Thoughts and suggestions from Stephanie

Take a walk with me through the Bible. Ponder the history and try to understand what God is trying to teach you.
Create a path to a greater knowledge of God's Words.

12/20/2011

Moses of Exodus

EXODUS (The Second Book of Moses)

The children of Israel (Jacob) were fruitful and grew exceedingly mighty filling the land in Egypt. After Joseph, all his brothers and all that generation died, a new king ruled over Egypt. Pharaoh Pithom didn’t know of Joseph and began to fear that the Israelite were becoming to strong. The Pharaoh sent taskmasters out making servants and slaves out of the Israelites. But they continued to multiply rapidly so Pharaoh told the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male babies born and let the females babies live. But the midwives feared God and didn’t do as the King ordered. The Pharaoh found out and asked why the male babies are alive. The midwives said the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to help them (Exodus 1).

Moses was born
A man named Ammran from the house of Levi took a wife Jochebem, daughter of Levi. She gave birth to a son and hid him for three months. Soon she could no longer hid her son so she took an ark of bulrushes, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it and laid it in the reeds near the bank. The child’s sister Miriam watched near by. The Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing in the river when so saw the basket. She opened it and saw a baby crying and felt compassion for the Hebrew child. Miriam said to the Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” Miriam took the child to his mother and told Jochebem that the Pharaoh’s Daughter will pay a wage for her to nurse the child. The Pharaoh’s Daughter named the child Moses because she drew him out of the water. Moses grew up with Pharaoh Pithom’s son Raamses (Exodus 2).

Moses Flees
Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s palace and he saw how the Egyptians were treating the Hebrew people. Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew and when no one was looking he killed the Egyptian. The next day Moses was out among the slaves, he saw two Hebrews fighting. Moses asked why do you fight your among yourselves. The Hebrew slaves answered, “Who made you prince and judge over us? Do you intend to kill us as you killed the Egyptian?” Pharaoh heard of this deed and Moses feared for his life. Moses fled to the land of Midian.

The priest of Midian, Jethro had seven daughters and they were out to water their flocks. Some shepherds came and tried to drive them away but Moses stood up for them and helped them water their flocks. The Midian Priest was very thankful for Moses’ help and he gave him his daughter, Zipporah. Moses and Zipporah had a son, Gershon, meaning stranger in a foreign land.

Now time had passed, Pharaoh Pithom died, and his son Raamses was even a harsher ruler over the Israelites making their bondage harder. God heard their groans and remembered his covenant with Abraham and called upon Moses (Exodus 3).

The burning bush
While Moses was out tending to the flock, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame but the bush was not burning. The Lord told Moses that he has heard the cry of the Israelites and that He has come to deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians. Moses you will lead them back to Canaan where the land is flowing with milk and honey. Moses gives God four excuses as to why he can’t help Him:
1. I am not worthy! The Lord answers, I will be with you.
2. Will they believe me? The Lord says, “I AM who I am.”
3. Will they listen to my voice? The Lord provided two miracles. * Moses to cast his rod down onto the ground and the rod turned into a snake. The Lord told Moses then to grab the snake by the tail and it turned back into the rod.
* Moses place your hand on your belly and when he did it was covered with leprosy. Touch your belly again and his hand was healed.
4. I am not an eloquent speaker. Now the Lord became angry with Moses and told him that his brother Aaron is a good speaker and he will help you speak. The Lord will provide (Exodus 3 and 4:1-17).

Moses goes back to Egypt.
Moses went to Jethro and received his blessing to take his family and return to Egypt. The Lord told Moses to go and show the Pharaoh the miracles I showed you. The Pharaoh will not let the Israelite leave because I will harden his heart. The Lord also spoke to Aaron telling him to meet Moses on the mountain of God and give Moses a kiss. Aaron met with Moses and shared with him all that the Lord said. Then Aaron spoke to all the elders of the children of God they believed and worshipped God (Exodus 4:18-31).

Encounter with Pharaoh
Moses and Aaron tell Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh did not listen and sent the taskmasters out to make the Hebrews labor even harder. Moses pleaded with Lord and asks why things are worse for the Israelites? God replied, Pharaoh will now see what He can do (Exodus 5 and 6).

Moses was 80 years old and Aaron was 83 years old when they spoke to Pharaoh again. Pharaoh asked them to show him a miracle so Aaron threw down Moses’ rod and it turned into a snake. Pharaoh called his wise men and sorcerers into the room and they also threw down a rod which turned into snakes. But Moses’ rod swallowed up all the snakes. Pharaoh’s heart grew harder (Exodus 7:1-13).

