Summary: The Israelites become oppressed by the new Pharaoh in Egypt. When Moses was born, his mother put in in the river because Pharaoh was killing all the boys who were born. Pharaoh's daughter finds Moses and takes him as her son. After Moses grows up, he flees to his people because of what is being done to them. God appears to Moses in the burning bush and calls him to free the Israelites. God provides signs for Moses and sends him back to Egypt to meet Aaron. Pharaoh makes the labor harder from the people, but God promises deliverance. Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh with the signs from God. Pharaoh's heart is hard and God sends the plagues. God instructions the people about the Passover and then he commands Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. God commands the consecration of the first born. God parts the sea and the Israelites cross it. Pharaoh's army is swallowed by the sea and the Israelites are free. Then Moses and the Israelites sang a song to the Lord.
Response: It is amazing how Pharaoh allowed Moses to live considering the circumstances. It is obvious that God called Moses because of Pharaoh's daughter finding him. In Chapter 2, verses 23-25, it is amazing to see that God does hear the cries of his people. He looked down on them and was concerned. The burning bush is a story that I have always heard growing up. When I read it this time, I realized how incredible this experience must have been. It is hard to imagine such a glorious and overwhelming presence of God. I love how God uses Moses despite his flaws and doubts. I have always loved the part where God asks Moses, "Who gave man his mouth?". I love how God treats this in a light and almost funny manner. It is so true. He did make our mouths. So we should trust him to make it work. It is also interesting how Zipporah circumcised her son instead of Moses. Throughout Moses and Aaron talking to Pharaoh and the plagues, it is cool to see God's timing and patience in it all. He knew exactly when and what to do. The pillar of cloud is so cool to me. Not only was God faithful and led them, but it is also a forshadowing to Christ. The pillar led them and then moved behind them to protect them. Chapter 15 is such an amazing prayer from the people. After what they have been through, it is very appropriate to sing praises to God.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Genesis 40-50
Summary:Jopseh interprets the cupbearer and baker's dreams. He is then sent to Pharaoh to interpret his dream. Pharaoh is so impressed and in awe of Joseph that he puts him in charge of Egypt. Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt for grain. Jospeh sends them back to bring back his youngest brother. Jospeh brings them back and makes himself known to them. He tells them to bring his family to Egypt. Jacob travels to Egypt and Jospeh and Jacob reunite. The famine hits. Jacob blesses Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph's sons. Jacob blesses his sons and declares them the twelve tribes. Jacob dies and Joseph buries him. Joseph reassures his brothers of providence and then dies.
Response: One of my first responses to this passage was the baker whose dream Joseph interpreted. How did he feel when Joseph told him that he was going to hanged? It would be interesting to know his reaction. Joseph has complete confidence in God. He gives all of the glory to Him for interpreting the dreams. In Chapter 41, Joseph is favored. It is so amazing to think about what he has been through. It is obviously God had a plan for his life. Joseph was born to a once barren mother, thrown into a pit, sold, betrayed, thrown into jail, and interpreted dreams. After all of that, God placed him in an amazing position. God was faithful. Joseph's early dreams play out when his brothers come to Egypt. Because of God, Joseph's brothers are humbled and reconciled with Joseph. It is really beautiful to see how Judah has transformed from who he was when he sold his brother. Throughout Joseph's life, God provides. This is shown through Joseph and how he treats his family. After everything, Joseph is kind and caring.
Response: One of my first responses to this passage was the baker whose dream Joseph interpreted. How did he feel when Joseph told him that he was going to hanged? It would be interesting to know his reaction. Joseph has complete confidence in God. He gives all of the glory to Him for interpreting the dreams. In Chapter 41, Joseph is favored. It is so amazing to think about what he has been through. It is obviously God had a plan for his life. Joseph was born to a once barren mother, thrown into a pit, sold, betrayed, thrown into jail, and interpreted dreams. After all of that, God placed him in an amazing position. God was faithful. Joseph's early dreams play out when his brothers come to Egypt. Because of God, Joseph's brothers are humbled and reconciled with Joseph. It is really beautiful to see how Judah has transformed from who he was when he sold his brother. Throughout Joseph's life, God provides. This is shown through Joseph and how he treats his family. After everything, Joseph is kind and caring.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Genesis 31-39
Summary: Jacob flees Laban, but Laban catches up to him. Jacob then fears meeting his brother Esau again and wrestles with himself and God. Jacob and Esau meet and rejoice in their reunion. Jacob's daughter, Dinah, was raped and Jacob and his sons were infuriated. They tricked the men of city and kill them all. Gob blesses Jacob and renames him Israel. Rachel and Issac die. The story of Joseph is then introduced. His brothers hate him and sell him. Judah has two sons and marries one of them to Tamar. Both sons die and he promises Tamar the third son when he comes of age. Judah does not keep his promise and Tamar sleeps with him. Joseph is betrayed by Potiphar's wife, and consequently thrown into jail.
Response: There are several instances in these chapters where I am amazed by the character of God. The covenant between Jacob and Laban is because of God. Among the stife and disagreement, they make a covenant because of God. Jacob's name change is also an amazing story. I always think of this story when I begin to doubt. A relationship with God can be a wrestle a times. God changed Jacob's name to mean "wrestle with God". The reunion between Jacob and Esau is so beautiful. Because Jacob was obedient and returned to his home, God blessed him. Esau forgave him and embraced Jacob with open arms. It is amazing how God changes hearts. It is also beautiful that God brought Jacob and Esau back to Issac before he died. The story of Dinah is very shocking. The whole thing caught me off guard. The violence and trickery is stuck in between beautiful stories of reunion. Jospeh's story is very interesting. It is obvious that he is honest and gifted. Without knowing the end of this story, the reader may be more understanding of what Joseph's brothers did. His dreams were very confident and arrogant. It just seems like Jospeh has bad luck with everything.
Response: There are several instances in these chapters where I am amazed by the character of God. The covenant between Jacob and Laban is because of God. Among the stife and disagreement, they make a covenant because of God. Jacob's name change is also an amazing story. I always think of this story when I begin to doubt. A relationship with God can be a wrestle a times. God changed Jacob's name to mean "wrestle with God". The reunion between Jacob and Esau is so beautiful. Because Jacob was obedient and returned to his home, God blessed him. Esau forgave him and embraced Jacob with open arms. It is amazing how God changes hearts. It is also beautiful that God brought Jacob and Esau back to Issac before he died. The story of Dinah is very shocking. The whole thing caught me off guard. The violence and trickery is stuck in between beautiful stories of reunion. Jospeh's story is very interesting. It is obvious that he is honest and gifted. Without knowing the end of this story, the reader may be more understanding of what Joseph's brothers did. His dreams were very confident and arrogant. It just seems like Jospeh has bad luck with everything.
Genesis 20-30
Summary: Abraham and Abimelech. Issac is born and Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. Abraham and Abimelech make a treaty. Abraham takes Issac to sacrifice him, but the Angel of the Lord provides a sacrifice. Abraham sends his servant to get Issac a wife. Rebekah returned with the servant and became Issac's wife. Abraham dies and his offspring are accounted for in the text. Jacob and Esau are born. Issac has a similiar experience with Abimelech. Jacob gets Issac's blessing instead of Esau. Jacob flees to Laban when he finds out that Esau wants to kill him. Jacob has a dream and then goes to Paddam Aram. There he falls in love with Rachel, but is tricked to marry Leah. He ends up having both of them for wives. Leah gives him several offspring, and eventually so does Rachel. Jacob's flock also increases.
Response: Two different situations with Abilemech, once with Abraham and once with Issac, don't make sense to me. I understand what happens but it is hard for me to grasp the deeper meaning. Why is this in the Bible? What was God's purpose for this? I love the story of Hagar. God shows his amazing love and protection through the story of Hagar. He hears her cries and provides for her. With the story of Abraham preparing to sacrifice Issac, I have always wondered if there was a struggle between them. Obviously it would have been a shock to Issac when his father asked him to lay on the offering altar. This story is such a beautiful picutre of what Christ did for us. He provided a sacrifice for us. A minor observation that I thought was cool was when Abraham servant says "Before I finished praying in my heart". (24:45) There are times that I wonder if God really hears my non-verbal prayers, and this just confirms that he does. It is all a matter of the heart. I think Jacob's dream is so amazing. After what he did to his brother, God still speaks to him in a divine dream. Jacob was confident in the Lord and the Lord used him despite his flaws. One other minor observation is that Rachel was a shepherdess. I did not that such a thing existed! I just thought men were the shepherds.
Response: Two different situations with Abilemech, once with Abraham and once with Issac, don't make sense to me. I understand what happens but it is hard for me to grasp the deeper meaning. Why is this in the Bible? What was God's purpose for this? I love the story of Hagar. God shows his amazing love and protection through the story of Hagar. He hears her cries and provides for her. With the story of Abraham preparing to sacrifice Issac, I have always wondered if there was a struggle between them. Obviously it would have been a shock to Issac when his father asked him to lay on the offering altar. This story is such a beautiful picutre of what Christ did for us. He provided a sacrifice for us. A minor observation that I thought was cool was when Abraham servant says "Before I finished praying in my heart". (24:45) There are times that I wonder if God really hears my non-verbal prayers, and this just confirms that he does. It is all a matter of the heart. I think Jacob's dream is so amazing. After what he did to his brother, God still speaks to him in a divine dream. Jacob was confident in the Lord and the Lord used him despite his flaws. One other minor observation is that Rachel was a shepherdess. I did not that such a thing existed! I just thought men were the shepherds.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Genesis 10-19
Summary: From Noah, there were many descendents who formed many nations. Because the world spoke one language, the Lord confused and spread them across the world. God calls Abram to leave his land and God will make him a great nation. Abram and Sarai passed through Egypt and he and Lot to evetually separate because their flocks and herds became large. Abram rescued Lot from the enemy and was blessed by Melchizedek. God makes his covenant with Abram. Sarai sent Abram to the servant, Hagar, so she would become pregnant. Abram is changed to Abraham and Sarai to Sarai and the covenant of circumcision is made. Issac birth is promised from God and God tells Abraham he is going to destroy Sodom. Abraham intercedes and God saves Lot and his family.
