Studying the book of Genesis

I have currently started (I'm on day 5) a 90 Day reading plan of the Bible which if you'd like to give it a try you can get it over at Bible.com. Just sign up and you can begin any number of reading plans or devotionals that you see fit. Also the site has the added benefit of having apps on all major smartphone/tablet devices. Although I have subscribed and follow the plan on my phone I do the reading out of my MacArthur Study Bible I purchased recently. It has a lot of helpful information but the thing to keep in mind about study bibles is that the stuff written underneath scripture is opinion while scripture is fact. My point is that you should seek the truth for yourself and don't always take people's opinion on Biblical themes. Be weary of opinionated contradictions to Biblical teachings within interpretations.

So last evening I finished the book of Genesis and all of it's 50 chapters. This is an interesting book that definitely warrants a few read-throughs! Here I wish to recap in an abridged outline the events that take place within the book of Genesis.

1. Creation
2. Adam and Eve
3. Abraham and the Abrahamic Covenant and his Act of Faith (almost sacrificing his son Isaac)
4. Soddom and Gomorah
5. Isaac and his sons Esau and Jacob, Jacob's Ladder
6. Joseph and the coat of many colors
7. And the Judah interlude

This is an extremely abridged outline as there is a lot of good stuff within this book as well as important genealogy (I know these are everyone's favorite verses to read) and themes. I'd like to offer some tips on getting through Genesis when you're reading it. The most helpful tip I can offer you, by far, is to pray before delving into scripture. Ask God to be with you as you read and to help you discern His message. Also when you are taking on an involved reading plan such as a 90 day reading plan (that is a lot of reading) it is important to stop about halfway through your scheduled chapters and reflect. Recap everything that has happened in your head and try to recall and add details then repeat that process at the end of your session. Even better if you actually take notes and write them down although that is not what I did unless you count this post.

I'd like to share with you a common theme I've noticed that persists throughout the Bible that I think a lot of people find misleading about God due to preconceived notions that we tend to develop about Him. As we think of an omnipotent God who is able to destroy entire cities (Soddom and Gomorah) and who can call forth rain to flood the entire earth we tend to misinterpret His philosophy of use of such power. The recurring theme is that God works through us. Throughout Genesis He interacts with His people but in instances motivated by evil intentions He does not send a fire ball to obliterate someone who steps on the toes of His people. The way the events unfold in these books suggest the notion of a God who walks with His people, it is as if He already knows the events that are to unfold. Joseph's brothers gave him to the Egyptians as a slave where he was eventually made second in rank only to the Pharaoh and overseer of all of Pharaoh's lands and resources. He worked through Joseph to do that because when he was asked to interpret the dreams of the Pharaoh he said it was God who interpreted the dreams. Not him but God. His own brothers plotted to kill him, but instead sold him, because of his favor in Jacob's eyes but God delivered him through those hard times according to His plan.

God works through us and those that He does not abide in are still free to do the evil in their hearts. So yes bad things can, do and will happen to good people, God's people, but we have to remember that He is with us. God is not afraid to use His great power like when he obliterated Soddom and Gomorah or when he flooded the earth but He instead guides us according to His plan. Life is made up of choices and trials but remembrance of how God walks with us through each choice and trial we face is key. If we believe and have faith in Him then He will deliver us through each one! The book of Job comes to mind, remember that God is with you and that no matter what trials you face it is highly unlikely that you face harder situations than Job and he was a very righteous man.