GENESIS

Please note individual verse comments are below this section in black printing.

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, Word of Life Quiet Time Diaries and other devotionals:

1:1    In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

    When did God create the earth and all that's in/on it? Based on population trends and the content in the Bible, it has to be thousands of years ago (NOT millions). I personally agree with the date around 4000 B. C.
    Who else could have created all the fish in the sea or birds or animals? It had to start from somewhere! To this day no other person can create all that God did. . . ( e.g. make me a hummingbird) so faith is required to believe that He exists and did all these things for our (mankind) benefit.
    GOD created the heavens and the earth; we didn't come out of mud. (DRM 5/4/12)

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)

1:11    Then God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation; plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them"; and it was so.

    Sometimes we hear the question, "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" While this verse doesn't refer to the animals (vv. 20-25), the answer is clear. God made the trees first and the seeds came from fruit that were in the created trees (referring to the FRUIT trees). Another example is that God made Adam and Eve fully grown before Cain and Abel.
    While no one knows what God is creating today, there are several possibilities. The New Jerusalem is just one of them. Whatever He does, we know it will be good (vv. 10, 12).
    God is the ultimate Creator, He deserves our worship! (DRM 11/11/17)

1:21    God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good.

    God made these things on the fifth day (v. 23). He had a plan before doing these things - as He had not yet created mankind.
    At least the fish would be used as food for the people that were to come - we know that because Jesus ate fish when He was on earth.
    The birds are another story, and we don't eat most of them, but He knew they were needed for other aspects of nature.
    While we still don't understand everything about God (and never will), we know that everything He has done with us in mind - and He loves us and wants us to be happy. (DRM 3/3/18)

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)

1:27    God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

    I remember the old phrase, "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" This gives us an indication and Gen. 2:7 is even clearer.
    When God formed the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, He created adult forms (the chicken). If He had created a baby before an adult, then who would have taken care of the baby in its infancy? (Not just baby humans, but all in the animal world)
    From what I know of Darwin's THEORY of evolution and comparing it with the Bible, the theory can't be true. (DRM 10/17/12)

1:28    God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

    It has been over 6,000 years since God said this, but some of these things seem to have been accomplished more in the past century or two.
    The earth has been filled more rapidly during the past century and now has over 7,000,000,000 residents. To be "over the birds of the sky," I would think we'd have to be bigger and stronger - like today's airplanes/jets of various types.
    It seems that God can say "mission accomplished" relating to this verse in Genesis. (DRM 3/26/13)

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)

1:30    " . . . and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so.

    During the creation's sixth day "God made the beasts of the earth, after their kind, and the cattle after their kind. . . " (v. 25). After reading this verse I realized they were all made to eat green plants and fruit from fruit trees (v. 29), not meat yet.
    While this seems to indicate we should be vegetarians, He also made fish to be in the seas, so knew we needed protein also. => Jesus ate fish.
    God loves us and wants us to use His creation well. We are to choose to eat from the many choices He has provided. (Acts 10:9-13). (DRM 10/15/17)

1:31    God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

    God had a busy sixth day on earth. He brought forth cattle of various types then the ultimate creation - man and woman (v. 26).
    God had an original purpose for everything He created. He intended people to "rule over the fish of the sea, . . . the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (v. 28)  - and more in vv. 29-30.
    What has happened in the thousands of years since? People have polluted the water, air and earth. This could be considered sin against His creation. God knew this would happen, so, thankfully, we know He will make everything new in the future (Rev. 21:5). (DRM 6/29/17)

2:5,6    Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. ⁶But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground.

    God created the earth from nothing. Each step is documented in Genesis 1.
    While God had water in the oceans in Genesis 1:20, the earth was still dry. It's hard to imagine today. The trees were placed on the earth fully grown, then the seeds came forth (Gen. 1:11). Water was needed to grow the seeds. . . so God started the mist before the clouds with rain. God is awesome. He deserves our praise and worship! (DRM 4/22/13)

2:7    Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

    I have heard more and more recently that people have not evolved over time, but were brought here by the aliens from other planets. The aliens don't look like humans though. . .
    Of course I don't believe this story because the Bible clearly tells us the truth. It seems that people will do anything possible to discredit the Bible and the people who put their faith in the Lord God=Jesus who created us.
    The criticisms increase, the earthquakes, sounds in the sky, dead animals, etc. Jesus is coming soon! (DRM 5/19/15)

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)

2:19    Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.

