One of my goals this year is to read the entire Bible in chronological order. I've never attempted to read the entire Bible in one year, but since all previous attempts at reading the Bible without a time limit have failed, I'm giving it a try. To help me absorb more of what I read as well as to help with accountability, I plan to post weekly about what I read the previous week.
Last week's reading was Genesis 1-11...the beginning. I read through the story of creation, Adam and Eve in the garden, Cain and Able, Noah, the tower at Babel, and lots of genealogies. It's interesting to me how when I read a part of the Bible I've read before, even stories like these that I've heard since before I could read the Bible myself, I still discover something new. So, this week's post is just some of these various observations and ponderings.
I didn't recall that the river in Eden branched out into four heads: Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, and Euphrates.
I also didn't realize the place Cain was exiled after killing Able was called the Land of Nod. Why would anyone think that's a good name for a company that makes toys and children's furniture? Very strange.
I always forget how soon after creating the world God decided to destroy it again. Granted, it was actually about 1600 years later, but it's only the sixth chapter of the Bible. It only takes a few chapters to get from "God saw that it was good" to "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth."
Do you ever wonder how it was that Noah found grace in the eyes of God? He couldn't have been completely sinless, so just how wicked was everyone else in the world? Was Noah just the least wicked?
The dove with an olive branch has come to symbolize peace because when Noah sent out the dove the second time, she brought back an olive branch as a sign that there was dry land and new growth. What if the raven had brought back a piece of moss? Can you imagine that on a Christmas card?
Interesting names from this reading: Arphaxad, Peleg
Feel free to share about what you've been reading in the Bible this week, whether inspirational insight or rambling observations like mine.
*like!* :) Isn't it amazing how many little details we overlook in even the most familiar of stories?
ReplyDeleteYou know my love for/obsession for names? Last year, I read through Scripture mostly using the Bible Gateway app. I would highlight and find out the meaning for every.single.name I came across. It was a really neat study! [And then when the 18 month old unwittingly erased all of the stored data on my Kindle and it was lost...I nearly cried.]
Noah means "one who comforts." :) It also happened to be the most popular boy name in 2013.