January 1, 2011

Of course my internet is out…. Keeping track of the journey will likely prove to be the most challenging part and without the internet, I can’t post a blog…  However, I can type it in word and then cut and paste it to the blog once the internet is up and running again, which is supposed to be Monday.  So in the interest of starting strong, that is what I am going to do.

Today’s reading is Genesis 1:1-2:25, Matthew 1:1-2:12, Psalm 1:1-6, and Proverbs 1:1-6

Of all the debate that surrounds the creation vs. evolution I find the most important statement in the first four words of Genesis:  “In the beginning God” .    I personally am not convinced that scripture teaches 24 hour periods for the days of creation. Do I believe that our almighty God is able to do His work of creation in 24 hour periods… yes absolutely!  I believe that He is completely all powerful and able to do whatever He wished.  I also believe that scripture is the true inspired word of God and the complete truth.  I do find it interesting though that 24 hour periods marked by sun and moon,  seasons and other ways of marking time were not created by God until the 4^th day.

Ultimately for me it doesn’t matter that much because of the first sentence of scripture sums up the whole truth which is that in the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth!    

Genesis 2:19 sounds a bit like the order of creation is different here.  One study note I found said this:  “Text could be misunderstood to imply a different sequence in creation that suggested by 1:20-27, where man is created after the animals (E.g., some ancient versions have the phrase “formed again,” indicating that after creating man, God made additional animals.) formed.  Or, “had formed,” meaning that the animals God had already formed were now brought before Adam.

Matthew:  I noted that the lineage went from Abraham to Joseph vs 16 says Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.  Mary give birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.  Jesus would be the legal son of Joseph and an heir of the lineage, but the blood line would not follow through Joseph because Jesus was not biologically related to Joseph.  My Pastor said that Mary’s line is also traceable back to David, but I wasn’t able to locate this linage in scripture.  I did read that Luke’s account is from Mary’s line all the way back to Adam and Eve, but when I checked this out, it went from Joseph too.  

For me the more interesting thing is that His family line also includes prostitutes, adulterers, violent men and other sinners!  God in His Grace and mercy can use any and all people!  It’s about Him, and what He is able to do in spite of our sinfulness.  How exciting to know that He can use me in spite of my sinfulness too!