Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapter 8

1/8/2012

Chapter 8-

-“But the LORD remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle.” I’m so glad the LORD remembers us after His times of testing and trial and persecution and discipline. The LORD caused a wind to pass over the earth making the waters subside. The rains stopped and the floodgates of the earth were closed and restrained, and the water receded steadily from the earth at the 150 day mark.

-In the seventh month, the seventeenth day, the ark rested on Ararat’s mountains. The flood had begun in the second month on the seventeenth day in this same year, Noah’s 600^th year (Genesis 7:11).

-In the tenth month, on the first day, the mountains became visible and forty days later Noah opened the window he had made and sent out a raven. Seven days later he sent out a dove to see if the water had dried up enough yet, but the dove returned finding no resting place. Noah put out his hand and took her back into the ark himself. Seven days later, he sent the dove back out and she returned with a fresh olive leave (the sign of peace). So now Noah knew the water had abated enough from the earth for things to grow and survive again. In another seven days Noah sent out the dove again, and the dove did not return.

-In the first month and the first day of the next year, Noah’s 601^st year, the water was dried up from the earth and Noah removed the covering of the ark and saw that the surface was dried up.

-In the second month on the twenty-seventh day, the earth was dry, and God told Noah to go out of the ark with his family and all the animals that they may breed abundantly and repopulate the earth. Noah and his family lived in the ark for just over a year during the flood. God had preserved them whole and complete.

-Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and sacrificed of every clean animal and bird a burnt offering to his God. When the LORD smelled this soothing aroma He said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease (Genesis 8:21-22).” God is faithful and we still enjoy the produce from that promise.

Verses to Memorize: Genesis 8:21

Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapter 7

1/7/2012

Chapter 7-

-The time comes that the LORD said to Noah to get into the ark with his entire household because he was the only righteous person before God at this time. Noah was commanded to bring sevens of every clean animal and two, male and female, of every unclean animal. This opens up the question of God’s communication pre-Moses on clean and unclean animals. Apparently God had instructed in some way which animals were clean to eat and which were not. We have no Scripture indicating this other than this passage.

-God gives Noah and his family a seven day warning before He sends the deluge of rain and water to cover the earth for forty days and nights blotting out all living thing. Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came upon the earth.

-Noah did everything that the LORD had commanded him. This is reiterated for emphasis in the text. Noah was shown to be completely obedient to the will of the Heavenly Father and carried out his will in totality.

-In the flood, the fountains of the deep burst open and the floodgates of the sky were opened. Rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. Noah’s family entered the ark with all their animals and it was closed by the LORD the very same day that the flood began. “And the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth.” This was the LORD’s protection over death to preserve the human race and the animals after their kind. His mercy endures even in His great wrath, and He provides salvation and deliverance for His chosen that walk with Him in righteousness. Notice that the Scriptures never say that Noah was perfect or without sin, but that he was simply blameless. In other words, his heart was right before his Maker and he followed the ways of the LORD God. This required faith on the part of Noah, and we can see his acts of faith throughout this saga. Hebrews 11:7 verifies this.

-Soon water covered the face of the whole earth; even the highest mountains were covered. But the ark was water tight and floated above the surface of the waters. All flesh that moved on the earth and had the breath of life perished in the deluge and the water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.

Verse to Memorize: Genesis 7:5

Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapter 6

1/6/2012

Chapter 6-

-Man is beginning to multiply greatly upon the face of the earth taking the beautiful daughters of men for themselves, whoever they chose. This seems to indicate to me some of the first sexual misconduct of mankind as they seem to have no regard for God’s institution of one man and one woman in holy union that He designed in the garden with Adam and Eve. It is important I think that the Bible goes directly from this statement on their sexual habits into God’s Spirit not striving forever with man and his flesh, when He limits man’s days to one hundred twenty years.

-The Nephilim are mentioned, which were mighty-legendary men of renown who were born of the sons of God and the daughters of men. This is a perplexing statement as to the meaning and why exactly it was included in the text of Scripture.

