March 2015

1-Mar	Deuteronomy 5-7
2-Mar	Deuteronomy 8-10
3-Mar	Deuteronomy 11-13
4-Mar	Deuteronomy 14-16
5-Mar	Deuteronomy 17-20
6-Mar	Deuteronomy 21-23
7-Mar	Deuteronomy 24-27
8-Mar	Deuteronomy 28-29
9-Mar	Deuteronomy 30-31
10-Mar	Deuteronomy 32-34
11-Mar	Joshua 1-4
12-Mar	Joshua 5-8
13-Mar	Joshua 9-11
14-Mar	Joshua 12-15
15-Mar	Joshua 16-18
16-Mar	Joshua 19-21
17-Mar	Joshua 22-24
18-Mar	Judges 1-2
19-Mar	Judges 3-5
20-Mar	Judges 6-7
21-Mar	Judges 8-9
22-Mar	Judges 10-12
23-Mar	Judges 13-15
24-Mar	Judges 16-18
25-Mar	Judges 19-21
26-Mar	1 Samuel 1-3
27-Mar	1 Samuel 4-8
28-Mar	1 Samuel 9-12
29-Mar	1 Samuel 13-14
30-Mar	1 Samuel 15-17
31-Mar	1 Samuel 18-20

Genesis 35-37

First usage of Israel?

Jacob vs Israel - flesh vs spirit?

Who else renamed to show flesh vs spirit?  Simon Peter?

Isaac still alive 35:27, yet Jacob fled when he was thought to be dying.

37:2 Joseph was with the concubines sons, not Leah's.

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Gen_32:28  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Israel - H3478 - From H8280 and H410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity.

• H8280 - A primitive root; to prevail.
• H410 - Shortened from H352; strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity).

Jacob - From H6117; heel catcher (that is, supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.

• H6117 - A primitive root; properly to swell out or up; used only as denominative from H6119, to seize by the heel; figuratively to circumvent (as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel).

Jacob wasn't called Jacob Israel, it was either Jacob OR Israel.  While Peter was sometimes referred to Simon Peter.  Who else was referred to with a different name?  By someone other than God, Daniel and Joseph.  Hmmm..any others?

So many questions and queries...and ponderables.  :-)

Genesis 32-34

Genesis 34:5 Jacob holds his peace until his sons come in from the field.

V13 the sons answered.

Where was Jacob? As the patriarch why didn't he answer.

He stood by and let the sons answer, and deceitfully.  All the sons or just Levi  and Simeon (find name roots).

Cross reference to Genesis 31:7 where Jacob speaks of Laban deceiving him.

Sons picked up traits from grandfather?

What traits, attitudes, behaviors are we modeling?

If it's convenient we can act or behave (insert indulgence) because the ends justify the means.

V27 sons again, all or just the 2?

--------------Lots of questions on this one....--------

And no answers - or at least not here...are you studying?  I've been making my 'notes' but have been waaaayyy behind on studying.  Prayers appreciated!

Genesis 30-31

Laban not trustworthy. 30:34-36

Gestation period for sheep and goats?

31:38 served 20 years

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Gen 30:34  And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. 

Gen 30:35  And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 

Gen 30:36  And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Was Jacob just hopeful?  I mean Laban had already done a bait and switch of the brides.

It doesn't seem, from the passage, that Jacob was bothered by Laban's deceit.  Was he expecting it, or had grown enough in grace, that he knew God was/would look out for him?

Sheep gestation 142-152 days - about 5 months.  Interesting article on sheep - Sheep 201 - Reproduction

Goat gestation - 150 days - about 5 months.  They live about 15 to 18 years, much longer than sheep.

Gen 31:38  This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

7 Years for Rachael - which turned out to be Leah

7 Years for Rachael

6 Years for livestock

Jacob reached his limit, time to disengage and move on.  How hard it must have been for him...knowing Laban wasn't entirely trustworthy, always watching his back, dotting 'i's' and crossing 't's'.  I wonder did he 'feel' like he was living under a microscope?

Do you have someone in your life that you have to 'deal' with, yet isn't trustworthy?  Or is it you?  Is your yea, yea and your nay, nay?

Genesis 25-26

25:6 sons of the concubine? He didn't consider them sons?

Gen 25:6  But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

Keil and Delitzsch commentary:  "Abraham's Marriage to Keturah is generally supposed to have taken place after Sarah's death, and his power to beget six sons at so advanced an age is attributed to the fact, that the Almighty had endowed him with new vital and reproductive energy for begetting the son of the promise. But there is no firm ground for this assumption; as it is not stated anywhere, that Abraham did not take Keturah as his wife till after Sarah's death. It is merely an inference drawn from the fact, that it is not mentioned till afterwards; and it is taken for granted that the history is written in strictly chronological order. But this supposition is precarious, and is not in harmony with the statement, that Abraham sent away the sons of the concubines with gifts during his own lifetime; for in the case supposed, the youngest of Keturah's sons would not have been more than twenty-five or thirty years old at Abraham's death; and in those days, when marriages were not generally contracted before the fortieth year, this seems too young for them to have been sent away from their father's house. This difficulty, however, is not decisive. Nor does the fact that Keturah is called a concubine in Gen_25:6, and 1Ch_1:32, necessarily show that she was contemporary with Sarah, but may be explained on the ground that Abraham did not place her on the same footing as Sarah, his sole wife, the mother of the promised seed. Of the sons and grandsons of Keturah, who are mentioned in 1Ch_1:32 as well as here, a few of the names may still be found among the Arabian tribes, but in most instances the attempt to trace them is very questionable."

Well, trip my trigger.  I'd always seen Genesis as pretty much a chronological retelling.

25:22 Rebekah went where to inquire of the Lord?

Gen 25:22  And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: "Isaac seems not to have been much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness. Jacob and Esau were prayed for; their parents, after being long childless, obtained them by prayer. The fulfilment of God's promise is always sure, yet it is often slow. The faith of believers is tried, their patience exercised, and mercies long waited for are more welcome when they come. Isaac and Rebekah kept in view the promise of all nations being blessed in their posterity, therefore were not only desirous of children, but anxious concerning every thing which seemed to mark their future character. In all our doubts we should inquire of the Lord by prayer. In many of our conflicts with sin and temptation, we may adopt Rebekah's words, “If it be so, why am I thus?” If a child of God, why so careless or carnal? If not a child of God, why so afraid of, or so burdened with sin?"

Eh...sound advice, specifically, "The fulfilment of God's promise is always sure, yet it is often slow."

Patience and long suffering, waiting upon the Lord.  *sigh*

Gen 25:23  And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 

So was Rebekah 'backing' the winner in making Jacob her favorite?

Genesis 19-21, 22-24

Genesis 19-21

Every, and I mean EVERY time I read about Lot's daughters being offered to the wicked men it stuns me afresh.

That Lot would be willing to sacrifice his daughters (virgins) to save men he didn't know (and obviously didn't recognize as sent from God) is distressing.

Gill's commentary:  "let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes; this was a very great evil in Lot to make such an offer of his daughters; it was contrary to parental love and affection, an exposing the chastity of his daughters, which should have been his care to preserve; nor had he a power to dispose of them in such a manner: and though fornication is a lesser evil than sodomy, yet all evil is to be avoided, and even it is not to be done that good may come: nothing can be said to excuse this good man, but the hurry of spirit, and confusion of mind that he was in, not knowing what to say or do to prevent the base designs of those men; that he might be pretty certain they would not accept of his offer, their lust burning more after men than women; that this showed his great regard to the laws of hospitality, that he had rather sacrifice his daughters to their brutal lusts, than give up the men that were in his house to them; and that he might hope that this would soften their minds, and put them off of any further attempt; but after all it must be condemned as a dangerous and imprudent action:"

Still vile and wicked behavior...to sacrifice your children. Hmmm....tickling in my mind, have I 'sacrificed' my children (or anyone else) for convenience or to 'save face'?  Not guarded thoughts, words, actions?  Prayerful consideration required.

Genesis 22-24

24:63

Isaac meditating at eventide. Same as God walking in the garden in the cool of the evening?

Gen 24:63  And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

Eventide - H6437 and H6153:

H6437 - A primitive root; to turn; by implication to face, that is, appear, look, etc.

H6153 - From H6150; dusk.

• H6150 - A primitive root (rather identical with H6148 through the idea of covering with a texture); to grow dusky at sundown.
• H6148 - A primitive root; to braid, that is, intermix; technically to traffic (as if by barter); also to give or be security (as a kind of exchange).

H6153 used 134x in 125 verses, first usage:

Gen 1:5  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th days. 

Gen 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 

Gill's commentary:  "walking in the garden in the cool of the day; or "at the wind of the day" (q); of "that day" in which man was created and fell, as some conclude from hence; in the evening, at sun setting; for very often when the sun sets a wind rises, at least a gentle breeze; and this might bring the sound of the voice, and of the steps of this glorious Person, the sooner to the ears of Adam and his wife, which gave them notice of his near approach, and caused them to hasten their flight: some render it emphatically, "at the wind of that day" (r); as if it was a violent wind which arose at that time, as a sign and testimony of the indignation of God, as the sound of a violent wind was a testimony of the coming of the Spirit of God, Act_2:2."

Genesis 16-18

Genesis 16-18

Children and household? Children not part of the household?

Hagar was how old? Abraham was 85 or so when he impregnated Hagar.

What does maid mean? How would you like to be unable to choose. Was Hagar the first surrogate?

Where did the practice start?

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Gen 18:19  For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Children aren't considered part of the household?  I find this intriguing...because if children are NOT considered 'part' of the household it places the theory of baptizing babies theology under more scrutiny.

More?  Yes, more.  I don't think the paedobaptists (baby baptizers) have, can or will be able to substantiate their position with Scripture.  Here's a post I did a l-o-n-g time ago.  I wanted to be fair, perhaps I was 'wrong' in thinking/believing only those who professed Christ as Savior (could be children) were or should be baptized.

I've 'heard' that children, specifically sons, were not 'claimed' as heirs until they reached a mature age (could vary).  Researching a bit, it seems the Romans had a certain age when a boy became a man and could stand alongside his father.  The Jews have the age where a boy becomes a man and can participate in synagogue.

My mind is 'tickled' by a teaching about the difference between a son and a child.  The springboard verses were from Galatians:

Gal 4:1  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 
Gal 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 
Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

So if its true...that there is a difference between being born into a family versus being a heir...that just because one is born into family, doesn't necessarily mean one has 'rights' (or responsibilities).

We can't be part of God's family until He adopts us...just as Abram (Abraham) wasn't 'called'.  Definitely a mind tickler for me and one I'll have to research further.  Happy studying!

Genesis 11-15

Genesis 11-15

Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

To Dan? No Israel tribes yet.

Gills Commentary:  "and pursued them unto Dan; the Jerusalem Targum is, to Dan of Caesarea, meaning Caesarea of Philippi, as in the times of Christ and his apostles it was called; which at first had the name of Leshem, or Lais, and was not called Dan until the times of the judges, Jdg_18:29; wherefore, if the same place is intended here, it is so called not only by anticipation, but by a spirit of prophecy; since it had not the name of Dan even in the times of Moses, the writer of this history, unless it may be thought to be inserted by Samuel or some other inspired writer, after Moses; though there is no need to suppose either of these, seeing there might be a town or city of this name in those parts at this time, or however one of the springs of Jordan might be so called, from whence the river had its name as early, Gen_13:11; and so Josephus (f) expressly says, speaking of this expedition, that Abram fell upon them at Dan, for so, adds he, the other fountain of Jordan is called."

Intrigued by another commentary, but for a different reason:

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown:

"And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants — domestic slaves, such as are common in Eastern countries still and are considered and treated as members of the family. If Abram could spare three hundred and eighteen slaves and leave a sufficient number to take care of the flocks, what a large establishment he must have had."

Genesis 4-6

Wroth and fallen countenance. 4:5 no correction seems pleasant for the moment.

4:24 going beyond God's prescribed punishment?

---------Discovery time....

Gen 4:5  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Wroth - H2734 - A primitive root (compare H2787); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.

Fallen countenance - heh, his countenance fell.

Countenance - H6440 - Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun (פּנה pâneh, paw-neh'; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.).

Fell - H5307 - A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitively or causatively, literally or figuratively).

Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Correction, rebuke, chastisement - ouch. Oh...these would be wonderful word studies.

Deu 8:5  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. 

Psa 94:12  Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; 

Pro 19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Pro 29:17  Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. 

Going beyond what God had doled out to Cain?

Gen 4:24  If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

So is he boasting?  Or trying to out do God?  How often do we go beyond what God has stated/prescribed?

How often do we make the Word of God of no effect?

Genesis 1-3

1:3 light

But not the same as day 4?

3:7 sewed? Where/how did they learn?

Nothing had died at this point. Not a leaf, not a branch/twig, nothing.

Naked?

I've been using my 'smart' phone to make notes to myself - I thought I'd leave my 'jumping' off place as this new season of discoveries begins.  I'm slightly behind in posting...I hadn't thought I'd actually have much to post.

Oh, how wrong I was and am...so here for January 1st, was my first 'new' discoveries.  I hope if you're reading this, you are spending time in the Word of God.  With each word you read, I hope you are discovering new things about Him, His grace, His mercy and being conformed into His image.

Gen 1:3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

What kind of light?  H216 - From H215; illumination or (concretely) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.).

• H215 - A primitive root; to be (causatively make) luminous (literally and metaphorically).

Used 122 times in 111 verses only 4 times in Genesis 1:3, 4, 5, and 18.  So not the same word as day 4?

Think about that...God created light, but not the sun, moon or stars.  Light such as separates the day from the night and made the first day.

Gen 1:5  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Day 4 - Gen 1:14  And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 

H3974 - From H215; properly a luminous body or luminary, that is, (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively brightness, that is, cheerfulness; specifically a chandelier.

I know this isn't a recap of Day 1, but don't quite grasp the difference.

Keil and Delitzsch Commentary:  "The first thing created by the divine Word was “light,” the elementary light, or light-material, in distinction from the “lights,” or light-bearers, bodies of light, as the sun, moon, and stars, created on the fourth day, are called. It is now a generally accepted truth of natural science, that the light does not spring from the sun and stars, but that the sun itself is a dark body, and the light proceeds from an atmosphere which surrounds it."

The Institute of Creation Research - Sunlight Before the Sun.

Creation Moments - How Was a Day Determined Before the Sun?

Have you ever considered the mind of God?  Think (with our limited capacity) how magnificent a mind He has...out of nothing He created.  If we want to create, say cookies, we gather the ingredients.  We don't have to make, design, imagine them...they just are...even if you take the basic ingredients, say flour and butter.

Could you conceive of making dirt, to plant a seed to make grain to grow to mill?  Rain to water it?  Designing a cow to make milk, to churn to make butter?

So what questions didn't I cover that I started with today?