Genesis 16-18

If men were called to rule over their wives ( Gen. 3:16) then I wonder why Abram listened to Sarai and "went in to Hagar." I'm also surprised Sarai didn't despise Abram for doing so, rather all of her contempt (at least what we read of) is towards Hagar, enough to drive her away.

I wonder why God chose circumcision to be the sign of His covenant with Abraham (no longer called Abram at this point) Couldn't there have been another sign? And I'm pretty sure nowadays babies are circumcised before eight days, but 17:12 says, "he who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised." This just leaves me confused.

God obviously had a much larger plan than any of us could imagine. He could have smote Abraham and Sarah (no longer Sarai) for their sin, yet He blessed them, making them and their offspring into great nations, even when they mock/laugh at God when he said they would have a son (Isaac) at such old ages. God ALWAYS has a much bigger plan for all of us. We don't always see what that plan is, but we need to walk in faith and trust in it.

I find it interesting in chapter 18 that God and Abraham were more or less bartering to save the righteous from Sodom and not destroy them along with the wicked in the city. Why the back and forth? Couldn't God just say "I will spare the whole place for their sake" rather than going through all the numbers-50, 45, 40, 30, 20, then 10?

Genesis 12-14

I was curious as to why so many altars seemed to be built so far, as I have always viewed them with a negative conotation (making altars to worship gods/idols). I had to look in the study notes in my Bible to read that altars were constructed because there was no central sanctuary before the exodus from Egypt, so they were places where God could be encountered in worship. Now it makes more sense...

I thought it was interesting that as close/obedient to God as Abram seemed, he asked his wife, Sarai to lie about being his wife (for fear that Pharaoh would kill him). We all have a sinful nature though, even Abram. Because of this lie, Pharaoh ended up taking Sarai as his wife and then God sent plagues on Pharaoh and his house. This confuses me that Pharaoh would be punished for being misled by Abram. Furthermore, we don't read anything about Abram having a repentant heart. I wonder if it's because this is pre-Christ?

Genesis 10-11

I'm not sure why people use "nimrod" when name calling, "you nimrod!" I have heard before. As I read 10:9 I was reminded that "nimrod" is a Biblical name. Nimrod was Noah's great grandson! (Noah's son Ham, whose son was Cush, whose son was Nimrod). Who would have thought that name would be thrown around now like it is? I'm seeing more and more biblical references come out in everyday life. Nimrod belonged to the kingdom of Babel, and he also built Nineveh.

Ever wonder why there are so many languages and everyone lives in so many different locations? In chapter 11 the tower of Babel is spoken of. It represented independence and self-sufficiency apart from God. The people were building a tower up to the heavens, but this is when God steps in and confuses their language so no one could understand each other, therefore resulting in people dispersing. I'm sure scientists today have a much different explanation, but I'm going to side with the Bible on this one (always the best choice).

Genesis 6-9

As I read about the flood, I wondered if God's decision to "blot" out mankind/animals is carried over into today, essentially a reversal of Creation through fires/hurricanes/typhoons/earthquakes, etc. Yes, God was angered with man, but after the flood he made the covenant with Noah -the rainbow being the sign established between God and Noah that the earth would never again be destroyed by a flood. Further, in 8:21, God says that He will never again curse the ground because of man...so I guess that answers that!

Question: If all mankind was blotted out, things on dry ground and every living thing that was on the face of the ground were blotted out, then wouldn't that mean that water creatures survived? Unless the water is considered the face of the ground...

So, God found pleasure in Noah and spared him and his family. Just as we are, Noah was a sinful man, yet he was spared. Isn't that encouraging? To know that even though we are sinful, God can choose us to carry out His plan. He HAS chosen us already.

Note: Both clean and unclean animals were brought onto the ark- clean ones that would later be used for sacrifice (8:20 Noah builds an altar for the Lord- as a sign of atonement and also to indicate that God’s attitude had changed. It expresses tranquility and also gratitude for divine deliverance). I'm not exactly sure why sacrifices and altars were made- even though they were to the Lord, but I'm sure I'll uncover more about it as I read on.

Remember my comment on vegetables? Well, in 9:2 God allows man to have rule over every beast/bird/fish, “Into your hand they are delivered.” This is the point where God allows man to eat meat. Did I mention I love meat?!

Genesis 1-5

Since I already began reading through the Bible two weeks ago and am just starting this blog now, I thought I would still record some of my thoughts I had journaled elsewhere when I started to read. Starting with Genesis 1, I read through the 7 days of creation and thought it was interesting that God gave all of the green plants on the ground for the animals and to man he gave the fruit on the trees and every plant that yields seed. It made me think "Wow, am I not supposed to eat meat?!" Maybe there was a point when Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael only ate vegetables and were found more nourished than those who had the royal food. I sure do love meat though!

The more I read the more I have been recalling Scripture that I had read throughout school. Here are some things I found interesting: Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years! Cain's son was Enoch, whose son was Methuseleh who lived nine hundred and sixty nine years! Out of Enoch's line Noah came. Noah lived to be nine hundred and fifty years old!