Genesis 27 – Genesis 29

First and foremost, we had a great small group conversation last night. Many thanks to those who came out to share in this journey with me. One little gem that I shared with the group was a video from thebibleproject.com . If you are interested check out the video here . Together we watched the “Read Scripture, part 1” and it was a great summary of the first 11 chapters. Next week, we’ll look at part 2 as we finish up our journey through Genesis.

In last night’s reading, we moved into the stories of Jacob. The childhood song, “We are climbing, Jacob’s ladder” may have come to mind as you read about Jacob’s dream at Bethel. What a vision that must have been for him! I’m not sure if I would have been overjoyed or terrified! Then we are on to the story of Jacob and Rachel. Jacob meets Laban, and agrees to seven years of labor for the one he loved. Finally, when the time comes, Jacob head over heals in love, only to realize that he had been shared the wedding tent with the wrong sister. How could you not have known? A week later, Jacob is married again, this time to Rachel, only to serve Laban for seven more years. Oh the cost of love!

More to share tomorrow as we read on to Genesis 30 & 31.

Genesis 25 – Genesis 26

The story of Genesis shifts as Abraham’s long life comes to a close, and Isaac becomes the heir and descendant of Abraham. As I was reading, I couldn’t help be chuckle, as I was reminded that ‘the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree,’ or that ‘like father, like son’ quickly applies to Isaac. “She is my sister,” he states to King Abimelech, regarding his wife Rebekah. It didn’t work well for Abraham, and it doesn’t work for Isaac. Perhaps we will see that the cunning nature of Abraham is an inherit trait. Then again, we don’t even have to look that far as Jacob tricks Esau out of his birth right. What a convoluted story! Let’s just keep in mind the big picture, the entire story, which tells about God’s divine love and our salvation.

Lastly, an invitation, beginning tonight we will meet in the Chapel for conversation and reflection. We gather at 6:30 p.m. if you are in the area, stop in and join in the conversation.

Hope to see you there,
Pastor Bailey

Genesis 22 – Genesis 24

If I were to give a theme or a title to these three chapters, it might be something like “Abraham’s commitment to God and family.” Commitment, Respect, and honor are all a big part of these three chapters. Think of it this way:

Chapter 22: We witness Abraham’s commitment to God. What a test! After waiting years for God’s promise to be realized, Isaac is born, and not God test’s Abraham with Isaac’s Sacrifice. “God will provide,” Abraham states to his son, who is now beginning to figure things out. In the end, God does provide a ram, caught in the thicket, just as the blade was ready to strike. This is a fitting sacrifice given by God as a gift of thanksgiving, for God now know Abraham is fully committed to his faith.

Chapter 23: We witness Abraham’s commitment to his wife. Sarah is now dead and what is the one thing that Abraham wants? A proper place to bury her body. Many try to gift him land, caves, and other locations, but Abraham will have nothing to do with “free” gifts. There is pride. There is a deep sense of commitment. In buying a burial location, Abraham could easily say, “This is ours! Its not borrowed, leased, or given. I purchased it to do what is right, so that we may all find eternal peace and rest.” There is a deep sense of honor in that, a sign of his commitment to Sarah.

Chapter 24: We witness Abraham’s commitment to his son Isaac. Time has passed, Isaac is of the age to be married, but it must be the right woman, from the right location. “Go to my country,” Abraham says to his servant. Go, so that you might find someone of our own traditions, our own background, our own faith values. Abraham is committed to see that his family, the one that will someday be a numerous as the stars in the heavens, will inherit the same blessings that he once did. Even as we wish all the best for our own children. Abraham is showing his commitment to this as Rebekah meets the servant at the well.

So we see various aspects of Abraham’s commitment. Does is model our own? Now one week in to a Year of Scripture, are we still all committed? See you tomorrow as dig deeper into Genesis 25 – 26.

God’s peace,
Pastor Bailey

Genesis 19 – Genesis 21

Part of today’s reading feels like deja vu when we think of Abraham and Sarah. Haven’t we heard, “she is my sister before” as a means to provide Abraham safety and security. Didn’t I mention that Abraham is a bit cunning? Well, yes, Abraham used those same lines with Pharaoh back in chapter 12. Didn’t seem to work then, doesn’t seem to work now either in the presence of King Abimelech. Here is the laughable part, maybe you forgot that as we were reading along, Sarah is now 90 years old. I mean no offense to our 90’s something women, you are beautiful in your own way, but desirable for a childbearing relationship? I think not! Despite the deception, amazingly Abraham’s life is never put in danger, he is richly rewarded, and Abimelech too for his own faithfulness. Seems odd, but that’s the way God’s story goes. The reassuring thing is, if God continue to love and walk with the oddities of Abraham, then certainly, God can continue to love the oddities of you and me. Let’s read on as we venture onto chapters 22-24.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Genesis 16 – Genesis 18

One might ask what was going on in Abrah’s mind in the 14 years of waiting.  Did God forget me?  Was this promise a joke?  Was it real?  There is no doubt that fourteen years is a long time for any of us to wait.  Yet, we are reminded that God works in God’s time.  Our desires, our timing, our need for everything right here, right now, doesn’t fit is with the one who was, who is, and who always will be.  So like Abram, a little bit more patience and trust is needed from each and every one of us.

As we journey into chapter 17, Abram’s name is changed . . . Abraham.  Sarai’s name is changed . . . Sarah.  Why?  After all the waiting, long after the initial promise was made, this is a sign that God is about to do something new.  Just as we are named and claimed in the Waters of Baptism, it is a new beginning, for Abraham and Sarah, just as it is for us.  Named and Claimed by God above, what an honor.  With a new name, the promise is about to be realized.  Sarah is with child!  The story of the Nation of Israel is about to begin.

