Genesis 1-9

I decided I wanted to study the Old Testament for a while because. . . well, many reasons. I want to know more historical information about biblical times and characters. I think knowing and reading about the Old Testament will help me understand more from the New Testament. I just haven't made it a priority. . . ever. Until now.

I don't want to be a Christian that only reads and studies from the New Testament.

I've only read/studied through Genesis 9, but I've been averaging about 2-3 chapters a day. Genesis has 50 chapters, so it could take me most of June to accomplish this book. Not to mention the fact that family is in town for 7 days, so I likely won't have as much study time.

That said, here is some of the information I've learned / found interesting / thought noteworthy and some of the questions I've wondered so far. . .

• Books in the ancient times were customarily named after the first word or two.

• The first 3 chapters of Genesis are reflected in the last 3 chapters of Revelation. . . so guess where I'm going next. . .

• Even though everything else had a beginning, God has always been. *super important!

• In the Old Testament, create is used only in divine activity, not human activity.

• So interesting the way God just says something and it happens - an awesome illustration of His surpassing power!

• A syllogism for you: Everything God created is good. Sin is not good. Thus, God did not create sin. Another one: Everything God created is good. God created man. Thus, man was good... until the fall.

• In Genesis 1:27-28, when it says God created man and God blessed them. . . I've always wondered about who the children married. Is it possible that He created more than just Adam and Eve initially? Or do man and them both refer to Adam AND Eve?

• Kings would often set up an image of themselves in conquered territories. Man was made in God's image. He is our sovereign God. He also gave man kingship over every living thing.

• All people and animals were vegetarians. . . until after the flood. Then, part of God's covenant with Noah was that him and his descendants were able to eat any plant or animal.

• The Hebrew word for man is adam, which sounds like the word for ground, adamah. It is so amazing that He formed man from the dust of the ground. We have so many intricacies in our body. God formed us purposefully, knowing all the little (and big) things our body would need to do. So much planning and foreknowledge!

• God's will for man was life, thus the access to the tree of life. He had an intimate relationship with first man. The Bible mentions Him walking in the garden as if it's a normal occurrence. Eating from the other tree (the knowledge of good and evil) would leave them morally independent from God. Separated from Him. It's interesting that God says for when you eat, not if you eat. . . then you will surely die. (2:17) Once again shows God's foreknowledge. So, if God's will for man was life. . . and He knew what would happen beforehand. . . why give man the opportunity to screw up the awesome relationship with Him and experience death?

• God provided animal skins for Adam and Eve. This was the first animal sacrifice. Man was banished from the garden and the tree of life. Now Christ is our only access to eternal life.

• Good advice God gives Cain, which he of course doesn't follow. (4:7) If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

• It's amazing to me how Cain could have absolutely no remorse for killing his brother. Oh, how lost he was! Premeditated murder. Lies. Self-pity. Stuck in sin.

• 7 generations later, the Lord was grieved that man's heart was so, so wicked and so far separated from Him. He cares so much about his creation. Sin makes Him sad. A flood was the only way to wipe out most of His creation and the sin that had taken over. A flood would be His judgment for their wickedness.

• I also think the whole story of the flood is fascinating. The Bible said that all the high mountains were covered with water. (7:19) I wonder what the tallest mountain is/was. Once the flood waters ceased, it took 3 months before the tops of the mountains were visible again! Wow. The first part of the flood was judgment and the second part was redemption even though every inclination of man's heart is evil from childhood. (8:21) How gracious is our Father!

Good reading.

So far I'm liking my project. I know there will be moments where it'll be difficult to make my way through. I plan on persevering though.