GENESIS

Chapter 1    The Creation

    Verse 1    Note that GOD created the heavens and the earth.

    Verse 3    While the light was the sun, it was not clear until the fourth day. It could also have been the Son.

    Verses 6-8    The separation of heaven from earth.

    Verse 14    This is the visible sun, moon and stars. These three were made to give us signs in addition to their natural functions.

    Verse 26    "Let Us make" indicates that God was not alone and that He looks like us. 

Chapter 2

    Verse 3    God wants us to rest every sabbath day.

    Verses 5-6    It had not rained, the mist came up from the earth.

    Verse 7    The formation of man.

    Verses 10-14 Location of the Garden of Eden.

    Verse 18    Eve was created to be a "helper."

    Verse 22    The creation of the woman, Eve.

    Verse 24    Shows that God wanted men and women to be together as "one flesh."

Chapter 3

    Verse 3    Adam told Eve not to eat from the tree, as God told Adam in Gen. 2:17. Die referred to death which they never knew before this.

    Verse 8    Adam and Eve knew they had done wrong. They knew they had sinned.

    Verse 11    God knew before He asked.

    Verses 12-13    Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent.

    Verse 16    The man shall rule over the woman as a result of this. Pain in a woman's bringing forth children.

    Verse 17    Man must toil - work all of his life.

    Verse 19     Returning to the ground in death.

    Verse 20    Eve named. Eve = mother of all

    Verse 21    God killed animals to make clothing.

    Verse 22    The Tree of Life was different from the Tree of Knowledge (Gen. 2:17).

    Verse 24    Cherubim referred to - refer to Ezekiel 1:5

Chapter 4 

    Verse 1    The birth of Cain. Eve realized that the birth was "from the LORD."

    Verse 2    The birth of Abel. Abel and Cain's occupations given.

    Verse 3    Cain brought an offering to the LORD - fruit.

    Verse 4    Abel brought an offering to the LORD - lamb.

    Verse 7    God told Cain that an offering was needed for sin.

    Verse 8    Cain killed his brother, Abel.

    Verse 12    God made Cain's toil harder as a punishment for his murder.

    Verse 15    The LORD placed a mark on Cain for protection.

    Verse 16    Nod is a reference to land - geography.

    Verse 17    Cain's wife and first born son, Enoch.

    Verse 18    The populating of Nod.

    Verse 25    The birth of Seth to Adam and Eve as a replacement for Abel.

Chapter 5

    Verse 5    Adam lived 930 years before he died.

    Verse 24 Enoch did not die, but was taken by God. (Translated)

    Verse 27    Methuselah lived 969 years.

Chapter 6

    Verse 2    Men had more than one wife in that era.

    Verse 3    The LORD warned that men would not age for more than 120 years.

    Verse 7    The LORD regretted that He had made man.

    Verse 8    "but Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

    Verse 14    Noah instructed to build the ark.

    Verse 22    Noah obeyed the command of God.

Chapter 7

    Verse 2    Noah was to take 7 of every clean animal and a pair of every unclean animal.

    Verse 3    also 7 of each bird.

    Verse 4    God proclaimed that it would rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights.

    Verse 6    Noah was 600 years old during the flood.

    Verses 8-9    Two of each animal (clean and unclean) went into the ark.

    Verse 16    "and the LORD shut him in."

    Verse 19    "and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered."

    Verse 20    "and the mountains were covered."

    Verse 22    all that was on dry land (previously) died.

    Verse 24    and the water was on the earth 150 days.

Genesis 8

    Verse 3    the waters receded

    Verse 4    the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat

    Verse 7    Noah sent out the raven.

    Verse 10    Noah sent out the dove.

    Verse 11    The dove came back with an olive leaf.

    Verse 12    Noah sent the dove out again and it did not return.

    Verse 21    The LORD said He would not curse the ground again.

Genesis 9

    Verse 1    God told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. (In Gen. 1:22 He told the fish and birds to do the same.)

    Verse 3    Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you.

    Verse 4    "but you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood."

    Verse 11    God's covenant that never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.

    Verse 13    The rainbow as a sign of this covenant.

    Verse 19    Shem, Ham and Japheth were to repopulate the earth.

    Verse 21    Noah became drunk on wine.

    Verse 29    Noah died at 950 years of age.

Chapter 10    The families of the sons of Noah.

Chapter 11    

    Verse 4    Decision to build a city and tower at Babel.

    Verse 7    God (plural) went to Babel to confuse their language

    Verse 8    to scatter them over the face of the earth and to make them cease from building the city.

    Verse 10-32    Genealogy of Shem through Abram.

Chapter 12

    Verse 2    The LORD promised Abram that He would make him a great nation.

    Verse 5    Abram and Sarai his wife and Lot went to the land of Canaan.

    Verse 11-13    Abram feared the Egyptians and asked Sarai to pose as his sister.

    Verse 17    The LORD plagued Pharaoh because of Sarai being there

    Verse 20    and Pharaoh sent Abram and Sarai away.

Chapter 13 

    Verse 9    The separation of Abram and Lot as their flocks were too large.

    Verse 11-12    Lot chose to go to the plain of the Jordan near Sodom.

    Verse 15    The LORD promised Abram all the land that he could see - for him and his descendents forever.

Chapter 14    There was a war in the valley of Siddim (where the Salt Sea is).

    Verse 12    And they took Lot

    Verse 14    When Abram heard of this, he went in pursuit

    Verse 16    and brought back Lot.

    Verse 18    King Melchizedek of Salem (Jerusalem) met Abram with bread and wine - "he was the priest of God Most High."

Chapter 15

    Verse 1    The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision

    Verse 4    and he was promised an heir from his own body.

    Verse 5    Abram was promised descendants as numerous as the stars.

    Verse 6    and Abram believed in the LORD (faith).

    Verse 13-14    God tells Abram the future of the nation that will come from him.

    Verse 18 Location of the future nation.

Chapter 16

    Verse 2    Sarai's suggestion

    Verse 3-4    And Hagar, their maid, conceived from Abram.

    Verse 6    Hagar fled from Sarai

    Verse 7-9    An angel visited Hagar and told her to return to Sarai.

    Verse 11-12    The angel gave the son's name (Ishmael) to Hagar and told her what he would be like.

    Verse 16    Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.

