king of Egypt died but the Israelites still were inslaved but God heard their pleas and remembered their covenant. (2:23-25)

Ex 3. God appeared to moses in a burning bush. Telling him that he would lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses was very reluctant but God told him he would be with him and that he was the I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Gold told him that he would lead his people to a land of flowing milk and honey, the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivited and Jebusites live. He told Moses he would do great miracles that would forse the Egyptians to let them go and that they would give the Israelites amny gifts before they left. (3:1-22)

(12/06/05) Genesis 50:1- Exodus 1:22

2005-12-06T08:28:00.000-08:00

Gen 50. Joseph had Jacob emalmed it took 40 days. Then their was a period of 70 days of national morning in Egypt. Then Joseph aske Pharaoh if he could take Jacob's body to Canaan to bury him. Pharaoh agreed. (50:1-6) Joseph, his brothers Jacob's household and a many number of high officials in egypt traveled to Canaan to bury Jacob. The had a great 7-day funeral for him and buried him in his parents and grand-parents tomb. (50:7-13)

Joseph's brothers were affraid that now that Jacob was dead Joseph would get revenge on them. So they lied to Joseph and told him that Jacob had told them to say to Joseph to forgive your brothers. Joseph was saddened and told them he was not angry with them that God had taken their evil deed and made it a good thing. That he would himself protect them and their families. (50:14-21)

Joseph and his family lived in Egypt till he was 110 and died. Before he died he told his family that one day God would call them out of Egypt and made them promise to bring his body with them when the day came. (50:22-26)

Ex 1. Eventually all the sons of Jacob died but their descendants had multiplied quickly filling the land. (1:1-7) A new king of Egypt took the throne that new nothing of Jospeh and what he did for the Egyptians. He only saw the Israeilites as a threat to Egypt. So he put creul slave masters over them, but they still continued to multiply. Then he told the Hebrew midwives to kill all the new born boys but because they feared God they did not. Then he told the Egyptian people to throw all the newborn Irraelite boys into the Nile River. (1:8-22)

(12/05/05) Genesis 49:1-33

2005-12-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

Gen 49. Jacob gives a blessing to each of his sons before he dies in this chapter. Reuben the oldest is stripped of his birth rite because he slept with one of Jacob's wives. (49:1-4) Simeon and Levi are cursed for being wicked (49:5-7) Judah is compared to a young lion and that he will be praised by his brothers and the scepter will not depart him until the one to whom it belongs comes. (49:8-12) Zebulun will have a large land on the shors. Issachar will labor the land that is pleasant. Dan will govern like any other tribe in Israel. Gad will be plundered by marauding bands but will plunder them back. Asher will produce rich foods. Naphtali will produce magnificent fawns. Joseph is a fruitful tree, a prince among his brothers. Benjamin is a wilf that prowls, devouring his enemies in the morning and in the evening dividing the plunder. (49:13-27)

Then Jacob tells his sons to bury him in the same tomb as his parents and grandparents and then he dies. (49:28-33)

(12/02/05) Genesis 48:1-22

2005-12-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

Gen 48. Jacob was about to die and Joseph brought his two sones, Maneaaeh and Ephraim with him to see Jacob. Jacob blessed them telling them that they would both be prosperous and great nations but Ephraim, the younger, would be greater. Jacob also told Joseph that they would return to Canaan at some point, for that was the land God had promised them. (Gen 48:1-22)

(12/01/05) Genesis 42:1-47:31

2005-12-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Gen42. Jacob had heard that there was grain in Egypt so he sent ten of his sons down to get some, leaving the youngest Benjamin. (42:1-4) When they arrived they had to go to Joseph to buy the grain but they did not recognize him. Joseph recognized them but did not tell them as he spoke through an interpreter. He accused them of being spies and made them leave one of the brothers in prison until they returned with Benjamin to prove that they were not spies. Joseph also put back the money in the brothers' baskets when they returend home with the grain. (42:5-28) When they got home they told Jacob what had happened and Jacob and the brothers were all upset that now Simeon was in prison and they had the money plus the grain (maybe looking like they stole it). Rueben told his father that he would keep Benjamin safe or that he could kill his two sons. Jacob was still upset. (42:29-38)

Gen 43. After the grain was almost gone again. Jacob told his sons to retu to Egypt but Judah reminded him that they need to bring Benjamin. Jacob anguished over it but eventually agreed and told them to bring gifts and extra money to repay the money they found in the sacks and he blessed them and prayed for their safety. (43:1-14) When they arived Joseph saw that Benjamin was with them and told his manager to take them to the palace to feast with him at noon. They didn't know where they were going and were afraid, they told the manager they had brought extra money to repay the money they had found. The manager had told them to relax that their God must have provided that money for them because he had received the money they paid last time. (43:15-25) They were giving water to wash up and then Simeon was released to them and then they were brought to the feast where Joseph sat at one table, the brothers at another and the Egyptians at a final one. They still did not recognize Joseph. (43:26-34).