-Whatever the case, the LORD “saw that the wickedness of man was great (in other words, much or abundant) on the earth, and that every intent of the thought of his heart was only evil continually.” The sin nature was in full effect without the Law of God and His righteousness. God became grieved in His heart (Ephesians 4:30) and was sorry, or regretted, that He had even made man. However, God was not caught unaware; He had a plan for salvation in view, not only for this situation, but an eternal plan through the salvation eventually coming from Jesus Christ, His son, God in the flesh.

-God decided to blot out man, animals, creeping things, and birds because of His anguish and sorrow. But, His servant Noah somehow found favor in the eyes of the Lord. He was righteous and blameless, walking with God (same phrase used for Enoch, Genesis 5:24). Noah and his sons and their families were called to build the ark of gopher wood to escape the coming wrath of God upon the earth in the form of a flood, or deluge of water, which would destroy all flesh under heaven with breath of life. God looked at the earth with all its corruption and violence and had enough. His patience had ended, but He spared Noah and his line. He makes and establishes His covenant with Noah in order to save them.

-Description of the ark and how it was to be built is described. The animals are instructed to be brought into the ark to keep alive animals after their kind. Two of every kind, male and female, came to Noah on their own volition for their preservation. This opens up thought of God’s communication with animals and their obedience to their Creator. I have heard stories in natural disasters where no animal life was found dead on the scene. Somehow they had the instincts to leave a situation before it occurred. Certainly it is an interesting concept to contemplate.

-God also instructs Noah to take along edible food on the ark, which is obvious it would seem, but yet shows the compassion of the LORD and His concern for every detail for our survival.

-It is an important fact element in the last verse of the chapter that Noah did according to all that God had commanded him. He was not partial in his obedience; he completed it one hundred percent.

Verses to Memorize: Genesis 6:5, 8

Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapter 5

1/5/2012

Chapter 5-

-Here we see the generations listed that tie the gap between Adam, the first man, and Noah, who the Bible states was to be the one to give rest from the intense work and toil of their hands coming from the ground that the Lord had cursed.

-It is first interesting to note that the lineage of Noah comes through Seth, whose descendents were the first to call upon the Name of the LORD (Genesis 4:26). It was not Abel’s line that Noah came from.

-There are ten generations that link Adam to Noah, who then had his three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Enoch is noted as a man that “walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Hebrews 11:5 qualifies this interpretation for us that Enoch did not see death. He along with Elijah (2 Kings 2:9-11) are unique in this respect that the LORD took these men up to heaven that walked so closely to Him without having to taste the bitterness of physical death. Oh that we would have that kind of closeness to our Heavenly Father!

-The other thing that is interesting to note is the ages of these first humans in the pre-flood state of the earth. There have been some interesting theories about how the water canopy kept out many of the harmful effects from the sun as it pertains to the aging process. We will read shortly about the “floodgates of the sky” (Genesis 6:11) and previously we saw that God created an expanse of water above (Genesis 1:7) in creation. This is a practical explanation for the extremely long ages of these men in these times comparatively to our present standards. Sin’s effects will shortly be seen in the decrease in human years on earth. God will not strive with corrupt men long, and soon He would put limits on the number of their years to 120 (Genesis 6:3).

 

Verse to Memorize: Genesis 5:24

Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapter 4

1/4/2012

Chapter 4-

-Chapter 4 focuses on the effects of sin on the descendents of Adam and Eve, and it depicts the famous Cain and Abel narrative as the first murder in human history occurs. Cain offers to God his unaccepted sacrifice of the fruit of the ground, which he tilled. Abel, on the other hand, brought of the firstlings (the best) of his flock and of their fat portions. He kept flocks as his primary work. God accepted and had regard for Abel’s offering.

-Cain gets upset and angry and his countenance fell as he got jealous of God’s favor on his brother. God tells him that if he will simply do well he will regain a proper countenance and favor from the Lord, but if not sin is crouching at the door and its desire is to destroy. God says that he must master sin and turn away from it.