Chapter 17

    Verse 5    God changed Abram's name to Abraham.

    Verse 10    Abraham instructed by God to circumcise all of his male offspring.

    Verse 15    God changed Sarai's name to Sarah.

    Verse 17    Abraham laughed when told he would be a father at age 100 and Sarah age 90.

    Verse 19    The son's name of Isaac was given by God.

    Verse 20    Ishmael also to have great nations from himself

    Verse 21    but Isaac will receive God's covenant.

    Verses 23-27  All of Abraham's household men were circumcised.

Chapter 18

    Verses 2-3    Three men appeared to Abraham. Abraham appears to recognize at least one as the LORD.

    Verse 10    Abraham told that his wife Sarah would have a son.

    Verse 12    Sarah laughed to herself when she heard this.

    Verse 14    "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"

    Verses 23-33    Abraham pleads with the LORD not to destroy Sodom for the sake of the righteous - and he was told that it wouldn't be destroyed if 10 were found righteous.

Chapter 19

    Verse 1    Lot meets two angels at the gate of Sodom

    Verse 3    and they enter his house.

    Verse 4    The house was surrounded by men of the city

    Verse 5    who wanted the two new "men." (angels)

    Verse 11    The angels struck the men with blindness.

    Verse 12    Lot told to leave the city of Sodom

    Verse 14    Lot's sons-in-law thought he was joking.

    Verse 17    Lot instructed not to look back.

    Verse 22    Told to escape to Zoar - a nearby city.

    Verse 24    Then the LORD rained fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah.

    Verse 26    Lot's wife turned back and became a pillar of salt.

    Verses 27-28    Abraham saw the smoke from the burning cities.

    Verses 32-36    Both of Lot's daughters got Lot drunk and had relations with him.

    Verses 37-38    The names of the grandsons of Lot.

Chapter 20    

    Verses 1-2    Abraham gave Sarah to king Abimelech.

    Verses 3-14    King Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham after hearing from God in a dream.

    Verses 17-18    Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech and his servants.

Chapter 21

    Verses 2-3    Sarah bore Isaac.

    Verse 5    Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

    Verses 12-13    God told Abraham that both Isaac and [Ishmael] would become nations because they were his seeds.

    Verses 14-20    God watched over and provided for [Ishmael] while in the wilderness and he grew and became an archer. He (married a) wife from Egypt.

    Verses 25-33    Abraham's disagreement with Abimelech over a well.

Chapter 22

    Verse 2    God asked Abraham to offer his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering, in the land of Moriah.

    Verse 7    Isaac asked his father where the offering was.

    Verse 8    Abraham said that God would provide for Himself the offering.

    Verse 9    Abraham bound Isaac and laid him on the altar.

    Verses 11-12    The angel of the LORD stopped him from hurting Isaac, his "only son."

    Verse 13    A ram was provided for the offering instead of his son.

    Verses 15-18    Again, the LORD, through an Angel told Abraham of the blessings that he would receive for not withholding his son.

Chapter 23

    Verses 1-20    Sarah's death and burial. The purchase of land as a burial place.

Chapter 24

    Verses 2-10    Abraham asked his oldest servant to find a wife for Isaac and to travel to the city of Nahor to do this.

    Verses 13-15    Rebekah answers the servants prayer to be successful.

    Verses 17-32    The kindnesses of Rebekah and her brother, Laban.

    Verses 34-49    The servant retells why he came to Nahor.

    Verses 51-61    Rebekah given to the servant to be Isaac's wife.

    Verses 64-67    The meeting of Rebekah and Isaac.

Chapter 25

    Verses 1-4    Abraham marries Keturah and his descendents are listed.

    Verses 7-10    The death and burial of Abraham at age 175.

    Verses 12-18    The genealogy of Ishmael.

    Verses 19-20    The genealogy of Isaac.

    Verses 21-24    The child-bearing problems of Rebekah and the twins.

    Verses 25-26    The firstborn was Esau and then came Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old at the time.

    Verses 27-30    The differences between Esau and Jacob.

    Verses 31-34    Jacob asks Esau to sell him his birthright.

Chapter 26

    Verse 2    The LORD told Isaac not to go to Egypt during a famine.

    Verses 3-5    The LORD promised Isaac all that he had previously promised his father Abraham.

    Verse 9    King Abimelech asked why Isaac said his wife Rebekah was his sister.

    Verse 11    Abimelech directs all of his people not to touch Isaac or Rebekah.

    Verses 12-13    The LORD blessed Isaac in his work.

    Verse 16    Abimelech asked Isaac to leave as he had become very prosperous.

    Verse 17    Isaac moved to the Valley of Gerar and had his father's wells redug.

    Verses 20-21    The local herdsmen quarreled for the water after the wells were redug,

    Verse 23    then Isaac went to Beersheba.

    Verses 26-31    Abimelech came to Isaac to make a covenant with him.

Chapter 27

    Verses 1-4    Isaac was old and asked Esau to hunt him some food.

    Verses 6-10    Rebekah planned with Jacob to deceive her husband Isaac

    Verses 11-17    including putting goats skin on his hands and neck.

    Verses 18-26    Jacob's deception to receive the blessing.

    Verses 27-29    Isaac's blessing of Jacob.

    Verses 30-32    Esau came with the food and asked for the blessing.

    Verse 33    Isaac knew he had blessed the other son instead.

    Verse 34    Esau asked for a blessing,

    Verse 35    but Isaac said he had already given the blessing to Jacob.

    Verse 37    Isaac told Esau that Jacob would be his master.

    Verse 41    Esau threatens to kill his brother.

    Verses 42-46    Rebekah sends Jacob to her brother Laban for a few days.

Chapter 28

    Verses 1-5    Isaac directs Jacob to take a wife from one of the daughters of Laban.

    Verses 6-9    Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please his father, so went to Ishmael and took one of his daughters to be one of his wives.

    Verse 12    Jacob's dream of a ladder between earth and heaven.

    Verses 13-15    The LORD's blessing on Jacob.

    Verse 19    Jacob named the place Bethel.

    Verses 20-22    Jacob's vow to the LORD.

Chapter 29

    Verses 1-8    Jacob's encounter at a well.

    Verses 9-14    Jacob meets Laban and Rachel, his daughter.

