Well seeing as noone else has posted yet, I'll just be the first to post my "reflections" on Genesis 1 - 4...just as a side note, it took me all of 6 minutes to read 4 chapters! So we really have no excuse we don't have the time, do we? :)
I just wanted to share what verses spoke to me the most in reading these chapters, a few of my favourites were:
Ch 1:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. -
I just love the picture it puts in your mind of how God created man, you can just imagine God forming the dust into a man and almost feel him breathing His breath into man's soul...
Ch 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
- I think being a wife I love this verse because it makes you realise the purpose for what woman was initially created for - to be a "help meet" to their husbands. Helpmeet in Hebrew is actually the word "Ezer" - ie: I will make him an "Ezer". The Hebrew term "ezer" is actually based on an ancient word "azar." The Strongs Hebrew dictionary translates it as "to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help, succour.""Succour" means to be the one who gives assistance in a time of great difficulty. So - man was in a time of great difficulty and need someone to come to his assistance NOW! He needed an aid, help, assistance, that couldn't be found in any of the animals God had created. This why God specially created woman for this purpose. Of course not all women will marry, but if they do, and are following God's purpose for their lives, I think they will find much fulfillment in being a "help meet" to their husbands. Its a very special and important job :) Plus I love this saying ""God did not choose a piece of Adam's head, so that woman would be over him; nor did He select a piece from Adam's foot, so that he would step on her. Rather, our loving Creator chose man's rib, so that woman was taken from his side--to be his equal...from under his arm--to be protected by him...and from near his heart--to be loved by him."
Awww, how true :)
One thing I wanted to ask you guys what you thought meant was Genesis 4:23 "And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt." -
I thought I may have missed a verse somewhere or something, but do you think this is saying Lamech killed someone just as Cain murdered his brother? Cause it follows in the next verse If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. But I couldn't find where it said who he killed. I don't know why this is relevant, but its interesting anyway. Thoughts anyone?
Anyways, that's my 2 cents. Look forward to hearing your reflections soon :)
Nina
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Right, well... I was excited about reading the first 4 chapters. First thing I did when i got out of bed was reach for the weet bix and milk. And I ate. I was actually to tired to read. 2nd time round with the coffee I did it though. It was great. I like the verse you read bean.
ReplyDelete"Ch 1:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
I'm trying to imagine... far out. There's sandcastle making and then there's God's sandcastle making! Phew... Hey that would be a good camp activity, pretend your creating the first man in the sand? Be a bit of an anti climax though... Stupid idea really?
I thought about how Adam, Eve and the snake got punished. They all got a share didn't they. Man toiling the days of his life, Women great pains in childbirth. I can just imagine telling my son or daughter when my wife is in labour, "Son (or daughter), mums only screaming and in agony because of Mans first sin! We're still livin' with it!"
I am curious about the river running from Eden, splitting into the four rivers. Gen Ch2 vs 10 "A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was split into four headwaters." Being the Pishon, the Gihon, the Tigris and Euphrates. I wonder if we followed those rivers back to there origin wether we would be close to the Garden of Eden? What do you guys think?
Your thought about the killing nina. I'm not to sure either, its just randomly thrown in there. The only thing I can think of is the picture it gives that sin is slowly infecting more and more people? What does everyone else think?
Anyhow, I'm off to bed, this is gonna be one of the greatest things I've done with my life I think. Thanks to all who are a part of it.
Kresto
Hey guys great to see the site is up and running :)
ReplyDeleteI must remember to post my thoughts as soon as i have done the readings, i just re-read chapters 1-4! Not that i really minded!
It was also good because i realised i was only really surface reading and i wasn't taking much in, i didn't even pick up on that reference to Lamech! But now i am also perplexed and ntrigued by that passage. i tried googling it but all i could find was a jewish legend that names him as Cain's murderer, i don't know how reliable that is but i thought i'd share it with you anyway :)
I am really enjoying Genesis because it is such a powerful reminder of how awesome God is. He created an entire world that works in perfect harmony and it only took him SIX days! It is really sad that in this day and age man is beginning to feel superior and are more and more inclined to believe that they can survive without God's love.
I think these first two chapters are really beautiful because they show how much God cares about his creations. He has provided absolutely everything w could possibly need to have a satisfying and happy life. I really love that saying about why God made woman from the rib of man, Nina! It is so so true!
Hahaha i love the sandcastle analogy Kresto! and yes i wonder also if by following those four rivers we would come closer to eden, but surely its been tried before?! then again you never know, maybe the group could plan a trip! :P
well i'm so glad i'm on this journey with you guys, i think its a really special commitment we are making. and like you said Nina, it really doesn't take much time just the will to do it.
This is a trial. umm...
ReplyDeletedum de dum
ReplyDeleteok 4th try
ReplyDeleteok i think i've worked it out now...