Gen 44. When the brothers were ready to leave, Joseph told his manager to load up their baskets with as much grain as they could hold, plus put back their money and put a Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's sack. Then he told his guards to chase the brothers down and stop them and ask them why they would do such a thing. They were all confused and claimed to be innocent but the cup was found on Benjamin. Joseph told them that bBenjamin would remain his servant but the rest could return home. Judah pleaded with Joseph to take him instead of Benjamin telling Joseph about how his father would die from sorrow if he lost Benjamin. (44:1-34)

Gen 45. Joseph couldn't keep the secret any longer and he told his brother who he was. He then told them that they should go and bring their father and their households to Egypt. He told them not to worry about what they did, that God had divined it so that Joseph could protect his family. The Pharaoh was excited to hear the news and told Joseph to bring his family to the best part of Egypt to live. So the brothers returned home and told Jacob everything that had happened and Jacob said he would go to see his son. (45:1-28)

Gen 46. Jacob and all his household go down to Egypt. On the way Jacob has a dream from God where God tells him he will see Joseph and his family will prosper in Egypt and then God will lead them out of Egypt but that Jacob will die in Egypt. When they arrive in Egypt Jacob and Joseph embrace and Jacob says that he can die now that he has seen Joseph with his eyes. Joseph tells the brothers that they should tell the Pharoh that they are shepherds and livestock breeders so that he will let them live in the land of Goshen for shepherds are despised in the land of Egypt. (46:1-34)

Gen 47. Joseph brough 5 of his brothers to meet the Pharoh and the Pharoh asked what their occupation was and they replied shepherds, Pharaoh told Joseph to give them any land he wanted so he agreed on Goshem. Then Joseph brought Jacob to the Pharaoh and he blessed the Pharaoh and the Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was. (47:1-7)

Year after year the famine got worse. Joseph had collected all the money in the land of Egypt and Canaan and the people came and begged him for food. He agreed to sell them food for their livestock, so he collected all the livestock from the land. Then the people offered their land and to be servants in exchange for food. So the Pharaoh owned all the land and all the people were his servants but all the people survived the famine. (47:8-26)

The people of israel settled in the land of gishen and began to prosper. After 17 years of being in Egypt Jacob died. Just before he died he made Joseph swera that he would burry him outside of Egypt. (47:27-31)

(11/29/05) Genesis 40:1-41:57

2005-11-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

Gen 40. While Joseph was in prison Pharaoh became angry with his chief cup-bearer and baker and put them in prison where Joseph was. (40:1-3) One day the both had dreams and look dejected. Joseph asked them what the matter was and they told him they had had dreams. Joseph told them that God interpreted dreams and to tell him what they were. The wine bearer told of three branches and holding a cup for the Pharoh. Joseph told him his dream meant that he would be freed in three days and restored to his former position. The baker told Joseph his dream of having three baskets of bread on his head for the Pharaoh but birds came and ate the bread. Joseph told him in three days the Pharoa would execute him by cutting his head off and putting him on a pole for the birds to eat. (40:4-19)

In three days it was the Pharaoh's birthday and he had a celebration at the celebration he restored the cup bearer to his position but executed the baker just as Joseph had said. However the cup bearer forgot all about Joseph and never mentioned to the Pharoah how Joseph interpreted the dreams. (40:20-23)

Gen 41. Two years later Pharoa had a dream about 7 cows being eaten by starved cows and then another dream the same night about 7 plump grains being eaten by shrivelled ones. He asked all the wise men and magicians of Egypt what they meant but noone could give an answer. (41:1-8) Then the cup bearer remembered Joseph and told the pharaoh what Joseph had done. So Joseph was brought to Pharaoh and told him that the dreams meant for seven years there would be bumper crops but then after for 7 years there would be famine so great that the previous seven years would be forgotten. (41:9-32)

Joseph suggested to Pharoah that he appoint someone to take charge of storing crops during the seven years so that during the famine they would have food. The Phaaoh told Joseph it would eb him for it was obvious that God was with him. Joseph was placed second in command and given maning things including an Egyptian wife Asenath. (41:33-45)

Over the next 7 years Joseph helped organize the storage of the food as God had blessed the land with great crops just as the dreams had been interpretted. Jpseph also had two sons in this time Manasseh and Ephraim. After the seven years the famine began and people came to Pharaoh complaining about no crops. The Pharaoh told them to all go see Joseph and Joseph sold people from all around the crops they had stored so noone would go hungry. (41:46-57)

(11/28/05) Genesis 39:1-23

2005-11-28T08:10:00.000-08:00

Gen 39. Joseph arrives in Egypt and is purchased by Potiphar a member of Pharaohs staff. The Lord blessed Joseph and Potiphar noticed this. Potiphar soon put Joseph in charge of the entire household and God blessed the household because of Joseph. Potiphar soon put Joseph in charge of everything in the household. (39:1-6)