    The world system today teaches us that the first cave men had no language and were stupid. The Bible says the opposite.
    Adam had to be very smart to be able to name all the animals and birds. God made him, so he had to be strong and able to take care of the garden (v. 15).
    God knows all and can do anything - certainly He made both Adam and Eve perfectly healthy - they started out sinless, so all was well until sin changed everything (Chp. 3). (DRM 1/22/17)

2:20    The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.

    Think of all the possibilities that were disqualified here. The cats and dogs that are companions today; people enjoy some birds to listen to, then there is the gorilla that looks similar, but they all are missing something. They can't speak our language or have reasonable thought.
    God and Jesus are considered male, so a female would be totally new . . . that's hard for me to understand, but it seems that we've never been told of a woman before this.
    Praise God for His creation. This is just more evidence that He thought of all our needs in the future and fulfilled them during creation week. (DRM 2/9/15)

3:1    Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?'

    When I/we think of a serpent, we think of a snake. Apparently at that time it could stand up and talk. Compared to the snake of today, we need faith that this story is true, because that is not like the world today.
    God knew this would happen. He knows everything! He even knew what would happen in the future (v. 15) to correct the sin (of Eve and Adam) thousands of years later.
    We also need to be on guard against sin . . . which can come from outside sources and try to divert us from God=Jesus. (DRM 11/3/16)

3:2, 3    The woman [Eve] said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; ³but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.' "

    Eve knew Who God was, she even memorized what He said about this particular tree. It was clear in her mind what she was doing when she disobeyed Him.
    Thankfully serpents don't talk any longer - maybe only this one serpent could talk, but still the fact is that Eve believed the serpent more than she believed her Creator.
    What a different world this would be if she just followed the Lord God's instructions! (DRM 11/13/12)

3:4, 5    The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! ⁵For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

    Satan the serpent, or in any other form, is a liar, but he also told some truth.
    Eve didn't know that serpents don't talk - but maybe this one could in this instance. That didn't make her suspicious.
    Eventually Eve died. Again, she didn't know what death was at the time, as it had never occurred. That wasn't a distraction to her; she wanted to gain knowledge - so did as the serpent Satan suggested.
    When I (we) get new ideas, we have to see if God would approve of the implementation of it before proceeding. Satan still wants to deceive us. (DRM 1/31/14)

    The story of the fall is a clear warning to us to study and know God's Word so that we will not be led astray. (from INSIGHT, Our Daily Bread, 1/31/14)

3:6    When the woman [Eve] saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband [Adam] with her, and he ate.

    Sin is deceptive. Before we start something, it looks good, and think, "I can try this just once; what harm will it do?" It always seems to look good. Like in this case, there's usually someone else involved that leads us into the direction of the sinful act.
    Knowing what is attractive and is also sinful takes discernment, as some other things that are attractive are good.
    Spiritually, discernment generally is acquired from knowing God's heart and following what He is known to desire in our lives. This is gained by reading and understanding what is written in the Bible. (DRM 5/16/16)

3:7    Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

    This verse causes questions that only God can answer. Apparently Adam and Eve knew that being naked was (sin) wrong - but what caused the change in attitude? How did they learn to sew and what got the leaves together for this covering?
    We can't know all the details now, but we can always ask God=Jesus these things when we will increase in knowledge when we get to Heaven.
    I don't need to eat the apple of increased knowledge today - I'm willing to wait until later - which is God's plan - and far better. (DRM 1/2/15)

    God did not force Adam and Eve to obey Him but allowed them to choose. Similarly, He did not force them to come to Him after they sinned. Instead, He called to them and allowed them to respond to His call. (from Our Daily Bread INSIGHT 1/2/15)

3:8    They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

    Adam and Eve knew they had sinned - they knew God had told them not to eat from one tree in particular. Now they felt different. They were naked before they ate the fruit, but "their eyes were opened" now. (v. 7).
    God knew this would happen. He knows everything. This was His plan. People would sin, they would need to confess their sin to Him. A sacrifice would have to be made and later God gave us His Son to meet the sacrifice requirement once for all time.
    We need to repent for our sins and believe in Jesus, the Savior who died for our sins. (DRM 1/7/17)

3:9, 10    Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" ¹⁰He said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself."

