10/5/2018
I have had to temporarily suspend the blog for ,what I hope is a short time. I spent 6 hours up the Sussex eye hospital yesterday with Problems with my left eye. I have tp return in a week to see if there has been any change. I am practically blind in my left eye at the moment and am having some difficultly typing this for you. So I'll sign off for now.
Bye
Thursday 10 May 2018
Sunday 29 April 2018
If you've got it don't flaunt it unless you wish to pay the price
28/4/3018
Unless you're searching your family tree and you've traced it back to Jacob's family I will skip over Ch 36 with all of the tribes descendants. Jacob now moved back to Canaan. Joseph was now 17 years old and favoured by his father above all the brothers. Joseph tended his fathers sheep. One day Jacob gave Joseph a brightly coloured coat. This of course made his brothers jealous. Then one night Joseph had a dream. Perhaps sharing it with his already jealous brothers was not such a good idea. He dreamt they were out in the field binding sheaves. 'my sheath stood up, and yours all gathered around and bowed low before it' he said. Then to make matters worse. he had another dream, where the sun, moon and 11 stars bowed down before him. He told this to his father as well as his brothers. One day Joseph's brothers took the flocks of sheep to Shechem. Jacob (now called Israel) told Joseph to find his brothers to see how they were getting on. When they saw Joseph approach them from a distance they decided to kill him 'let's kill the master dreamer and toss him in a well. Reuben spoke up and said let's not kill him or shed his blood for he is our brother, but put him in a well and take his coat to splatter it with goats blood; that way we will say he got killed in the wilderness and his blood won't be on our heads'. Reuben was going to return and release Joseph afterwards; but when they sat down to eat their evening meal a group of Ishmaelite traders came along on their way to Egypt, and the brothers sold Joseph to them for 20 pieces of silver. Reuben was away when this was done so he couldn't free Joseph. Israel assumed that Joseph had been killed by wild animals when he saw the blood stained coat and mourned his death for many nights. Doesn't the 20 pieces of silver remind you of the 30 pieces of silver sold to betray Jesus ?Don't boast too much about your accomplishments no matter how big they are. No- one will like you for it- only despise you.
Bye for now
Unless you're searching your family tree and you've traced it back to Jacob's family I will skip over Ch 36 with all of the tribes descendants. Jacob now moved back to Canaan. Joseph was now 17 years old and favoured by his father above all the brothers. Joseph tended his fathers sheep. One day Jacob gave Joseph a brightly coloured coat. This of course made his brothers jealous. Then one night Joseph had a dream. Perhaps sharing it with his already jealous brothers was not such a good idea. He dreamt they were out in the field binding sheaves. 'my sheath stood up, and yours all gathered around and bowed low before it' he said. Then to make matters worse. he had another dream, where the sun, moon and 11 stars bowed down before him. He told this to his father as well as his brothers. One day Joseph's brothers took the flocks of sheep to Shechem. Jacob (now called Israel) told Joseph to find his brothers to see how they were getting on. When they saw Joseph approach them from a distance they decided to kill him 'let's kill the master dreamer and toss him in a well. Reuben spoke up and said let's not kill him or shed his blood for he is our brother, but put him in a well and take his coat to splatter it with goats blood; that way we will say he got killed in the wilderness and his blood won't be on our heads'. Reuben was going to return and release Joseph afterwards; but when they sat down to eat their evening meal a group of Ishmaelite traders came along on their way to Egypt, and the brothers sold Joseph to them for 20 pieces of silver. Reuben was away when this was done so he couldn't free Joseph. Israel assumed that Joseph had been killed by wild animals when he saw the blood stained coat and mourned his death for many nights. Doesn't the 20 pieces of silver remind you of the 30 pieces of silver sold to betray Jesus ?Don't boast too much about your accomplishments no matter how big they are. No- one will like you for it- only despise you.
Bye for now
Wednesday 18 April 2018
moving on
18/3/2018
So Jacob goes back to bethel and is met by God again to call himself Israel and he will have lots of descendants. See some patterns emerging here? Abraham and now Jacob. So to cut a long story short, if it's not too late Jacob ends up back home again and Rachael dies giving birth to Benjamin. I wanted to move on because the story of Joseph must be coming up soon now that we have all the brothers. To tell you the truth I've been very sluggish and lazy well not lazy so much, but unmotivated. To use my favourite word I haven't found the where-with- all to be bothered. Do you have those days when you just don't want to get out of bed? or do anything? This is difficult for me 'cos that's how I feel and have been for a few weeks now
Bye for now
So Jacob goes back to bethel and is met by God again to call himself Israel and he will have lots of descendants. See some patterns emerging here? Abraham and now Jacob. So to cut a long story short, if it's not too late Jacob ends up back home again and Rachael dies giving birth to Benjamin. I wanted to move on because the story of Joseph must be coming up soon now that we have all the brothers. To tell you the truth I've been very sluggish and lazy well not lazy so much, but unmotivated. To use my favourite word I haven't found the where-with- all to be bothered. Do you have those days when you just don't want to get out of bed? or do anything? This is difficult for me 'cos that's how I feel and have been for a few weeks now
Bye for now
Wednesday 11 April 2018
Reconciliation, rape and revenge
10/4/2018
After Jacob had sent time relayed presents to Esau to appease him; they finally met and Esau was himself very wealthy and forgiving to Jacob. He invited Jacob back to his home but Jacob didn't think all the herds and children would be able to go on without rest and he settled at Succoth for the time being, where he built himself a camp. Layer he arrived safely at Shechem, in Canaan, and bought the land just outside the city, from the family of Hamor. One day Leah's daughter Dinah went to visit some of the local girls. When Shechem, king of Hamor's son, saw her, he wanted her and raped her. Hamor told Jacob that his son loved Dinah and would do anything Jacob desired to let them marry. Dinah's brothers were mortified by what had happened so they planned revenge by telling Shechem he could marry Dinah if he and all his men got circumcised. They agreed to this and three days after they'd all been circumcised, when they were still sore and sensitive to every move, Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, entered the city with their swords and slaughtered every man there, taking their flocks, women and possessions in retribution for what was done to Dinah. Jacob was not happy about their actions because he accused them of making his people stink in the sight of the Perizzites and Canaanites. He feared that they would be crushed by so many more of them. So God now told Jacob to move back to Bethel where he had seen the stairway to Heaven.
Now I'm not a man and can't imagine what a circumcision in a fully grown man would feel like, but I bet it's pretty painful. So it was quite a dastardly thing to ask, but then so is rape! C'est la vie as they say in France.
Bye for now
After Jacob had sent time relayed presents to Esau to appease him; they finally met and Esau was himself very wealthy and forgiving to Jacob. He invited Jacob back to his home but Jacob didn't think all the herds and children would be able to go on without rest and he settled at Succoth for the time being, where he built himself a camp. Layer he arrived safely at Shechem, in Canaan, and bought the land just outside the city, from the family of Hamor. One day Leah's daughter Dinah went to visit some of the local girls. When Shechem, king of Hamor's son, saw her, he wanted her and raped her. Hamor told Jacob that his son loved Dinah and would do anything Jacob desired to let them marry. Dinah's brothers were mortified by what had happened so they planned revenge by telling Shechem he could marry Dinah if he and all his men got circumcised. They agreed to this and three days after they'd all been circumcised, when they were still sore and sensitive to every move, Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, entered the city with their swords and slaughtered every man there, taking their flocks, women and possessions in retribution for what was done to Dinah. Jacob was not happy about their actions because he accused them of making his people stink in the sight of the Perizzites and Canaanites. He feared that they would be crushed by so many more of them. So God now told Jacob to move back to Bethel where he had seen the stairway to Heaven.
Now I'm not a man and can't imagine what a circumcision in a fully grown man would feel like, but I bet it's pretty painful. So it was quite a dastardly thing to ask, but then so is rape! C'est la vie as they say in France.
Bye for now
Saturday 7 April 2018
Gifts of appeasement and a fight with God
7/4/2018
So Jacob was off to his home land where he would face Esau (the brother he had tricked out of his inheritance). Fearing Esau's revenge Jacob sent part of his cattle and riches with messengers to tell Esau that they were Jacob's and they were a gift to Esau. While this was going on, Jacob sent his wives and entourage across the river where he fought with a man till dawn and would not give in till the man blessed him. Seeing that he couldn't win, the man struck Jacob's hip, knocking it out of it's socket . The man asked him his name. 'Jacob' he answered and the man said 'you will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel(one who has power with God)and he blessed him there and then. Jacob named the place Peniel 'the face of God' for he said 'I have seen God face to face and yet my life is spared. To this day Jews won't eat the Sciatic joint because of this battle. the man wouldn't tell Jacob his name, so we don't know for sure, but take it as read that Jacob did in deed see God face to face and wrestle with him as a man. This leaves me pondering the whole episode. Why the fight? Did God make himself a man to fight? Why the hip joint? we are kind of led to believe that no-one can see God and live, but Jacob or 'Israel' seems to have. I don't know what to think of that. What do you think? Yet another thing to ponder (meditate) on.
Bye for now
So Jacob was off to his home land where he would face Esau (the brother he had tricked out of his inheritance). Fearing Esau's revenge Jacob sent part of his cattle and riches with messengers to tell Esau that they were Jacob's and they were a gift to Esau. While this was going on, Jacob sent his wives and entourage across the river where he fought with a man till dawn and would not give in till the man blessed him. Seeing that he couldn't win, the man struck Jacob's hip, knocking it out of it's socket . The man asked him his name. 'Jacob' he answered and the man said 'you will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel(one who has power with God)and he blessed him there and then. Jacob named the place Peniel 'the face of God' for he said 'I have seen God face to face and yet my life is spared. To this day Jews won't eat the Sciatic joint because of this battle. the man wouldn't tell Jacob his name, so we don't know for sure, but take it as read that Jacob did in deed see God face to face and wrestle with him as a man. This leaves me pondering the whole episode. Why the fight? Did God make himself a man to fight? Why the hip joint? we are kind of led to believe that no-one can see God and live, but Jacob or 'Israel' seems to have. I don't know what to think of that. What do you think? Yet another thing to ponder (meditate) on.
Bye for now
Tuesday 3 April 2018
Off to new pastures
3/4/2018
Now that Jacob was doing so well the green eyed monster of jealousy set in Laban's sons and Laban himself. So God told Jacob to move back to his homeland. So Jacob did just that and upped stakes and sent Leah and Rachael ahead of him. Jacob had made 3 days progress with his wives and possessions before Laban even knew about it. Laban rushed after them, but the night before they caught up with them God now spoke to Laban telling him not to do harm to Jacob. Laban had treated Jacob unfairly for all the years he had worked for Laban but they made a peace pact, setting up a stone monument to mark the boundary where Jacob would not enter Laban's land and vice versa, called the 'Watchtower'(Mizpah)
Just before Jacob left, Rachael took some gods with her and hid them under her clothes where she sat on a camel, so Laban's men couldn't find them as they searched the tents. I don't know how significant this is just yet to the future of this story, but it must have meant something for it to be mentioned. So finally after 22 years of working for the unscrupulous Laban, Jacob was free and headed for home with 2 wives and 2 concubines lots of sheep and a great deal of wealth; How's that for patience and bartering? and not a single blow was made.
Bye for now.