The Plagues
1. Water becomes Blood--The Lord told Moses and Aaron to return to Pharaoh and ask him to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh will not listen so then you are to strike the river with the rod and the water will turn to blood. The fish will die and no one will drink from the river. The Pharaoh’s magicians were also able to turn water into blood (Exodus 7:14-25).
2. Frogs--Moses and Aaron returned to Pharaoh after seven day had passed. Again Aaron asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go but Pharaoh would not listen. So Aaron took the rod and stretched it over the river and the frogs came onto the land covering all the territory. The Pharaoh’s magicians were also able to begin frogs up for the river. Moses said tomorrow the frogs will die and there was a big stink in the land (Exodus 8:1-15).
3. Lice--Moses and Aaron returned to Pharaoh and asked let my people go. Pharaoh didn’t listen so Aaron stuck the ground with the rod and lice covered the beasts and man. The pharaoh’s magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh did not listen (Exodus 8:16-19).
4. Flies--Moses and Aaron returned to Pharaoh and asked let my people go. Pharaoh didn’t listen so Aaron stuck the ground with the rod and flies swarmed the area. Pharaoh said takes a three day journey into the wilderness and make your sacrifices to your Lord but do not go far. Moses told Pharaoh that the flies will depart tomorrow when the Israelites begin their journey (Exodus 8:20-32).
5. Livestock becomes Diseased-- the Lord told Moses and Aaron to return to Pharaoh and ask him to let the Israelites go. If Pharaoh refuses then in the morning all the livestock will be died but the Lord will spare all the Israelites livestock. The Pharaoh’s heart grew hard and he did not let the Israelites go (Exodus 9:1-7).
6. Boils—The Lord spoke to Moses, take a hand full of ashes and scatter them in the heavens towards the Pharaoh. The ashes became fine dust spreading over the Egyptians causing boils on every man and beast. The Pharaoh’s heart grew hard and he did not let the Israelites go (Exodus 9:8-12).
7. Hail-- The spoke to Moses, stretch out your hands to the heavens towards the Pharaoh. Hail pours down from the heaven over the Egyptians crushing the crops and beast. The Pharaoh’s heart grew hard and he did not let the Israelites go (Exodus 9:13-35).
8. Locust—The Lord sent locust to cover the land and inside the homes of every Egyptian. The Pharaoh’s heart grew hard and he did not let the Israelites go (Exodus 10:1-20).
9. Darkness—The Lord told Moses to stretch out his hands towards the Pharaoh and darkness covered the Egyptians. The Hebrews were spared with a light in there dwelling. Finally after three day the Pharaoh sent for Moses. Moses released the darkness and warned the Pharaoh that at Midnight the Lord will take all the firstborn of the Egyptians. Moses also spoke to the Hebrews about the First Passover (Exodus 10:21-29 & 11).

The First Passover
The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron the rules of the first Passover. On the tenth of every month every man shall sacrifice a lamb and the blood of the lamb is to spread over the door frame until the fourteenth day. They were instructed to eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Eat all of the sacrifice that was roasted on the fire and leave nothing (Exodus 12).

10. Death of the Firstborn—at midnight death swept through Egypt killing all the first born sons and He spared all the firstborn of the homes that followed the Lords instructions regarding the first Passover. Pharaoh Raamses’ firstborn son died and he finally let the Hebrews go. (Exodus 12:29-42 and 13).

The Lord led the Hebrews out of Egypt through the wilderness not through the land of the Philistines by a cloud during the day and fire at night. Soon the Hebrews came upon the Red Sea. The Pharaoh questioned his decision on let the Hebrews go and took 600 choice chariots and the captians chariots plus all the horsemen and his army to chase down the Hebrews. The Hebrews began to complain and question if they were set free to only die in the wilderness. Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid” the Lord will fight for you. Moses lifted his rod over the red sea and it parted. The Hebrews walked across the riverbed on dry land. The Egyptians were in pursued and again Moses stretched out his rod and the walls of the sea callaposed killing all the Egyptians (Exodus 14).