    Adam knew Who God was. He created Adam and Eve. When his Creator told him not to eat from the tree, he should have believed Him.
    Adam ate the fruit with Eve and they suddenly knew they were sinners as a result. They had fear (sin) and were convicted and ashamed for what they had done. (Disobeying God)
    This one original sin has been passed through all of humanity since that day. Only Jesus was not a born sinner like us. That's why we have to trust in Him who died for all or our sins.
    I pray you have done this before it's too late. (DRM 6/10/17)

    God continued to pursue humanity through Jesus. Because God desires a relationship with us, He sent Jesus to earth to pay the penalty for our sin by His death on the cross. (from Our Daily Bread 6/7/17 _{JAMES BANKS})

3:16    To the woman [Eve] He said,
           "I will greatly multiply
            Your pain in childbirth,
            In pain you will bring forth children;
            Yet your desire will be for your husband,
            And he will rule over you."

    This is what God said would happen to Eve - and all future women - after she sinned by following the serpent's temptation to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree.
    This sin has been passed along through all the generations to this date. How do we know this? The pain of childbirth still exists.
    In some ways it seems that some women in this generation are rebelling against God and not following the final two lines of this verse. If they want to please God, it seems they would follow His desires and follow His intent for their lives. (DRM 6/23/15)

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)

3:23    . . . therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.

    There is a penalty for sinning against God's clear will.
    God told Adam not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden (v. 3) and, even though Eve was deceived first, he ate from the tree knowing in advance that he was eating what God told him not to.
    I can only imagine what it would have been like if Adam and Eve had followed God's directions.
    Because of this incident, we all have sin when we are born. It can't be taken away, but Jesus' death and resurrection shows that sin can be defeated if we repent and put our full faith in His sacrifice for our sins. (DRM 11/14/12)

3:24    So He drove the man out, and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

    When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of life, the fruit gave them the ability to live forever (v. 22). Since they did not obey God's instruction NOT to eat from this tree, He sent them out of the garden.
    The tree of life is not mentioned again until Revelation 22:2 where believers will eat from its fruit and live forever.
    Our job in relation to this is to obey God when He directs us to do something - or not to do something. While we can't live forever on earth, we know that in the future we WILL be able to live forever with Jesus=God. (DRM 11/13/15)

4:4, 5    Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; ⁵but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

    This is one of the great mysteries to me. This is at the beginning of time. How would Cain know that God wanted a blood sacrifice and Abel had the flock to provide it; that wasn't anything Cain had to offer.
    When Cain became angry with God, he should have asked God the reason He didn't regard Cain's offering. I'm sure God would have given another option, but that's not written here.
    Cain sinned, he should never have killed his brother, as Abel had nothing to do with it. Cain was jealous of his brother.
    We have to go to God with our questions and get His response, not take it out on others. (DRM 4/12/16)

    It seems that these brothers must have been given some idea of what was — and was not — considered an acceptable offering. (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT 4/12/16)

4:9    Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

    Cain had just killed Abel, his brother (v. 8). Sin had entered humans through his parents, and this verse shows two examples - Cain had committed murder and he also lied to God about it.
    God knew what happened to Abel before He asked Cain. Perhaps He didn't want Cain to know that He knows everything all the time.
    God gave punishment to Cain for his sin (vv. 11-14). Since we all sin in one way or another, we also deserve punishment like Cain received, but later God provided a Savior - Jesus, who died for our sins. We need to accept His gift and put all our trust in Jesus. (DRM 7/13/17)

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)

6:17    Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall parish.

    I believe everything that is in the Bible, some is symbolism, but this verse I take literally - as God said it.
    Clearly, this was not a local flood like some suggest. God meant it to cover the whole earth.
    Of course there are mysteries on how He could fit two of each animal on the ark, but I go with God in faith, and I'm sure He did what He said He would do.
    When God says He is going to do something, He WILL do it! Jesus will come back - because He said He would. We just don't know when. (DRM 8/8/14)

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)

8:21    The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD 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.