Now that Jacob was doing so well the green eyed monster of jealousy set in Laban's sons and Laban himself. So God told Jacob to move back to his homeland. So Jacob did just that and upped stakes and sent Leah and Rachael ahead of him. Jacob had made 3 days progress with his wives and possessions before Laban even knew about it. Laban rushed after them, but the night before they caught up with them God now spoke to Laban telling him not to do harm to Jacob. Laban had treated Jacob unfairly for all the years he had worked for Laban but they made a peace pact, setting up a stone monument to mark the boundary where Jacob would not enter Laban's land and vice versa, called the 'Watchtower'(Mizpah)
Just before Jacob left, Rachael took some gods with her and hid them under her clothes where she sat on a camel, so Laban's men couldn't find them as they searched the tents. I don't know how significant this is just yet to the future of this story, but it must have meant something for it to be mentioned. So finally after 22 years of working for the unscrupulous Laban, Jacob was free and headed for home with 2 wives and 2 concubines lots of sheep and a great deal of wealth; How's that for patience and bartering? and not a single blow was made.
Bye for now.
Monday 2 April 2018
A cunning plan
2/4/2018
After Jacob had got his herd of Black Speckled and spotted lambs, he went 3 miles away from there and established his new flock by putting the healthy ones together to mate and by cutting strips off poplar strands and putting them by the water so they would mate in front of the streaks, thus adding immensely to Jacobs flocks and he became a very wealthy man (we're in Chapter 30 of Genesis now by the way). So by careful planning and strategy Jacob became a rich and shrewd business man. Not much is mentioned about God's part in all this , but we know that Jacob was a God-fearing man.
So he probably sought God's advice on his plans or just trusted in the brains God had given him.
Bye for now
After Jacob had got his herd of Black Speckled and spotted lambs, he went 3 miles away from there and established his new flock by putting the healthy ones together to mate and by cutting strips off poplar strands and putting them by the water so they would mate in front of the streaks, thus adding immensely to Jacobs flocks and he became a very wealthy man (we're in Chapter 30 of Genesis now by the way). So by careful planning and strategy Jacob became a rich and shrewd business man. Not much is mentioned about God's part in all this , but we know that Jacob was a God-fearing man.
So he probably sought God's advice on his plans or just trusted in the brains God had given him.
Bye for now
Like father ,like son and and surrogacy
31/3/2018
Well I'm back after a busy time with my husband being ill and me having to do more than I was before. It made me very tired.
After the double cross of Laban Leah was pregnant straight away and in fact gave Jacob 4 sons; Reuben (God has noticed my trouble), because Rachael was slighting her, Her second followed quite soon after, Simeon (Jehovah heard); and a third son named Levi(attachment), and finally a fourth and last son Judah (praise). Rachael realising she was barren told her servant to sleep with Jacob, and she gave him a son Dan (justice): then she became pregnant again and her second son Naphtali (wrestling because Rachael said she was in a contest and was winning. (pretty optimistic I think since it's 4 to 2). Then Leah played the surrogacy trump card and got her servant to sleep with Jacob and she became pregnant with Gad (my luck has turned). Then the servant gave Jacob another son; Asher (happy). If you remember Leah's first son Reuben, he found a mandrake roots and gave it to Leah so she slept with Jacob that night and became pregnant again with her fifth son Issachar (wages). And a sixth son Zebulun (gifts). Then she gave birth to a daughter Dinah. Then God remembered Rachael's plight and answered her prayers and gave her a son Joseph (may I have another). Leah decided she wanted to go back home now, but Laban (after consulting a medium) knew that he had become rich by Jacob's presence; so they made a deal. Jacob would continue working for Laban if he could take all the black, speckled and spotted sheep, so Laban would know that Jacob had not taken any of his.
Well I'm back after a busy time with my husband being ill and me having to do more than I was before. It made me very tired.
After the double cross of Laban Leah was pregnant straight away and in fact gave Jacob 4 sons; Reuben (God has noticed my trouble), because Rachael was slighting her, Her second followed quite soon after, Simeon (Jehovah heard); and a third son named Levi(attachment), and finally a fourth and last son Judah (praise). Rachael realising she was barren told her servant to sleep with Jacob, and she gave him a son Dan (justice): then she became pregnant again and her second son Naphtali (wrestling because Rachael said she was in a contest and was winning. (pretty optimistic I think since it's 4 to 2). Then Leah played the surrogacy trump card and got her servant to sleep with Jacob and she became pregnant with Gad (my luck has turned). Then the servant gave Jacob another son; Asher (happy). If you remember Leah's first son Reuben, he found a mandrake roots and gave it to Leah so she slept with Jacob that night and became pregnant again with her fifth son Issachar (wages). And a sixth son Zebulun (gifts). Then she gave birth to a daughter Dinah. Then God remembered Rachael's plight and answered her prayers and gave her a son Joseph (may I have another). Leah decided she wanted to go back home now, but Laban (after consulting a medium) knew that he had become rich by Jacob's presence; so they made a deal. Jacob would continue working for Laban if he could take all the black, speckled and spotted sheep, so Laban would know that Jacob had not taken any of his.
Saturday 24 March 2018
Dirty double crossings from the relatives
24/3/2018
Hi, Glad to be back after a busy week getting ready for Easter. We're up to Genesis Ch 29 now where Isaac has left his homeland to find a wife at his cousin Laban's home. He get's to the well (well's seem to be like our local pubs used to be. It's the place to hang out and find information and hear the gossip, or pick someone up) Rachael was a shepherdess and led her flock to the well for watering. But there was some rule that all the sheep had to be there before the big stone covering the well, could be removed. Anyway it was love at first sight for Isaac when he saw Rachael and he moved the stone himself, so Rachael's sheep had water. Rachael took Isaac back to her home and an arrangement was made for Isaac to marry Laban's daughter after he had worked for him for 7 years. The day of the wedding came and the bride wore a veil. The next morning when Isaac woke up he discovered that he had married Rachael's older sister Leah. Laban just casually announced that it was the custom for the eldest to be married first (well he could have said that before, the devious Fox). So a second deal was made for Isaac to work for another 7 years before he could marry Rachael. Such was his love for Rachael, that he was willing to agree. How many guys do you know would be willing to wait & work for 14 years in order to marry the woman he loved. That was more powerful than Laban's deception. Love and patience conquer all in the end.
Bye for now
Hi, Glad to be back after a busy week getting ready for Easter. We're up to Genesis Ch 29 now where Isaac has left his homeland to find a wife at his cousin Laban's home. He get's to the well (well's seem to be like our local pubs used to be. It's the place to hang out and find information and hear the gossip, or pick someone up) Rachael was a shepherdess and led her flock to the well for watering. But there was some rule that all the sheep had to be there before the big stone covering the well, could be removed. Anyway it was love at first sight for Isaac when he saw Rachael and he moved the stone himself, so Rachael's sheep had water. Rachael took Isaac back to her home and an arrangement was made for Isaac to marry Laban's daughter after he had worked for him for 7 years. The day of the wedding came and the bride wore a veil. The next morning when Isaac woke up he discovered that he had married Rachael's older sister Leah. Laban just casually announced that it was the custom for the eldest to be married first (well he could have said that before, the devious Fox). So a second deal was made for Isaac to work for another 7 years before he could marry Rachael. Such was his love for Rachael, that he was willing to agree. How many guys do you know would be willing to wait & work for 14 years in order to marry the woman he loved. That was more powerful than Laban's deception. Love and patience conquer all in the end.
Bye for now
Monday 19 March 2018
Staircase to heaven
8/3/2018
I don't believe that all dreams are prophetic, but I do believe that some are and we should take note of the ones that really stick out and speak to us.
Anyway Isaac told Jacob to find a wife (one of his cousins) from his uncle Laban Paddan-aram in the house of Bethuel. Sounds familiar Jacob had to go away to find Rebekah and now Isaac is doing the same. When Isaac went to sleep after a long days travelling, he laid his head on a big stone, and dreamt of a stairway leading right from where he was up to heaven with angels going up and down on it. At the top was the Lord who said 'I am Jehovah. The god of Abraham and your father Isaac. The ground you are lying on is yours . I will give it to your descendants for you will have as many descendants as many as dist..... what's more I am with you and will protect you wherever you go. When Jacob woke up he was a little shaken and said God lives here and turned the stone upright as a memorial pillar, pouring oil on it. naming it 'Bethel' which means house of God.
I wish I could see that place and walk right up to heaven. Its always up isn't it. heaven appears to be above the skies.
Esau defiantly married women that Isaac and Rebekah didn't approve of. and there was always fighting in his camps.
Be careful as you get what you ask for.
Bye for now
I don't believe that all dreams are prophetic, but I do believe that some are and we should take note of the ones that really stick out and speak to us.
Anyway Isaac told Jacob to find a wife (one of his cousins) from his uncle Laban Paddan-aram in the house of Bethuel. Sounds familiar Jacob had to go away to find Rebekah and now Isaac is doing the same. When Isaac went to sleep after a long days travelling, he laid his head on a big stone, and dreamt of a stairway leading right from where he was up to heaven with angels going up and down on it. At the top was the Lord who said 'I am Jehovah. The god of Abraham and your father Isaac. The ground you are lying on is yours . I will give it to your descendants for you will have as many descendants as many as dist..... what's more I am with you and will protect you wherever you go. When Jacob woke up he was a little shaken and said God lives here and turned the stone upright as a memorial pillar, pouring oil on it. naming it 'Bethel' which means house of God.
I wish I could see that place and walk right up to heaven. Its always up isn't it. heaven appears to be above the skies.
Esau defiantly married women that Isaac and Rebekah didn't approve of. and there was always fighting in his camps.
Be careful as you get what you ask for.
Bye for now
Thursday 15 March 2018
Jacob the cheater
15/3/2018
Who says it doesn't pay to cheat? God obviously approved of Isaac doing it to his brother (but to be fair, Esau had already promised his birthright to Isaac for some food). Isaac's mother overheard Jacob say to Esau the eldest; 'go out and hunt for venison and prepare my favourite meal so I can eat it and bless you with the blessings that belong to you'. But Rebekah was fast and she prepared Jacob's favourite meal while Esau was out hunting So before Esau came back, Jacob disguised himself by wearing the goat's (used to make the meal)fur on his hands and back, so he would appear hairy like Esau. Isaac's eyesight was going now as he was very old. The ruse convinced him and he gave the firstborn's blessing to Jacob and only had a little word for Esau by the time he returned, making Esau's descendant's subservient to Isaac and all the blessings of a long successful life with many descendants to Isaac. Esau became very angry and Rebekah told Jacob fled to flee to his uncle Laban in Haran until Esau had clamed down. I think I would be very afraid if I were in Jacob's shoes and very angry too if I was in Esau's, but having thought about it a bit more I would remember my eagerness to throw my rights away as Esau. I would probably realise I only had myself to blame.
I wonder how many opportunities I've thrown away in my life stupidly, not knowing the consequences of my actions. I don't think I want to know now, unless there is something I could still do to make things right? how about you?
Bye for now
Who says it doesn't pay to cheat? God obviously approved of Isaac doing it to his brother (but to be fair, Esau had already promised his birthright to Isaac for some food). Isaac's mother overheard Jacob say to Esau the eldest; 'go out and hunt for venison and prepare my favourite meal so I can eat it and bless you with the blessings that belong to you'. But Rebekah was fast and she prepared Jacob's favourite meal while Esau was out hunting So before Esau came back, Jacob disguised himself by wearing the goat's (used to make the meal)fur on his hands and back, so he would appear hairy like Esau. Isaac's eyesight was going now as he was very old. The ruse convinced him and he gave the firstborn's blessing to Jacob and only had a little word for Esau by the time he returned, making Esau's descendant's subservient to Isaac and all the blessings of a long successful life with many descendants to Isaac. Esau became very angry and Rebekah told Jacob fled to flee to his uncle Laban in Haran until Esau had clamed down. I think I would be very afraid if I were in Jacob's shoes and very angry too if I was in Esau's, but having thought about it a bit more I would remember my eagerness to throw my rights away as Esau. I would probably realise I only had myself to blame.