Journey through the Wilderness
1. Complaining of no water--The Hebrew children of Israel began to sing a song of praise to the Lord and Moses (Exodus 15:1-19). Miriam danced and sang a song also (Exodus 15:20-21). For three day there was no water and in the land of Marah the water was bitter. Soon the people of Israel began to complain. The Lord heard their cries and in the land of Elim there were 12 wells of water with 70 palm trees. This is where the Hebrews camped (Exodus 15:22-27).
2. Complaining of hunger--After two months and 15 days the people started to complain again of hunger. The Lord heard their cries and made it rain bread. But the Lord said they must do as I instruct as a test. They are to gather their quota and on the sixth day prepare twice as much.
3. Complaining of no meat—the Hebrew now began to complain that there was no meat to eat so the Lord sent quail to fill the camp.

As the Israelite continued their travels through the wilderness every morning the Lord let it rain Manna (a wafer that taste like honey) and this is what they ate for 40 years until they came to the land of Canaan (Exodus 16).

8/29/2011

Genesis-Joseph

Joseph’s Coat of many colors
Now Jacob and his family were dwelling in the land of Canaan. The history of Joseph begins when he was 17 years old. Jacob favored Joseph and Joseph would report how the feeding of the flocks were going and would give a bad report if his brothers were not doing a good job. Because Jacob was getting very old he gave his son Joseph’s a tunic of many colors. Joseph’s brothers hate grew stronger and stronger. One day Joseph told his brothers of a dream he had and this dream told Joseph that his brothers would someday bow down to him. Joseph even shared his dream with his father and this made his brothers envy him. Now Joseph’s brothers were in Shechem feeding the flocks when Israel (Jacob) sent Joseph out to check on him. Joseph met up with his brothers in Dothan. The brothers were plotting to kill Joseph but Rueben said lets not kill him but cast him in a pit. They stripped him of his tunic and threw him in the pit. Judah decided they should make a profit off him. But some Midianite traders found Joseph in the pit and they sold him to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh and Captain of the Guard, for 20 shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. The brothers killed a goat and soaked Joseph’s tunic in it and told their father that Joseph was devoured by a wild beast (Chapter 37).

Joseph’s Slavery
The Lord was with Joseph and made him prosperous. His master saw this and Joseph found favor with his master. Overtime Joseph became overseer of his Master’s house. One day the master’s wife asked Joseph to sleep with her. Joseph refused and fled so the master’s wife told her husband that Joseph slept with her to mock her. The master threw Joseph in prison (Chapter 39).

Joseph in Prison
The baker and butler offended the king of Egypt and they were imprisoned with Joseph. They had a dream and Joseph interpreted it. There were three vine branches which meant in three days your butler position will be restored. The baker’s dream was of three white baskets on his head full of baked goods. Birds would come and steal the goods from the baskets. Joseph said that the three white baskets meant that in three days the Pharaoh will hang you and birds will eat your flesh. What Joseph spoke did happen but the butler did not remember Joseph’s kindness (Chapter 40).

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s Dream
Two years later the Pharaoh was having dreams but no one could interpret them. Soon the butler remembered the promise he had broken to Joseph. The Butler told Pharaoh about how Joseph interpreted his dream and the baker’s dream. So Pharaoh sent for Joseph. With the Lord’s help, Joseph told Pharaoh what his dream meant. The seven good cows are seven good years, and the seven ugly thin cows are seven years of famine. This concerned the Pharaoh and he appointed officers over the land. He had them collect one-fifth of the produce in the next seven years. Store up grain and other foods so that we will not perish during the years of famine the Pharaoh said. He appointed Joseph the overseer of all the land and named him Zaphnath-Paaneah. The Pharaoh also gave Joseph a wife, Asenath.

Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before the Pharaoh King of Egypt. Within the seven years Joseph stored much food for Egypt and Asenath bore him two sons, Manasseh and then Ephraim. Soon the famine hit and the people cried out for food. Pharaoh said, “Go to Joseph and do as he says.” Joseph sold food to the Egyptian people. The famine became so severe that the neighboring countries also came to buy food from Joseph in Egypt (Chapter 41).

Famine Alert

Joseph’s Brothers come to Egypt
The famine reached Canaan and Jacob’s family was forced to buy food in Egypt. Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him. He called them spies and told them to bring back the youngest brother. If they did this one of the brothers I put in prison will live. He took Simeon and bound him before his brothers. Joseph sent them back to Canaan with food and restored their money sacks. The brothers told Jacob what had happened and he was concerned. Reuben promised to bring Benjamin back to Jacob safely. If he failed Jacob could kill Reuben two sons. But Jacob would not let Benjamin go (Chapter 42).