    The flood was over. Noah had just left the boat. Noah had given a burnt offering to the Lord as the ordeal was over.
    In this verse, God promises each of us that He will never again flood the whole earth (also in 9:11). Later, we are told that God will use fire and earthquakes, but we are never again told that all life will be destroyed on the earth - there will always be a remnant.
    This shows that our Creator, God, truly loves us and wants the best for us - especially those who worship Him.
    We are to be thankful for a loving God and continue to give Him honor and glory. (DRM 11/23/17)

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)

11:6    The LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.

    Was God afraid? I don't think so. Fear is sin. God can't sin.
    The earth was still reasonably new and the people were still primarily in one section of the earth (now Iraq).
    Compared to today's skyscrapers, this tower would not have been very tall. I doubt God was concerned about the height, as much as He wanted a more general dispersal of the people throughout the earth (v. 9).
    This verse also shows man's creativity when working together. I don't think God had to "worry" that they would out-create Him.
    Now we know where languages came from. (DRM 9/2/15)

    God wanted people to see Him as the solution to their problems, and He revealed His plan for them to Abraham (12:1-3). Through the faith of Abraham and his descendants, He would show the world how to look for a city "whose architect and builder is God" (Heb. 11:8-10)
    Our faith does not rise out of our own dreams and solutions. The foundation of faith is in God alone and what He can do in and through us. (from Our Daily Bread 9/2/15)

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)

12:1    Now the LORD said to Abram,
           "Go forth from your country,
           And from your relatives
           And from your father's house,
           To the land which I will show you;

    God wanted Abram to go to Canaan (v. 5) to make a great nation (v. 2). Abram followed all the directions that God gave him.
    God also gives us instructions occasionally. We have to hear His voice and do His will. Perhaps the hardest part in today's world is hearing God's voice. There are various ways to do this. Sometimes He speaks through the Bible when you (I) read it, other times through other Christians and dreams - but the instructions must always agree with the principles in the Bible - or it isn't God's voice that you are hearing. (DRM 9/19/13)

12:2    And I will make you a great nation,
           And I will bless you,
           And make your name great;
           And so you shall be a blessing;

    This is part of God's instruction to Abram. It was a promise of a form of reward for following His direction.
    Abraham had faith, or he wouldn't have followed God's directions. Since no one has seen God, Abraham had to have been told these things by the Holy Spirit or an angel. No matter how he was told, it took faith to act upon the directive.
    Does God or Jesus or an angel give us/you a direction? It's generally a still small voice, so often it's hard to hear.
    Still, if the direction agrees with Biblical principles, I try to do it - and pray that the Lord will be glorified by my obedience. (DRM 10/16/14)

12:3    ". . . And I will bless those who bless you,
            And the one who curses you I will curse.
            And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

    God promised Abram/Abraham that He would make him a great nation (v. 2). This nation would later be called Israel.
    Over the thousands of years since this promise was made, some nations have liked Israel, but most didn't. The nations that didn't suffered in various ways, but they probably never realized it was God's judgment.
    Today Israel has nearly no friends in the world. God's judgment appears to be coming on all of the earth. At that time Israel will see that God Himself will defend His special people. (Rev. 14:14-20) (DRM 6/14/16)

12:4    So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

    God had directed Abram to move from where he was to a new land (12:1-3). This was during the end of the age of long life spans. Even though Abram was 75 years old when he migrated from Haran, he was to live 100 more years (25:7).
    While Abram did some things on his own (e.g. 12:10-13, 16:1-3), generally he tried to follow God's direction in faith.
    When God leads us to do something, we are to do it. Age should not stop us (too young or too old). If God is the director, He will use us. Listen for His voice and do His will. (DRM 4/23/17)

    Abram's obedience to God's instruction, despite lacking the details most humans crave, is credited to him as faith (Heb. 11:8) (from Our Daily Bread, 4/20/17 _{KIRSTEN HOLMBERG})

12:13    [Abram said to Sarai] " . . . Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you."