I wonder how many opportunities I've thrown away in my life stupidly, not knowing the consequences of my actions. I don't think I want to know now, unless there is something I could still do to make things right? how about you?
Bye for now
Tuesday 13 March 2018
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
13/3/2018
Jacob pulled the same stunt as his father Abraham, in that while he was travelling to Gerar to avoid a severe famine, he asked Rebekah to say she was his sister so that he wouldn't get killed for her beauty. But Abimelech King of the Philistines in this land caught Isaac and Rebekah being a bit more intimate shall we say, a brother and sister should be. So when Isaac explained his situation King Abimelech made a proclamation that no-one was to harm Isaac and his family. So Isaac like Abraham prospered where he lived so much so that the king asked him to leave saying he was too rich for this kingdom and Isaac like his father moved again and prospered where he went. He had to dig three wells before the locals would leave him alone for everywhere he dug he found gushing water, but by the time he found the third well everyone left him alone and he named the well 'Room enough for us at last'. Maintaining the similarities of Isaac's life to Abraham, God came to Isaac and told him that he would bless him with many descendants to fulfil his oath to Abraham. King Abimelech saw how much Isaac was blessed and thrived so he asked for a peace treaty to be signed between them. So like Abraham his father, Isaac was also a man of peace, and lived his days out in peace by trusting God and going where God lead him. Isaacs servants came and told him the day after the oath was signed that they found water in the well they had dug so Isaac called it 'the well of the oath'
I believe, if we just keep our heads down and follow God's lead we will live a peaceful life too and be fruitful and prosperous.
Bye for now
Jacob pulled the same stunt as his father Abraham, in that while he was travelling to Gerar to avoid a severe famine, he asked Rebekah to say she was his sister so that he wouldn't get killed for her beauty. But Abimelech King of the Philistines in this land caught Isaac and Rebekah being a bit more intimate shall we say, a brother and sister should be. So when Isaac explained his situation King Abimelech made a proclamation that no-one was to harm Isaac and his family. So Isaac like Abraham prospered where he lived so much so that the king asked him to leave saying he was too rich for this kingdom and Isaac like his father moved again and prospered where he went. He had to dig three wells before the locals would leave him alone for everywhere he dug he found gushing water, but by the time he found the third well everyone left him alone and he named the well 'Room enough for us at last'. Maintaining the similarities of Isaac's life to Abraham, God came to Isaac and told him that he would bless him with many descendants to fulfil his oath to Abraham. King Abimelech saw how much Isaac was blessed and thrived so he asked for a peace treaty to be signed between them. So like Abraham his father, Isaac was also a man of peace, and lived his days out in peace by trusting God and going where God lead him. Isaacs servants came and told him the day after the oath was signed that they found water in the well they had dug so Isaac called it 'the well of the oath'
I believe, if we just keep our heads down and follow God's lead we will live a peaceful life too and be fruitful and prosperous.
Bye for now
Monday 12 March 2018
your inheritance for bread peas and stew
12/3/2018
What would you give up your inheritance for? How much do you value it? And what is it?
Abraham was a very active man because after Sarah died He married again and had several more sons. After deeding everything he owned to Isaac, but gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, sending them to the far East. He eventually died at the ripe old age of 175. You can't say it wasn't a fruitful life. Ishmael, son of the slave girl Hagar had 12 sons who became the founders of the 12 tribes that bore their names, then Ishmael died at 137. These descendants were constantly at war with each other, scattered across country from Havilah to Shur.; but Isaac moved South and was 40 when he married Rebekah who bore him twin sons who even fought in the womb. Esau (a very hairy red head)was Isaacs favorite because, he was a skilful hunter and brought Isaac his best loved food But Jacob the younger was Rebekah's favourite because he was a quiet sort and stayed at home. One day when Jacob was cooking stew and Esau was very hungry after a day out hunting; Esau aid to Jacob 'give me some of that stew I am starving'. Jacob said 'all right, trade me your birth right for it' and Esau agreed. Esau ate and drank indifferent to the loss of the rights he had just thrown away.
Esau was impetuous and failed to recognise the importance of his birthright being the first born . but it came back later to bite him on the bum so to speak, as we read later. Do we take our lives for granted and live purely to satisfy our immediate physical needs?
Have a think what's most important to you?
Bye for now
What would you give up your inheritance for? How much do you value it? And what is it?
Abraham was a very active man because after Sarah died He married again and had several more sons. After deeding everything he owned to Isaac, but gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, sending them to the far East. He eventually died at the ripe old age of 175. You can't say it wasn't a fruitful life. Ishmael, son of the slave girl Hagar had 12 sons who became the founders of the 12 tribes that bore their names, then Ishmael died at 137. These descendants were constantly at war with each other, scattered across country from Havilah to Shur.; but Isaac moved South and was 40 when he married Rebekah who bore him twin sons who even fought in the womb. Esau (a very hairy red head)was Isaacs favorite because, he was a skilful hunter and brought Isaac his best loved food But Jacob the younger was Rebekah's favourite because he was a quiet sort and stayed at home. One day when Jacob was cooking stew and Esau was very hungry after a day out hunting; Esau aid to Jacob 'give me some of that stew I am starving'. Jacob said 'all right, trade me your birth right for it' and Esau agreed. Esau ate and drank indifferent to the loss of the rights he had just thrown away.
Esau was impetuous and failed to recognise the importance of his birthright being the first born . but it came back later to bite him on the bum so to speak, as we read later. Do we take our lives for granted and live purely to satisfy our immediate physical needs?
Have a think what's most important to you?
Bye for now
Saturday 10 March 2018
God's dating app
10/3/2018
Abraham was getting old now and was concerned that his son Isaac find a suitable wife, but not any girl from the Canaanites where they were living, but to find a girl from their homeland, so the servant travelled to Iraq and Nahor's village. (remember Nahor was Abraham's brother.
He shot a prayer up to God to let the first woman that comes to the watering stream where he has set himself and his camels down to rest would be the woman for Isaac. He asked God for a little test first so he could be sure and the test was that the woman would ask him if he wanted a drink and would give all his camels a drink too. Well along came Rebecca and passed the test with flying colours. She brought then man back to her home and told her father the whole story accompanied with presents of Jewellery and gold. The servant (we never know his name) begs Rebekah to come with him straight away. Her parents left the decision up to her. We are not told how old Rebekah was but she made up her own mind to go back with the savant. It was like a fairy-tale scene. Isaac decided to take a stroll in the long grasses and Rebekah comes along at the same time and it was love at first sight. You can imagine the picture Seeing each other from afar and as they get closer they fall for each other.
Kind of romantic don't you think in a time of arranged marriages. Even better than a dating app; just shoot up a prayer to God and there you have it.
How is your love life?
Bye for now
Abraham was getting old now and was concerned that his son Isaac find a suitable wife, but not any girl from the Canaanites where they were living, but to find a girl from their homeland, so the servant travelled to Iraq and Nahor's village. (remember Nahor was Abraham's brother.
He shot a prayer up to God to let the first woman that comes to the watering stream where he has set himself and his camels down to rest would be the woman for Isaac. He asked God for a little test first so he could be sure and the test was that the woman would ask him if he wanted a drink and would give all his camels a drink too. Well along came Rebecca and passed the test with flying colours. She brought then man back to her home and told her father the whole story accompanied with presents of Jewellery and gold. The servant (we never know his name) begs Rebekah to come with him straight away. Her parents left the decision up to her. We are not told how old Rebekah was but she made up her own mind to go back with the savant. It was like a fairy-tale scene. Isaac decided to take a stroll in the long grasses and Rebekah comes along at the same time and it was love at first sight. You can imagine the picture Seeing each other from afar and as they get closer they fall for each other.
Kind of romantic don't you think in a time of arranged marriages. Even better than a dating app; just shoot up a prayer to God and there you have it.
How is your love life?
Bye for now
Monday 5 March 2018
The sacrifice
5/3/2018
Now God pays Abraham a visit one day and asks him to take his much loved son Isaac out to Moriah and sacrifice him on the hills there. Abraham went where he was told Isaac asked where was the lamb to be sacrificed and Abraham just replied 'God will provide'. They went a little further and Abraham tied Isaacs legs together and laid him out on the alter he had built and took a knife to kill Isaac. At this point Isaac must have known that he was the one to be sacrificed and I often wonder what thoughts went on in his mind and why there was no struggle, but just obedience from Isaac. An angel just suddenly shouted to Abraham to stop just in the nick of time and showed him a ram caught in a thicket to be sacrificed instead. This was obviously a test from God and because Abraham passed with flying colours God blessed him with incredible blessings and promised to multiply his descendants into countless thousands and millions and to conquer all his enemies. When he got back home Abraham found that the wife of his brother had borne him 8 sons. Now that's what I call quick work; anyway what strikes me the most about this story is Isaac rather than Abraham. Not a peep out of him even as he saw his father raise a knife to kill him. Of course this paradies Jesus as God's only son being a willing sacrifice for us, but Jesus was a full grown man and knew exactly what was happening and why. I wonder if I could trace my family back as far as Abraham, because it is said that we are all children of Abraham.
Another thing to ponder on and put ourselves in Isaac or Abraham's shoes. What would be the biggest sacrifice God could ask of you?
Bye for now
Now God pays Abraham a visit one day and asks him to take his much loved son Isaac out to Moriah and sacrifice him on the hills there. Abraham went where he was told Isaac asked where was the lamb to be sacrificed and Abraham just replied 'God will provide'. They went a little further and Abraham tied Isaacs legs together and laid him out on the alter he had built and took a knife to kill Isaac. At this point Isaac must have known that he was the one to be sacrificed and I often wonder what thoughts went on in his mind and why there was no struggle, but just obedience from Isaac. An angel just suddenly shouted to Abraham to stop just in the nick of time and showed him a ram caught in a thicket to be sacrificed instead. This was obviously a test from God and because Abraham passed with flying colours God blessed him with incredible blessings and promised to multiply his descendants into countless thousands and millions and to conquer all his enemies. When he got back home Abraham found that the wife of his brother had borne him 8 sons. Now that's what I call quick work; anyway what strikes me the most about this story is Isaac rather than Abraham. Not a peep out of him even as he saw his father raise a knife to kill him. Of course this paradies Jesus as God's only son being a willing sacrifice for us, but Jesus was a full grown man and knew exactly what was happening and why. I wonder if I could trace my family back as far as Abraham, because it is said that we are all children of Abraham.
Another thing to ponder on and put ourselves in Isaac or Abraham's shoes. What would be the biggest sacrifice God could ask of you?
Bye for now
Friday 2 March 2018
little white lies can get you in a lot of trouble
1st March 2018
Happy St. David's day to all the Welsh.
Abraham was travelling through Kadesh; King Abimelech's country and because Sarah was so Beautiful he told her to tell everyone that she was his sister because he was afraid he would be killed for someone to take Sarah. Sorry I had to pause there to see 'How green was my valley'. I felt it my duty as it was St. David's day and I don't think I'd seen it all properly before at all. It won a lot of Oscars and was directed by John Ford; not your usual western.