Return to Egypt
Soon the food ran out and Jacob said, “Take my youngest son if you have to but also take a gift, our best fruits, balm, honey, spices, myrrh, and nuts. Take double the money and may God have mercy on you.” The brothers were scared because of the money in their sack when they left Egypt last time. They explained that they did not understand what had happened but Joseph said it was a gift from the Lord and he reunited Simeon with his brothers. They all went to Joseph’s house where their feet were washed, given water, and their donkeys were fed. When Joseph came home the brother’s gave him presents and bowed down to him. After he saw Benjamin he left the room and wept. Joseph washed his face and restrained himself. Joseph ate with his brothers and gave Benjamin five times more then the others (Chapter 43).

Joseph’s Cup
Joseph commanded his stewards to fill the brother’s money sack and food sacks but put my cup in the youngest son’s money sack. At morning the brothers left. They had not made it out of the city when Joseph stopped them and accused them of stealing from his home. The man with the stolen goods shall die. Joseph’s cup was found in Benjamin’s sack and Judah begged Joseph to release Benjamin and take him as a slave instead (Chapter 44).

Joseph reveals himself
Joseph could no longer restrain himself and he began to cry. He told them that he was Joseph and God had blessed him so he could save his brothers and family. He told them there would be five more years of famine. Joseph’s story spread throughout the land and Pharaoh welcomed Joseph’s family into Egypt giving them whatever they needed. Joseph gave them wagons for the move to Egypt and to his brother Benjamin he gave more (Chapter 45).

Israel’s (Jacob) Journey to Egypt
Israel’s journey to Egypt took him by Beersheba where he offered God a sacrifice. There God spoke to Israel saying, “Go to Egypt and I will make you a great nation.” So Israel took his entire family and his son’s families to dwell in the best of Egypt the land of Rameses. Joseph presented his father to the Pharaoh and Israel (Jacob) blessed the Pharaoh (Chapter 46 and 47).

Israel (Jacob) Blessing
Israel was sick and he could not see. Joseph brought his two sons to see Israel before he pasted away. Israel spoke to Joseph about how he talked to God in Beersheba and that God was going to make him a great nation. Israel blessed Ephraim and Manasseh naming them (into the twelve tribe of Israel) brethren of their inheritance. Israel (Jacob) lived 17 years in the Egypt and got to know Joseph’s family well. When he was 147 years old he called for his son Joseph. He spent his last moments with all his sons and he made Joseph promise to bury him with his father in a cave in the land of Canaan (Chapter 48).

Israel (Jacob) last moments (around 1660 B.C.)
Israel spoke to his sons: (Chapter 49)

Joseph Dies (around 1606 B.C.)
Joseph and his brothers buried Israel (Jacob) in Canaan as they promised. Now Joseph’s brothers feared that he would hate them now that their father was dead but Joseph forgave them of their sin and told them it was part of God’s plan so that he could save them. Joseph grew very old watching his family grow. Joseph lived to be 110 years old and his son’s buried him in a coffin in Egypt (Chapter 50).

8/28/2011

Genesis-Jacob

Jacob Flees From Esau
Esau hated Jacob because he sold the blessing from their father, Isaac. Jacob feared for his life so Rebecca sent Jacob to her brother, Laban in Haran. On his way to Haran, Jacob stop for the night past Beersheba. Jacob had a dream of ladder that reached the heavens and angels were coming and going. Then he saw the Lord, “…the land in which you lie on I will give to you and your descendants… Behold for I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…” So Jacob made a vow that because God was with him, he would give a tenth of his blessings back to the Lord. He built a pillar to mark the where the house of the Lord would sum day be placed. (Chapter 27 and 28)

Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. That night he dreamed of a ladder that reached the heavens. Angels of God were ascending and descending on it and the Lord appeared telling Jacob that he would inhert this land and receive many blessings. In the morning Jacob poured oil over the rock he had used as a pillow and called it Bethel. He promised to give God a tenth back and follow the Lord’s way if God would continue to protect him (Chapter 28: 10-22).

Jacob asks to marry Rachel
Jacob continued his journey to Laban son of Nahor. He came to a well and a herd of sheep. He asked the herdsmen if they knew of Laban. They said yes and his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep. Jacob helped water the sheep and kissed Rachel. Jacob told her he was the son of Isaac and Rebecca. Rachel ran to tell her father. Laban was happy to see Jacob and embraced him (Chapter 29: 1-14).

