Life Looks Different Now

In this chapter, Pharaoh officially grants Joseph and his family their request to settle in Egypt, in the land of Goshen. As the famine continues, citizens of Egypt and Canaan turn over their money, land, livestock and their freedom to Joseph in exchange for food. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This chapter tells the story of Jacob and his family's journey from Canaan to Egypt. The chapter includes Jacob's final meeting with God, and his reunion with  his beloved, long lost son, Joseph. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Joseph finally reveals his identity to his estranged brothers. Joseph's brothers then return to Canaan to tell their father Jacob that Joseph is alive and well. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

The 10 sons of Jacob and his beloved youngest son, Benjamin returned to Egypt to buy more grain and upon leaving Egypt they encountered a major obstacle.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain, once again. Jacob reluctantly agreed to allow his beloved son Benjamin to accompany them, sending a gift and double the money needed to buy the grain. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Jacob sends his ten oldest sons to Egypt to buy grain during a famine, unaware that the Egyptian official in charge of grain distribution is actually Joseph, his long-lost son whom the brothers had sold into slavery almost two decades prior. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Joseph's rise to power in Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This chapter describes Joseph's interpretation of dreams for two fellow prisoners, the chief cupbearer and chief baker, who were imprisoned by Pharaoh. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Genesis 39 depicts the trials and tribulations Joseph endured in Egypt, including being unjustly imprisoned for refusing to betray his master and sin against God.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

The saga continues. This chapter is of the sad story of the moral decline of Jacob’s family. The first three sons had disqualified themselves from leadership positions because of their sins. Reuben, the eldest, slept with Jacob’s concubine Bilhah. Simeon and Levi, the second and third sons, misused God’s holy name to commit mass murder and other crimes, now Judah, the fourth son went off on his own and married a Canaanite woman and had 3 sons. The two oldest ones were wicked resulted in God killing them. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

The chapter introduces Jacob’s favorite Joseph who is now seventeen years old. He was so hated by his older brothers they even sold him into slavery and tricked Jacob into believing his beloved son was dead. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This Chapter briefly describes  the genealogy of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, listing his wives, his sons, grandsons and the kings of Edom and the nations that came from Esau. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Jacob, now Israel buried all the false idols in within his people. Jacob sought God’s counsel and protection as he travels to Bethel with his family. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

 Jacob’s daughter with Leah, Dinah is raped by the son of ruler of the city of Shechem. To exact revenge and defend their sister's honor, Jacob's sons trick the men of the city into being circumcised and then slaughter all of them when they are recovering, plundering all the wealth of the people.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

After 20 years Jacob prepares to meet Esau with fear and humility, arranging his family into three groups and sending Esau a generous gift of livestock to appease him. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Jacob is returning home to Canaan, approaching Seir the land of in which his brother Esau lived, he  became fearful. He feared his brother Esau might attack him for having stolen his blessing, so he split his family into two groups, thinking if one were attacked, the other would survive. A prayer to the Lord was offered by Jacob, thanking God for His past care of him, and asking the Lord to protect him as he met his brother. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Jacob is commanded by God to return to Canaan, the land of his father Isaac. Jacob packs up his wife and children, all if his possessions and leaves without telling Laban, his father in law. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This chapter focuses on the narrative of Jacob’s family while highlighting the conflict between his sister wives Leah, and Rachel.  Jacob’s yearning to return to his native country and homeland led him to strike an unusual bargain with his father in law, Laban. The agreement resulted in Jacob achieving great wealth. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Jacob arrives in Haran, falls in love with his cousin Rachel. After working seven years to marry her, Jacob is tricked by his uncle into marrying the older daughter, Leah, instead. Laban allows Jacob to marry Rachel, as well, in exchange for another seven years' work.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Isaac blessed Jacob and instructed him to leave Beersheba and travel Jacob leaving home to travel to Paddan-aram, to his uncle Laban’s home to find a wife and escape his brother Esau's wrath:Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

In Genesis 27, we learn of the division in Isaac’s family resulted in Jacob and Rebecca deceiving Isaac in order to steal Esau’s blessing. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

In a time of famine, God commanded Isaac not to travel to Egypt for relief. Isaac obeys, just as his father had done. This passage emphasizes that Abraham's trust in God was demonstrated through his actions. God also restated  and emphasized the covenant promises He had made to Abraham are also for Isaac as  well.  Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Abraham took on another wife, had many more sons then died leaving his estate to his Isaac. Ishmael became the father of twelve sons then died. Isaac became a father of twins and the oldest twin sold his birth rough for a bowl of stew. OuchReading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