Now back to Abraham lying about his wife Sarah; saying she was his sister and not his wife. King Abimelech took Sarah to his palace to be his wife. God came to him in a dream and told him the truth and said he was a dead man. He pleaded that he didn't know Sarah was Abraham's wife and so he was reprieved and a curse that had been put on all the wives to not be able to conceive was lifted and the threat of death or worse from God. Abimelech not only returned Sarah to Abraham but also gave him land, money, sheep and oxen. So it does help sometimes to tell a little white lie or be a little deceptive, as after all Abraham said 'she is my half sister; we have to same father' Incest again? What is going on I cant's fathom it and I will have to leave it till I die as with a lot of other unanswered questions. The list is getting longer, but I struggle on.
Bye for now
Happy St. David's day to all the Welsh.
Abraham was travelling through Kadesh; King Abimelech's country and because Sarah was so Beautiful he told her to tell everyone that she was his sister because he was afraid he would be killed for someone to take Sarah. Sorry I had to pause there to see 'How green was my valley'. I felt it my duty as it was St. David's day and I don't think I'd seen it all properly before at all. It won a lot of Oscars and was directed by John Ford; not your usual western.
Now back to Abraham lying about his wife Sarah; saying she was his sister and not his wife. King Abimelech took Sarah to his palace to be his wife. God came to him in a dream and told him the truth and said he was a dead man. He pleaded that he didn't know Sarah was Abraham's wife and so he was reprieved and a curse that had been put on all the wives to not be able to conceive was lifted and the threat of death or worse from God. Abimelech not only returned Sarah to Abraham but also gave him land, money, sheep and oxen. So it does help sometimes to tell a little white lie or be a little deceptive, as after all Abraham said 'she is my half sister; we have to same father' Incest again? What is going on I cant's fathom it and I will have to leave it till I die as with a lot of other unanswered questions. The list is getting longer, but I struggle on.
Bye for now
Tuesday 27 February 2018
Don't look back
27/2/2018
As I write this, the snow is falling outside. It fell all night and there is about 4 inches on top of our garden cupboard.
Still, back to Genesis and we're now up to Ch 19. Abraham has plea bargained with God not to destroy Sodom & Gomorrah if only 10 righteous people were there in order to save his nephew Lot; but there weren't 10, so his angels visited Lot and told them to get out of town because God was going to destroy it. At first they were resistant, but the angels blinded the Sodomites that were surrounding Lot's house and grabbed the family by the hands to flee, warning them not to look back. But Lot's wife looked back and was immediately turned to a pillar of salt. (she was warned!). Perhaps we could take this as a warning not to yearn for the old days but keep moving forward. Then we come to a bit of incest again. In order to continue the family line. Lot's 2 daughters got him drunk on consecutive nights and slept with him. So were the two tribes of Moabites and Ammonites formed. I don't know what God was thinking when this happened, but I wonder if all humanities ailments and sicknesses were caused by incest. Something else to think about eh? But we'll never know the answer.
Bye for now
As I write this, the snow is falling outside. It fell all night and there is about 4 inches on top of our garden cupboard.
Still, back to Genesis and we're now up to Ch 19. Abraham has plea bargained with God not to destroy Sodom & Gomorrah if only 10 righteous people were there in order to save his nephew Lot; but there weren't 10, so his angels visited Lot and told them to get out of town because God was going to destroy it. At first they were resistant, but the angels blinded the Sodomites that were surrounding Lot's house and grabbed the family by the hands to flee, warning them not to look back. But Lot's wife looked back and was immediately turned to a pillar of salt. (she was warned!). Perhaps we could take this as a warning not to yearn for the old days but keep moving forward. Then we come to a bit of incest again. In order to continue the family line. Lot's 2 daughters got him drunk on consecutive nights and slept with him. So were the two tribes of Moabites and Ammonites formed. I don't know what God was thinking when this happened, but I wonder if all humanities ailments and sicknesses were caused by incest. Something else to think about eh? But we'll never know the answer.
Bye for now
Monday 26 February 2018
It's a bargain
26/2/2018
Three men came to visit Abraham and told him he and his wife Sarah would conceive the following year. Sarah was inside the tent and laughed at the notion of giving birth at such an old age but she was rebuked for it. It's quite easy and plausible for us to think like the rest of the world and not believe in miracles. Some people might find us crazy or laughable, to believe the seemingly impossible. But we can't stop nature from taking it's course.
Do we plea bargain with God? I guess I have a number of times. When I didn't like the thing God told me He was going to do; like the dying man pleading for his life; 'if only you would spare me I will never lie again' etc. Abraham's nephew lived in Sodom & Gomorrah. God said he would destroy the citizens there if the reports of how depraved they were, were true. So Abraham plea bargained with God in the fashion of 'If you find 50 godly people there will you destroy it?' God said no and Abraham continued to bring the numbers down to 10 and God ended at 10, 'If I find 10 godly people I will not destroy it. I guess Abraham thought he had won the battle to keep his nephew safe, but I think that God must have known all along that He wouldn't find 10 Godly people, so he was always in charge and though it seems that Abraham won, God's will was still done and Sodom and Gomorrah as we know was destroyed anyway. I've just been reading about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Even he pleaded with God not to let him suffer as he did, but God's will was done and Jesus was crucified for us so the scriptures wouldn't be fulfilled as Jesus said. I believe Jesus suffered a major panic attack when He prayed in the garden 'Let thy will be done o lord and not mine' After the panic attack had ended he was ready to face his destiny.
I often think of this if I feel panicky about something. It could be anything and could seemingly come from nowhere.
Ponder again all you plea bargainers and accept you fete in the end, then there will be peace.
Bye for now
Three men came to visit Abraham and told him he and his wife Sarah would conceive the following year. Sarah was inside the tent and laughed at the notion of giving birth at such an old age but she was rebuked for it. It's quite easy and plausible for us to think like the rest of the world and not believe in miracles. Some people might find us crazy or laughable, to believe the seemingly impossible. But we can't stop nature from taking it's course.
Do we plea bargain with God? I guess I have a number of times. When I didn't like the thing God told me He was going to do; like the dying man pleading for his life; 'if only you would spare me I will never lie again' etc. Abraham's nephew lived in Sodom & Gomorrah. God said he would destroy the citizens there if the reports of how depraved they were, were true. So Abraham plea bargained with God in the fashion of 'If you find 50 godly people there will you destroy it?' God said no and Abraham continued to bring the numbers down to 10 and God ended at 10, 'If I find 10 godly people I will not destroy it. I guess Abraham thought he had won the battle to keep his nephew safe, but I think that God must have known all along that He wouldn't find 10 Godly people, so he was always in charge and though it seems that Abraham won, God's will was still done and Sodom and Gomorrah as we know was destroyed anyway. I've just been reading about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Even he pleaded with God not to let him suffer as he did, but God's will was done and Jesus was crucified for us so the scriptures wouldn't be fulfilled as Jesus said. I believe Jesus suffered a major panic attack when He prayed in the garden 'Let thy will be done o lord and not mine' After the panic attack had ended he was ready to face his destiny.
I often think of this if I feel panicky about something. It could be anything and could seemingly come from nowhere.
Ponder again all you plea bargainers and accept you fete in the end, then there will be peace.
Bye for now
Saturday 24 February 2018
You're never too old for miracles
24/2/2018
Well now we come to the point where Abram is 99 years old. we don't know what he's been doing for all that time. God comes to him again and tells him he will conceive. At first Abram doesn't believe because not only is he 99 but Sarai is 90. He mistakenly believes that God will bless Ishmael, but God says no I mean Sarai will conceive and he is to be named Isaac (Laughter). Also God changes Abram's name (Exalted Father) to Abraham ('Father of nations') and Sarai's name shall be Sarah (princess).For his pert of the contract or bargain, Abraham was to circumcise every male and from now on every male was to be circumcised on the 8th day after birth. This rule was to apply to servants, foreigners born as slaves and everyone born in the household. Abraham was to become a father of many great nations and 12 princes were to be under Ishmael's prosperity (as the Living Bible puts it).
Nowadays we say it's tricky to have a first baby after 40. I work in Nursing homes where I've known a 103 year old woman to be taken care of by her 70 year old daughter. I can't imagine how this would have worked even though people did seem to live longer in those days. The miracle is not just the conception, but the raising of a child at such an old age. How will we ever begin to understand the mind of God and his ways?
Still pondering?
Bye for now
Well now we come to the point where Abram is 99 years old. we don't know what he's been doing for all that time. God comes to him again and tells him he will conceive. At first Abram doesn't believe because not only is he 99 but Sarai is 90. He mistakenly believes that God will bless Ishmael, but God says no I mean Sarai will conceive and he is to be named Isaac (Laughter). Also God changes Abram's name (Exalted Father) to Abraham ('Father of nations') and Sarai's name shall be Sarah (princess).For his pert of the contract or bargain, Abraham was to circumcise every male and from now on every male was to be circumcised on the 8th day after birth. This rule was to apply to servants, foreigners born as slaves and everyone born in the household. Abraham was to become a father of many great nations and 12 princes were to be under Ishmael's prosperity (as the Living Bible puts it).
Nowadays we say it's tricky to have a first baby after 40. I work in Nursing homes where I've known a 103 year old woman to be taken care of by her 70 year old daughter. I can't imagine how this would have worked even though people did seem to live longer in those days. The miracle is not just the conception, but the raising of a child at such an old age. How will we ever begin to understand the mind of God and his ways?
Still pondering?
Bye for now
Thursday 22 February 2018
How long do we wait?
22/2/2018
When you get a promise from someone and you believe them, how long do you wait for the promise to surface? Abram was told he would have a son and he believed God, so how long did Sarai his wife wait to try and make this promise a reality of her own. She asked her servant Hagar to be what we call nowadays a surrogate wife. Doesn't look as if Hagar had any say in the matter and Abram slept with her. She became pregnant and then received a beating from Sarai and Hagar ran away. None of this would have happened if Sarai had waited, but I guess we all get impatient at times to see realisations of promises. An angel visited Hagar and told her that she would have a son who would be made into a great nation and to call him Ishmael and to go back to being Sarai's handmaiden again. Thus another new nation was born. Was this in God's plan all along? Did God know of Sarai's impatience?
Something to ponder again about promises we may have believed were for us and haven't happened yet.
Bye for now
When you get a promise from someone and you believe them, how long do you wait for the promise to surface? Abram was told he would have a son and he believed God, so how long did Sarai his wife wait to try and make this promise a reality of her own. She asked her servant Hagar to be what we call nowadays a surrogate wife. Doesn't look as if Hagar had any say in the matter and Abram slept with her. She became pregnant and then received a beating from Sarai and Hagar ran away. None of this would have happened if Sarai had waited, but I guess we all get impatient at times to see realisations of promises. An angel visited Hagar and told her that she would have a son who would be made into a great nation and to call him Ishmael and to go back to being Sarai's handmaiden again. Thus another new nation was born. Was this in God's plan all along? Did God know of Sarai's impatience?
Something to ponder again about promises we may have believed were for us and haven't happened yet.
Bye for now
Tuesday 20 February 2018
Look at the stars
20/2/2018
God told Abram to go outside and look at the stars in the skies. Abram had no son but God said you will have a son and as many decedents as there are stars in the skies. And Abram believed him and God considered him righteous on account of his faith. I often wonder if my heritage could be traced back to Abram. The most miraculous part of this account is that in earthly terms Abram and his wife were too old to conceive; but Abram believed him anyway. Then in a vision God showed him of the future foreboding of 400 years of enslavement and oppression for his people but then they will be freed with great wealth and God drew a covenant with Abram that evening by sending a burning light and smoking pot to pass between two sacrificial carcasses God had told him to cut in half earlier. I have given this land to your descendants from the Wadi-el-Arish to the river Euphrates. and I give to them these nations; Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites. Take note of some of these names as they might come up later.