Jacob marries Leah and Rachel
Jacob offered to work for Laban for seven years if he could marry Rachel. When the seven years was over Laban tricked Jacob into marring Leah. Jacob truly loved Rachel and agreed to work seven more years to marry her.
Leah’s eyes were delicate but Rachel had great beauty and form (Chapter 29: 11-30).

Jacob’s Sons
The Lord saw that Leah was unloved so he opened Leah’s womb and closed Rachel’s. Leah gave birth to six sons and one daughter named Dinah (11th). Leah has four sons first:
1. Reuben (lost his inheritance due to his unruly behavior.)
2. Simeon (was cursed because he took revenge on a prince who hurt his sister.)
3. Levi (was also cursed for taking revenge on a prince who hurt his sister but Levi later obeyed Gods laws and Moses made them Priests of the Isrealites.)
4. Judah (was a leader and offered himself up as a sacrifice when they begged Joseph for grain to feed the family.)
Rachel became jealous and asked her maid Bilhah to lay with Jacob:
5. Dan (Jacob predicted that like a snake he would turn against God.)
6. Naphtali (I, Rachel have wrestled with my sister and I have prevailed. Jacob called him a deer swift to help family in trouble.)
This made Leah angry so she sent her maid Zilpah to lay with Jacob:
7. Gad (a fierce warrior. The enemy will always attack but with God we can overcome our enemy.)
8. Asher ( I, Leah am happy for I will be called blessed. Asher was a farmer and he produced rich foods fit for a king.)
Leah gives birth again:
9. Issachar (Leah said, God has listened. He was a student and his people were humble and very hard working.)
10. Zebulun (God has endowment me, Leah with good endowment. He was brave and willing to risk their lives for God’s cause. They were experts in warfare.)
God remembers Rachel and opens her womb:
11. Joseph (Jacob’s favorite son was a symbol of wheat meaning fertility and prosperity.)
12. Benjamin (Years later Rachel became pregnant and died bringing Benjamin into the world. He was a symbol of a wolf that devours his enemies. He was vicious and had a war like attitude.)

Jacob Flees From Laban
After Joseph was born Jacob asked Laban if he could take his family back to his home country. Laban and Jacob create an agreement regarding the sheep, cattle, camels, donkeys, and goats. Jacob would take only the spotted and speckled ones and that flock brought forth more spotted and speckled (6 years). Soon Jacob’s was becoming a prosperous man and stronger livestock. Now Laban saw how Jacob’s flocks were strong and his were weak. Laban was becoming more and more displeased with their agreement. The Lord told Jacob to take his family and return to your fathers land reminding him that no harm will come apon his family. So Jacob and his family fled because Laban had deceived him and changed his wages. Rachel took her father’s household idols with her and Jacob did not know. Laban persues Jacob because of the stolen idols and he did not get to say goodbye to his daughters. Laban confronts Jacob but can not find the stolen idols. They make a covenant, Laban kisses and blesses his daughters and departs (Chapter 30 and 31).

Jacob meets Esau and wrestles God
Jacob is scared to meet Esau so he divides his flock, camel, and cows to give half to Esau. The night before Jacob meets Esau, he wrestles with God. He wrestled him till day break saying I will not stop until you bless me. So God blesses Jacob, changes his named to Israel, and touches his hip socket causing the muscle to shrink. Jacob now Israel walked away with a limp. Esau embraces Jacob and tells Jacob that the Lord has blessed him also. They all journey to Canaan (Chapter 32 and 33).

Dinah
Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, took Dinah, laid with her, and violated her. He loved Dinah and asked his father to speak to Jacob so he could take her as his wife. Hamor and Jacob agreed that if all the males of Hamor’s family get circumcised then Shechem could marry Dinah. After all the males were circumcised and still in pain, Simeon and Levi took up their swords and killed them all. Jacob was displeased with their action but Simeon and Levi did not want Dinah to be treated like a harlot. Then God told Jacob (Israel) to move the family to Bethel. There Jacob told his household to put away any foreign gods and purify your selves before God (Chapter 34).

Rachel dies delivery Benjamin
After they left Bethel and before they got to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin, Jacob’s 12th son (Chapter 35: 16-22).

Isaac’s death
Jacob finally makes it home to see Isaac. Isaac was 180 years olds when he died. Esau and Jacob and all his family were there when he breathed his last breath. Esau and Jacob both buried Isaac at Mamre (Kirjath Arba) (Chapter 35: 27-29).