Around this same time Potiphar's wife began to make moves on Joseph but Joseph kept refusing. One time when they were alone she grabbed him and he ran leaving his shirt in his hand. She told the guards and Potiphar that Joseph had tried to rape her. (39:7-18)

Potiphar was furious and put Joseph in prison. The Lord was with joseph in prison and granted him favor with the chief jailer. Soon the chief jailer put Joseph in charge of everything to do with the jail and everything ran smoothly and successfully. (39:19-23)

(11/10/05) Genesis 37:1-38:30

2005-11-10T08:19:00.000-08:00

Gen 37. This chapter is about Joseph and his brothers. Jacob loved Joseph the most bescause he had been born to him in old age. (37:1-3) Joseph's brothers hated him because Jacob loved him the most. Jacob gave him a special robe (37:3-4) Joseph had two dreams one that was interpreted by his brothers to mean that they would serve him one day and another that was interpreted to mean that his brothers, father and mother would all bow before him. This made his brothers hate him even more but it made Jacob wonder. (37:5-11)

Joseph's brother's had gone to pasture the flocks and Jacob sent Joseph to find them and bring back word to him. When he came near them the brothers plotted to kill him. But Rubeun suggested that they not kill him but just through him alive in a pit (he was planning on rescuing him later). The brothers agreed but after they threw him in a pit they saw a caravan of merchants heading to Egypt. They decided to sell him to the merchants, who then sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. The brothers then returned to Jacob with Joseph's coat, which they had torn and covered with animal blood. Jacob mourned what he believed was Joseph's death for a long time. (37:12-36)

Gen 38. Judah, one of the sons of Leah and Jacob, married a Canaanite woman, Shua. They had sons, Er, Onan and Shelah. Er married Tamar but Er was wicked and the Lord took his life. As was the custom Judah told Onan to marry Tamar and that their first son would be Er's heir. But Onan didn't want his child to be Er's heir so every time he had intercourse with Tamar he let his seed fall to the earth. The Lord though Onan was wicked from keeping a son from his dead brother so he took his wife as well. Shelah was too young to marry so Judah sent Tamar home to wait, but he feared marring his son to her in that he might die. (38:1-11)

Some time later when Shelah was old enough to marry Tamar had not been called to marry him. So she disguised herslef and went to where Judah was at the time. Judah did not recognise her and thought she was a prostitute. He propositioned her and she agreed for the price of a young goat. But she took his seal, cord and walking stick as a promise till she got the goat. Shebecame pregenant. (38:12-23)

Word got back to Judah that Tamar had become pregnant as a prostitute. Judah declared that she should be brought to him and burned. When she came she told him that hse had become pregnant by the man who owned the walking stick, seal and cord. Judah admitted his wrong but never slept with her again. Tamar had twins, one stuck its had out first, Zerah, but was born second behind Perez. (38:24-30)

(11/07/05) Genesis 36:1-42

2005-11-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

Genesis 36: Lists all the descendents of Easu (also know as Edom) for several generations. It goes inot some detail about which lands each descendant occupied and the tribes or clans were known by the land they occupied. (36:1-42)

(11/04/05) Genesis 35:1-29

2005-11-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Gen 35. God spoke to jacob telling him to go settle in Bethel and build an altar to worship God there. So Jacob told his family to get rid of all theier idols, wash themselves and put on clean clothes that they were moving to where God wants them to. They did as he asked and God protected them on their journey. (35:1-5)

On the way Rebekah's nurse died. (35:6-8) God appeared to Jacob in Bethel blessing him with the blessing God had given to Abraham and telling him his name will now be Israel. Jacob set up a stone pillar at the spot to mark the place and gave up sacrifices and worshiped God there. (35:9-15)

When they left bethel Rachel gave birth to another son and named him Ben-oni, son of my pain, but Jacob changed it to Benjamin, son of my right hand. Rachel soon died from the child birth as was buried in Bethlehem. Jacob now had 12 sons. (35:16-26)

Jacob arrived home to his father, Isaac, in Mamre. Isaac lived to be 180 and when he died Esau and Jacob buried him. (35:27-29)

(11/02/05) Genesis 33:1-34:31

2005-11-02T06:44:00.000-08:00

Gen 33. Jacob sees his brother Esau coming with his army and lines hi household up in a column, concubines, then Leah's group, then Rachel and Joseph in the rear. Then Joseph goes ahead and meets his brother. Jacob bows to him 7 times and they then embrace. (33:1-4)

Esau asks why Jacob sent the gifts and Jacob tells them they are for him and insists that Esau keep them after some refusing Esau agrees. Jacob also insists that Esau return home and not be bothered with his time or his army's time escorting him because Jacob has many young children and animals and will have to move slowly. Esau agrees and returns home. (33:5-15)

Jacob soon makes camp in Succoth and then in Shechem where he buys the land from the family there. Jacob builds an altar there an names it El-Elohe-Israel, God the God of Israel. (33:16-20)