In Genesis 24, Abraham, nearing the end of his life, desires to secure a wife for his son Isaac. He fears that marrying a Canaanite woman would compromise their faith and heritage. He entrusts his most trusted servant with the task of traveling to Mesopotamia, where Abraham originated, to find a suitable wife for Isaac from his extended family.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Sarah dies and Abraham mourns for her and then purchases a cave near Mamre as a permanent family burial place in the land of Canaan. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Abraham’s faith in the Lord and his promises was tested when he was commanded to sacrifice his covenant son, only heir, long await child of 25 years, Isaac. When Abraham proved his faithfulness, the Lord spared Isaac’s life and provided a substitute sacrifice in form of a ram. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Abraham and Sarah finally conceived a child of their own. Isaac, the long-awaited child of the promise, is born. Sarah no longer saw the need for Hagar and Ishmael, and didn’t want her son Isaac to have to share his inheritance with his half brother. She demanded her husband to send Hagar and Ishmael out of their home. In obedience to God, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away.  King Abimelech approaches Abraham to make a treaty, giving Abraham a permanent home in a place that becomes known as Beersheba.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Once again Abraham and Sarah settle in Gerar on the way to the Negeb. While there, Abraham pretends that Sarah is his sister, and King Abimelech of Gerar takes Sarah for himself. But God warns Abimelech in a dream that he will die if he approaches Sarah; he must return Sarah to Abraham, who is a prophet and will pray for him.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This chapter demonstrates that no righteous people are to be found, as every man of Sodom tries to attack the angels in human form. God's judgment then falls, destroying everything in the area around Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife perished. Then Lot and his daughters proceeded to take refuge in a cave in the hills, where the daughters plot to conceive children by making their father drunk.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

In this chapter three messengers visit Abraham and tell him that Sarah will have a son within the year. The messengers also tell Abraham that they were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the wickedness of the cities' inhabitants.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

God further his promises to Abram and  the responsibilities pertaining to the Abrahamic covenant. In connection with this covenant, the Lord changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah. Circumcision became a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and all of his descendants.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Genesis 16 demonstrate an important contrast between man's proclivity to choose his own, sinful way and God's steadfastness. In this chapter Sarai and Abram attempt to receive God's promised child through their own scheme. In this case, by having Abram lay with an helpless Egyptian servant girl.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

In Chapter 15 God appeared to Abram once more. Abram desires offspring—The Lord promises him seed in number as the stars—Abram believes the promise— His descendants will be slaves in Egypt for many generations. Then, after four generations, they will inherit CanaanReading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This chapter is the tale of war between different kingdoms and the captivity of Lot, Abram’s nephew who was living near sodom and Gomorrah.  Abram then rallies a small army and goes to rescue Lot, successfully defeating the enemy and freeing the captive people.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Abram settles in Hebron and builds an altar to the LORD. God appeared to Abram and reaffirms the promise he has made to him. The promise includes both land and offspring to fill the land—two elements of a great nation. Yet, so far, Abram remains childless, which raises the question of how God will fulfill his promise.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

God instructs Abram to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation, to bless him, and to bless all families of the earth through him. And despite Abram's shortcomings endangering his wife Sarai, God remains faithful to His promise. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This chapter describes how God scattered the peoples of the world, confusing their language to stop the building of Babel and its tower.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Genesis Chapter 10 is sometimes called the table of nations. It describes the generations that followed from Noah's three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, along with the nations that came from them and the regions in which they settled after the Tower of Babel.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Table of nations:  the sons of Noah repopulate the Earth and formed  their own nations. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

After the flood and destruction of everything here on earth, God begins to dry out the earth. The waters receded, Noah and the animals finally leave after a year aboard, and Noah offers animal sacrifices in worship to God. God commits to never again strike down all life on earth at once.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Genesis chapter 7 recounts the torrential Flood that wiped out almost all of humanity. Only Noah, his wife, his three sons, their wives along side several pairs of animals of every species survived inside the ark.Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

In Genesis chapter 6 God declares His intentions to destroy every one on the land with a great flood to Noah. However, he will not wipe out His creation entirely. He will spare Noah and Noah's family. In addition, He will spare a male and female pair of every kind of bird, "creeping thing," and animal. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This chapter is the genealogy of Adam. It’s the family tree of the world. It describes the continuation of the human race beginning with Adam and ending with Noah and his three sons. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Genesis chapter 4 tells the tragic tale of two brothers, Cain and Abel. The story of how birth and death entered the world. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

This week we dive in Genesis chapter 3. This chapter is titled “The Fall” because it demonstrates how human kind blatantly disobeyed God’s commandment, which led to our falling  out of grace with God, our creator. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Have you ever read something and never really thought much about, then you read it again and something just clicks? I believe the more we read the word of God, the more we are likely to understand and apply its principles in our daily lives. Join me every Saturday at 3:00pm Eastern time in reading  one chapter of the Bible and reflecting upon God’s words. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God. 

Have you ever read something and never really thought much about, then you read it again and something just click?  This where I found myself this week while reading Genesis chapter 1. Join me every Saturday at 3:00pm Eastern time for Audio reading of  one chapter of the Bible and commentary. Reading, learning and growing by reading the word of God.