Esau’s Family
Esau married daughters of Canaan:

1. Judith (daughter of Beeri the Hittite)
2. Basemath (daughter of Ishmael)
*Reuel
3. Adah (daughter of Elon of Hittite)
*Eliphaz
4. Aholibamah (daughter of Adah, daughter of Zibeon the Hivite)
*Jeush
*Jaalam
*Korah
5. Mahalath (daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham)

Their were Chiefs of Edom. The chiefs were the sons of Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. Kings, and Sons of Seir that dwelt in Edom all from Esau. Esau was the father of the Edomites (Chapter 36).

Joseph’s Coat of many colors
Now Jacob and his family were dwelling in the land of Canaan. The history of Joseph begins when he was 17 years old. Jacob favored Joseph and Joseph would report how the feeding of the flocks were going and would give a bad report if his brothers were not doing a good job. Because Jacob was getting very old he gave his son Joseph’s a tunic of many colors. Joseph’s brothers hate grew stronger and stronger. One day Joseph told his brothers of a dream he had and this dream told Joseph that his brothers would someday bow down to him. Joseph even shared his dream with his father and this made his brothers envy him. Now Joseph’s brothers were in Shechem feeding the flocks when Israel (Jacob) sent Joseph out to check on him. Joseph met up with his brothers in Dothan. The brothers were plotting to kill Joseph but Rueben said lets not kill him but cast him in a pit. They stripped him of his tunic and threw him in the pit. Judah decided they should make a profit off him. But some Midianite traders found Joseph in the pit and they sold him to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh and Captain of the Guard, for 20 shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. The brothers killed a goat and soaked Joseph’s tunic in it and told their father that Joseph was devoured by a wild beast (Chapter 37).

Judah Marries Shua
After some time passes Judah left his brothers and meet a Canaanite women, Shua. They married and had several sons, Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah found a wife, Tamar for Er but Er was evil and the Lord killed him. Judah asked his son Onan to take Tamar to be his wife but Onan didn’t want to conceive an heir to his brother. Onan spilled his semen onto the ground and this displeased the Lord so he killed him. Judah took Tamar into his home until Shelah was old enough to marry her. Shua passed away and Shelah had become of age. Judah had not given Tamar to Shelah so she disguised herself as a harlot and Judah laid with her and she became pregnant. Judah found out and was going to burn her but Tamar questioned Judah as to why de didn’t give her to Shelah. Judah saw his mistake and Tamar gave birth to twin sons, Zerah and Perez (Chapter 38).

Genesis-Isaac

Isaac
Sarah lived to be 127 and died at Kirjath Arba (Hebron) in the Land of Canaan. Abraham asked his oldest servant to go and find Isaac a bride in Nabor not Canaan. So the servant prayed. May the young lady I ask for a drink not only give me a drink but water my camels also. Before he could finish praying he came to a well and just as the servant prayed. After hearing the servants story, Rebecca and her servants departed with the servant (Chapter 23 and 24).

Abraham and Keturah
After Isaac married Rebecca, Abraham took another wife Keturah. They had six children- Zimran, Jokshan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Abraham died at the age of 175. Isaac and Ishmael buried him with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah (Chapter 25: 1-11).

Isaac and Rebecca
Isaac pleaded to the Lord because Rebecca was not able to get pregnant. The Lord granted Isaac’s request. In Rebecca’s womb the babies struggled and God told Rebecca that one will be stronger and the older will serve the younger. Esau came first and hairy. Jacob came next holding onto Esau’s heel. Esau became a skillful hunter and was loved by Isaac. Jacob was a mild man who dwelled in tents and was loved be Rebecca (Chapter 25: 12-34).

Esau sells his birthright-
Esau worked hard out in the field and Jacob spent his time in the tent and learned to cook. One day Esau came in from working hard out in the field and he was very hungry so Jacob said I will give you lentil stew if you sell me your birthright. So Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for lentil stew and bread. Esau’s birthright meant Jacob was now the first born and he would inhert all of his Father’s (Isaac) possisions (Chapter 25: 29-34)

Famine Alert
There was a famine in Land of Canaan. Isaac went to King Abimelech of the Philistines in Gerar in the land of Egypt. God told Isaac not to go to Egypt so he dwelt in Gerar. Just as Abram did to King Abimelech so did Isaac. Isaac was afraid that the Egyptians might kill him for Rebecca was very beautiful. So he told them she was his sister. King Abimelech saw her beauty and the way Isaac interacted with her. King Abimelech confronted Isaac and said Rebecca is your wife not your sister. So Abimelech told all his people that anyone who touches Isaac and his wife shall die. Isaac and Rebecca remained at Gerar growing large crops, herds, and had many servants. Isaac became so prosperous that Kind Abimelech told them to leave because they had grown stronger then he (Chapter 26: 1-17).

Isaac moved his family to the Valley of Gerar and dug a well but the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled over the water in the Valley. Each well Isaac dug the local herdsmen quarreled over-Well Esek and Well Sitnah. Finally the well Rehoboth was not quarreled over this well. Now Isaac built an alter near Beersheba, dug another well and there he pitched his tent (Chapter 26: 18-25).

Covenant Created-
King Abimelech, his friend Ahuzzath, and Commander of his Army Phichol came to visit Isaac. King Abimelech wanted to create a covenant with Isaac because he had seen how blessed by God Isaac was. So they feasted and parted in peace and the place was called Shebah (Chapter 26: 26-33).

Esau
Esau was 40 years old and married Judith (daughter of Beeri the Hittite) and Basemath (daughter of Elon of Hittite). Isaac and Rebecca were displeased with the marriages because they were both foreign women (Chapter 26: 34-35).

Jacob deceit for the blessing
Isaac was growing old and soon could no longer see so he sent for the oldest son. Isaac asked Esau to go hunting and cook a savory meal for him so that he can bless this son before God before I die. Rebecca over heard this conversation and told Jacob to go get two goat and she would fix one of Isaac’s favorite meals. Jacob did not think he could deceit his father and worried about his father touching him because Esau is hairy and Jacob’s skin was smooth. Rebecca told Jacob not to worry and she found a shirt of Esau and covered them with the goat skin. So Jacob offered a delicious meal to his father and received the blessing that was meant for Esau (Chapter 27: 1-29).

Esau’s anger
It was not long after Jacob left his fathers side that Esau came in from hunting and prepared a meal for his father. Isaac and Esau soon realized that Jacob had tricked him and took Esau’s blessing. Esau became very upset and angry at Jacob for taking his birthright and blessing. Esau vowed that when his father died he would kill his brother, Jacob. Rebecca heard Esau’s cries and told Jacob to flee to her brothers Laban of Haran. Isaac agreed and blessed him and ask him not to marry a daughter of Canaan but a daughter of Laban (Chapter 27: 30-46 and 28: 1-5).

Esau saw that Jacob was fleeing and receiving a blessing from his father. So knowing of his father’s disapproval of daughters of Canaan, he went to Ishmael and married his daughter Mahalath (Chapter 28: 6-9).

Genesis-Abraham

Promise to Abram
Abram settled between Betal and Ai. Tereh is a descendant of Shem. Tereh had three sons Abram, Nahor, and Haran. The Lord spoke to Abram and told him to leave is family and home so I can make you a great nation. Abram did leave but he disobeyed when he departed taking his wife and his brother’s son, Lot. The Lord told Abram that He was going to give Abram’s descendents the land of Canaan (Chapter 11:10-32).
Abram’s birth is predicted to be between 2166 to 1952 B.C.

Famine Alert
There was a famine in the Land of Canaan and so Abram took his family to Egypt. Abram was afraid that the Egyptians might kill him for Sarai was very beautiful. So he told them she was his sister. The Princes of Pharaoh Abimelech saw her beauty and invited her into the palace. Now Abram was treated very well and given food, animals, and servants. But the Lord sent a plague upon Pharaoh and told him that Sarai was Abram’s wife. Pharaoh asked Abram, “What is this you have done to me?” Why didn’t you tell me Sarai was your wife. Abram prayed for Pharaoh and his family. The Lord healed everyone and open the wombs of the house of Abimelech. Pharaoh told Abram to take his thing, Sarai, and leave (Genesis 12 and 20).

War
Lot and his family had separated from Abram’s family and headed for the plains of Jordan near Sodom. Now Sodom was full of wicked people and so war broke out between the Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. His brother and Lot’s family were captured so Abram went to battle and rescued the entire family and brought back all their goods (Chapter 14).

Abraham’s Heir
The Lord told Abram that he will have a child from his own seed. Sarai was upset that she had not been able to get pregnant and Abram was getting impatient. So Sarai suggested that Abram have a child with her maid servant, Hagar. Hagar did have a son, Ishmael. When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord spoke to him again. You and your descendants will inherit the Land of Canaan. The Lord changed Abram name to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah and told them they would have a son, Isaac. Abraham and Sarah laughed at God because he was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old. “Why do you laugh?, the Lord said, Is anything too hard for the Lord?” a year later Isaac was born (Genesis 16, 17 and 18).