    Verse 16    Laban's daughters, Leah the older and Rachel the younger.

    Verse 20    Jacob served Laban 7 years for Rachel.

    Verses 23-26    Laban gave Jacob his first daughter Leah instead.

    Verse 27    Jacob had to serve another 7 years to receive Rachel.

    Verse 32    Leah had 4 sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah.

Chapter 30

    Verse 1    Rachel said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die!"

    Verse 2    Jacob got angry that she was accusing him, as it was God who was in control.

    Verses 3-5    Rachel gave Jacob her maid Bilhah.

    Verse 6    Rachel named Bilhah's son Dan.

    Verses 7-13    other sons from Jacob's wives maids.

    Verses 17-21    Leah has more children.

    Verses 22-24    Rachel has a son named Joseph

    Verses 25-30    Jacob asks Laban if he can separate and take his family.

    Verses 31-35    Jacob asks Laban for speckled and spotted sheep and goats for his wages.

    Verse 36    Jacob and Laban separated by three days journey.

    Verses 37-41    Details of the separation of the flocks.

    Verses 42-43    Laban's flocks were feeble and Jacob's were stronger.

Chapter 31

    Verse 3    The LORD told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers.

    Verses 4-13    Jacob called Rachel and Leah to the field and explained why he was leaving Laban.

    Verses 17-18    Jacob left with his sons and wives on camels to go to his father Isaac in Canaan.

    Verses 23-30    Laban pursued Jacob.

    Verses 30-43    Laban's search for the household idols.

    Verses 44-55    Jacob and Laban's covenant not to cross over a point.

Chapter 32

    Verse 3    Jacob sends a message to Esau his brother.

    Verses 7-23    Jacob divides his people into two groups in fearful anticipation of Esau's arrival.

    Verses 24-27    Jacob wrestles with a Man until the breaking of day.

    Verses 28-29    He said that Jacob's name would now become Israel and received the blessing.

    Verse 30    Jacob named the place Peniel.

Chapter 33

    Verses 1-10    Jacob meets Esau.

    Verses 11-16    Jacob offers his blessing (flocks) to Esau and he takes it.

    Verses 17-20    Jacob builds a house in Succoth.

Chapter 34

    Verses 1-7    Dinah, the daughter of Leah was violated by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite.

    Verses 8-14    Hamor asked for the families to intermarry.

    Verses 15-23    Jacob's family agreed if all of the males in Hamor's family were circumcised.

    Verse 24    All of Hamor's males were circumcised.

    Verses 25-29    On the third day, two of Jacob's sons killed all of the males in the Hamor family and plundered the city.

    Verse 30    Jacob fears for what his two sons had done.

Chapter 35

    Verse 1    God told Jacob to go to Bethel.

    Verse 2    Jacob told his household to put away their foreign gods and he hid them under the terebinth tree.

    Verses 9-10    God again blessed Jacob and changed his name to Israel.

    Verse 15    Jacob called this place Bethel.

    Verses 16-18    Rachel died as Benjamin was born.

    Verses 22-26    The 12 sons of Jacob

    Verse 29    The death of Isaac.

Chapter 36

    Verses 1-30    Genealogy of Esau

    Verses 31-43    The kings who reigned in the land of Edom.

Chapter 37

    Verse 3    "Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors."

    Verse 4    Because of this, his brothers hated him.

    Verses 5-8    Joseph's first dream told to his brothers.

    Verses 9-11    Joseph's second dream.

    Verses 13-17    Israel sent Joseph to check on the flocks.

    Verse 18    His brothers conspired to kill him.

    Verse 21    Joseph's brother Reuben suggested they cast Joseph into a pit and not kill him.

    Verses 26-27    Joseph's brother Judah said they should sell Joseph to the traveling Ishmaelites.

    Verse 28    Joseph was sold for twenty shekels of silver and taken to Egypt.

    Verse 31    They took Joseph's tunic and dipped it in a baby goats blood.

    Verse 33    They told their father that a wild beast devoured Joseph.

    Verse 36    Joseph was re-sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, in Egypt.

Chapter 38

    Verses 1-30    Judah left his brothers and married Shua and had relations with a family member who later had twin sons, Perez and Zerah.

Chapter 39

    Verse 2    "The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man."

    Verse 4    Joseph was made overseer of Potiphar's house, and all that he had put under his authority.

    Verse 7    Potiphar's wife wanted relations with Joseph 

    Verse 8     but he refused.

    Verses 12-19    Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife.

    Verse 20    Potiphar put Joseph in prison.

    Verse 22    The keeper of the prison made Joseph the overseer of the other prisoners.

Chapter 40

    Verse 1    The chief butler and the chief baker of the King of Egypt were put in the same prison.

    Verses 5-19    Both the butler and baker had dreams that Joseph interpreted for them.

    Verses 20-22    The King restored the chief butler and hanged the chief baker - as Joseph prophesied.

    Verse 23    The chief butler did not remember Joseph - to get him out of the prison.

Chapter 41

    Verses 1-8    Pharaoh had a dream two years later and called all the magicians and wise men to interpret it, but no one could.

    Verses 9-13    Then the chief butler remembered Joseph.

    Verses 14-37    Joseph brought before Pharaoh to interpret the dream and suggest preparations for the famine to occur.

    Verses 38-44    Pharaoh made Joseph to be over his house and effective ruler in Egypt.

    Verses 45-46    Joseph given a wife at the age of 30.

    Verses 47-49    The preparations and storage of food for seven years.

    Verses 50-52    Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

    Verses 54-57    The beginning of the famine in all countries.

Chapter 42

    Verses 1-5    Jacob sent his 10 oldest sons to Egypt to buy grain.

    Verses 6-16    Joseph's brothers came and bowed down before him, but did not recognize him.

    Verse 17    Joseph put his brothers in prison for 3 days.

    Verses 24-35    Joseph kept Simeon and bound him, he gave his brothers grain and returned their money in their sacks. The brothers returned to their father, Jacob, in Canaan.

    Verse 38    Jacob would not let Benjamin go.

Chapter 43

    Verses 1-10    As they ran out of grain, it was decided that Judah would take Benjamin to Egypt.

    Verses 11-15    Israel (Jacob) suggested taking along some fruit, honey, nuts, etc. and double money. All ten brothers went to Egypt.