    Lying is never a good thing to do. Abram wanted to protect himself, so told the Egyptians that Sarai was his sister instead of his wife (vv. 14-15). He did well (v. 16) until the pharaoh discovered Sarai was Abram's wife after all.
    If we tell a lie, generally we get the same result. It seems we got away with it at the beginning, but the truth always comes out eventually.
To avoid the problems and to honor the Lord, just tell the truth. It's so much easier! {See also Prov. 12:22} (DRM 9/27/17)

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)

13:10    Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere - this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah - like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.

    Abram and Lot were related [Lot was Abram's nephew 12:5] and both had large numbers of livestock. As they traveled together it became difficult to keep the groups separate. Abram let Lot choose where he would travel, then Abram would go the other way.
    Lot chose the well watered valley, so Abram went the other way - to Canaan (v. 12).
    Lot probably thought it would be easier to be in the valley - but later the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah would offset what he thought would be better.
    What looks to be the easy way is not necessarily the best way. Always ask God=Jesus for His direction and go His way. (DRM 3/19/17)

13:12, 13    Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. ¹³Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.

    When Abram and Lot separated - because their flocks were so large - Lot made the decision to stay in the Jordan valley (v. 11) and Abram got the hill country called Canaan.
    Lot was attracted to the well watered valley when he made his decision (v. 10) - thus attracted to the outward appearance, not knowing the people in Sodom and their sinful nature.
    I/we have the same problem when we look at the outside appearance rather than what's inside. When we choose homes, friends, etc. , it's really what's inside that counts - not the beautiful exterior. (DRM 3/5/18)

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)

14:19, 20    He (Melchizedek) blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
                                                                                            Possessor of heaven and earth,
                                                                                         ²⁰And blessed be God Most High,
                                                                                            Who has delivered your enemies into your hand."
    He gave him a tenth of all.

    There had just been a war between the kings in the valley of Siddim (Salt Sea) (v. 3), five kings vs. four kings.
    Abram was not a king, but his nephew, Lot, had been held captive (v. 14) - he went to rescue him.
    Abram was known to be a man of God and was respected. In this verse, King Melchizedek of Salem spoke highly of Abram.
    When we belong to the Lord, non-Christians can tell by our actions, like occurred here to Abram. I realize it's harder to do this in a Christian persecuted world. (DRM 5/19/17)

    Melchizedek, both the king of Salem and a priest, blessed Abram when he was returning weary from battle. (Gen. 14). (from Our Daily Bread 5/16/17)

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)

15:13    God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.

    There are many prophets in the Bible, but they are really just telling us what God told them. In this case it's directly from the Source.
    This is Genesis - Abram/Abraham didn't have any children yet, but the prophecy was about his children. Some things that were to happen wouldn't be in his lifetime.
    When God tells us that something will happen, we know it WILL happen. How I'd like to hear more of God's prophecies today! (DRM 5/9/14)

16:3    After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram's wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.

    Abram had been promised an heir earlier (15:4) and was still childless at age 85. His wife Sarai was sure she couldn't be the mother at her age, so gave Abram her maid, so he could be a father that way. In human terms this only seemed logical at the time.
    God had other plans and later Sarai was to give birth in her old age (18:7-14).
    This is another example where God's plans don't match our limited understanding. Yield to God's will at all times. Often it seems elusive, but He will make it known in some way. It will always be best. (DRM 2/5/17)

16:5    And Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done me be upon you. I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May the LORD judge between you and me."

    God had promised Abram a son in his old age (15:4). Sarai did not believe she would be the mother at her age, so said to Abram that he should go to Hagar the maid instead. {In Gen. 17:16 Sarai/Sarah was told she would be the mother.} Now we know that Sarai made a mistake in not trusting in the Lord to do what He promised.
    In this verse Sarai felt the wrong done to her was that she couldn't have children. When the maid had the baby both Sarai and Hagar disagreed.
    We all need patience if the Lord tells us something is going to happen. It could take years or decades, but He will fulfill His promises in His time. (DRM 8/28/16)

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)

19:14    Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, "Up, get out of this place, for the LORD will destroy the city." But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

    How this story about the destruction of Sodom seems like the story of today's times.
    Destruction was/is coming to the earth. The country has gone totally against God's will and commandments. There were signs given (18:23) before the destruction to Abraham and Lot - the only believers.
    Today, signs are given to believers that God will again destroy some of the earth, but, like the sons-in-law, the people think we are jesting. They have heard so many warnings before that when the real thing comes they will think it's just another false story. (6/29/15)

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)

21:12, 13    But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the lad [Ishmael] and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. ¹³And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant."

