Why would God see something working so well and want to come and mix it up? Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel story is disturbing. The author to the Bible I am reading says that this is a beautiful literary hourglass device.? And then, further indicates that God dispersed the people because of their rebellious pride to prove that they cannot win over God? He then goes on to explain that people built the tower to dominate over God's creation. Now, I get it. He also explains that, chronologically, Genesis 11 came before Genesis 10. Then why not just write it that way? Geesh. Acceptance is difficult.
Genesis 11 really exemplifies that although God destroyed man kind with the flood, there still exists the sons of "men" and the sons of "God."
Genesis 12 sets forth a seven step promise from God to Abram as such:
1) I will make you a great nation
2) I will bless you
3) [I will] make your name great
4) you shall be a blessing
5) I will bless those who bless you
6) the one who curses you, I will curse; and
7) in you all of the families of the earth will be blessed.
The author indicates that this, God's original blessing, is restored and fulfilled through Abram and his offspring (Isaac, Jacob and Moses). A second author and commentator explains that here, the Holy Ghost enters and now, it is almost Abram and his seed that are the sole account and subject moving forward.
Genesis 13 describes how Abram continued in his godliness by allowing Lot to choose where he would live because Abram's wealth would come only from God. The author in my Bible indicates Lot and Abram are easily contrasted, Lot by his selfishness and coveting and Abram as blessed and acting only upon the commands of God.
Psalm 2:5 indicates that God is angry and; therefore, expresses his Righteousness. I think that many people express an invalid righteousness when they are angry and this makes God seem somewhat human to me.
These are some questions that we can consider in the review of Genesis.
- With what do the first eleven chapters deal?
- What single character is next described?
- Why is Abraham important in the history?
- What promises were made to Abraham?
- What descendants of Abraham are described in the remaining part of Genesis?
- How long a period is covered by the events of this book?
- How did the first Old Testament book receive its present name?
I agree boring. I didn't see the lesson being taught at all.
ReplyDeleteI guess the story of Genesis is the story of how humans came to be and the evolution of their relationship with God.
Again, the God in my head is not nearly as angry as the God in the Bible. I also didn't get the meaning behind Abraham moving everywhere and building an altar. Then sharing his wife with the Pharaoh in order to gain wealth. That would seem a departure or a weakness in his faith.
Krista, here is an explanation on the building of the altar everywhere:
ReplyDeleteNow consider this, (1.) As done upon a special occasion. When God appeared to him, then and there he built an altar, with an eye to the God who appeared to him. Thus he returned God’s visit, and kept up his correspondence with heaven, as one that resolved it should not fail on his side; thus he acknowledged, with thankfulness, God’s kindness to him in making him that gracious visit and promise; and thus he testified his confidence in and dependence upon the word which God had spoken. Note, An active believer can heartily bless God for a promise the performance of which he does not yet see, and build an altar to the honour of God who appears to him, though he does not yet appear for him. (2.) As his constant practice, whithersoever he removed. As soon as Abram had got to Canaan, though he was but a stranger and sojourner there, yet he set up, and kept up, the worship of God in his family; and wherever he had a tent God had an altar, and that an altar sanctified by prayer. For he not only minded the ceremonial part of religion, the offering of sacrifice, but made conscience of the natural duty of seeking to his God, and calling on his name, that spiritual sacrifice with which God is well pleased. He preached concerning the name of the Lord, that is, he instructed his family and neighbours in the knowledge of the true God and his holy religion. The souls he had gotten in Haran, being discipled, must be further taught. Note, Those that would approve themselves the children of faithful Abram, and would inherit the blessing of Abram, must make conscience of keeping up the solemn worship of God, particularly in their families, according to the example of Abram. The way of family worship is a good old way, is no novel invention, but the ancient usage of all the saints. Abram was very rich and had a numerous family, was now unsettled and in the midst of enemies, and yet, wherever he pitched his tent, he built an altar. Wherever we go, let us not fail to take our religion along with us.
I don't think that he shared his wife to gain wealth. I think that his wife lied so that Abram's life could be spared because the Egyptian could not take her in his harem if she was married already. And the Egyptian would have killed Abram to have Sarai since she was so beautiful.