Gen 34. One day Shechem the local prince saw Dinah, Leah's daughter, and took her and raped her. Shechem also claimed to love her and wanted to marry her. But word of the rape got to Jacob and he was furious but his sons were in the fields so he waited till they returned. Hamor, Shechem's father went to Jacob to talk about the matter just as Jacob's sons had returned and heard the news. Hamor offered his son to marry Dinah and that their families should marry and that Jacob's family could live and trade among them. (34:1-12)

But Jacob's sons deceived them and told them that if all the me in Hamor's household were circumcised then they would allow the proposal. Hamor went back and convinced all the men to be circumcised. On the third day when all the men were still sore Jacob's sons went into the village and slaughter all of them taking all the belongings they also took the women and children. (34:13-29)

Jacob was upset and Levi for what they had done but Levi asked Jacob if it was ok for them to treat their daughter like a prositute. (34:30-31)

(11/01/05) Genesis 32:1-32

2005-11-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

Gen 32. As Jacob and his household headed out they were met by an angel that told them this was God's camp so they stopped and named the place Mahaniam. (32:1-2) Then Jacob sent some messangers out to his brother Esau. When the messangers retured they told Jacob Esau was on his way out to meet him with an army of 400. Jacob was scared that Esau was coming to kill him and prayed to God. (32:3-12)

Jacob spent the night and prepared a present for his brother. In the morning he sent his herdsmen out with different sets of animals with the same instructions to tell Esau, "These belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present for his master Esau! He is coming right behind us." Then he sent the rest of his household out until he was the last one in the camp. (32:13-23)

When he was alone in the camp a man (God) came and wrestled with Jacob. Jacob would not let him go and the man could not win so the man struck Jacob's hip and Jacob asked the man to bless him. The man (God) did and told him Jacob's new name was Israel. Because the man struck his hip the people of Israel do not eat the meat around th hip of an animal. (32:24-32)

(10/31/05) Genesis 31:1-55

2005-10-31T06:54:00.000-08:00

Gen 31. Jacob learned that Laban's family and Laban are not happy with Jacob and believe that he has stolen from Laban. The Lord then tells Jacob to return to the land of his father and grandfatehr. So he tells Rachel and Leah of what God has told him and how God has blessed him even though Laban has been wicked to him. They agree to go with him. (31:1-16)

So they pack up and leave but Rachel takes her father's household god's. Laban learns a few days later that they had left and gathers some men to chase after them. On the way God speaks to Laban and tells him to be careful what he says to Jacob. When Laban catches up with Jacob he asks him why he has left without telling anyone. Jacob explains his situation and how Laban has treated him poorely and that he was fearful of him. (31:17-30)

Laban accuses Jacob of stealing his gods. Jacob denies it and says that let anyone of his household who stole them be killed. Laban searches all of Jacob's belongings but doesnt find them because Rachel is sitting on a bag with them in it and tells Laban she can't get up because it is that time of the month. Laban and Jacob then make a treaty, have a meal and then Laban kissies his kids in the morning and leaves. (31:31-55)

(10/28/05) Genesis 30:1-43

2005-10-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Gen 30. (This is another very difficult chapter, with lots of trickery and jealousy). Rachel was angry with Jacob because she had no children. She gave him her Servant Bilhah to sleep with, he did, and Bilhah ended up having the following sons, Dan and Naphtali. Leah became jealous that Rachel was now having children so she gave her servant, Zilpah, to Jacob. Zilpah had to sons Gad and Asher. (30:1-12)

One day Reuben, Leah's son, found some mandrakes and Rachel begged Leah for them. Leah agreed only if Rachel would let Jacob sleep with her that night. Rachel agreed and Leah then became pregnant and had a fifth son, Issachar, she would later have a sixth son, Zebulun and a daughter, Dinah. (30:13-21)

Then God remembered Rachel's plight and caused her to be pregnant. She named her son Joseph. (30:22-24)

Then Jacob asked Laban to let him and his wives and childern leave. Laban told him he would rather not because God had made Laban wealthy because of Jacob. Jacob agreed to stay and work for Laban if Laban let Jacob sepperate the flocks so Jacob would keep the speckled animals. Laban agreed and quickly had his sons remove all the speckled animals and take them far away. However Jacob over time was able to breed up new generations of speckled animals, selectively breeding only the strongest ones to be speckled, as a result Jacob became very wealthy. (30:25-43)

(10/27/05) Genesis 28:1-29:35

2005-10-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

Gen 28. Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. Blessing him, that God may pass on the promise that he had given to Abraham to make his descendants an assembly of great nations. He then sent Isaac back to Laban and so that he would find a wife that was not a Canaanite. (28:1-6) Esau hearing this now knew that his father despised the Canaanite women so he went and married one of his uncle, Ishmael's daughters. (28:7-9)

