Genesis 1-3 (just chapter 2)

Normally there will only be one post per read, but I just had to get started early (so I split up the first 3 chapters)

CHAPTER 2.  SOAK IN EVERY WORD.  Why?  Because there are only 4 chapters in the WHOLE Bible that show us what life with God ‘was’ and ‘will be’ without sin.  The first 2 chapters of Genesis and the last 2 chapters of Revelation.  Everything in between is a hot mess!!

By the way I am determined to read each word and see something new in every chapter, and I am already seeing things I never noticed before (I bought a new Bible so I wouldn’t focus on my old notes).  As much as I love to ponder and picture God actually forming us, here was my new read:

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”- Genesis 2:18 NIV

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”-ESV

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.” CSB

Interestingly,  I never noticed it was God who determined that it was not good for man to be alone (I have always seen it as Adam wanted a helper).  But there is no indication that Adam was dissatisfied.  God was Adam’s helper (but superior) and the animals were his helpers (but inferior).  God desired a helper that was equal to Adam.  I researched the different versions and the Hebrew translations and they all concluded “suitable” suggests something that completes.  (Makes me think of Jerry Maguire’s “You complete me in a whole new way”).

Anyone read anything new in Ch 1 or 2 they want to share?

Genesis 1-3 (just chapter 1)

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OK,  so I am bored and I am dying to post something and get us started.  Usually there will be one post a day.  But since I am coming unglued waiting for Jan 1, let’s break the first 3 chapters up since there is sooooo much meat!!

Well, here we are at 3 chapters you may have read before.  But that is not a reason to skim!  Read them like you have NEVER read them before!  No doubt you will see something new.

Chapter 1: Look at the correlation between day 1 to 4,  then 2 to 5 and 3 to 6.  The first were “forming days” the next “filling” days:

Gen 1:26- This is a triangle scripture !!!  (this is actually not my first in Genesis today)  When there is an obvious reference to the Trinity (God, Jesus, Spirit)) I write a triangle in my margin.  “Let US make man in OUR image”-1:26.   So how do we know it is the Trinity…go back to

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

Sooo that’s 2 out of 3?  Nope, Jesus was there. Flip to the book of John chapter 1.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2.

Therefore my sweet friends, with goosebumps I already have 2 s in my first chapter!!

 

Genesis Overview (1-11)

I think it is important to have a general overview of the books before we begin them.  Genesis is created from 11 documents written separately and then put together to be what we call the BOOK OF GENESIS.  Genesis chapter 1 gives an “overview” of the Creation and then Genesis 2 rewinds and puts it under a microscope for detail.

Our agenda for the next 3 days is Genesis 1-11: The Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, and the Tower of Babel.  Have you read these before? Most have.  (ask someone to join the read that maybe has never read them….that was me just a few years ago)

Don’t skim…read it like you have never read it before! (And yes, I am planning a Trivia Night again)

• Author: God (through Moses….he actually will be the author for the first 5 books)
• Setting:  Middle East (you should have seen my face when I learned this!)
• Purpose: To record God’s creation of the world and His desire to have a people set apart to worship Him.

So let’s look at the map and see where it all begins (and ends).  Oh my Stars!!

 

 

If you were given 8,784 hours…can you find 80 to read your Bible?

Many people hold the view that the Bible is a collection of ancient stories about people’s efforts to find God (this was my view for a long time).  After reading the Bible, I now know that the Bible is not an account of human efforts to find God, but rather an account of God’s effort to reveal Himself to humanity.

Some fun facts: 

The Bible is 66 books all inspired by  God.  He used 40 authors (yes there are books Paul did not write).  The Bible covers a time period of about 1,600 years.  The Old Testament  was written in Hebrew, the New Testament  was written in Greek.  The word Bible in Greek is Biblos, meaning “book” .  The word Testament means “Covenant”, or agreement.  So the Old Testament is a covenant with His people before Christ.  The New Testament is His agreement after Christ. 

The Old Testament books has: 5 Law books, 12 Historical Books, 5 Poetical Books, and 17 Prophetical Books 5 major; 12 Minors.

The Old Testament: Christ quoted from 22 OT books:  in Matthew 19 times, in Mark 15 times, in Luke 25 times and in John 11 times, (the book of Hebrews quotes the OT 85 times and Revelation quotes the OT 245 times!) so how does one read the New Testament without the Old?

So we are about to read 31,102 verses and about 775,693 words.  “Sources” say it takes about 80 hours to complete the Bible (they have no idea how slow of a reader I am) but I figured God is giving us 8784 hours this year to find only 80 to Read the Book He wrote for us.  I can do it. (.009 of my year)

Here are your first two “handouts” or visuals

I really like visuals.  I recommend that you keep a folder or a small binder for any handouts that will help you as we read.  Here is your first one: Reading Schedule Checklist.

This is a printable version if you are a “checklist” person.  On the sidebar, I have the schedule posted and you just click the day you want to read.  When Bible Gateway opens you can click the little speaker if you need to listen to it while getting ready in the morning or in the car.  This is your ticket to NOT getting behind.

The second handout is your first timeline.  Click here.  Timelines (and maps, charts, and genealogies) are my favorite!

I committed!

Well, every time I pray about committing to a read through the Bible I hear a confirmation from the Lord to do it and I ignore it. Such a big commitment I argue with Him! Once I make it official, there is no turning back. But He so kindly points out that I make time for Netflix, Candy Crush, puzzles, or sitting on my screen….and yet I just don’t “find” the time to be in His Word regularly. Ouch! He is also so quick to point out that without accountability I start lots of projects…and well…I finish few.

So here is my commitment and my accountability. I am setting up this blog for anyone who wants to join me. It will have a Reading Schedule in the menu that will allow you to click on the daily reading and for those who prefer to listen to it while getting ready or in the car, you just click the little speaker button. It really leaves us all without an excuse!

I am old, so I will be using an actual “Bible”….you know, a book. The schedule will be chronological! This way we can read His Story as History!