ReplyDeleteHey everyone, i'm so glad we are doing this together, i think it's a really special commitment to God and it will no doubt be an amazing learning experience :)
I think that the first two chapters are a very powerful reminder of just how great our God is. He created a world so perfect and intricate that all works in such extraordinary harmony and it only took him SIX days! i mean it would've been amazing if it had taken him 600 years just the fact that he could create it is simply mind blowing.
i really love how God's love for us is demonstrated through these chapters. He has given us absolutely everything we could possible want or need to enjoy a full and happy life, why wouldn't we want to serve Him?! That passage about why he created woman is beautiful Nina and yes it is so so true :)
I was also perplexed and intrigued by the reference to Lamech. So i googled his name but all i could find was a Jewish legend that calls him the accidental murderer of Cain. I don't know how reliable that is but i thought i would share it with you anyways :)
I really like how there are random passages in the Bible like that because, even though they can be confusing, i think they strengthen the fact that the Bible is the word of God spoken through man, rather that an incredibly well planned out work of fiction. These passages help me because i'm still new to everything and sometimes i find it all very overwhelming and a part of me still needs convincing. and when i stumble across a passage like that a little more of my doubt is squashed and my faith is strengthened just because i can't imagine why someone who was simply writing a story would bother to include something like that!
And yes i wonder just what we would find if we followed those rivers Kresto, but surely in the 2000 years past others have tried, but then again you never know till you try so maybe the group should plan a trip, maybe as a celebration after April 15 2010 :P
A passage that really caught my attention was 4:9, when Cain challenges God and uses the phrase "my brothers keeper". I have come across this phrase a couple of times before and i really like how so many of our everyday sayings can be traced back to the Bible.
Well thats about all i have to say. I'm so excited about this and its really encouraging to see that you guys are enjoying this as much as i am!
hmmmmmmm...
ReplyDeletehave i finally figured it out...
ReplyDeletehey
ReplyDeleteYAY! WOW i dunno why but the site decided to like me!
ReplyDeleteok well i've written this message several times so now you guys can finally read my thought!
I'm so happy and excited that we are doing this together, i think it is a really special commitment to God and it will no doubt be an amazing learning experience.
I really love the first 2 chapters because i think they are a powerful reminder of how awesome God is. He created this perfect, incredibly intricate world in only SIX days! i mean it would have been amazing if it had taken Him 600 years, just the fact that He could create the earth and everything is mind blowing!
I also think God's love for us is demonstrated here beautifully. He has provided us with absolutely everything we could possibly want or need to lead a full and happy life, why wouldn't we want to serve Him? It seems so crazy now why anyone would doubt him yet only 3 months ago i myself didn't care!
That passage about why God created woman is beautiful Nina, and yes so so true :)
i was also perplexed and intrigued by the reference to Lamech, so i googled his name but all i could find was a Jewish legend that calls him the accidental murderer of Cain. I don't know how reliable that is nut i thought i'd share it with you anyway. And Mum suggested basically the same thing Kresto so maybe.
A passage that has really stuck with me is 4:9 when Cain challenges God and uses the phrase 'my brothers keeper'. i have come across this phrase many times before just in the everyday and i love how so many of our everyday sayings can be traced back to the bible. It has also stuck with me becase i think it is a very important thing to be aware of. Cain is a great demonstration of how dangerous it is to become too caught up in ourselves, it is just so important that we don't put ourselves before what God wants.
Anyways, i'm so glad i can finally share my thoughts with you and its really great to see everyone is enjoying this as much as i am!
just realised what i said about lamech sounds confusing, mum said basically the same thing you suggested kresto, not what the net said!
ReplyDeleteWow, wow. Ok, so I finally have a moment to comment on this amazing experience.. Firstly, I feel so blessed to have this experience to share with you guys, my friends. I love that it will be an opportunity for us to grow together, and together grow closer to God. Awesome...
ReplyDeleteThe first four chapters are probably some of the most significant, and debated verses in the entire world.... The very first verse blows the theory of evolution out of the water! 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...' Could it be any more black and white? I really don't think so.. But, perhaps it is just too easy. If scientists accepted this verse in the purity it stands, their reasons for exploring the universe for the origins of life would be futile.....the mystery is already solved, yet they still want a mystery to solve. One day, whether in this life or the next - they will understand that this verse (and every verse) is a gift. No need to question it.
I love how God did everything is such order... perhaps being an example to us for our lives. I love also that he rested on the 7th day. Work is good, but He knew our bodies need time for rest and restoration. I think sometimes in the business of this world, it is a challenge even to find one day to just be still.... Yet, it is something God established as important right from the beginning of the universe. I am speaking for myself more than anyone....perhaps in this life we need to find more moments to 'be still'... then perhaps we'd have more of ourselves to give on the other 6 days.
I am not sure about Lamech.. I've done some googling and opinion I've read is that he was a murderer (as we've established).........but I am not sure why it was almost a passing comment, rather than something that was elaborated on. Is it explained in any other Scriptures I wonder? Kimmy, you brought up some interesting thoughts about this... and Kresten. Perhaps this is something we can do some more research about, just out of interest sake I guess.
Yeah, Haste (aka Kresto).... that is something I’ve often thought about. Even today, the ripple effect of the fall is still felt every time a woman gives birth, and every time a man leaves for work (perhaps they don’t all ‘toil the field’ these days, but it surely is still a chore to go to work 5 days a week or more and the responsibility as breadwinner is normally man’s). I guess like the rainbow and God’s promise, having this to remind us that there are consequences to our actions....and the diversion man made from God’s original plan for humanity is important.
Well, seeing as this is my first post...and there are three more posts to comment on.... I'll close here. I hope you’re all finding the moments to read the chapters each day... Praying for you all. ~ Bec