Jacob traveled to Haran and on the way slept with a rock as his pillow and had a dream. He dreamed of angels goining up and down a stairway that stretched to heaven, with the Lord standing at the top. Then God spoke to him in the dream and told him that the land he was on belongs to Jacob and his descendants and that God will bless them and be with Jacob wherever he goes. (28:10-15) Jacob awoke and made a memorial out of the rock he slept on and made a vow to God, "If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God." He also said he would give God a tenth of everything that God gives him. (28:16-22)

Gen 29. Jacob arrives near Haran and sees shepherd at a well with a stone covering the well. He goes over to ask if they know who Laban is and ask them about the covering of the well. While they are talking Rachel, Laban's daughter, comes to the well because she is a shepherd. Jacob rolled the stone back for Rachel and kissed her and tears came to his eyes. Rachel ran back to tell Laban and Laban invited Jacob to his home. (29:1-14)

Jacob had worked for Laban for about a month for free and Laban told him that he should be paid and asked Jacob what he would like. Jacob said that if he could marry Rachel, Laban's youngest daughter, he would work for him for 7 years. Laban agreed and Jacob worked for 7 years (saying it felt like only a little while). Then the day came for the wedding and Laban tricked Jacob and had him sleep with his oldest daughter, Leah. Laban told Jacob that he could not marry off his youngest daughter without his older daughter being married. Laban agreed to let Jacob marry Rachel as well if he agreed to work another 7 years. Jacob agreed. (29:15-30)

Jacob loved Rachel and Leah was unloved because of this the Lord blessed Leah with children, four boys, Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah but Rachel remained childless. (29:31-35)

(This is a tough chapter to stomach.)

(10/26/05) Genesis 27:1-46

2005-10-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

Gen 27. Isaac is old and almost blind. He tells Esau to go hunt some game and make him hiis favorite meal then he will gove him his blessing before he dies. Rebekah overhears this and tells Jacob that she will make him a meal to serve Isaac before Esau returns. Jacob with the help of his mom puts on Esau's clothes and some animal fur on his skin (to be hairy like Esau) and goes to Isaac with his favorite meal. Isaac is confused at first because he hears Jacobs voice but can feel the fur (hair) that is like Esau but then he smells Esau's clothes and believes.(27:1-27)

Isaac blesses Jacob thinking he is Esau and says may all your brothers people serve you and bow down to you and may his harvest be plenty. (27:28-29) Esau returns right after and comes to his father. Isaac then reliazes he has been tricked and tells Esau he can't do anything about it. He tells Esau that he will live on the land and serve his brother for a time and then shake loose. (27:30-40) Esau hated Jacob and wanted to kill him, but Rebekah got word of this. She sent Jacob to go live with his uncle, Laban, until Esau calmed down. (27:41-45) Then the chapter ends with Rebekah telling Isaac that she is sick of the Hitite women (Esau married two) and would rather die then see Jacob marry one. (27:46)

(I can't help but think about how similar this trickery is to what Isaac and Abraham tried to do in fooling people by telling people that their wives were their sisters)

(10/25/05) Genesis 25:1-26:35

2005-10-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

Gen 25. Abraham married again to Keturah and had some more children who then had other children. (25:1-4) Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac but gave gifts to all the sons of his concubines and sent them off. (25:5-6) Abraham lived to be 175 and Isaac and Ishmael burried him in the cave where Sarah was burried. (25:7-10) After Abraham died God poured out his blessing on Isaac. (25:11)

The next section is the history of the descendants of Ishmael who became the the twelve tribes and scattered across the country east of Egypt. (25:12-18)

Isaac pleaded to God to give Rebekah a child and he answered her and she became pregnant with twins. The twins wrestled inside of Rebekah and she asked God why they did. He told her that her sons would become to rival nations the older serving the younger. (25:19-23) Esau (meaning hair because he was covered in red hair at birth) was born first with Jacob (meaning he grasps the heel) was born second grasping Esau's heel. Isaac loved Esau because of the wild game he brought home and Rebekah favored Jacob. (25:24-28)

One day Esau came home from hunting and was starving and Jacob was making stew. Esau asked for some stew but Jacob said he would only give him some if he gave his birthright to Jacob. Esau saying what does it matter to me when I am starving and agreed. (25:29-34)

(This seems so wicked of Jacob. But I think the point is that Jacob saw the most important thing in life was to be in God's favor and esau was so neither here nor there about it that he gave up his special relationship with God for some stew.)