    Verses 16-25    The brothers were brought into Joseph's house fearful of what would happen to them.

    Verses 26-34    Joseph's concern about his father and family.

Chapter 44

    Verses 1-3    Joseph commands that the sacks be filled with grain, the money returned and a silver cup be placed in Benjamin's sack.

    Verses 4-12    Joseph's steward sent to accuse the men of stealing the silver cup which was found in Benjamin's sack.

    Verses 13-17    All of the brothers returned to Joseph, but Joseph wanted to keep only Benjamin.

    Verses 18-34    Judah's appeal to Joseph.

Chapter 45

    Verses 1-8    Joseph made himself known to his brothers

    Verses 9-15    Joseph asks for his father to come to Egypt, to dwell in the land of Goshen.

    Verses 16-20    Pharaoh offers the best land in Egypt to Joseph's father and households.

    Verses 21-25    Providing needs to Joseph's brothers for the journey.

    Verses 26-28    Jacob told that Joseph was alive. He decides to go to Egypt.

Chapter 46

    Verses 2-4    God told Israel not to fear going to Egypt as He would make a great nation there.

    Verses 5-7    Jacob-Israel and all of his descendants went to Egypt.

    Verses 8-27    The listing of who went to Egypt.

    Verses 28-31    The arrival in Goshen and meeting of Joseph and his father.

    Verses 32-34    The men's occupation was to be shepherds - "for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."

Chapter 47

    Verses 1-10    Introduction of Joseph's family to the Pharaoh.

    Verse 11    They went to "the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded."

    Verses 15-17    The money failed, and Joseph took livestock in payment.

    Verses 18-20    The following year the Egyptians exchanged land for food. So the land became Pharaoh's.

    Verses 21-26    The people moved to the cities and became Pharaoh's servants. They were to give Pharaoh one-fifth of each harvest.

    Verse 27    "Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt. . . and grew and multiplied exceedingly."

    Verses 28-31    Jacob asks Joseph to bury him in Canaan.

Chapter 48

    Verses 1-16    Jacob blesses Joseph and his two sons.

    Verses 19-21    Joseph told that his younger son, Ephraim, would be greater than the older son, Manasseh.

Chapter 49

    Verses 1-27    Jacob's prediction of the future for the family.

    Verse 28    "These are the twelve tribes of Israel."

    Verse 33    and Jacob "breathed his last and was gathered to his people."

Chapter 50

    Verse 3    The Egyptians mourned for him 70 days.

    Verses 4-14    A very great gathering went to Canaan to bury Jacob.

    Verse 15    Joseph's brothers were afraid that he might hurt them for past deeds.

    Verse 21    Joseph "comforted them and spoke kindly to them."

    Verse 22    Joseph lived 110 years.

    Verse 24    Joseph said "I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."

    Verse 26    so Joseph died. 

    The following entries are from the Navigators workbooks and Word of Life Quiet Time Diaries:

1:2    The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

    What makes earth unique in the Universe? Water! All of the other planets, that I have seen photos of, would be considered "formless and void," with no continents or water to define land areas. Of all the known universe, God chose this planet to place His creation. We are truly the ones He cares about. He is our Creator and He wants our worship. (DRM 10/22/07)

1:26    Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

    This is the first time in the Bible where we are told that God consists of more than one being. From what is known now, He was probably referring to Himself and His Son, Jesus. The Holy Spirit doesn't have a physical shape, so I think isn't referred to in this verse. I wonder what God really looks like? Awesome! (DRM 10/23/07)

1:29    Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;

    This answers the question, 'which came first, the chicken or the egg?'
    God said this on the sixth day (v. 31) and said the TREE yielding fruit and seeds. The tree was formed before the seed was produced, not the other way around. Really the chicken (bird) is referred to in the next verse, but the point is that God created earth's inhabitants, including Adam and Eve, fully grown before children and seeds were produced. (DRM 9/5/11)

2:17    . . . but from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."

    This is the second part of a quote from God to Adam. Adam was responsible for Eve's actions, as she was created later (v.22) to be his helper (v.18). Even though physical death was not known then, I would think Adam might have thought God referred to that if he ate from the fruit of the tree. Now we know that God referred to spiritual death that became inherited to all future generations. (DRM 10/23/07)

3:17    Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it All the days of your life."

    Sometimes we want to emphasize that 'God is love', but He is more than that. He also is the God of correction. When we sin, we need to repent for the sin committed or face the Father's correction for what has been done. Adam & Eve had just committed the sin of disobedience and we have all experienced the consequences. (DRM 10/24/07)

3:22    Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever."

    Apparently the tree of life truly had the fruit that gives eternal life —and it is mentioned again in Rev. 22:14. Since God knew all things in advance, He knew this would be a temptation at the beginning. Since this fruit had (has) special properties, He chose to move Adam & Eve away from the temptation. I also have temptations in my life - and following the Lord more closely will keep me from the sins that they lead to. (DRM 10/25/07)

5:2    He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.

    I don't understand why people don't understand this verse. God created a man and a woman. To refer to both of them He used the term "man," which we would call mankind. When the Bible refers to man, unless it's specific to one person, it refers to mankind - both male and female. (DRM 10/26/07)

5:32    Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

    With the ages of the people in this chapter, I wondered why Noah's father wasn't in the ark. The answer was in verse 30; where Lamech (Noah's father) lived 595 years after Noah's birth, but Noah didn't have children until 500 and the ark took a long time to build. I think God gave these people long lives so they could populate the earth - because of their low numbers (of people). (DRM 10/27/07)

6:5    Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

    How has the world changed since the time of Noah? The story of Israel is a great example. At times, when the Lord speaks to someone or nation, they turn and follow Him, then as time progresses, they fall away again and the cycle continues. It appears to me that the USA in in a falling away cycle, but I believe that can change. (DRM 10/28/07)

7:2    You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female;

    Some people are confused by the word "seven" in this verse and verse three. My theory is that since the word seven symbolizes completion in other parts of the Bible, that it also means the same here. The rest of the verse, without the words "by sevens" indicates that there was a male and a female of each animal in the ark. God is not the author of confusion, and we need the Holy Spirit to give us understanding of some passages. (DRM 10/29/07)

7:12    The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.