Response: I think the whole Tower of Babel incident is very interesting. Why did God do this? Looking at it from the global perspective we have in today's society, I think it was very creative of God. Life would be boring if everyone spoke the same language or looked exactly the same. I love culture, so this story facsinates me. It is so cool that God was already sending his people all over the world, like he commands us to do in the New Testament. I also love the story of Hagar. It is so amazing how God looks after the "low lifes". This shows God's love story between Him and His people. In 17:1, when God says "I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless", it is firm and loving. They way I interpret it, God is saying that this is possible. Forget about your sin and shame and walk before the Lord and be blameless. Throughout the story of Sodom, I can sense Abraham and Lot's concern for the people. You can tell that they hate to see Sodom destoryed. The story of Lot's wife has always baffled me. I understand that her heart and possesions were still connected to Sodom and she was not trusting God by looking back. One commentary I ready said that she probably was behind in the travel and the brimestone and fire could have reached her.
Response: I think the whole Tower of Babel incident is very interesting. Why did God do this? Looking at it from the global perspective we have in today's society, I think it was very creative of God. Life would be boring if everyone spoke the same language or looked exactly the same. I love culture, so this story facsinates me. It is so cool that God was already sending his people all over the world, like he commands us to do in the New Testament. I also love the story of Hagar. It is so amazing how God looks after the "low lifes". This shows God's love story between Him and His people. In 17:1, when God says "I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless", it is firm and loving. They way I interpret it, God is saying that this is possible. Forget about your sin and shame and walk before the Lord and be blameless. Throughout the story of Sodom, I can sense Abraham and Lot's concern for the people. You can tell that they hate to see Sodom destoryed. The story of Lot's wife has always baffled me. I understand that her heart and possesions were still connected to Sodom and she was not trusting God by looking back. One commentary I ready said that she probably was behind in the travel and the brimestone and fire could have reached her.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Genesis 1-9 (January 16)
Summary: God creates exsistence and Adam. Out of Adam, he creates Eve and God gives them everything to enjoy. They disobey God and are removed from Eden. They have two children, Cain and Abel. Cain kills Abel. The geneology is then traced to Noah. God finds favor with Noah and calls him to build the Ark. God destroys the everything in the world, except what is in the Ark. God then makes a new covenant with Noah and promises He will never again destory the earth.
Response: Throughout the story of creation, God's power is the main theme. He commands and things happen. There is no hesistation or mistake. In 1:26, I love how God says, "Let us make man in our image". This refers to the Trinity being present at the beginning of time. This is very cool to me. I also find it so facsinating that God made man from dust. We are such intriquite beings, made of complicated organs and systems. It is so neat to think that God made all of that from dust. He breathed His own breath into man. Later on after Cain kills Abel, the Lord put a mark on Cain. I find this interesting because it already shows the forgiving character of God. I am not sure that I am interpreting this part right. After God promises Cain that no one will kill him, Cain leaves the Lord's presence. Is this God's physical presence at that moment, or God's living presence that exsist all around?
It is hard to fathom that God would look at the world and only find favor in one man. Living in post-Jesus days, I have the mindset that God looks His children and is pleased because of His Son. Chapter 6 can always be confusing because it seems that God is regretting what He has done. Then again, I know that God has a plan, and flooding the world was apart of that. Chapter 9 is a refreshing chapter to read. The promise of the rainbow shows God's creativity and commitment. Even though Chapter 9 shows the beauty of God and His promise, it does not end on a good note. Noah shows his fallen humanity and Hem and Canaan do even worse. This reminds me again of God's justice and wrath of the earth.
Response: Throughout the story of creation, God's power is the main theme. He commands and things happen. There is no hesistation or mistake. In 1:26, I love how God says, "Let us make man in our image". This refers to the Trinity being present at the beginning of time. This is very cool to me. I also find it so facsinating that God made man from dust. We are such intriquite beings, made of complicated organs and systems. It is so neat to think that God made all of that from dust. He breathed His own breath into man. Later on after Cain kills Abel, the Lord put a mark on Cain. I find this interesting because it already shows the forgiving character of God. I am not sure that I am interpreting this part right. After God promises Cain that no one will kill him, Cain leaves the Lord's presence. Is this God's physical presence at that moment, or God's living presence that exsist all around?
It is hard to fathom that God would look at the world and only find favor in one man. Living in post-Jesus days, I have the mindset that God looks His children and is pleased because of His Son. Chapter 6 can always be confusing because it seems that God is regretting what He has done. Then again, I know that God has a plan, and flooding the world was apart of that. Chapter 9 is a refreshing chapter to read. The promise of the rainbow shows God's creativity and commitment. Even though Chapter 9 shows the beauty of God and His promise, it does not end on a good note. Noah shows his fallen humanity and Hem and Canaan do even worse. This reminds me again of God's justice and wrath of the earth.
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