But I think the most important point to take from this account, is Abram's faith and he believed although he did ask for a sign, which caused the covenant into being. We can be bold enough to ask for signs if we aren't sure whether God has spoken to us or not. This will increase our faith and ardour.
Bye for now
God told Abram to go outside and look at the stars in the skies. Abram had no son but God said you will have a son and as many decedents as there are stars in the skies. And Abram believed him and God considered him righteous on account of his faith. I often wonder if my heritage could be traced back to Abram. The most miraculous part of this account is that in earthly terms Abram and his wife were too old to conceive; but Abram believed him anyway. Then in a vision God showed him of the future foreboding of 400 years of enslavement and oppression for his people but then they will be freed with great wealth and God drew a covenant with Abram that evening by sending a burning light and smoking pot to pass between two sacrificial carcasses God had told him to cut in half earlier. I have given this land to your descendants from the Wadi-el-Arish to the river Euphrates. and I give to them these nations; Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites. Take note of some of these names as they might come up later.
But I think the most important point to take from this account, is Abram's faith and he believed although he did ask for a sign, which caused the covenant into being. We can be bold enough to ask for signs if we aren't sure whether God has spoken to us or not. This will increase our faith and ardour.
Bye for now
Monday 19 February 2018
Let it be
19/2/2018
War again and this time to cut a long story short Lot and his family get captured. One man escaped to tell Abram of Lot's predicament and he rallied all his household 318 of them and they led pursuit and was victorious in the cause reclaiming all Lot's possession's (including his wives and families)back for him, destroying the bad guys in the possess. When this was all over the king of Jerusalem Melchizedeck who was a priest of the highest order of God, brought Abram bread and wine and blessed Abram with this blessing;' The blessing of the supreme God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, be upon you, Abram; and blessed be God, who has delivered your enemies over to you'. Abram gave Melchizedeck a tenth of the spoils. Abram wouldn't accept any gifts from the King of Sodom because he had solemnly declared to God he wouldn't unless it would look like God wasn't providing for him. He would only accept what food his men had taken , but said let the booty be shared amongst Abner, Eschol and Mamre his allies.
When I read of all the things involving Abram such a peace and calm descends on me. He was definitely a man of wisdom, calm, peace and faith in the promises of God even though the car alarm outside has been going off umpteen times while I've been reading this, I have managed to remain peaceful and not get stressed about it.
Abram was a cool dude and wise in his old years, taking everything in his stride, letting nothing phase him and always seems to be striving for the path to reconciliation and peace.
'Let it be'
Bye for now
Thursday 15 February 2018
You're never too old
14/2/2018
Yes it's valentines day and we're both stick at home with the weather wet and windy outside. I'll leave the rest of Ch 11 & 12 for now because nothing particularly exiting happens; just more ancestry So now Abram's father had died and Abram was 75 when God told him to lave his country and blindly go where he was led by God. I sometimes wish God would have a clear word to me, as to where I am to go and what I was to do. Abram was led first to Canaan, where Gold told him he would have the land and many decedents there. So Abram built an alter and on to Bethel and Ai on the east. Then southwards to Negeb. At that time there was a famine in the land (you'd think that may be God would lead them away from the famine, but that's just me!) and Abram went to Egypt to live. Now his wife Sarai was very beautiful and Abram feared the Egyptians would want to kill him in order to have her; so he asked her to say she was his sister. now I suddenly see a chink in Abram's Armour. His fear of the Egyptians caused him to lie and mistrust God (so he is human after all). o Abram an entourage got escorted out of Egypt when pharaoh found out, because all his cattle and crops were dying. So Adios Egypt and back to the Negeb and then back to Bethel and Ai. There Abram and Lot parted company because they were both rich now and needed a lot of land so. Abram seeming the wisest of them all said lets split up and you choose wherever you want to go and I'll go the other way. It seems to me that Abram seemed to understand God better and I think it'd because of his unending trust and his constant worship; setting up shrines wherever he went probably gave him the better part. God told Abram after Lot had left. to look anywhere he could see and that would be the inheritance for him and his family.
Seems like I need to build a few alters and pray and worship more to find out what God wants for my life.
Bye for now
Yes it's valentines day and we're both stick at home with the weather wet and windy outside. I'll leave the rest of Ch 11 & 12 for now because nothing particularly exiting happens; just more ancestry So now Abram's father had died and Abram was 75 when God told him to lave his country and blindly go where he was led by God. I sometimes wish God would have a clear word to me, as to where I am to go and what I was to do. Abram was led first to Canaan, where Gold told him he would have the land and many decedents there. So Abram built an alter and on to Bethel and Ai on the east. Then southwards to Negeb. At that time there was a famine in the land (you'd think that may be God would lead them away from the famine, but that's just me!) and Abram went to Egypt to live. Now his wife Sarai was very beautiful and Abram feared the Egyptians would want to kill him in order to have her; so he asked her to say she was his sister. now I suddenly see a chink in Abram's Armour. His fear of the Egyptians caused him to lie and mistrust God (so he is human after all). o Abram an entourage got escorted out of Egypt when pharaoh found out, because all his cattle and crops were dying. So Adios Egypt and back to the Negeb and then back to Bethel and Ai. There Abram and Lot parted company because they were both rich now and needed a lot of land so. Abram seeming the wisest of them all said lets split up and you choose wherever you want to go and I'll go the other way. It seems to me that Abram seemed to understand God better and I think it'd because of his unending trust and his constant worship; setting up shrines wherever he went probably gave him the better part. God told Abram after Lot had left. to look anywhere he could see and that would be the inheritance for him and his family.
Seems like I need to build a few alters and pray and worship more to find out what God wants for my life.
Bye for now
Wednesday 7 February 2018
Curses
30/1/2018
Noah had three sons; Shem, Ham and Japheth. all the nation of the earth came from these three sons. So I wonder if I could trace my ancestry back to one of them. Noah was a farmer and had a vineyard. He fell asleep drunk in his tent one day and Ham happened to come across him. Immediately he went out and told his brothers who walked in backwards with a blanket to cover Noah's nakedness. When Noah knew of what had happened he cursed Ham's descendants, (which personally I thought was a bit harsh). 'May they be the lowest of slaves'. But to Shem and Japheth he said 'God bless Shem and may Canaan be his slave. God bless Japheth and let him share the prosperity of Shem' Just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then we have a long list of descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth. One of the sons of Japheth was Gomer. (I can't help thinking of the Addams family) the Magog (I'm sure there is a Welsh or old story about Gog and Magog)
There are a few names that stand out to me in Shem, Ham and Japheth' s families Nimrod was the first of the kings and was known for being a great hunter. I don't know how his name became a derogatory slang word for an idiot. For the full list read Ch 10. It would be interesting to those of similar names.
I have jumped out of order a bit and be will be jumping gain in my next blog. I just wonder about Adam and Eve now and how does this affect their story. Is sin eradicated now and do we have a fresh start without sin? Something else to ponder.
Bye for now
Noah had three sons; Shem, Ham and Japheth. all the nation of the earth came from these three sons. So I wonder if I could trace my ancestry back to one of them. Noah was a farmer and had a vineyard. He fell asleep drunk in his tent one day and Ham happened to come across him. Immediately he went out and told his brothers who walked in backwards with a blanket to cover Noah's nakedness. When Noah knew of what had happened he cursed Ham's descendants, (which personally I thought was a bit harsh). 'May they be the lowest of slaves'. But to Shem and Japheth he said 'God bless Shem and may Canaan be his slave. God bless Japheth and let him share the prosperity of Shem' Just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then we have a long list of descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth. One of the sons of Japheth was Gomer. (I can't help thinking of the Addams family) the Magog (I'm sure there is a Welsh or old story about Gog and Magog)
There are a few names that stand out to me in Shem, Ham and Japheth' s families Nimrod was the first of the kings and was known for being a great hunter. I don't know how his name became a derogatory slang word for an idiot. For the full list read Ch 10. It would be interesting to those of similar names.
I have jumped out of order a bit and be will be jumping gain in my next blog. I just wonder about Adam and Eve now and how does this affect their story. Is sin eradicated now and do we have a fresh start without sin? Something else to ponder.
Bye for now
Tuesday 6 February 2018
Teething problems
6/2/2018
Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, I've been having problems with my teeth and the nerves in my face. I have to wait a couple of months to see a specialist at a mia facial pain (Don't think I've spelt that right) clinic but it's at a hospital; near me and hopefully it won't take as long as they said, but in meantime I'm on pain killers so I'm not exactly with it at the moment. So I will leave the Journey through Genesis until I'm compos mentis. again
Bye for now
Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, I've been having problems with my teeth and the nerves in my face. I have to wait a couple of months to see a specialist at a mia facial pain (Don't think I've spelt that right) clinic but it's at a hospital; near me and hopefully it won't take as long as they said, but in meantime I'm on pain killers so I'm not exactly with it at the moment. So I will leave the Journey through Genesis until I'm compos mentis. again
Bye for now
Tuesday 30 January 2018
Believe it or not
30/1/2018
Nearer to my Dental appointment. I never thought I'd see the day when I would say I'm looking forward to seeing the dentist. But I have been waiting a month and still have to wait till the end of February to possibly have root canal work on my teeth. Meanwhile I have to take painkillers which don't do much. Back to the book of God. It occurred to me for the first time yesterday; who wrote it? There was no-one around who could even speak let alone write, so I did what most people go to these days and look it up on Google and Wikipedia. The prevailing consensus is Moses. I've come to the conclusion that you either have to believe it or not. I guess it gives meaning to life a little bit if you believe and nothing makes any sense if you don't. The first time I heard Jesus died for me. I accepted it without question. My only concern was; why me ; I didn't deserve it and I still feel that way today. I guess that's why I read the Bible every day to try and understand but also to get it rooted into my life so I can go back to my first love; when everything seemed so real and I really felt God's presence inside. Now it's more an intellectual exercise. It could be about getting older, but I don't think I'm any wiser that's for sure.
We'll come back to Noah in my next post. I just wanted to put this out there today.
Bye for now
Nearer to my Dental appointment. I never thought I'd see the day when I would say I'm looking forward to seeing the dentist. But I have been waiting a month and still have to wait till the end of February to possibly have root canal work on my teeth. Meanwhile I have to take painkillers which don't do much. Back to the book of God. It occurred to me for the first time yesterday; who wrote it? There was no-one around who could even speak let alone write, so I did what most people go to these days and look it up on Google and Wikipedia. The prevailing consensus is Moses. I've come to the conclusion that you either have to believe it or not. I guess it gives meaning to life a little bit if you believe and nothing makes any sense if you don't. The first time I heard Jesus died for me. I accepted it without question. My only concern was; why me ; I didn't deserve it and I still feel that way today. I guess that's why I read the Bible every day to try and understand but also to get it rooted into my life so I can go back to my first love; when everything seemed so real and I really felt God's presence inside. Now it's more an intellectual exercise. It could be about getting older, but I don't think I'm any wiser that's for sure.
We'll come back to Noah in my next post. I just wanted to put this out there today.