    There seem to be plenty of people who don't believe this story to be true and earth encompassing. Think of all the rain that a hurricane can produce in a day, then add the (v. 11) fountains of the deep that were added! I still believe God can do anything He wants to do; in large events like this, to small events like healing one person's disease. (DRM 10/30/07)

8:5    The water decreased steadily until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains became visible.

    Sometimes I feel that I have no patience. While I have currently waited 30 months for direction, it wasn't like Noah and his family staying in his "temporary home" non-stop for 10 months. I know I'd have "cabin fever!" While more visible to Noah, we all need patience and faith that God will work out a plan for the future for each of us. (DRM 10/31/07)

8:19    Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by their families from the ark.

    All of the animals appear to have been in the ark for approximately 14 months. (7:6, 8:14) When they went in, they were two by two (7:2), but now they were leaving by "families." While I don't know how they had room, certainly more were born in the ark. Even when we (I) have apparent inactivity, He wants us to keep busy serving Him in whatever way He directs. Even from home (like the ark for Noah). (DRM 11/1/07)

9:14,15    It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, ¹⁵and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.

    The rainbow covenant is one of my favorite sections of the Bible. Here God promises never to have a total flood again, and He made the rainbow to remind us of that fact every time we see it. Where I live, it's rarely seen, and only the right conditions must exist at the right timing. When I see it, I thank God for the beauty of the rainbow and think of this covenant. (DRM 11/2/07)

11:7,8    "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another's speech." ⁸So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city.

    One of the great mysteries in my mind has been how the Native Americans got to the USA before it was "discovered." This verse 8 seems to answer that. Not only did God choose to confuse the languages, but He also "resettled" the people to different parts of the earth. He deserves our worship for all that He has done and is able to do in individual lives. (DRM 11/3/07)

12:17    But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

    God has certain laws or commands that He doesn't want broken. Taking someone else's wife is one of them. Pharaoh and his house suffered for this sin. I think it's interesting and confusing that Abram was 75 hears old (v.4) at the time. Sarai was a beautiful woman (v.11) of about the same age - which we know later (18:11) yet very desirable. God had other plans for Abram and Sarai - 25 years in the future - and Sarai had to be saved for later. (DRM 11/4/07)

13:14,15    The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are (Canaan), northward and southward and eastward and westward; ¹⁵for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever."

    Abram had just separated from Lot. Lot went to the Jordan Valley (v.11) and Abram went to the land of  Canaan (now Israel). However God told Abram the words of His mouth were true - and, as time has passed, continue to be true. Even a hundred years ago there were likely doubters, but not today. God fulfills all of His promises - in His time. (DRM 11/5/07)

14:18    And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.

    Melchizedek seemed to come from nowhere to bless Abram. There is little written about him in the Bible, but there are more clues about him in the book of Hebrews. Based on this verse and the other clues, I believe that Melchizedek was probably not just a priest of God, but a pre-incarnate Jesus. - who also used bread and wine at the last supper. (DRM 11/6/07)

15:5    And He took him (Abram) outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."

    Abram was well over 75 years old (Gen. 12:4) by this time and still God promised that he would have as many descendants as the stars in the sky. At my age I wonder if God will give me even one descendant, but the point is that Abram had faith in God and His promises and trusted solely on Him. (11/7/07)

17:16    (God said) "I will bless her (Sarah), and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."

    In Chapter 16, Abram tried to fulfill God's promise of children through the Egyptians maid, Hagar. This led to the birth of Ishmael. Today's verse clarifies what God originally intended - that Sarah would be the mother - even though she was 90 years old. (v.17) I (we) need to apply this to my life, as I try to "jump ahead" of God. He wants us to wait for His work to be accomplished - and not to "jump ahead." (DRM 11/8/07)

18:12,13    Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" ¹³And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?'

    The visitors had to be from God. I believe the speaker was Jesus before His human birth (pre-incarnate) as He knew Sarah's thoughts, like Jesus knew the thoughts of people when He lived on earth. Only God knows our thoughts and motives and He wants them all to be purely devoted to Him. (DRM 11/9/07)

20:17    Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again.

    In Genesis 20, Abraham said his wife was his sister and let Abimelech take her away. Abimelech found out that he had Abraham's wife in a dream and returned her. 
    The best verse in this chapter (v.17) referred to Abraham's praying to God for healing for Abimelech and his family. 
    Prayer certainly changes things! (DRM 5/31/87)

21:5    Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 

    In Genesis 17, the Lord told Abraham that he would have another son. The son was born exactly as promised.
    While it is sometimes hard to see God's promises, when they are known it is important to BELIEVE that they mean something and really WILL come true if you just do what God's will is. (DRM 7/25/87)

22:5    Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad (Isaac) will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."

    Abraham knew that the Lord said to offer his son as a sacrifice (v.2), yet he told his two (v.3) young men (like slaves) that they would both return after worshipping. Abraham believed God would provide a lamb when they got to the mount (v.8). Abraham had great faith, and it's a great example of what I should also do when faced with hard circumstances. (DRM 11/10/07)

22:13    Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by the horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

    Just when Abraham was going to kill his only son as an offering to the Lord, the angel stopped him and provided a ram for a sacrifice instead.
    We must also be willing to do as God asks. The most important part of this is the fact that when everything seems to be lost, that God will provide for our every need. Just trust in Him! (DRM 7/30/87)

23:2    (Sarah) She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her. 

    Death is inevitable, even for the most Godly among us. God willing, this experience will happen to me also. Losing a loved one is an experience that God provides for us and we never seem to be prepared for. 
    We must always be ready for this fate in our own lives, and the assurance that trusting in Jesus Christ as personal savior, helps to dispel that feeling of helplessness that can overcome us. (DRM 9/15/87)

24:3, 4     . . . and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, ⁴but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac."

    In some ways, I like the Old Testament way of finding a wife! Abraham had his servant promise that the wife that he chose for Isaac would also be an (Israelite) and that his daughter-in-law would continue the line of faith - as directed by God (v.7). No matter what God directs, my (our) mission is to do His will. (DRM 11/11/07)

24:19    After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking."

