Bible in a Year: Genesis, Job and Proverbs
I decided to embark on reading the bible this year. Why now? a few reasons but while in Argentina I heard the David Gray song Babylon and it stuck with me. When I returned home I heard it again but then I saw the word “Babylon” written in a random place so felt it was a sign. I asked AI what the meaning of Babylon is and it said it means "Gate of God." Wow, what a sign.
Additionally:
I’ve been curious about the stories and characters in the book
to understand my faith
Other people’s unwavering faith has led me to this path
I started a few weeks ago and am catching up on my daily readings that is an audible podcast called “Bible in a Year” with father Mike. It’s begun with three specific books: Genesis, Job and Proverbs. At the end of each reading there is a bible study with helps interpret the readings.
My Thoughts on the first 3 books…
Genesis
I really enjoyed the book of Genesis. This book holds so many stories within itself that are well known including Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah’s Ark, the big flood, “Jacob’s LAdder”, and teaches about the descendents of Adam and Eve starring Abraham and Joseph.
How God created earth is interesting scientifically and historically. The organization of building one thing on top of the other and intentionality was fun to read. And “it was good”.
Much of Genesis was about the lives of Abraham and Joseph and how they led with faithfulness and with god with them granting blessings and having a hand on their shoulder even through what might seem evil plots. the first covenant God made was with Abraham which made him the first truly faithful human in the eyes of God and why his lineage of family is so important.
I was surprised how much of this book mentioned sex, incest, polygamy and rape. It makes you question how the human race evolved to being mostly monogamous and shaming sex until marriage.
Similarly, there was a lot of slavery in the book of genesis which again we’ve evolved from in modern times.
Another thought was around the role of women which was for reproduction but it doesn’t seem like much else. I am curious to hear thoughts from a modern christian feminist on what that means to them and how the world has evolved to making women equals and providing so much opportunity.
JOB
This book was a bit annoying to me. Job struggled throughout the book and it came off as whining to me. The book was written poetically and seemed to drag on. I supposed the takeaway here was that while Job struggled he never lost his faith in God and still lived righteously. Father Mike described it as a “purpose in suffering” which you can find parallels to in modern life. We all suffer but need to learn through the suffering versus blame God and our faith. An example given was for instance a broken heart (suffering) can lead to being a more compassionate person. Suffering and going through something difficult can also bring wisdom.
When my mother died it was the worst suffering I’ve ever went through but my faith never waned. I did question God and “why me, why my mother?” but at the end of the day I became a more empathetic person, I connected with others who had similar loss.
Everyone struggles at some point in life and some more than others. God is the only one who knows the full story and outcomes. Hold Steadfast.
Job’s steadfastness granted him God’s blessings and bounties for the remainder of his life.
Proverbs
These teachings were wise thoughts on how to live one’s life. A few good ones that speak to trust, faithfulness and parenting:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart... and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7).
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6)
Next up in the reading plan are Exodus, Psalms and Leviticus.