Bye for now
Monday 29 January 2018
New Beginnings
29/1/2018
So now the earth has a new beginning. Will we mess it up again? Noah was 600 years old when he and all his family and all the animals chosen, went into the boast and it rained for 40 days and nights. the boat lift high above the earth with the boat floating safely on it. All existence on earth was blotted out except for everything on the boat. God didn't forget Noah and sent a wind to blow across the earth and the waters started to subside. 150 days after the rains had begun the boat rested on Mount Ararat. Another 3 months later other mountain peaks appeared. After another 40 days Noah sent a dove out of one of the windows and it came back not finding anywhere to rest. After another week Noah tried again and this time the dove returned with an olive leaf in its beak after one more week Nosh released the bird again and this time it didn't come back indicating that there was enough earth for the bird to find a home. After another 29 days Noah opened the door to look and the water was gone. Eight more weeks went by (Gee Noah must have been a very patient man). Then at last the earth was dry. Finally God said Noah could go out and release all the cargo. Noah built an alter to praise Go, sacrificing some animals on it and God was pleased. God promised never to flood the earth like that again and promised always Springtime, Harvest, Cold and Heat, Winter and summer, Day and night. Even though mankind's inclination is always for evil. So even though God acknowledges that mankind is still prone to be bad He let us go our own way anyway blessing everyone and thing with the command to repopulate the earth. And as we all know the sign He gave us to fulfil His promise was the rainbow. So we have our new beginning but still with the precursor to not get Evil again. I wonder what those first few days were after the flood (are we back to incest again with only one family to populate the whole world)?
Well keep pondering
Bye for now
So now the earth has a new beginning. Will we mess it up again? Noah was 600 years old when he and all his family and all the animals chosen, went into the boast and it rained for 40 days and nights. the boat lift high above the earth with the boat floating safely on it. All existence on earth was blotted out except for everything on the boat. God didn't forget Noah and sent a wind to blow across the earth and the waters started to subside. 150 days after the rains had begun the boat rested on Mount Ararat. Another 3 months later other mountain peaks appeared. After another 40 days Noah sent a dove out of one of the windows and it came back not finding anywhere to rest. After another week Noah tried again and this time the dove returned with an olive leaf in its beak after one more week Nosh released the bird again and this time it didn't come back indicating that there was enough earth for the bird to find a home. After another 29 days Noah opened the door to look and the water was gone. Eight more weeks went by (Gee Noah must have been a very patient man). Then at last the earth was dry. Finally God said Noah could go out and release all the cargo. Noah built an alter to praise Go, sacrificing some animals on it and God was pleased. God promised never to flood the earth like that again and promised always Springtime, Harvest, Cold and Heat, Winter and summer, Day and night. Even though mankind's inclination is always for evil. So even though God acknowledges that mankind is still prone to be bad He let us go our own way anyway blessing everyone and thing with the command to repopulate the earth. And as we all know the sign He gave us to fulfil His promise was the rainbow. So we have our new beginning but still with the precursor to not get Evil again. I wonder what those first few days were after the flood (are we back to incest again with only one family to populate the whole world)?
Well keep pondering
Bye for now
Saturday 27 January 2018
Bye Bye old earth hello new
27/1/2018
Meanwhile back in the boat or Ark as it is sometimes called all the animals and Noah and his family got cosy and stayed put as the storm raged outside, and water sprung from the earth. Now I've been on a few ferries. The first one to Ireland from Fishguard was very rough and I hung onto a toilet for practically 2 hours (well all the way). So I find it very difficult to imagine being on a boat with all those animals for 40 days or even longer. As far as I know they had no scrabble or cards ,sick bags, TV, GPS or WI/FI so what did they do all those days except look after the animals, eat sleep and have sex again. I can't imagine how they kept the carnivores from eating the others. I've seen floods on the TV in Africa and various other places prone to flooding but apparently this flood was so bad that nothing remained except that Ark that stayed on top of it. It's like we have to forget about Adam and Eve because we're starting all over again. The water destroyed everything except those in the Ark, covering the earth for 150 days.
Wouldn't we all like to have a clean slate sometimes and start all over again vowing not to make the same mistakes again. Most of us try to do this every year for our New Year resolutions. For a handful of people it works but the majority of us give up after a very short time and go back to our old ways.
Keep tuned to see what happened to the New Earth and New Beginnings.
Bye for now
Meanwhile back in the boat or Ark as it is sometimes called all the animals and Noah and his family got cosy and stayed put as the storm raged outside, and water sprung from the earth. Now I've been on a few ferries. The first one to Ireland from Fishguard was very rough and I hung onto a toilet for practically 2 hours (well all the way). So I find it very difficult to imagine being on a boat with all those animals for 40 days or even longer. As far as I know they had no scrabble or cards ,sick bags, TV, GPS or WI/FI so what did they do all those days except look after the animals, eat sleep and have sex again. I can't imagine how they kept the carnivores from eating the others. I've seen floods on the TV in Africa and various other places prone to flooding but apparently this flood was so bad that nothing remained except that Ark that stayed on top of it. It's like we have to forget about Adam and Eve because we're starting all over again. The water destroyed everything except those in the Ark, covering the earth for 150 days.
Wouldn't we all like to have a clean slate sometimes and start all over again vowing not to make the same mistakes again. Most of us try to do this every year for our New Year resolutions. For a handful of people it works but the majority of us give up after a very short time and go back to our old ways.
Keep tuned to see what happened to the New Earth and New Beginnings.
Bye for now
Thursday 25 January 2018
The greatest flood and incest again
25/1/2018
I've been reading Walter Wangerin's Book The Book of God The Bible as a novel and a light bulb went off in my head, when I read 0n page 505. 'The priests who serve in Jerusalem..... offer polluted food' 'How have we polluted it?' ask the priests. 'By your hearts! You offer blind animals. You sacrifice the sick and the lame to me.' I suddenly remembered Cain and Abel's offerings. Abel lovingly chose the finest fattiest cuts of meat, but I guess Cain just must have begrudgingly gave of his crops what was required. Just a guess It's the thought that counts as they say.
Anyway back to the population explosion. I guess people got a bit too carried away with sex. Even the angles took part and Giants grew out of their participation of sex with women. God became sorry that He made people because He saw the extent of their wickedness. It broke his heart. Just like when we start a drawing and see all the proportions going wrong; we tend to rub it out and start all over again. That's what God decided to do' I will blot out from the face of the earth all mankind that I created; yes and the animals too and the reptiles and birds. for I am sorry I made them.' Only Noah was a pleasure to the Lord. God considered him to be the only true righteous man living on the earth. He said to Noah 'I have decided to destroy mankind from the earth. Make a boat 150 metres long, 25 metres wide and 15 metres high with skylights all the way around half a metre below the roof. Make three decks and a door in the side. Bring a pair of each kind of every animal- a male and a female - into the boat with you and your family. Bring a pair of each kind of bird and reptile too and also all the food that you will all need for I am going to cover the earth with a flood and destroy everything except what's in the boat. We come back to incest again, but what do I know about how animal's reproduce?Get ready for the biggest storm the world has ever known. This flood is written about in many folklores and cultures. Stay tuned to what happened to them all.
Bye for now
I've been reading Walter Wangerin's Book The Book of God The Bible as a novel and a light bulb went off in my head, when I read 0n page 505. 'The priests who serve in Jerusalem..... offer polluted food' 'How have we polluted it?' ask the priests. 'By your hearts! You offer blind animals. You sacrifice the sick and the lame to me.' I suddenly remembered Cain and Abel's offerings. Abel lovingly chose the finest fattiest cuts of meat, but I guess Cain just must have begrudgingly gave of his crops what was required. Just a guess It's the thought that counts as they say.
Anyway back to the population explosion. I guess people got a bit too carried away with sex. Even the angles took part and Giants grew out of their participation of sex with women. God became sorry that He made people because He saw the extent of their wickedness. It broke his heart. Just like when we start a drawing and see all the proportions going wrong; we tend to rub it out and start all over again. That's what God decided to do' I will blot out from the face of the earth all mankind that I created; yes and the animals too and the reptiles and birds. for I am sorry I made them.' Only Noah was a pleasure to the Lord. God considered him to be the only true righteous man living on the earth. He said to Noah 'I have decided to destroy mankind from the earth. Make a boat 150 metres long, 25 metres wide and 15 metres high with skylights all the way around half a metre below the roof. Make three decks and a door in the side. Bring a pair of each kind of every animal- a male and a female - into the boat with you and your family. Bring a pair of each kind of bird and reptile too and also all the food that you will all need for I am going to cover the earth with a flood and destroy everything except what's in the boat. We come back to incest again, but what do I know about how animal's reproduce?Get ready for the biggest storm the world has ever known. This flood is written about in many folklores and cultures. Stay tuned to what happened to them all.
Bye for now
Wednesday 24 January 2018
East of Eden or the first Eastenders I guess
24/1/2018
I wish that when I was born someone could have just handed me a list of my descendants. It would save a lot of trouble doing family searches now. But here in this EastEnders story they automatically recorded either by writing or word of mouth who knows, but Ch 5 lists Adams descendants. There is a theory that we were all descended from him. Wouldn't that be cool to be able to go back that far, almost the beginning of time. Here's the list of begats. Adam begat Seth when he was 130 years old and lived on for another 800 years producing other sons and daughters Seth was 105 when his son Enosh was born and Seth lived another 807 years. We wonder how they lived so long? People say your old at 80 now. What did he do for 800 years except produce more sons and daughters and died at 912. Enosh had a son Kenan when he was 90 and again produced other sons and daughters and died at 905. notice only the first born son's name is ever mentioned not the others. etc. etc. Kenan begat Mahalel who begat Jared (he's in 'Neighbours' now) Jared begat Enoch He's the first that was mentioned as being taken by God rather than dying it just said he disappeared after being in constant communication with God Enoch bore Methusalah I write that in Italics because I believe he's very important later on. Methuselah begat Lamech who begat Noah when he was 182. Noah means 'Relief as Lamech said ' He will bring us relief from the hard work of farming this Ground, cursed by God due to Adam and Eve's disobedience. Lamech like the others lived a long life and died at 777 after producing sons and daughters. Noah was 500 years old when he had three sons Shem, Ham and Japheth. So I guess they had so many kids and lived so long because it was their job to populate the earth, obeying God's commandment to go forth and multiply. Perhaps this is saying that if you have lots of kids and a good sex life you will live a long time. Who knows but we now have the problem of a population explosion, and I guess you all know how God dealt with that or do you?
Stay tuned
Bye for now
I wish that when I was born someone could have just handed me a list of my descendants. It would save a lot of trouble doing family searches now. But here in this EastEnders story they automatically recorded either by writing or word of mouth who knows, but Ch 5 lists Adams descendants. There is a theory that we were all descended from him. Wouldn't that be cool to be able to go back that far, almost the beginning of time. Here's the list of begats. Adam begat Seth when he was 130 years old and lived on for another 800 years producing other sons and daughters Seth was 105 when his son Enosh was born and Seth lived another 807 years. We wonder how they lived so long? People say your old at 80 now. What did he do for 800 years except produce more sons and daughters and died at 912. Enosh had a son Kenan when he was 90 and again produced other sons and daughters and died at 905. notice only the first born son's name is ever mentioned not the others. etc. etc. Kenan begat Mahalel who begat Jared (he's in 'Neighbours' now) Jared begat Enoch He's the first that was mentioned as being taken by God rather than dying it just said he disappeared after being in constant communication with God Enoch bore Methusalah I write that in Italics because I believe he's very important later on. Methuselah begat Lamech who begat Noah when he was 182. Noah means 'Relief as Lamech said ' He will bring us relief from the hard work of farming this Ground, cursed by God due to Adam and Eve's disobedience. Lamech like the others lived a long life and died at 777 after producing sons and daughters. Noah was 500 years old when he had three sons Shem, Ham and Japheth. So I guess they had so many kids and lived so long because it was their job to populate the earth, obeying God's commandment to go forth and multiply. Perhaps this is saying that if you have lots of kids and a good sex life you will live a long time. Who knows but we now have the problem of a population explosion, and I guess you all know how God dealt with that or do you?