    This long chapter of Genesis dealt with how to find a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac.
    This verse shows me that all Christians should be caring for people who need a lot of help in any way, if only water, or any type of illness. (DRM 11/4/87)

24:30, 31a    When he (Laban) saw the ring and the (gold) bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, "This is what the man said to me," he went to the man; and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. ³¹And he said, "Come in, blessed of the LORD! . . . "

    Some things haven't changed. While Rebekah gave the man and his camels water as requested, her brother Laban appears to be "gold struck" as his sister had just showed him the gifts received. Perhaps the gold had an influence in his attitude, as it would in our time. Rebekah's actions were out of kindness and of the Lord, as we (I) are directed to do. (DRM 11/12/07)

24:50, 51    Then Laban and Bethuel replied, "The matter comes from the LORD; so we cannot speak to you bad or good. ⁵¹Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son as the LORD has spoken."

    While not so stated, these two verses are full of faith. Laban and Bethuel must have had faith to trust in the servant's explanation - story. Certainly they trusted in the Lord as Director of the event and they must have heard the Holy Spirit's small voice speak that this was all truly of Him. I always need more and more faith like they had. (DRM 11/13/07)

24:57, 58    And they said, "We will call the girl and consult her wishes." ⁵⁸Then they called Rebekah and said to her, "will you go with this man?" And she said, "I will go."

    Yesterday it seemed that Bethuel, Rebekah's father had made the decision for her to go. Today's verses indicate that Rebekah went willingly. I think all of the gifts had an influence, but this decision also required her faith that all would go well. She also brought a nurse (v.59) with her.
    Like I wrote yesterday, faith is required to make major decisions, and it is evidenced here. (DRM 11/14/07)

25:11    After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.

    This is a reminder that God has all the influence in our lives. If we trust in Him, He may bless the things that we do, IF we honor Him in every possible way. (DRM 11/10/87)

25:33, 34    And Jacob said, "First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. ³⁴Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

    I can imagine that Jacob and Esau were teenagers at this time. Esau was hungry and didn't think his birthright had any value, so he gave it to Jacob, as time progressed, Esau saw that he made a wrong decision, and regretted it. How can I avoid making wrong decisions? I ask the Holy Spirit for direction, and also other believers, and pray that I will be doing His will. (DRM 11/15/07)

26:12    Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.

    It is good to be in God's grace! Sometimes I wonder if I am truly doing just what God intends for me to do. Usually the answer is found out after I have tried something and either succeeded or failed.
    Lord, help me to know what You want me to do! (DRM 11/13/87)

27:8, 9    Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you. ⁹Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves.

    I have mixed emotions about this section, as Esau had already sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob, but the father didn't know. Now it was time for the final blessing and Rebekah seems deceptive in the arrangements for the younger Jacob to get the blessing. While "sneaky" in my human reasoning, it was God's will (25:23) for this to happen from the beginning. God wants us to do His will. (DRM 11/16/07)

27:29    ". . . May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you."

    This is the second half of the blessing that Isaac gave to Jacob, but intended to give to Esau. This is the "stolen blessing" that Rebekah had set up. Since God knows everything, He probably knew it would happen this way, however, it would have been better if He had arranged the details. I try to let Him lead by going through the open doors that He leads me to. (DRM 11/17/07)

27:33    Isaac trembled violently and said, "Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him - and indeed he will be blessed.

    Isaac had just been deceived by Rebekah, and gave his "wrong" son his final blessing. Rebekah (Isaac's wife) knew that Isaac had to bless the wrong son since the twins were born. (Gen. 25:23).
    While I don't believe that deceiving anyone is right, I also can see that it was always God's will that this should happen. (DRM 11/15/87) 

27:41    So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

    While not as extreme as losing a birthright or a blessing, I have gotten upset when things didn't go "my" way. One incident caused me to think thoughts like Esau, but not that violent. Still, I have recovered, and know that ALL the events of my life are directed by the Lord God in some way. While discouraged, I know that God has something else planned that will probably be much better. (DRM 11/18/07)

28:15    I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

    These words were spoken by God to Jacob in a dream.
    I felt that this part of the dread had a special meaning to me, as I still need the confidence to know that God IS watching over me and that I will "return" to His Kingdom someday. God will never leave me and He does all of His promises. What else could I ask? (DRM 11/20/87)

28:20, 21    Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, ²¹and I return to my father's house in safety, then the LORD will be my God."

    This conditional vow seems like Gideon's fleece in Judges 6:36-40. With all the "voices" calling for our attention, sometimes it's hard to KNOW that the direction is truly from the Lord. I think everyone has probably asked the Lord to confirm that He is the One directing events, certainly I do, and pray that I am always doing His will. (DRM 11/19/07)

29:10    When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

    Jacob was in love "at first sight" of Rachel. In verse 2, the stone is described as very large and verse 3 indicates "they" (more than one) moved the stone normally. In Jacob's love, he probably wanted to show Rachel his strength. God gives us abilities to do things like this on special occasions that aren't normally possible. What unusual feat will God have me do for Him?

29:26    Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.

    Jacob loved Rachel, Laban's younger daughter and worked seven years for the right to marry Rachel. When the seven years were up, Laban used the statement above. Jacob had to work seven additional years to have Rachel as his wife.
    What patience! 14 years of work to marry someone. When I run out of patience, I should remember Jacob and know that everything God does, will be in His timing. (DRM 11/22/87)

30:22,24    Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. . . ²⁴She named him Joseph, and said, "May the Lord add to me another son."

    Jacob had had many children by the time the Lord allowed Rachel to have a son.
    This is important to me as an illustration that God does answer prayers. No matter how depressed or downhearted I am, I still should continue to pray - knowing that God does answer prayers — in His time. (DRM 11/23/87)

31:8    "If he (Laban) spoke thus, 'The speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flock brought forth speckled; and if he spoke thus, 'The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock brought forth striped."

    This is a great example of how God can work in the background. Jacob had no control over what Laban would say nor what God would do. God continued to show His favor for Jacob in what happened here. God has a plan for each of us and continues to work in the background. (DRM 11/21/07)

31:24    Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."

    I read this chapter as I knew it would refer to dreams. 
    As this verse points out, the Lord does speak to people in dreams, and in some cases there are clear messages contained therein.
    Later in the chapter Laban obeyed the dream and made a pact with Jacob agreeing not to harm him in any way. (DRM 9/4/87)

32:11    Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.