Gen 26. A Famine hit the land where Isaac was so he moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived. God appeared to Isaac and told him not to go to Egypt to stay in this land and that God would bless him and cause his descendants to become numerous because of his father Abraham's obedience. So Isaac satyed. (26:1-6) Isaac told the people of Gerar thatRebekah was his sister but Abimelech found out that she was his wife and had the same reaction as so many did whe Abraham pulled the same routine with Sarah. Abimelech declared that if anyone harmed Isaac or his wife they would die. (26:7-11)

That year Isaac had a tremendous harvest and became a rich man. The Philistines became jealous, Abimelech asked him to leave the country and the Philistines filled in his wells with earth. (26:12-17) Isaac moved to the Gerar Valley and reopend the wells his father had dug. His shepherds opened new wells as well, but the local shepherds argued and claimed the belonged to them. So Isaac's men moved to another sight and dug another well but once again the local shepherds argued about it. So they moved again and dug a new well and no one came to argue so they settled there. (26:18-22) Isaac then settled in Beersheba and the Lord appeared to him and said that he would make his descendants a great nation because of his father Abraham. Isaac built an altar there and worshipped the Lord. (26:23-25)
(All that Isaac has done has been almost a replay of Abraham)

Abimelech came to visit Isaac and said told him it is obvious that the Lord is with Isaac and asked for a treaty between the two which Isaac agreed to. (26:26-33) Esau marrid two women Judith and Basemath but both of them made life miserable fo Isaac and Rebekah. (26:34-35)

(10/24/05) Genesis 24:1-67

2005-10-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

Gen 24. Abraham was now old. He asked one of his servants to make an oath that he would not let Isaac marry a local Canaanite woman. Abraham wanted the servant to go back to Abrhahams home land and find a wife from Abraham's family. (24:1-9) The sevant went and as he was praying for God to help him find a woman his prayer was answered when he met Rebekah at a well. The servant then found out she was Abraham's brother's, Nahor's, descendant. The servant told Nahor's family about what Abraham had asked and how God had led him to Rebekah. The family agreed to let Rebekah go but wanted her to leave in 10 days, Rebekah said she would go immediately. (24:10-61) The Rebekah and Isaac met and were married immediately and Isaac loved her and she brought great comfort to him. (24:62-77)

(10/21/05) Genesis 22:1-23:20

2005-10-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Gen 22. God tested Abraham's faith and obedience by asking him to sacrifice his only son as a burnt offering. (22:1-2) Abraham obeyed and took Isaac to the mountain where God told him. Isaac asked why they had no lamb to sacrifice and Abraham told him that God would provide one (Christ?). (22:3-10) As Abraham was about to kill his son God spoke to him and told him not to and that he had obeyed well. Just then a ram appeared and Abraham sacrificed it for God. God promised to bledd Abraham and his descendants for his obeyiance. (22:11-18)

There are obviously a lot of illusions to Christ in the section above, but this hits home a lot more now that I have kids.

They went home and then we are told about the descendants of Abraham's brother, Milcah, and Milcah's descendants (22:19-24).

Gen 23. Sarah died at age 127 in Kiriath-arba (Hebron) in the land of Canaan and Abraham wept. (23:1-2) Abraham left her body and went to the Hittites and said that he was an stranger in their land and asked if he could have some land so he could bury his wife. They told him that he was a honored princes and to choose any of the finest tombs he liked. (23:3-7) Abraham asked if he could buy the cave and land on the property of Ephron. Ephron insisted he have it for free but Abraham insisted he pay for it (this seems to be common for Abraham, that he pays for everything). Ephron relented and it was sold for 400 pieces of silver. (23:8-20)

(10/20/05) Genesis 20:1-21:34

2005-10-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Gen 20. Abraham leaves Negev and goes to Gerar. Once again Abraham and Sarah tell people that they are brother and sister. King Abimelech has Sarah come to his palace. (20:1-2) God comes to Abimelech in a dream and tells him he is a dead man for taking Abrahams wife. Abimelech pleads his innocence, saying he did not know and did not even touch her. God tells him if he returns Sarah to Abraham and has Abraham, a prophet, to pray for him he will be saved. (20:3-7)

Abimelech returns Sarah and gives gifts to Abraham as an appology but also asks why Abraham and Sarah would do such a thing. Abraham says that he feared they were a Godless people and would kill him and take Sarah if they knew they were married. Also Abraham tells him that they are in fact brother and sister, same father different mothers. (20:8-16).

Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech and his household (20:17-18). It is amazing that Abraham has done this same thing at least twice now.

Gen 21. Sarah becomes pregnant and has a son just as God said they would. They name him Isaac and he is circumcised on the eigth day and grows into a boy. (21:1-8) Sarah sees Ishmael making fun of Isaac and complains to Abraham about him and hagar. Abraham is sadened but the Lord tells him to send Hagar and Ishmael away as Sarah asks. He tells Abraham that the covenant is with Isaac but that a great nation will also come from Ishmael because he is also Abraham's son. (21:9-13)

Hagar and Ishmael are sent out into the wilderness where God protects them and provides water for them. Hagar grows up to be an expert archer and marries a woman from Egypt. (21:14-21)