Stay tuned
Bye for now
Tuesday 23 January 2018
Bigamy and Civilisation
23/1/2018
So Cain is wandering around and finds himself in the land of Nod (East of Eden; Sounds like a good name for a book). Cain's wife bore him a baby son Enoch and also named a city after him. Then we go through a 'who do you think you are Enoch father of Irad the father of Mehujael;the father of Methusael father of Lamech. The first mention of bigamy Lamech had 2 wives Adah and Zillah To Adah was born a baby named Jabel who became the first of the cattlemen and those living in tents. His brothers name was Jubal, the first musician and inventor of the harp and flute (guess that's where the word Jubilation stems from) and why we use music so much to celebrate. To Lamech's other wife Zillah was born Tubal-cain. the first foundry forging instruments of bronze and iron. So we've jumped the Bronze age and iron age as far as the history of the world or maybe just the history of the Middle East. After this Eve gave birth to another son, Seth meaning granted, because Eve said 'God has granted me another son for the one Cain killed' It was during this time that men first began to call themselves 'The lord's people'.
So we are getting a picture building of the beginnings of life on earth according to the Bible. My brain is a little fried now so I will leave us there for the time being, growing into a community of incest, Jealousy, murder , bigamy, Cattle, Metal workers and musicians like a story from EastEnders. Haven't heard any swear words yet that's the difference.
Bye for now
So Cain is wandering around and finds himself in the land of Nod (East of Eden; Sounds like a good name for a book). Cain's wife bore him a baby son Enoch and also named a city after him. Then we go through a 'who do you think you are Enoch father of Irad the father of Mehujael;the father of Methusael father of Lamech. The first mention of bigamy Lamech had 2 wives Adah and Zillah To Adah was born a baby named Jabel who became the first of the cattlemen and those living in tents. His brothers name was Jubal, the first musician and inventor of the harp and flute (guess that's where the word Jubilation stems from) and why we use music so much to celebrate. To Lamech's other wife Zillah was born Tubal-cain. the first foundry forging instruments of bronze and iron. So we've jumped the Bronze age and iron age as far as the history of the world or maybe just the history of the Middle East. After this Eve gave birth to another son, Seth meaning granted, because Eve said 'God has granted me another son for the one Cain killed' It was during this time that men first began to call themselves 'The lord's people'.
So we are getting a picture building of the beginnings of life on earth according to the Bible. My brain is a little fried now so I will leave us there for the time being, growing into a community of incest, Jealousy, murder , bigamy, Cattle, Metal workers and musicians like a story from EastEnders. Haven't heard any swear words yet that's the difference.
Bye for now
Sex lies and murder
23/1/2018
O.K. So now I have your attention we'll continue with Genesis Ch 4. First verse Adam had sexual intercourse with Eve. Who says the Bible is prudish. I heard from a minister yesterday that the first commandment God gave us was to go forth and multiply (actually I think it was don't eat the fruit), anyway we come bask to that same question. There must have been other men and women around or we are looking at incest. First born was Cain meaning 'I have created' (well with a bit of help from Adam and God). Next came Abel. Cain was a farmer and Abel a shepherd. In our schools and churches at Harvest time we always sing 'We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land' and we have a great display of vegetables sometimes flowers. We have a baker in our church who always makes that display bread of a harvest sheath of wheat. At Harvest in the beginning Cain gave farm produce as a gift to God from his fields and Abel the best fatty cuts of meat from his lambs. Now this confuses me again. Why did God accept Abel's offering and not Cain's? This made Cain angry and God said 'why are you angry?. You're face could be bright with joy if you do what you should. Duh??? What was Cain supposed to do that he didn't and Abel did. I scratch my head in wonder and think no wonder I'm a very anxious person because I don't know if I'm doing the right thing half the time too. You'd think God would tell him what he did wrong to put it right. So we have our first murder. Cain was so angry that he killed Abel. This is where the old saying 'am I my brothers keeper' comes from; as that was Cain's reply to God when he asked him where Abel was. So God punishes Cain, by making him a fugitive and a tramp wandering the earth and not getting any food from the soil no matter how hard he works. God puts a mark on Cain to stop other people from attacking him and sends him out of his presence to the land of Nod? puzzled again, where did this land come from?
Stay tuned for the next thrilling instalment.
Bye for now
O.K. So now I have your attention we'll continue with Genesis Ch 4. First verse Adam had sexual intercourse with Eve. Who says the Bible is prudish. I heard from a minister yesterday that the first commandment God gave us was to go forth and multiply (actually I think it was don't eat the fruit), anyway we come bask to that same question. There must have been other men and women around or we are looking at incest. First born was Cain meaning 'I have created' (well with a bit of help from Adam and God). Next came Abel. Cain was a farmer and Abel a shepherd. In our schools and churches at Harvest time we always sing 'We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land' and we have a great display of vegetables sometimes flowers. We have a baker in our church who always makes that display bread of a harvest sheath of wheat. At Harvest in the beginning Cain gave farm produce as a gift to God from his fields and Abel the best fatty cuts of meat from his lambs. Now this confuses me again. Why did God accept Abel's offering and not Cain's? This made Cain angry and God said 'why are you angry?. You're face could be bright with joy if you do what you should. Duh??? What was Cain supposed to do that he didn't and Abel did. I scratch my head in wonder and think no wonder I'm a very anxious person because I don't know if I'm doing the right thing half the time too. You'd think God would tell him what he did wrong to put it right. So we have our first murder. Cain was so angry that he killed Abel. This is where the old saying 'am I my brothers keeper' comes from; as that was Cain's reply to God when he asked him where Abel was. So God punishes Cain, by making him a fugitive and a tramp wandering the earth and not getting any food from the soil no matter how hard he works. God puts a mark on Cain to stop other people from attacking him and sends him out of his presence to the land of Nod? puzzled again, where did this land come from?
Stay tuned for the next thrilling instalment.
Bye for now
Saturday 20 January 2018
The serpant or trouble in paradise
Saturday 20/1/2018
The last post left us in paradise. Not a care in the world. No worry about shopping, just pick the fruit off the trees as you ramble by. Not scared of any animals because we are in control of them. But suddenly like the snake in 'The Jungle Book' A speaking serpent appears on the scene. Now where did it come from? God must have made it, when he/she made all the other animals and saw that it was good. God made it and it came to the woman (still no name) and said 'Really? Now of the fruit of the garden you mustn't eat any of it?'. the woman said 'Of course we may eat it. It's only the fruit from the tree at the centre of the garden that we are not to eat. God say's we mustn't eat it or we will die'
Now I've looked up the word Serpent in the Oxford English dictionary and there doesn't seem to be a difference between a serpent and a snake. so effectively it was a snake before God turned it into a snake. Never the less a talking one whom god allowed to call God as liar. 'That's a lie. You'll, not die. God knows the very instant you eat it you will become like him (we have a gender for God now so we'll stick with it), for your eyes will be opened- you will be able to distinguish good from evil.
It didn't take much convincing for the woman to believe the serpent over God. She liked the look of the fruit and liked the idea of it making her wise, so she ate the fruit and gave it to the man to eat too.
That's when it all started to go pear shaped (or apple). Up till then they were nudists and suddenly they became aware of their nakedness and fear entered in. They tried to hide from God and cover their nakedness because they felt ashamed. God called to Adam (hey we have his name) 'Why are you hiding?' as if he didn't know already. Adam said 'I heard you coming and didn't want you to see me naked, so I hid'. 'Who told you you were naked? Have you eaten fruit from the tree I warned you about? Adam admits but blames the woman and she blames the Serpent. So serpents were punished to crawl the rest of their days on their bellies and women were cursed with agonising childbirth and Adam would have to work the cursed ground toiling and sweating. eventually returning to the ground where he came. The man named his wife Eve.(finally we have her name at the end of ch 3) The life giving one for she will become the mother of mankind. And for the first time God clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins so that was the first record of animal killing and the end of vegetarianism too.
So they were banned from the garden fearing that they would become immortal and the entrance to the Tree of life is guarded by Angles and a mighty sword. End of Paradise. Hello to toil and woe.
Bye for now stay tuned
The last post left us in paradise. Not a care in the world. No worry about shopping, just pick the fruit off the trees as you ramble by. Not scared of any animals because we are in control of them. But suddenly like the snake in 'The Jungle Book' A speaking serpent appears on the scene. Now where did it come from? God must have made it, when he/she made all the other animals and saw that it was good. God made it and it came to the woman (still no name) and said 'Really? Now of the fruit of the garden you mustn't eat any of it?'. the woman said 'Of course we may eat it. It's only the fruit from the tree at the centre of the garden that we are not to eat. God say's we mustn't eat it or we will die'
Now I've looked up the word Serpent in the Oxford English dictionary and there doesn't seem to be a difference between a serpent and a snake. so effectively it was a snake before God turned it into a snake. Never the less a talking one whom god allowed to call God as liar. 'That's a lie. You'll, not die. God knows the very instant you eat it you will become like him (we have a gender for God now so we'll stick with it), for your eyes will be opened- you will be able to distinguish good from evil.
It didn't take much convincing for the woman to believe the serpent over God. She liked the look of the fruit and liked the idea of it making her wise, so she ate the fruit and gave it to the man to eat too.
That's when it all started to go pear shaped (or apple). Up till then they were nudists and suddenly they became aware of their nakedness and fear entered in. They tried to hide from God and cover their nakedness because they felt ashamed. God called to Adam (hey we have his name) 'Why are you hiding?' as if he didn't know already. Adam said 'I heard you coming and didn't want you to see me naked, so I hid'. 'Who told you you were naked? Have you eaten fruit from the tree I warned you about? Adam admits but blames the woman and she blames the Serpent. So serpents were punished to crawl the rest of their days on their bellies and women were cursed with agonising childbirth and Adam would have to work the cursed ground toiling and sweating. eventually returning to the ground where he came. The man named his wife Eve.(finally we have her name at the end of ch 3) The life giving one for she will become the mother of mankind. And for the first time God clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins so that was the first record of animal killing and the end of vegetarianism too.
So they were banned from the garden fearing that they would become immortal and the entrance to the Tree of life is guarded by Angles and a mighty sword. End of Paradise. Hello to toil and woe.
Bye for now stay tuned
Thursday 18 January 2018
The first woman
19/1/2018
Are you still wandering around a fabulous garden eating fruit all on your own. God said 'It isn't good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs'. It was then that the animals were formed from the earth, but the man was still alone. God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and he took a rib from his cage and formed it into a woman. When Adam (now his name is mentioned) saw the woman (name not mentioned) He said something like 'Wow' 'This is it. This is what I have been waiting for' Now the next sentence I find very strange because Adam says 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife in such a way as two become one'. Whoa, hold your horses where did parents and wives and husbands suddenly come from? How can the first man say about the first woman this is why all men leave their parents to become one with the woman. This supports my idea that there were other people (male and female)made at the same time as Adam. In fact whole communities quickly established for this statement to be made other wise we're back to incest again.
Well there you have it Sky , Seas, Earth, a beautiful garden in a sinless world with vegetarian animals and 2 vegetarian humans to start off the whole business of life on earth. What could be better and what could go wrong? The couple have all the animals at their command and all the fruit to pick off the trees to eat and they have each other.