    This is just part of Jacob's prayer to God. He knew that the Lord directed him to return to the country of his relatives (v. 9), so now he was praying for protection as his brother Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. (v. 6)
    I believe if God truly directs us to do something, that He will work out the circumstances to make the "journey" fruitful. This may not be obvious immediately - but later upon reflection. (DRM 11/22/07)

32:24    Then, Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

    The identity of the wrestler seems to be a mystery in this story, but the clues are there. In v. 28 the other participant said, ". . . you have striven with God and with men. . . " and no one has seen God, so I believe this was the pre-incarnate Jesus - who gave Jacob the name Israel. (v. 28)

32:28    Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.

    In this section of chapter 32, Jacob wrestles with God, and overcomes. Perhaps the meaning of this verse indicates that a person must become stronger as his faith increases in God as his sole supporter.
    With God's help we can overcome spiritual battles as well as all others! (DRM 11/24/87)

33:10b    . . .For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.

    Jacob had just met his brother Esau after a long absence. 
    Even though I do not have a brother, I feel this way when I see my "Christian brothers." Even a few days without them seems to drain me of my desire to serve the Lord. (DRM 11/26/87)

34:24    All the men who went out of the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male in the city was circumcised.

    Another confusing chapter. Jacob's daughter had been defiled by Shechem. Shechem want to marry Dinah, and asked Jacob what he could do to marry Dinah. Jacob's sons asked Shechem to circumcise every man in his group (v.24). Then Jacob's sons went to the other city (Shechem's) and killed all the men. Why were Jacob's sons so deceitful (v.13)? (v.31) To protect Dinah? (DRM 11/29/87)

35:4    So they (Jacob's household) gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.

    Foreign gods are what they are, it's true, however I interpreted this verse as being sins of all types. All of our sins should be buried and forgotten. 
    The best way to bury our sins is to ask God to forgive us of our sins. Being specific is very important. I still ask for the Holy Spirit to make me aware of my sins, so that I may correct them, if at all possible. (DRM 11/30/87)

35:5    As they journeyed, there was a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

    Most often I think of how God is arranging my life for His purpose, but here is an example of how He works in lives of others to preserve His people.  I can only  imagine what would terrorize people of 5,000(?) years ago - but whatever it was, He was creating protection for Jacob (Israel) to pass through the territory. Since God can do that, He will also protect individuals if He desires. (DRM 11/24/07)

36:6    Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the members of his household . . . to a land some distance from his brother Jacob.

    This chapter deals mostly with the descendants of Esau.
    This verse shows that both Esau and Jacob had large families and needed more room for expansion. In the New Testament we learn to generally marry only one wife, but in the Old Testament "multiple marriages" were encouraged thus populating the earth as they were "commanded" to do. (DRM 12/2/87)

37:4    When his brothers saw that their father loved him (Joseph) more than any of them, they hated him (Joseph) and could not speak a kind word to him.

    This is the first chapter on the life of Joseph. (Jacob's son)
    The special meaning of this verse is that brothers should learn to love another and not plot to kill or harm each other. 
    Attitude is everything - why a person would want to harm another person is beyond me. Why not talk things over and agree on something? (DRM 12/4/87)

37:9    Now he (Joseph) had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, "Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

    Most of the time I have heard of Joseph's first dream, but not the second. Both are on the same topic - his ruling over his family.
    Sometimes God gives us dreams that are truly prophetic and other times I have had dreams that are just silly, or relating to the past. I would like to know how to discern which are truly from the Lord. (DRM 11/25/07)

37:26, 27    Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? ²⁷Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened to him.

    Joseph's brothers really disliked him —because of his dreams and his father's preference for him. When they had him alone they had choices on what to do to him, and almost killed him, but seemed to decide that wasn't profitable.
    I think God protected Joseph's life through his brother Judah. God works through amazing circumstances! (DRM 11/26/07)

38:7,10    But Er, Judah's first born, was wicked in the Lord's sight, so the Lord put him to death. ¹⁰What he (Onan) did was wicked in the Lord's sight; so he put him to death also. 

    God is almighty! How often I hear: "But God is love, He is not a mean God. "
    Here is still another verse to show that God can get angry. There are many ways that God can show His displeasure with someone, and only He will decide what punishment you deserve for not obeying His laws. (DRM 12/6/87)

39:3, 4    When his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, ⁴Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant, Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 

    That verse seems to be part of my desire for my life. To have the Lord with me. The Lord is with me only when I am in HIS will, though, and that sometimes is hard for me to determine. 
    Lord, I know you are with me. Let me know just what I may do for you in my life. When I'm in Your will, I know I'll be successful. (DRM 12/7/87)

39:10, 11    As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her. ¹¹Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. . .

    Why do bad things happen to good people? Joseph did his work well, and refused to succumb to the temptation of Potiphar's wife, and still her story was accepted over his. (v. 20) While it didn't seem so at the time, God had a plan that would be better for Joseph. I have to believe the same in my life. (DRM 11/27/07)

39:23    The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.

    This is like 39:3 where we are told that the LORD was with Joseph. How did they know? Was he happy? Honest? Trustworthy? God is with all believers and wants us (me) to show our trust in the Savior through our actions.
    Joseph was wrongly accused, but still had the disposition to do well in his circumstances. (DRM 11/28/07)

40:12    Then Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it (the cupbearers dream): the three branches are three days;

    Joseph and Daniel were special in their interpretation of dreams. The number three (3) also has a lot of symbolism in the Bible, as it represents three days here and the Trinity and many other things at various places. God's gift to Joseph of interpreting dreams is an example of how He gives us all various gifts (talents) to use for His glory. (DRM 11/29/07)

41:8    Now in the morning his (Pharaoh's) spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

    Normally people wouldn't pick this out as an important part of the story, as Joseph was called to interpret the dreams - but why didn't the wise men interpret the dreams -  as they seem so clear to me? God intended it that way, He confused the dream to them, but intended for Joseph to be brought before Pharaoh for this reason. God works out every detail of a person's life in advance. (DRM 11/30/07)

41:32    Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about.

    I had forgotten this aspect of the dreams, and wonder if that applies to all dreams to this day. That could answer more of my personal questions. This aspect of Joseph is very similar to Daniel, as the Lord Jesus could explain ANYTHING to those who had willing hearts and ears. (DRM 12/1/07)

41:40    "You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you."