-Cain rejects the advice of the LORD God and his jealousy turns to rage as he kills his brother Abel in the field one day. God again comes asking questions of the sinner, “Where is your brother Abel?” and “What have you done?”. The LORD God knows the answers obviously, but He wants Cain to fess up and admit his mistakes, which Cain is not willing to do. Instead, he makes excuses and denies the sin and complains about his punishment.

-God sends Cain out as a vagrant and wanderer on the earth. Cain has much fear that he will be killed by someone or possibly some animal. God warns that whoever may kill him would be punished sevenfold Cain’s punishment and appoints a sign for him so that he is marked by this command of the LORD God.

-Cain settles in Nod, which east of Eden, gives birth to a son Enoch and builds a city named after his son. Enoch fathers Irad, Irad fathers Mehujael, Mehujael fathers Methushael, and Methushael fathers Lamech, who had two wives the Bible tells us.

-One wife, Adah, gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. Jabal has a brother named Jubal, who was the father of those who play the lyre and pipe.

-The other wife of Lamech was Zillah, who gave birth to Tubal-cain. He was the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and he had a sister named Naamah.

-Lamech says to his wives that he had killed a man for wounding him. The depravity of man is becoming more and more evident along with his creativity and passions in the young world that God had created.

-The chapter ends with the contrast of Adam and Eve’s other son named Seth, whom God gave as a replacement for Abel (the symbol of those who follow the LORD God and put Him first). Seth had a son named Enosh, and it was then that men began to call upon the Name of the LORD.

Verse to Memorize: Genesis 4:7

Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapter 3

1/3/2012

Chapter 3-

-The fall of man narrative is given as the crafty serpent filled with the spirit of Satan deceives Adam and Eve in the garden at the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

-Satan uses three tactics that he still uses today in his deceptions and temptations: 1) He attempts to get us to question what God has said, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2) He lies about what God has said, “You surely will not die?” 3) He tries to put in our minds that we can be equal with God, “…your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…”

-In response we should be aware and know the wicked schemes of the devil (2 Corinthians 2:11). We need to realize that only God can really be trusted with His Word to us. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 4:16). God is the One who opens the eyes of the blind and helps us see. We could never be more enlightened by anything else. He is God and He is holy; there is no one like Him and we need to understand that we can commune with Him but never be equal with Him in His glory and power.

-Adam and Eve take a bite from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They were together in the drama of the deception. Adam should have taken his place as the head of the family and stopped the wife from taking of the fruit. But he did not; he stood by and let her be deceived and he was deceived himself at the same time. This is the first sin of mankind, which does indeed open their eyes to knowing disobedience to their Creator. For they now know they are naked and feel shame for the first time ever. They sew fig leaves together and hide from God, which is only a temporary covering that would no doubt shrivel up and decay in a very short time.

-God has every knowledge of their sin, but comes in the cool of the day to walk with them, and finds that they are hiding from Him for the first time. He wisely calls out to them asking where they are. Adam and Eve admit their fear. A wall of separation has been erected in the union between man and God. There is now a broken relationship as sin has entered the world. Mankind has lost his paradise through the corruption of sin. Adam and Eve are hiding from God, scared of the consequences of their actions.

-As God communicates with them He wisely gets them see the futility of their disobedience. With one simple question, “What is this you have done?” He cuts to the heart of where they are now at and seeks for them to admit their mistake.

-Consequences for the serpent are given: a curse above all cattle and beast of the field, he will be on his belly and dust he will eat all his life, he will have enmity with the woman forever, between his seed and her seed (descendents). This is called the proto evangelium, the first prophecy of a coming Messiah who will bruise the serpent’s (Satan’s) head (a fatal wound), although the serpent will bruise His heel (crucifixion of Christ).

-Consequences for the woman are given: pain multiplied in childbirth, her desire will be for her husband (This is not a fond affection described, but a longing for power and authority over her husband and men in general, the first feminist movement), and man will rule over her from now on.

-Consequences for the man are given: the ground is cursed and he will have to work it with toil and sweat, the ground will grow thorns and thistles, he will return to the dust of this cursed ground now through death.