    This one incident thousands of years ago has changed history from that day through today. We are told that Abraham's son, Ishmael is the beginning of the Arabic then Moslem or Islamic people. Without doubt, Abraham's son Isaac is the beginning of the Jewish people or nation. Even since this incident, the Jews and Moslems have not agreed, as prophesized by God's angel (Gen 16:12).
    What can we make of this history? God knew from the beginning what would happen now that we are approaching the end. Like many other things in the Bible, things in Genesis also appear in Revelation. (DRM 9/15/14)

22:4    On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.

    God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in the land of Moriah (v. 2). This was a test of Abraham's faith, as he had waited 100 years (21:5), before Isaac was born, to have a son.
    I thought this verse was interesting because of the mention of three days. Many times in the Bible, things happened on the third day - especially Jesus' rising from the dead.
    Abraham passed his test of faith in the Lord by following His instructions and God provided a substitutionary sacrifice - just like He would later do for each of us in the form of Jesus who died for our sins. (DRM 6/8/15)

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)

27:15    Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

    Why did Rebekah want to deceive her husband Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of the first born son, Esau?
    In Gen. 25:23, the Lord told Rebekah that " . . . the older shall serve the younger." As her husband was dying, I think she lost patience and did this based on the previous word from the Lord.
    I won't say that I agree with her tactics, but the Lord blessed it. (DRM 2/10/12)

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)

28:12    He [Jacob] had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

    This is a spiritual illustration of what really happens. Angels DO watch over us. Since they can fly, they don't really need the ladder but do follow His instructions and do as He commands.
    Sometimes I know that an angel is present by unexpected events, but most of the time they don't make themselves known. It's nice to know they are there! (DRM 10/10/12)

28:13    And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants.

    Throughout the Bible we are reminded that the land we call Israel was promised to the Jewish people for their home.
    Now it is thousands of years later and still the dispute continues - all of which is also prophesized in the Bible.
    One thing is for sure, God is still God, and He will get His way. When people realize that then perhaps peace will come.
    Like the nations, we need to remind ourselves that God is in control of our lives and we need to hear His direction. Do it His way. (DRM 12/21/17)

    How comforting it must have been to Jacob to realize that though he had left his family and his home, he was still in the presence of God. (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT _{J.R. HUDBERG} 12/21/17)

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?

29:18, 19    Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." ¹⁹Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me."

    Did Laban deceive Jacob? As I read the whole episode, it seems that he did - and that Jacob had to work 14 years to marry the one he truly loved.
    In this verse (v. 19), Laban never specifically said Rachel would be Jacob's wife at the end of the seven years. Laban just led Jacob to believe this.
    I would think, over time, that the specifics would be known. We have to be wise to find out what exactly is being promised. I know from similar experiences. (DRM 2/14/13)

29:20    So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.

    Jacob loved Rachel. He thought he had an agreement with her father, Laban, to work for him for seven years so he could marry her.
    Laban didn't tell Jacob until the seven years were completed that he would have to marry the older sister Leah first, then work another seven years for Rachel.
    Jacob was deceived (v. 25), as he had to wait another seven years for Rachel. (NOTE: Jacob had previously deceived his brother for the birthright before starting this journey (27:43).)
    God wants us to love all of His creation. For many years Leah could have children but not Rachel. Listen to God's will and not your own desires. (DRM 5/6/17)

29:25    So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! And he [Jacob] said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?"