    Joseph had waited on the Lord God in the dungeon for years. While his wait wasn't "voluntary," he trusted in the Lord and was faithful to Him. After his trial (dungeon), was over, God used him (Joseph) in a mighty way. I continue to believe that a person who is completely "sold out" for the Lord will be used by Him when He is ready. (DRM 12/3/07)

42:8    But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him.

    Here is an example of how Joseph was like Jesus later. After Jesus' resurrection, not all recognized Him. Probably Joseph's brothers didn't think Joseph was still alive, and certainly not the ruler of Egypt! Joseph, and his dreams, had probably left their minds at the time. (DRM 12/3/07)

42:36    Their father Jacob said to them, "You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me."

    I can understand how Jacob felt a little. He thought he had lost Joseph years before, and now Simeon was being held captive. He couldn't see the future good things that were going to happen. As we (I) go through trials, I don't know the future, but must trust that God has a plan and it will all be better in the future. (DRM 12/4/07)

43:11a    Then their father (Jacob)- Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land. . . "

    Jacob-Israel did not want to lose Benjamin to the Egyptian ruler, but he knew he would run out of food if he didn't give in. In a different way I think we (I) also want to do things our own way, and finally give into God=Jesus when we feel desperation; "If it must be so." It would be easier just to yield to Him in the beginning. (DRM 12/5/07)

43:30    Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there.

    My first thoughts on this verse were, "why didn't he tell them he was their brother?" He asked to see Benjamin, and they brought him, now they were at Joseph's house and still didn't know why. His dream from Gen. 37:9 still had not been fulfilled, so that's why I think he did not tell them who he was. God has a plan for each of us, and we (I) just have to wait for it to be fulfilled. (DRM 12/6/07)

44:2    Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain." And he did as Joseph had told him.

    I have mixed emotions on this verse and this part of the story. It seems that Joseph was being deceptive with his brothers. When put in the context of the whole story, it makes more sense and the whole family is united, but here I might have done it differently. God wants us to do tings His way, not ours. (DRM 12/7/07)

44:10    "Very well, then" he (Joseph) said, "let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame."

    Joseph had placed a silver cup in Benjamin's sack (his brother) in order to bring his brothers back. Joseph still had not told his brothers that he was the one they had sold years earlier. 
    In my opinion, Joseph just wanted to have his brothers come and honor him in contrast to Chapter 37 where they sold him after he had dreams of success. 
    Was Joseph too harsh? I think so! (DRM 12/8/87)

44:18    Then Judah approached him, and said, "Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord's ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh.

    From this verse to the end of the chapter, Judah repeated the story to date. His appeal could be similar to a prayer to his lord, to whom he was talking. Joseph is referred to as equal to Pharaoh.
    Jesus is equal to God, and I appeal to Him quite often by reviewing things that have happened to date. Both Judah and I (we) are appealing to a Higher Authority when we pray. (DRM 12/8/07)

45:4    Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they came closer. And he said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. . . "

    It seems that Joseph made a "production" in telling his brothers who he was. He cried so loudly that the whole household (palace?) heard him. (v. 2) Joseph wanted to be sure they were his brothers before doing this, then committed himself to provide for them for the next 5 years (v. 11). God used Joseph to continue the line for the Messiah to come. (DRM 12/9/07)

45:11    I will provide for you there (Egypt) because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.

    Joseph had become very successful, but still was willing to forgive his brothers for the wrongs they had done to him in the past.
    Joseph was forgiving, just as I should try to be whenever someone does something wrong to me! (DRM 12/9/87)

45:17, 18    Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, ¹⁸and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land."

    This statement could be one of the most important in the Bible for the Jewish people. It saved Jacob and his sons from starvation and preserved the future nation of Israel. To Jacob, it was an unexpected announcement followed by gifts not imagined. I hope that God also will have a surprise announcement for me someday, as my trial has been going on for years now. (DRM 12/10/07)

46:3    "I am God, the God of your father." he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there."

    God spoke to Jacob (Israel) in a vision and said the words above. 
    While I did not understand before, I now understand that this verse is a vital part of the Old Testament as a whole. Jacob's 12 sons were the tribes of Israel. After they had multiplied in Egypt, Moses brought them back to Israel. . . This verse means a lot! (DRM 12/11/87)

46:29    Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared before him, he fell on his neck and wept on his neck a long time.

    The long awaited reunion had finally occurred. The Pharaoh relocated Joseph's family to Goshen to do their work. Joseph went to Goshen to meet his father and 65 (v. 26) other relatives. This would be the beginning of the nation of Israel. God provided Joseph to meet their needs through the famine - as I believe that he will do for each of us in our trials. (DRM 12/11/07)

47:7    Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and presented him to Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

    My first thought was that it should be the other way around - but Jacob was appreciative of Pharaoh giving his family the land of Goshen (v. 6) to live in. Blessings should be mutual, the giver and the receiver, but the Lord God is truly the Provider. (DRM 12/12/07)

47:11    So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. 

    This verse was another clue as to what is coming in Exodus. The Pharaoh placed Jacob and his sons in Rameses district where they multiplied before they would later want to leave the land in Exodus. 
    This should (and does!) show me that God has everything planned out far in advance — if we will only listen to Him! (DRM 12/12/87)

48:3, 4    Then Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, ⁴and He said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.' "

    I think the key word here is "everlasting." Jacob (Israel) had left Canaan due to the famine, but God told him that his family would return there someday. It's really the main story of the Israeli people to this day. God intends for His people to be in that land for eternity (everlasting). (DRM 12/13/07)

49:26    "The blessings of your father
            Have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors
            Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills;
            May they be on the head of Joseph,
            And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers."

    This was the blessing that Jacob gave to Joseph before his death. He refers to how Joseph was already blessed more than his ancestors and how he was distinguished among his brothers.
    While I'm not aware of final blessings in this time, I feel that the Lord truly is the Person who blesses us during our daily walk with Him. The goal is to keep following His commands. (DRM 12/14/07)

50:21    So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

    Joseph's father had just died and his brothers were afraid of him.
    Joseph was kind enough to forgive his brothers of their past ways  . . . We should also learn by this example, and forgive people who we disagree with or get upset with.
    Lord, help me to forgive people whom I want to hold a grudge against. If You can forgive, I should be able to also. (DRM 5/22/87)

50:24    Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob."