What I Learned From Genesis – Reading the Bible in 90 Days

As you know I have started reading the Bible.  I have 90 days to complete it and I am reading it with hundreds of other women.  Each week (and even day to day) we check-in with each other on our progress, to pray for each other, and to share our thoughts.  How cool is that?

So, I thought I would take each Book of the Bible and share my thoughts, verses, or people that stood out or spoke to me on that particular day.  I have been doing most of my reading in the mornings when it is quiet, but some days I have to finish up in the afternoon or evening.  The key is to get it done.  Even if you have to carry over into the next day…that happens.  The readings are manageable and I am still praying it stays that way for me.

So, here are my thoughts from the Book of Genesis:

I didn’t know that Adam was the one who named all the creatures and not God.

I am amazed at the ages that Noah and Adam lived to – 950 and 930 years.

Genesis 4:7  tells me “Sin is crouching at my door”.  How true!

Genesis 15:1  God tells Abram “Do not be afraid. I am your shield, your very great reward.” How amazing that would be to hear that from God.  What a great calm that would create over your life!

Genesis 18 – I learned that God knows when we doubt Him. 

Genesis 22 – I was amazed at how trusting Abraham was of God.  So willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac.  He never spoke the questions I would have like, Why finally give Sarah and I a son to only take him from us?  How could you do this to Sarah?  But, Abraham was obedient and God rewarded him. 

Genesis 25 – Isaac’s great trust in God is an awesome lesson about how we need to let God lead our lives.  Also, we learn from Esau that choosing immediate satisfaction can have long range consequences.  How often do I crave immediate satisfaction without thinking it through?

Genesis 29-31 – Even in Biblical times, there was rampant sex, lies, and immaturity.  Am I reading the Bible or a Harlequin novel?

Genesis 34 – Saddened for Dinah to be sold to the same man who raped her.  But, then horrified by Simeon and Levi taking matters into their own hands.  Evil doesn’t = Evil

Was “incest” not part of the vocabulary during this time?????

Genesis 37-50 – Just in awe of the lies and deceit that happened between Jacob/Israel’s sons.  They watched their father mourn a son they knew wasn’t dead.  The pain Joseph felt having his own brothers in his home and they didn’t recognize him and having to pretend he didn’t know his own brothers.  Then Joseph’s lesson for all of us on forgiveness. 

No matter when you are wronged or do wrong….God knows.  You may be persecuted, but through hope and steadfast devotion, you can make the best out of any situation.  God will bring good out of it.   

These are my thoughts from the readings.  You may have different thoughts and feelings about these chapters.  I could read this again on a different day and likely have different things jump out at me.  If you haven’t read Genesis yet, open up a Bible and give it a try.  The stories are full, rich and deep and actually a bit jaw-dropping at times.

Next up…….Exodus!