    Jacob loved Rachel and agreed to work for seven years in exchange for marrying her.
    Today we wonder how he could have gone through the marriage ceremony without knowing who he just married? Still, the result is the same. Laban had deceived him and he would have to work seven more years to be able to marry Rachel, his true love.
    Laban was the winner by getting 14 years of free labor from his nephew. Of course God knew what was happening and in the course of time Jacob had a very eventful life. (DRM 11/24/15)

    . . . It was through the lineage of Leah - who in life thought she was unloved - that God blessed the world with our Savior. Jesus brings justice, restores hope, and gives us an inheritance beyond our wildest dreams. (from Our Daily Bread, TIM GUSTAFSON, 11/24/15)

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)

32:6    The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."

    Jacob and Esau never got along well together. Now Jacob had to travel near Esau's land as God had directed him to return to his own country (v. 9).
    With the comment in this verse, probably anyone would be afraid. 400 men is a lot to accompany any traveler. It's intimidating - especially if they want something.
    Jacob was concerned about his caravan of people, so split his group into two in case something happened (v. 7).
    God watches over each of us. If He directs, He will also provide. (DRM 11/5/14)

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)

33:1    Then Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids.

    Many years earlier, Jacob had received the birthright from his father, Isaac, and then he and his twin brother split up. (28:1-9) Earlier, (27:41) Esau wanted to kill Jacob because of this incident.
    Jacob was fearful that his brother would attack him from the past problems (32:11) and now they were to meet in their travels.
    While Esau had 400 men with him, Jacob apparently only had family and maids.
    Still, the brothers did fine and Jacob's fears were not realized after many prayers. The Lord watches over those who call on Him. (DRM 10/23/17)

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)

39:2    The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.

    God is in control. In this chapter, we are reminded several times that the Lord was with Joseph - which caused his successes in life.
    This makes me wonder if a person - like me - is not successful in something if the Lord is not with them? There are other factors that cause a lack of success - God's will or Satan's distractions. God may have another plan for my life that will be more successful, so that's why one particular plan did not succeed.
    No matter what happens in each person's life - God is in control and is to be trusted - as He knows best.
    Be patient, He has another, better plan. (DRM 2/19/15)

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)

39:9    There is no one greater in this house than I [Joseph], and he [Potiphar] has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?"

    Potiphar's wife was attracted to Joseph who was in charge of the household (v. 4). She falsely accused Joseph of planning to lie with her (v. 14).
    As this verse states, Joseph did nothing because of his faith in God. He overcame the temptation. God knew what really happened.
    There will be times when we are also falsely accused of doing things that we never did (I know) and may suffer like Joseph did for this incident, but God knows the truth and He will make everything right in His timing; if not while we are on earth, we know He will reward us somehow in Heaven for following His will. (DRM 3/18/16)

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)

39:20    So Joseph's master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king's prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail.

    False accusations can make a life more difficult, as Joseph would tell us. He was not allowed to defend himself (tell his side of the story) and was put in jail.
    God knew all the circumstances and took care of Joseph (v. 21). He will do the same for us - as He knows all - the truth. (DRM 2/7/13)

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)

40:8    Then they said to him, "We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it." Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please."

    I have had all kinds of dreams, good and bad - several have made no sense for today's world and many involve people who have died. They are generally forgotten as soon as I wake up.
    Some dreams are vivid and easily remembered. Some are clearly from God. Joseph had the God-given gift of interpreting dreams and the fellow prisoners - the chief cupbearer and the chief baker - had vivid dreams one night, so Joseph interpreted them.
    With God's Holy Spirit - we can also better interpret the dreams He wants us to remember. (DRM 8/19/13)

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)

41:57    The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth.

    Today, the first thought is "how can this be true?" Remember that this is Genesis, and there weren't THAT many people on earth during that time period. It all began in the Garden of Eden and spread outward from there. The "whole earth" at Joseph's time probably didn't even include England or very far east.
    When I/we read the Bible I have to think about when the book was written and what the earth was like at that time, not what it's like today.
    Our faith is tested in various ways, and one of those ways is believing Genesis to be factually/literally true. (DRM 4/17/14)

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)

45:5    Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

    This partially answers, "Why would God do bad things to good people?"
    Joseph was disliked by his brothers because of his dreams - so they sold him to the Egyptians (37:28). Things got better eventually for Joseph, but worse for his brothers because of the drought. The dreams Joseph had were true.
    While it seemed bad for Joseph when his brothers sold him, God worked out all the details for good after time.
    While it seems dreadful at the time, God allows us to go through 'bad' times also, then, sometimes years later, we see the reason for what happened.
    Our job is to enjoy the ride - let God be the Driver. (DRM 2/6/15)

45:7    God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.