More to read for tomorrow.  Will you join me for Genesis 19 – 21.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Genesis 12 – Genesis 15

This is kind of exciting, isn’t it? Now 15 chapters into Genesis. Four days into our read. I’ve even gotten a few likes and followers. Being that I’m new to Blogging, I find that exciting. Don’t forget, you can comment and ask questions below. I’ll do my best to answer them. Also, come and join me Wednesday evening 6:30 in the Chapel at First, where we can share some conversation together. Now on to our readings . . .

As we begin chapter 12, we are going realize that Abram is a relatively cunning man. This is the first time, but won’t be the last that he uses something, or someone, to get what he wants. Sometimes, he does so with questionable motives. There is the call to Egypt due to a Famine, and what does Abram do? He essentially pimps his wife in order to provide 1) safety 2) numerous gifts given by Pharaoh. “Oh, her? She’s just my sister.” Really Abram? Really? I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t work if I even tried to suggest it to my wife! Never the less, for Abram’s sake, it works, and amazingly when Pharaoh finds out, Abram’s life is spared. One would think, that there would be vengeance and hatred. Instead, they are simply sent away. No doubt, God’s divine guidance was with them.

This guidance, provides Abram the assurance he needs as he and Lot part ways. Lot chooses the better land, but Abram knows that God is with them, and no matter when they go, they will be blessed. That’s how our chapters for day end. With Abram’s blessing . . .

‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’
God said to Abram, ‘So shall your descendants be.’
Genesis 15:5

A promise is made, a promise will be fulfilled. Even Abram and Sarai in their old age will have a child, who will have one, who will have another . . . Tying us all together in that age old Sunday School Song, “Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham, I am one of them, and so are you, so lets all praise the Lord!”

One last note for today, as we praise the Lord, a quick side note on Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God. It seems random. It seems odd. Even well before the temple and the order of the priesthood is established, we find this lone priest. But this priest is not alone. He is part of something much greater. It take until the book of Hebrews chapter 7 until we figure it all out . . . where Jesus Christ, is proclaimed “Priest forever of the order of Melchizedek.” So from the blessing given to Abram to the glories of the open tomb, God is there, so let’s all praise the Lord!

See you after our next readings. Genesis 16 – 18.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Genesis 8 – Genesis 11

The waters come . . . and the waters go. The story of the Flood winds to a close and we quickly realize that it doesn’t take long for sin to enter into the world again. Noah becomes drunk (who can blame him after almost a year in the ark), his son mocks his drunken behavior, and on the story goes.

Along with the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, we encounter the Tower of Babel. A childhood favorite of mine, but then building towers out of bricks was something I did a lot with my LEGOS, so I could relate. Difference is, I never aspired to be “like God” or to “reach the heavens.” A few feet tall with with stairs and windows was about all my LEGO collection would allow.

Finally, we close our our readings with a familiar name, or nearly familiar, Abraham, I mean Abram, is introduced. We’ll understand the need for a name change later. For now, we find comfort knowing that the story of Abraham is upon us, which leads us ever closer to the story of Salvation through Jesus Christ. Even after the flood, these few chapters remind us that we obviously need it. Let’s read on to Genesis 12-15.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Genesis 4 – 7

If you made it through chapter 4: 17-22, congratulations! We survive the first of many readings through the genealogy of the Bible. Those don’t get any easier, or any more/less interesting, yet they are part of God’s story, which makes them part of our story. So we read on, through each and every name the best we can.

Of course, as we venture into the story of Noah, we cannot help but think of the waters of baptism that ever flow, forever cleasnsing us of our sins. I will admit I had to chuckle as I lay in bed reading these three chapters, all while listening to some quiet music playing a gentle rainstorm in the background. Then I began to think about that rain. Drop after drop, after drop, after drop. Day after day, after day, after day. Night after night, after night, after night. That’s a lot of rain! Forty Days worth of rain! That’s alot of water used to wash away the sins of the world.

Thanks be to God, through the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, and the ever flowing waters of baptism, Grace is given, and small amounts of water work just fine!

Join me in reading our next section, Genesis Chapters 8 – 11.

Genesis 1 – Genesis 3

“In the Beginning . . .” We have all probably read these words a dozen times. Perhaps we have attempted to read the Bible a few time through before, and we start quickly and easily with some familiar words, “In the beginning . . .” Even the first three chapters are quick and easy to read, we could even say that the book of Genesis is an familiar/easy read for most of us. Then, as one page turns into another, as days and months go on, we begin to loose the passion and vigor for our daily reading.

So we do this together!

Twenty minutes or so every day should get us through in a year. We’ll follow the Bishop’s suggested reading schedule and hope that with many others across the Northwestern Ohio Synod, we are able to make it to the words “. . . Amen, Come, Lord Jesus!”

Our first reading from Genesis 1 – Genesis 3, recalls the story of creation. Two stories actually. The traditional 7 days of creation (Gen. 1:1 – Gen. 2:3) , as well as the story of Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:4b – Gen. 2:24). Then we get the story of the Fall, and that crafty snake. Sin enters in the picture quite quickly. One observation I always make is the blame game that takes place. No one wants to take responsibilities for their own mistakes. It’s always someone else’s fault. Nothing new there! Yet, despite our sinful actions (even from the very beginning) God still cares. Did you catch that? In Genesis 3:20, in their nakedness and shame, God still cares enough to cloth them before sending them out of the garden. We may have messed up, from the beginning . . . but God still loves us!

Now onto day two, Genesis chapters 4 – 7. Why don’t you read it with me.