Sodom and Gomorroh
The Lord saw that a town called Sodom was wicked and was going to destroy but Abraham plead to save the town. God said if you can find 10 righteous believers I will save the town. Abraham found his nephew, Lot living in Sodom. Hurry, gather your family for the Lord is going to destroy Sodom. Lot, his wife, and their two daughters fled Sodom before the Lord sent brimstone and fire destroying Sodom and Gomorroh. They were told not to look back but Lot’s wife did and she turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters took refuge in a cave and the daughters became pregnant by their father, Lot (Chapter 19).

Hagar and Ishmael
Sarah asked Abraham to send Hagar and her son Ishmael away. Hagar cried out to the Lord and the Lord heard her. The Lord told her that He would make Ishmael a great nation. They dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran and he became a great archer (Chapter 21).

Sacrificing Isaac
The Lord told Abraham to take his son Isaac to the Land of Moriah and offer him up as a burnt offering. Abraham did as he was told but just before he plunged the knife in Isaac, the Lord spoke stopping him. The Lord provided a ram stuck in a thicket to offer as a sacrifice instead (Chapter 22).

Job

Stay tuned.

Genesis-Noah

Noah’s Ark
Now God could see all that he had created so many sons and daughters multiplying the earth and filling it with wickedness and evil thoughts. Because Noah was faithful to the Lord, he asked Noah to build an ark out of gopher wood. It took Noah 100 years to build the Ark (Genesis 6).
Measurements of the ark:
• Length 300 cubits (450 feet)
• Width 50 cubits (75 feet)
• Height 30 cubits (45 feet)

2319 B.C. entering the Ark
The Great Flood
Noah was 600 years old when the great flood destroyed all the wickedness of the world. The Lord saved Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives. They all keep busy caring for seven of every clean animal, male and female; two of each unclean animal, male and female.
How many days:
• It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
• Water covered the earth for 150 days.
The Lord promised never to flood the entire earth again with the sign of a rainbow (Genesis 7 and 8).

Read Chapter 9

Tower of Babal
Let us build a tower that reaches the heavens. The Lord came down to talk to his people. The Lord decided to confuse their language so they could not understand each others speech. God scattered all his people to different parts of the world. The building stopped and the place was called “The Tower of Babal” (Genesis 11:1-9).

Genesis-Creation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis Chapter 1
3975 B.C.

Day 1 God called the light day and the darkness night.

Day 2 God created the heavens making the sky.
Day 3 God called the dry land earth with plants of every kind
and the waters became the sea.

Day 4 God made the sun to rule the day
and the moon with stars rule the night.

Day 5 God created an abundance of living sea creatures
and birds to soar the skies.

Day 6 God made animals to roam the land.
God spoke, “Let US make man in OUR image and OUR likeness.”
Genesis 1:26 Out of the ground God created every living beast
and then he molded Adam breathing life into his nostrils.

Day 7 God saw all that he made was good. So God rested.


God planted a garden eastward in Eden and in the midst of the garden was the tree of life. Adam took care of the garden and all the animals. Adam named all living animals but “there was not a helper comparable to him” Genesis 2:20 God caused Adam into a deep sleep, took one rib, and formed Women out of ground. Adam named her Eve. God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. You can have anything in the garden but do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Read Chapter 3
The cunning serpent deceived Eve into taking a piece of fruit from the tree of life, ate it, and gave it to her husband to who also ate it. Both of their eyes where opened. They noticed they were naked and hide from God. God sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden. He placed cherubim at the east if the garden and a flaming sword guarded the tree of life. God cursed the ground with thorns and thistles and from this ground you are to grow your own food.

Pondering moment

Cain and Abel
Eve gave birth to two sons. Cain became a farmer and Abel was a shepherd. Cain brought fruit as his offering to the Lord and Abel brought the firstborn of his flock of sheep. The Lord was pleased with Abel but not Cain. Cain became angry and killed his brother Abel. Cain fled east of Eden in the land of Nod with his wife and they built a city and named it after their first son Enoch (3353 B.C) (Genesis 4).

Seth
Adam was 130 years old when Eve gave birth to another son named Seth. Adam lived to be 930 years old and Seth lived to be 912 years old. Born from the family of Seth son of Adam was a man named Enoch. Enoch walked with God and because he was so faithful God took him at the age of 365. Also from this family line was bore Noah who had three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 5).