    God works everything out in advance. He knows who will be in charge of our city and country far into the future.
    Joseph's brothers thought they sold him long before and would never see him again. God had other plans — to protect His people from the famine that would come to the area.
    No one knows what God has planned for the future - and how we will participate in His plan. One thing is for certain - God created us to be alive at this time in history and no other. He had His reasons - we are to listen for His directions and do as He directs. (DRM 1/18/18)

45:8    Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

    Joseph's brothers felt Joseph could do something to them as revenge for what they did to him in the past. Joseph didn't feel that way - he wanted to forgive them because God had done so much for him (v. 7). This was God's will - that Joseph provide for his family in Egypt.
    God directed all the events in Joseph's life for a reason. He does the same for each of us. Often we don't know why we met a new person today but later a new "story"/event will happen because of how God orchestrated it all. Always be open to surprises like this - God could have a new direction planned. (DRM 7/8/17)

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)

47:1    Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, "My father and my brothers and their flocks and their herds and all that they have, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen."

    Since Joseph's brothers were shepherds and there was a famine, they would need a lot of land. Pharaoh told them to settle in "the best of the land (v. 6)."
    Goshen was near one of the branches of the Nile River, thus they would have some water for their flocks.
    Truly God was providing for His people and, as time progressed, the land was able to support the growing nation.
    While it's not easy to see on the first day, God also provides for our needs when we start something new that He directed. Trust in Him. (DRM 4/11/17)

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)

48:16    ". . . The angel who has redeemed me from all evil,
             Bless the lads;
             And may my name live on in them,
             And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
             And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

    This was the blessing Jacob (Israel) gave to Joseph's two sons. Jacob knew that since the time of Abraham that God would make his family into a nation. His name was changed to Israel; probably to indicate the name of the future nation.
    Jacob knew God's plan for his family. We (I) are also to follow His plan as He directs.
    Reading the Bible to hear His voice is an important part of each day. (DRM 7/7/12)

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)

50:7, 8    So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt, ⁸and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father's household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen.

    Jacob/Israel died in Egypt as he was with Joseph because of the famine.
    Jacob had requested to be buried back in his homeland, Canaan (v. 5), so Joseph asked Pharaoh for permission to do that. The number of people that traveled with Joseph to do this are described here. It was like a preview of the Exodus - but that was not God's timing. Joseph never intended to stay (v. 5).
    God has a plan for everything; He knows the "big picture." We have to follow His direction and not our own. (DRM 4/1/17)

50:15    When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!"

    Joseph's brothers were right to be concerned as they recalled selling him as a slave when he was young. Probably they also learned how difficult it was for Joseph for years after he left them. Joseph and his father were 'close' and now that he was gone, Joseph could have done anything to his brothers.
    Joseph knew the Lord God put him through the events of his life for the good of his family later (v. 20).
    No one knows why God puts us through various trials, but in a year or a decade or maybe longer, we will see why - and God meant it for our good. The hard part is the "here and now." (DRM 11/9/14)

50:16, 17    So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, ¹⁷'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong." ' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

    Joseph's father, Jacob (Israel) died and his brothers were concerned that Joseph might want to hurt them for the sin they had done many hears earlier - sending him to Egypt.
    Joseph had the right forgiving attitude (v. 20) and knew it was God's will that he would provide for his family during the famine.
    Sometimes it's hard, but we also need to forgive others for the wrongs/sins they did in the past.
    Certainly we aren't perfect, and Jesus died for our sins. We should also forgive like Joseph and Jesus did. (DRM 10/16/17)

50:19, 20    But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

    Joseph's father (Israel=Jacob) had died (49:33) and Joseph's brothers worried what Joseph would do to them for what they did to him when he was young. This was part of Joseph's response.
    God has a plan for each of our lives. Our job is to yield to His leading and not do things on our own. It may seem hard at the times of trial, but, in time, it will become clear why God had us go through the trials. (DRM 7/27/13)

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."