Abimelech, from the land of the Philistines, comes to Abraham about the same time as the above. He tells Abraham that it appears that God is always with Abraham. Abimelech asks for Abraham to swear his loyalty to Abimelech. Abraham agrees. Abraham also tells Abimelech about a quarell over a well between their peoples. Abraham gives Abimelech some sheep and oxen as a sign of a truce. He also gives him some ewe lambs to show that the well in question belongs to Abraham. Abimelech agrees and returns home. Abraham plants a tree at the well, the well is named Beersheba "well of the oath" and Abraham worships God at the well. Abraham lives in Philistine for a long time after this. (21:22-34)

(10/19/05) Genesis 18:1-19:38

2005-10-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Gen 18. A lot happens in this chapter. First the Lord appeares to Abraham as one of three men. Abraham invites them in offers to wah their feet. (18:1-5) The men tell Abraham once again that Sarah will have a son. She over hears and laughs and the Lord reads her mind. (18:9-15) The assure Abraham and Sarah that she will have a son when the Lord comes to visit them again in about a year.

Then the three men get up and walk towards Sodom. Abraham goes with them and the lord tells him that He has heard that the people of Sodom are wicked and he is on his way to see. Then Abraham asks the Lord if he would spare the city if he found 50 innocent people, or 40, or 30, or 20, or 10 and the Lord says he would. (18:23-33) Then the Lord continues on to sodom and Abraham returns to his tent.

Gen 19. Another jam packed chapter. The two angels (2 of the three men from the previous chapter). Arrived at the enterance of Sodom and Lot invited them to stay with him and he offered to wah their feet. The eventually agreed. (19:1-3) The men of Sodom came to Lot's house in the night and asked him to let them have sex with the two men (angels). Lot said no and even offered hi virgin daughters instead. The men became angry and charged into Lots house. The angels saved Lot and blinded all the men of Sodom so they couldn't get in the house. (19:4-11)

The angels then told Lot to get his family out of the city for they were sent by the Lord to destroy it. Lot finally left the city with the angels dragging him out. He only had his his wife and two daughters with him. The angels allowed him to go to a nearby village, Zoar. (19:12-23) Then the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's wife looked back to see, even though she had been told not to, and turned into a pilar of salt. (19:24-26) Eventually Lot and his daughters moved to cave. His daughters wanting to continue the family each got Lot drunk on sepperate nights and slept with him. They had each had sons, Moab and Ben-ammi. (19:30-38).

(10/18/05) Genesis 15:1-17:27

2005-10-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Gen 15. The chapter starts with Abram talking with God about how Abram doesn't have an heir. God promises him he will have many descendants (I think this is the third time he has promised Abram this). Abram believed God and because of this God declared him righteous because of his faith (15:6). But then in (15:8) Abram is already question whether or not God will do what he says?

Then God asks Abram to do some sacrificing with some animals (15:9-11). Abram falls asleep and God reveals to Abram that his descendants will be strangers ain a foreign land and oppressed as slaves for four hundred years (15:13). But God will punish the enslavers and the descendants will eventual return to the prosperous land. (15:14) And then a flaming torch passed between the halves of the carcasses. (15:17)

Gen 16. Sarai still is not pregnant so she decides to give her servant Hagar to Abram to have a child. Abram agees and Hagar becomes pregnant. (16:1-4) Sarai gets upset at Abram because Hagar is pregnant and Abram tells Sarai she can be mean to Hagar if she wants {probably feeling guilty himself} (16:5-6). Hagar runs away but the angel of the LORD finds her and tells her to return and submit to authority. The angel also tells Hagar to name her son Ishmael and that Ishmael will have many descendants and will be at odds with everyone. (16:7-14). she did return and Abram named him Ishmael. Abram was 86 at this time (16:15-16).

Gen 17. When Abram was 99 the Lord again promised him he would be the father of great nations and Abram fell face down in the dust serving God. (17:1-3) God made a covenant with Abram, God changed his name to Abraham (17:5), God promised him millions of descendants (17:6). The covenant would be everlasting and the land of Canaan will be for them for ever (17:7-8). In return Abraham must obey the terms (17:9) which was that every male of the household including servants and slaves must be circumcised on the eight day after birth. If not the would be cut off from the family. (17:9-14)

Then God told Abraham that Sarai will cahnge her name to Sarah and that she will will eb pregnant in a year and name the the son Isaac (17:15-21). God promises to bless both Ishmael and Isaac but states that His coventant will continue with isaac (17:21). Then Abraham and Ishmael and all the men of the household are circumcised the next day. (17:23-27)

(10/17/05) Genesis 11:1-14:24

2005-10-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

Gen 11. The chapter starts with a story of the people of babylonia building a great tower. God looks down on it and says "we" (we?, angels or the trinity) must do something about this because He fears nothing will be imposible for them. (11:6) He gives people different languages and this prevents people from building more.

Then there is a history of Shem's family, it goes into more detail then in chapter 10. People start to live shorter lives still not quite down to 120 years but closer. Abram and Lot are desendents of Shem.

Gen12. This chapter is about Abram. God called Abram to leave his country relatives and father's house. God said he would cause Abram to be the father of a great nation (12:1). Abram wen with his wife Sarai, nephew Lot and his household and God gave him the are inhabited by the Canaanites. (12:5-6). Abram and Sarai eventually went down to Egypt during a famine. They pretended Sarai was his siter so as to avoid Abram being killed, for this God sent a plague apon Egypt and the Pharaoh found out about it and kicked them out of Egypt. What Abram did seems very bad compared to what Ham did in laughing at his dad, Noah for being drunk, yet God blesses Noah and Ham is cursed.

Gen 13. Abram and crew leave Egypt and return to Negev. Abram and Lot split ways because they both are so wealthy and have so much livestock their herdsmen begin to argue. Abram allows Lot to chose which land he wants. Lot picks the fertile land neer Sodom. The people of this land are unusually wicked and sinned greatly against the Lord. (13:13) After Lot leaves God comes to Abram and again blesses him saing he will have so many descendants and land. Abram builds another temple to the Lord. He seems to do this a lot.

Gen 14. There are wars in the land around the same time that Abram and Lot split ways. They involve the kings of the area including those of Sodom and Gmorrah. I am not sure what type of position Abram and Lot have relative to the kings. Eventually the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah are defeated and Lot and his estate are captured in the process. Abram finds out about it and with his household of 318 men he is able to attack Lot's captures and free him and his household. The king of Sodom , Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High meet Abram after give him bread and wne and bless him. Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered and gave the rest back to Sodom (14:21-24).

(10/14/05) Genesis 6:1-10:32

2005-10-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

Gen 6. The people were mostly all troubling to God. God said people would from then on only live 120 years (6:3). God decided to wipe out humans and animals and was sorry He had ever made them (6:3-4). Except Noah and his family and 2 of every animal.

Gen 7. They had 7 pairs of each type of animal. The extra were for eating and sacrificing to ensure that at least 1 pair of each would survive. (7:2-3) It rained for 40 days and 40 nights covering even the highest mountains by 22 feet. (7:19-20). The water covered the earth for 150 days (7:24).

Gen 8. God sends a wind to blow across the water to dry it up and ceases the underground water sources (8:1-2). Then Noah releases a raven first then a dove to see if it is dry but it is not until over 12 months since the flood began do they get out of the boat (8:6-19). God says he will never again curse the earth. (8:21)

Gen 9. A lot of things in this chapter. God puts the animals under people (9:1-3) but he says you should never eat animals with their lifeblood still in them (9:4). Then he says that murderers must be executed (9:5-6). Then the rainbow is giving as a sign of a covenant that God will not destroy the earth with a flood (9:11-12). Then Noah gets drunk and falls asleep naked in his tent. Ham, his youngest son goes in the tent and sees him and goes to tell his brothers. Shem and Japheth, the other brothers, entered the tent backwards and covered their father without looking at him. When Noah woke up he cursed Ham and his desendents (the Canaanites) for waht Ham had done. (9:18-27)

Gen 10. This chapter lists the decendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth. So far it doesn't mention any sign of the curse of Noah at least as I can tell. In fact one of the decendents of Ham is Nimrod, who is described as "a mighty hunter in the LORD's sight." (10:9) I am assuming this is a good thing.

(10/13/05) Genesis 1:1-5:32

2005-10-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

Gen 1 is the creation account. In 1:26-28 NLT translates man to people which make sense in the context of "multipling."

Gen 2 Explains in more detail the creation account and specifically the garden and Adam and Eve. It also seems that new types of animals were created after man "only male" were on earth before women vs 18-20.

Gen 3. God made the serpent (3:1), then they sinned against God, and the punishments for serpent "on his belly" and enemy of woman, for woman child pain and man as master, for man work of the soil and finally they are banished from the garden and it is protected by angelic beings and flaming swords (3:24) never noticed that before.

Gen4. Interesting that Abel was a shepherd. Then the is the decendents of Cain and waht they all did. It is clear in this chapter that there are other people in the world. Then Adam and Eve have another son Seth and Seth had a son Enosh, "which during his time people began to worship the Lord" (4:26)

Gen5. Adam's decendents down to Noah and his 3 sons. This includes Enoch who "God took" (5:23). Everyone lived a long time.

(10/13/05) Intro

2005-10-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Intro:

This is an attempt to have some accountability in my journalling. I was thinking that I would go verse by verse through the bible expounding on everything that I learned. However something that has always bothered me is that I am not sure if I have ever even read the entire bible.

So the first thing I am going to do on this website is go through the bible. I will use this space to record what I read each day and maybe put anything that I thought about that reading. The first goal will be to go through the whole bible.

Then I will come back and do a more intensive study. I will use the New Living Translation found on www.crosswalk.com for a variety of reasons. But the main ones are that my goal is to read the whole bible first so this translation is comftorable to read and the website is very user friendly.

I will start with Genesis 1:1 and move on.

If you come across this page by chance I hope you will join in but more importantly come to love Christ who is the center of this book.