-God makes the man and woman a covering of animal skin. This is a more permanent covering than the fig leaves, and it shows the mercy of God in the situation. Blood must be spilt for the first time; an innocent life is lost for the good of mankind, which points us to the cross of Jesus, who would later die for the sins of all mankind.

-The plural form of Deity is again used as they discuss the fact that man has become like one of them in knowing good and evil and the possibility exists for mankind to eat of the tree of life in order to live forever. Therefore the LORD God sends them out of the Garden of Eden to the east and He stationed the cherubim (angels) and the flaming sword, which turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Verse to Memorize: Genesis 3:15

Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapters 1 &2

1/1/2012

Chapter 1-

-God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them in six literal days. This simple statement of fact has confounded humanity in multitudes of ways down through history into our modern times. It is interesting that as the Bible is completed in Revelation, several times John notes that our God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and sea and all things (Rev. 4:11; 10:6; 14:7). So we see that from beginning to end in God’s revelation, He is given credit for being the Maker and Sustainer of all things. This should never escape our meditation, and His glory endures forever- past, present, and future.

-The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving (hovering) over the surface of the waters.

-Day one- Light, waters, heavens and oceans expanse are spoken into existence by the Creator.

-Day two- God separated the waters from the waters. The waters above the expanse were called heaven.

-Day three- Dry land appears (earth) and seas are formed. It was good for sprouting vegetation, seed, and fruit of its kind. And God saw that it was good.

-Day four- The sun, the moon, and the stars were created for lights, for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years. And God saw that it was good.

-Day five- Sea and flying creatures were made to populate the skies and the seas. God blessed them and told them to be fruitful and multiply. And God saw that it was good.

-Day six- Living creatures were brought forth from God on the earth after their kind: cattle, creeping things, and beasts. It was all good. Humans, male and female, were made in the image of God (the text uses a plural form of the Deity= Trinity {Father, Son, Spirit} reference in the beginning). Mankind was given dominion over the earth, its creatures and plants, to subdue it and to be fruitful and multiply.

-God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good!

Verses to Memorize: Genesis 1:1, 27

1/2/2012

Chapter 2-

-The heavens and earth were completed and God rested on the seventh day from all His work. This does not mean God was tired, but He blessed the seventh day as a day of completion; He blessed this day and sanctified it knowing that mankind would eventually become tired and need a day of rest and focus on Him, their Creator. A day set apart to worship and relax.

-Another account, which describes the creation, is given.

-A key verse is verse seven. The LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. This describes the spiritual nature of man that truly makes him alive and in effect an eternal being. God created living souls in mankind.

-God placed the man He had formed in the Garden of Eden, which is toward the east from the center, which is considered Israel and eventually Jerusalem (Ezekiel 5:5). Out of this garden’s ground grew every kind of tree that is pleasing to the sight and is good for food. The tree of life (cross reference Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19) is also planted in this garden along with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river flowed out of the Garden of Eden to water it and from there it divided into four rivers: the Pishon, the Gihon, the Tigris, and the Euphrates.

-God put restrictions on man in the garden. He could eat freely from any tree accept for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This covenant God made with mankind was conditional. If man kept his end of the deal he would live forever in union with God, but if he broke God’s command he would surely die in that day (separation from God would occur and death would be the result).

-Then the LORD God said that is was not good for man to be alone, and He determined to make a suitable helper for him. Out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal and Adam (man) named every creature, but there was not a helper suitable for him found among the animals. Therefore, the LORD God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep and He took out one of his ribs and fashioned a woman as a helper for the man. They were joined together in union and Adam was very pleased with what the LORD God gave him.

-For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. This is the creation of the institution of marriage where a man leaves his family and the woman is given away by her family to create a new family. This has far reaching implications for us today as to the proper manner God created for the institution of the family.

-The man and his wife were unclothed, naked, and felt no shame. Sin was not present in the world and there was no sin nature.

Verse to Memorize: Genesis 2:7