Another days ponder of the idyllic life. Bliss!!!!
Stay tuned for what happens next.
Bye for now
Are you still wandering around a fabulous garden eating fruit all on your own. God said 'It isn't good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs'. It was then that the animals were formed from the earth, but the man was still alone. God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and he took a rib from his cage and formed it into a woman. When Adam (now his name is mentioned) saw the woman (name not mentioned) He said something like 'Wow' 'This is it. This is what I have been waiting for' Now the next sentence I find very strange because Adam says 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife in such a way as two become one'. Whoa, hold your horses where did parents and wives and husbands suddenly come from? How can the first man say about the first woman this is why all men leave their parents to become one with the woman. This supports my idea that there were other people (male and female)made at the same time as Adam. In fact whole communities quickly established for this statement to be made other wise we're back to incest again.
Well there you have it Sky , Seas, Earth, a beautiful garden in a sinless world with vegetarian animals and 2 vegetarian humans to start off the whole business of life on earth. What could be better and what could go wrong? The couple have all the animals at their command and all the fruit to pick off the trees to eat and they have each other.
Another days ponder of the idyllic life. Bliss!!!!
Stay tuned for what happens next.
Bye for now
Wednesday 17 January 2018
Gen chapter 2
Carrying on from yesterday's change to the blog from problem swallowing although it's now developed into problem Neuralgia; I will continue with Genesis. Chapter 2 is almost like a new story. It summarises the creation of the earth, sort of starting with day3 and skips over the very beginning of light and dark and it doesn't mention creation of life. Straight to planting a garden in Eden, to the East and says placing the man he had formed from dust in the garden to tend it; a Gardner. Then it mentions all the fruit trees and the Tree of life in the centre (also the Tree of conscience giving knowledge good and bad). A river watered the garden then divided 4 ways ; the Pishon winding the entire length of Havilah (Babalonia) where nuggets of pure gold were found and other precious stones. The second ;Gishon crossing all of Cush; the third; Tigris flowing to the city of Asher and the 4th the Euphratres. I'm not entirely sure why we are given this geographical information and I as far as I am aware still no-one knows exactly where the garden of Eden is or was. God gave the man (don't know his name at this point) one job to do, to look after the garden and 'you may eat of any fruit in the garden except fruit from the Tree of Conscience- for it's fruit will open your eyes and make you aware of right and wrong, good and bad. If you eat this fruit you will be doomed to die.'
I don't know about you but if someone tells me not to do something that's the first thing I go right ahead and do. It's human nature to be curious and adventurous. Why did God tempt us this way, if He didn't want us to know? It only makes sense, if you think He was testing the man's loyalty. But if there were no temptation there would be no sin unless the man obeyed God. Did God just want us to be yes people just doing everything He says without question? Imagine being all alone and having everything you need to live all the days of your life not knowing how long that may be and no-one to share it with; just the fruit trees.
Ponder that till the next time
Bye for now
I don't know about you but if someone tells me not to do something that's the first thing I go right ahead and do. It's human nature to be curious and adventurous. Why did God tempt us this way, if He didn't want us to know? It only makes sense, if you think He was testing the man's loyalty. But if there were no temptation there would be no sin unless the man obeyed God. Did God just want us to be yes people just doing everything He says without question? Imagine being all alone and having everything you need to live all the days of your life not knowing how long that may be and no-one to share it with; just the fruit trees.
Ponder that till the next time
Bye for now
Tuesday 16 January 2018
Day 4
16/1/2018
We're on to day 4 now and we have fruit, earth, seas and sky and grasses of every kind. Then God said 'Let there be lights in the sky to give light to the earth and to identify the day and the night; They shall bring about the seasons on the earth and mark the days and the years. Now we have time as we know it, but not till the third day so who knows how long we were without our 24 hour day and we don't even know for sure now if it meant 24 hours and 4 seasons. God made 2 huge lights in the sky; the Sun and the Moon. The larger one, the sun to preside over the day and the smaller, the moon to preside over the night; he also made the stars. And He was pleased again. So now on the 4th day we get our solar system so anyone trying to find out how the world began is unlikely to find it in the stars.
Day 5 God said 'Let the waters team with fish and other life and the skies be filled with birds. and told the sea creatures and birds to multiply and be blessed
Day 6 Now day 6 we start to get all kinds of wild animals, reptiles, cattle and again He was pleased. We don't know if at this time the wild animals ate meat or were carnivorous. Now it get's interesting. Still on day 6 with all the animals God decides to 'make a man' -' someone like ourselves, to be the master of all life on earth and the sky and seas. Notice He said let 'US' like OURSELVES' So there must be a spirit with us as is not in the animals. We are not just a body with no soul, but are like god in that we have a spirit and are made up of more than one entity. Women get a second hand glance in Ch 1; as it just says 'Like God did God make man. Man and maid did He make them'. Again he was pleased and just said go forth and multiply and subdue the earth. Now unless God was into incest at this time I'm at a loss as to how 2 people can populate the whole earth. I am just hypothesizing (Historians do it all the time why not me) that Adam and Eve were like prototypes and there were other people created at the same time. I leave you with that to think about.
Bye for now
We're on to day 4 now and we have fruit, earth, seas and sky and grasses of every kind. Then God said 'Let there be lights in the sky to give light to the earth and to identify the day and the night; They shall bring about the seasons on the earth and mark the days and the years. Now we have time as we know it, but not till the third day so who knows how long we were without our 24 hour day and we don't even know for sure now if it meant 24 hours and 4 seasons. God made 2 huge lights in the sky; the Sun and the Moon. The larger one, the sun to preside over the day and the smaller, the moon to preside over the night; he also made the stars. And He was pleased again. So now on the 4th day we get our solar system so anyone trying to find out how the world began is unlikely to find it in the stars.
Day 5 God said 'Let the waters team with fish and other life and the skies be filled with birds. and told the sea creatures and birds to multiply and be blessed
Day 6 Now day 6 we start to get all kinds of wild animals, reptiles, cattle and again He was pleased. We don't know if at this time the wild animals ate meat or were carnivorous. Now it get's interesting. Still on day 6 with all the animals God decides to 'make a man' -' someone like ourselves, to be the master of all life on earth and the sky and seas. Notice He said let 'US' like OURSELVES' So there must be a spirit with us as is not in the animals. We are not just a body with no soul, but are like god in that we have a spirit and are made up of more than one entity. Women get a second hand glance in Ch 1; as it just says 'Like God did God make man. Man and maid did He make them'. Again he was pleased and just said go forth and multiply and subdue the earth. Now unless God was into incest at this time I'm at a loss as to how 2 people can populate the whole earth. I am just hypothesizing (Historians do it all the time why not me) that Adam and Eve were like prototypes and there were other people created at the same time. I leave you with that to think about.
Bye for now
Genesis Chapter one
16/1/2018
I like the Living Bible so all the quotes unless stated otherwise will be from there.
We have trouble with the first few words because it says 'When God began creating'; we have to immediately believe that there is a God and He/She is the creator. Who or what is God? And where did he/she come from. Nobody knows and I doubt if they ever will in their lifetime. So for conventions sake we will assume that God is a man because later on it says He made man in His own image. So what did He do. well The Heaven and Earth? were at first a shapeless chaotic mass. we've suddenly gone from nothing already to there being a concept of a heaven and an earth; again we just have to pass on to the chaotic mass. Now someone or thing comes into the picture 'The Spirit of God was brooding over the dark vapours'. So God was not alone He had a Spirit. The phrase brooding gives ne pictures of pregnancy. I don't know about you.
Then God said 'Let there be light'. This couldn't have been light as we know daylight because that hadn't been invented yet. the light appears and God was pleased with it and divided the light from the darkness and let the light shine for a while and then there was darkness again. That's a bit I never noticed before. Could this have been the ice age, this period of darkness after the light? The light was divided from the darkness and called daytime and the darkness night time. this was the first day Reading through it again to type it up it occurs to me that this could be the makings of good and evil. we often refer to the darkness as Evil and the light good.
Day 2
'God said let the vapours separate to form the sky above and the oceans below.' O.K. we have a horizon of sorts
Day 3'Let the water beneath the sky be gathered into oceans to let dry land appear.' Then God named the dry land earth and the water seas. He was pleased again and said let the earth burst forth with every sort of grass and seed bearing plant and fruit trees with seeds inside the fruit, so that these will produce the kinds of plants and fruits they came from. So if you find your orange too pippy this is why. Guess what God was pleased with this again. I'll have to continue in my next blog.
I like the Living Bible so all the quotes unless stated otherwise will be from there.
We have trouble with the first few words because it says 'When God began creating'; we have to immediately believe that there is a God and He/She is the creator. Who or what is God? And where did he/she come from. Nobody knows and I doubt if they ever will in their lifetime. So for conventions sake we will assume that God is a man because later on it says He made man in His own image. So what did He do. well The Heaven and Earth? were at first a shapeless chaotic mass. we've suddenly gone from nothing already to there being a concept of a heaven and an earth; again we just have to pass on to the chaotic mass. Now someone or thing comes into the picture 'The Spirit of God was brooding over the dark vapours'. So God was not alone He had a Spirit. The phrase brooding gives ne pictures of pregnancy. I don't know about you.
Then God said 'Let there be light'. This couldn't have been light as we know daylight because that hadn't been invented yet. the light appears and God was pleased with it and divided the light from the darkness and let the light shine for a while and then there was darkness again. That's a bit I never noticed before. Could this have been the ice age, this period of darkness after the light? The light was divided from the darkness and called daytime and the darkness night time. this was the first day Reading through it again to type it up it occurs to me that this could be the makings of good and evil. we often refer to the darkness as Evil and the light good.
Day 2
'God said let the vapours separate to form the sky above and the oceans below.' O.K. we have a horizon of sorts
Day 3'Let the water beneath the sky be gathered into oceans to let dry land appear.' Then God named the dry land earth and the water seas. He was pleased again and said let the earth burst forth with every sort of grass and seed bearing plant and fruit trees with seeds inside the fruit, so that these will produce the kinds of plants and fruits they came from. So if you find your orange too pippy this is why. Guess what God was pleased with this again. I'll have to continue in my next blog.
Monday 15 January 2018
The way I see it
15/1/2018
Sorry Folks as I am now eating well;(I still have a little problem with thin drinks) I have decided to turn my attention to a new subject ; but I don't know how to change my Title. In 2017 our church asked us to read the Bible in a year and gave us certain passages to read and I found I was able to do it but I found that I didn't have the time to absorb what I was reading or think about it properly, so I decided to go back to the beginning and read the bible with my thoughts about the readings. It's about a chapter a day my way so it will take more than a year to do but it will make me think more. I'm not an academic and don't have any fancy qualifications or a degree. I'm just a humble Christian with the Holy Spirit for my guide.
It's kind of a new year resolution but it's not rigid.
Bye for now and keep posted for 'The way I see it'
Sorry Folks as I am now eating well;(I still have a little problem with thin drinks) I have decided to turn my attention to a new subject ; but I don't know how to change my Title. In 2017 our church asked us to read the Bible in a year and gave us certain passages to read and I found I was able to do it but I found that I didn't have the time to absorb what I was reading or think about it properly, so I decided to go back to the beginning and read the bible with my thoughts about the readings. It's about a chapter a day my way so it will take more than a year to do but it will make me think more. I'm not an academic and don't have any fancy qualifications or a degree. I'm just a humble Christian with the Holy Spirit for my guide.
It's kind of a new year resolution but it's not rigid.
Bye for now and keep posted for 'The way I see it'
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