Tag: bsf genesis

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 9, Day 3: Genesis 11:1-9 & Psalm 2

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 11:1-9:  A bit after the world had been repopulated some people moved eastward and settled on the plain of Shinar (Babylonia).  They used bricks and tar to build a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that they could make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.

The Lord saw what the men were doing.  He confused their language as punishment to prevent more un-Godly actions.  God scattered them over the earth.  Babel sounds like the Hebrew word for confused; hence the name “Tower of Babel.”

Psalm 2:  Why do people conspire and plot against the Lord and the Anointed One?  It is all in vain.  Man fights against God who merely laughs.  God rebukes and terrifies them.  David tells other kings to be wise and serve the Lord with fear and joy for God’s anger can flare in a moment.  Blessed are those who take refuge in Him.

Ask God and He will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.  With God you will rule.

Questions:

5a)  Both try to self-aggrandize and put themselves above God.  It is useless to plot and conspire against God and Jesus.  We are nothing in comparison.  Yet man tries through ambition and pride.  And every time he is vanquished, defeated, chastized, rebuked, or punished by God.  You’d think we learn.  But we never do.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  We deliberately disobey God and think His laws don’t apply to us.  In the end, we end up suffering because of it.  It teaches me to obey God as much as my sinful nature can.  To submit for He is King.  To recognize my weakness and beg for His mercy.  To follow Him till the end of my days.  This is my prayer.

6a)  Both verses say belief in Jesus and what Jesus did for us.

b)  In the passage, literally through a tower.  Today, through works, prayer, obedience, His word.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Through Jesus.

Be careful not to interpret this as “drawing near to God”.  I think the point of the question is that the only way to God is Jesus and anyway else is false.

Conclusions:  Have you noticed this theme in the questions, comparing people in Biblical times and in our times?  Like I concluded yesterday, man never changes.  His nature is the same.  He sins.  Repeatedly.  Since the Fall–the beginning of time.  This will never change.

It’s why we need Jesus.  God knew this.  He knows we have no hope without Christ.  And that’s what the entire Bible is trying to tell each and every one of us.  And that’s why it’s our job to tell others.  So they can be saved.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 9, Day 2: Genesis 11:1-4

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  A bit after the world had been repopulated some people moved eastward and settled on the plain of Shinar (Babylonia).  They used bricks and tar to build a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that they could make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.

Questions:

3)  Here’s the best Bible Map I could find on the Internet.  My Bible Atlas has a much better one:

http://bibleatlas.org/regional/shinar.htm

It’s  basically where Babylonia was, which is between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

4a)  Verse 4:  “so that we may make a name for ourselves”

Verse 4:  “and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Verse 3:  “let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly…they used brick instead of stone and tar for mortar.”

Using these materials would make the tower waterproof, showing the people were afraid of another flood (didn’t believe God’s promise).  So reason:  to protect them against a flood.

b)  God told Noah’s sons to fill the earth.  They did not.  They came together and built a city instead (where a big group of people live).  Furthermore, they admitted they didn’t want to be scattered over the face of the earth (verse 4).  They wanted to live together.

c)  Exodus is the Ten Commandments.  Matthew is where Jesus tells the people the greatest commandment:  to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and the second which is to love your neighbor as yourself.  Timothy describes people in the Last Days (which in my opinion is people always).

Simple:  they do the opposite of what God says.  They follow self.  They ignore God’s words and commands.  Deliberately and intentionally.

Conclusions:  Question 3 is assuming everyone has a Bible map or access to one or the Internet (not everyone does).  So didn’t like this one.  Makes you feel like you should have a Bible map.  Some Bibles have maps in the back but not all.

In essence, Shinar is an early name for Babylonia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.  Hopefully, most of us know where this is from Lesson 3, Day 3 when we discussed the possible location of Eden.

I can see the chronological reason for studying these chapters switched but I like the way the Bible links the ends.  Chapter 11 tells of Terah who is Abram’s father which leads nicely into chapter 12 when God calls Abram.  Chapter 9 ends with Noah cursing/blessing his kids and Chapter 10 launches into Shem’s, Ham’s, and Japheth’s descendants.

So while I understand the reasoning for switching the order of study, I don’t feel it was necessary for a better understanding.

End Note:  Interestingly, Babylonia is where the descendants of Shem (the son blessed by Noah) settled (which we learn in Chapter 10–the chapter we skipped).  This ties in well with Question 4c.  Even though these were the blessed ones by Noah and will be the chosen ones that lead to Jesus, they too sinned.  Man never changes, does he?

Interesting Side Note to BSF Study Questions Lesson 7 & Lesson 8

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

I just finished doing the lesson with my kids where they were asked how many animals of each kind Noah took into the ark.  This triggered a thought I had had before and now noticed something I had missed before:

Genesis 6:19: “You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures…”

Genesis 7:2: “Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of ever kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth…”

I was wondering this for the question in Lesson 8, Day 2 about what Noah did when he left the ark.  “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed…”

My initial thought was If God had only ordered 2 of every animal, then why is Noah killing some before they have a chance to reproduce?  That wouldn’t make sense…

At the time, I didn’t have time to look into it.  Tonight, I did when it came up again with my kids.

Is this a contradiction?  No.  Confusion?  Yes.

God is clarifying his instructions from chapter 6 in chapter 7.  The emphasis is on clean animals versus unclean.  Noah took more of clean animals and these are the ones he sacrificed upon leaving the ark.

In Leviticus 11, God expounds on unclean and clean animals to Moses and Aaron.

This explains to me too why Jews have restrictions on what they can and cannot eat.  Fascinating!

Great explanation found HERE

I feel this is important and should have been touched upon by BSF in one of the two days we discussed this passage (Day 3 & 4) or in Lesson 8, Day 2.  I’m hoping it will be in the notes or Lecture.

Clean and unclean is a common theme that runs through the Old Testament and explains a lot of why the people acted in ways they did (and it begins here!).  You couldn’t worship God when you were unclean or enter the tabernacle.  Contact with anything unclean made you unclean.  This explains the way lepers were treated.

Until Jesus touched the unclean…

Jesus whipped away this uncleanliness (Mark 7 & Acts 10:9-16) by making us all clean.

But back then you were virtually always “unclean”.

I personally would have gotten more out of a study of clean versus unclean than questions on geological evidence and comparison of people in Matthew and Luke (since I believe people will always be the same).

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 8, Day 5: Genesis 9:18-29

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Noah’s sons are Shem, Ham, and Japheth and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth.  Noah got drunk and naked.  Shem & Japheth covered him up.  Noah cursed Ham (the father of Canaan and the one who told of his nakedness) when he found out he had tattled to be slaves to his brothers.  At the same time, he blessed his other sons, asking for Canaan to be Shem’s slaves and Japheth’s territory to grow and live in Shem’s tents as Canaan is Shem’s slaves as well.

Noah died at age 950.

Questions:

12a)  It seems to me Shem and Japheth loved their father more.  They didn’t tell of his situation but instead did their best to cover up their father.  Proverbs says “love covers over all wrongs” so even if getting drunk was wrong love makes it disappear.

b)  Proverbs 17:9 says “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”  Ham told his brothers (and not in a loving way–in a mocking way) of his father’s nakedness and what happened to him (which we don’t know) and Shem and Japheth covered their father’s offense in love.  When Noah wakes, he is so mad he curses Ham and his descendants–in effect separating the brothers because like Cain and Abel I’m sure  jealousy and dissension arose amongst them.

God does not like the man who stirs up dissension amongst brothers.  It appears there was something else going on here we just don’t know about.  I think there was dissension before this incident.  Sibling rivalry if you will.  Either way love was missing in Ham’s heart.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I should respond in love.  Not engage in gossip.

13)  Noah curses Canaan to be slaves to his brothers.  Commentators say that Genesis 9:27 predicts the Messiah coming that God (Jesus) will dwell in the tents of Shem.  The land of Canaan is the land where Sodom and Gomorrah lie and is known for its evil.  It is also the land Moses will flee to and the land God gives Abraham.  So in one way it could be a warning not to mix with the Canaanites.

We don’t know why Ham was condemned and the others were blessed.  Many believe there was underlying sin here that something bad (such as sexual abuse) happened to Noah while he was sleeping and Ham boasted of it to his brothers.  However, all of this is speculation.  All we know is what the Bible says: Ham boasted; Shem and Japheth covered with love; Noah’s reaction.

Conclusions:  The lesson I got out of this is the difference in acting out of love or acting out of self and how gossip, boasting, and pride lead to dissension between close friends.  Whatever happened Shem and Japheth loved their father more and were blessed because of their actions.  This is my take-away:  love leads to blessings.

Question 13 is a challenge because even bible commentators don’t agree on what the curse means and its implications.

An interesting lengthy paper on the curse found here:

http://joelnothman.com/downloads/interpretation-gn9-25.pdf

Interesting Side Note:  This curse is what was used to justify slavery of Africans who were believed to be the descendants of Ham and thus preordained to be slaves.  This is what was believed and taught by early Americans.  I found this fascinating because early Americans (and others who enslaved) truly believed this verse justified their actions. Great example of how misinterpreting the Bible can have devastating consequences or the pitfalls of using the Bible to justify extreme behavior.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 7, Day 4: Genesis 6:7-7:24 with Matthew 24:36-42 & Luke 17:26-27

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 6:7-7:24:  God said He will wipe mankind and everything He has created from the face of the earth for He is grieved He made them.  Except for Noah and his family.  He tells Noah He is going to destroy the world and he needs to build an ark.  God enters a covenant with Noah.  He tells Noah he will need to bring in two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive and every kind of food for him and for the animals.

Noah did everything God commanded.

Genesis 7:  God tells Noah to enter the ark with the animals for in seven days He will send rain for 40 days and nights.  Noah obeys.  Noah was 600 years old when the flood happened.  All the animals came to him.  Then the Lord shut them in and the waters came.  Everything perished.  After the rain stopped, the earth remained flooded for 150 days.

Matthew 24:36-42:  Jesus says to keep watch because even he (only the Father) knows when the Second Coming will be.  Jesus compares his Second Coming to the days before the flood where everyone was living their life like they always had and no one suspected they were about to die.  Jesus says only half will be saved for every two men and women only one each will be left.

Luke 17:26-27:  Same speech but recorded by Luke.  Jesus says here the days of the Son of Man will be just like in the days of Noah.  People were going about their daily lives up until Noah entered the ark.  Then the flood destroyed them all.

Questions:

9a)  He spared Noah and his family from His judgment of the world.  He spoke directly to Noah and told him what He was going to do.  He gave him detailed instructions about what to do and what will happen.  He reminded Noah to bring food. He gave Noah a week’s warning before He sent the flood.  The Lord shut them in the ark.  Only Noah was left and God cared for him, giving him everything he needed in order to survive.

b)  God told Noah the exact size to make the ark to fit everything.  God brought the animals to Noah.  Noah didn’t have to track them all down.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  God has always kept me safe when I’ve done stupid stunts and provided for my every need.  I’ve never been homeless or hungry.  I’m always had food, clothing, and shelter.  He has forgiven me for all my sins, even the ones I repeatedly make.  He has given me a purpose to do for Him.  In every aspect of my life, God is there whether I acknowledge Him or not or what Him there or not.  Deep down I know this.  And so does He.

10a)  Genesis tells us the people  were evil and every inclination of their hearts were evil; they were corrupt and violent.  Matthew and Luke tells us the people were eating, drinking, and marrying up until the day the flood happened and they knew nothing about their impending death.

It’s hard to interpret Matthew and Luke with so little detail given.  I see this as people living their daily lives up until the flood and I see this as Jesus’ point:  you must be ready for no one knows when I will come.  You must lead godly lives for any day I could show up and judge you.  You could read this as “partying” but that’s pure speculation.

Genesis however leaves no doubt the people were evil; hence, God’s judgment.

Fascinating.  In all the movies you see all the people mocking Noah for building an ark and laughing at him.  No where is this recorded in scripture (that I can find at least).  I would say the people were so evil in Genesis that they probably didn’t care what some guy named Noah was doing.  They were too busy doing the devil’s work.

b)  Prayer and God.

c)  That he could come at any time so you must be ready.

d)  Just that scoffers will come who follow their own evil desires to cast doubt on the End Times.  All it takes is one word from God and it is done.

I see nothing special here.  This applied in Peter’s time (1st century AD) as it does in the 21st century AD.  There will always be scoffers, doubters, people of the devil.

Conclusions:  God’s message is timeless and it doesn’t change despite the days that have passed since Jesus:  Jesus is coming so be ready.  There are evil people who won’t make the cut.  Do not be lured in by the ways of the world.  God’s grace is sufficient.  He provides all our needs.  We require nor lack anything if we have Him.  Hold onto that truth and reject the lies of the world.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 7, Day 2: Genesis 6:1-12 with 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:4-9; 3:1-10 & Jude 5-7

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 6:1-12:  The sons of God married any daughters they chose.  The Lord said His Spirit will not contend with (be with) man forever for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.  The Nephilim were the heroes of old, men of renown and were on earth during this time when the sons of God were as well.

God saw how men’s hearts had become only evil and He was filled with pain.  God said he would wipe mankind from the face of the earth for He is grieved (regretted) He created them.  Except for Noah who was a righteous man and walked with God.  Noah had 3 sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

The earth was corrupt and the people were violent.

1 Peter 3:20:  God only saved 8 people in the ark.  He waited patiently while the ark was being built for others to repent but none did.

2 Peter 2:4-9:  God punished the wicked:  He sent angels to hell when they sinned.  He brought the flood but saved Noah.  He burned Sodom and Gomorrah but rescued Lot, a righteous man.  The Lord rescues godly men but condemned the unrighteous.

2 Peter 3:1-10:  The writer is imploring the people to wholesome thinking.  In the last days, scoffers will come, skeptical and evil, questioning God, forgetting the creation.  The world was destroyed in the flood and the day of judgment will come when the world will be destroyed by fire.

The Lord’s time is not our time; He is patient, giving everyone a chance to repent.  But the Day of Judgment will come and everything will be destroyed.

Jude 5-7:  The Lord delivered His people out of Egypt but later destroyed those who didn’t believe.  He bound angels who did not keep their positions of authority.  Sodom and Gomorrah were burned as punishment for sin.

Questions:

3)  There are two main ideas about who the sons of God and the daughters of men were.  Some say the sons of God were from the line of Seth and the daughters of men were from the line of Cain, which would represent a mixing of godly with ungodly which the Bible later does not permit (Deuteronomy 7:1-4 and 2 Corinthians 6:14).

The more popular theory is the sons of God are fallen angels or demons or demon-possessed men and the daughters of men are human women.  This is supported by other passages in the Old Testament that refer to the sons of God as angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7).

Jude seems to support this claim as well, saying the angels in a similar way committed sexual immorality and thus God kept them in darkness and bounded them in chains.

1 Peter 18-20 tells us Jesus went and preached to these spirits in prison.

Scholars refute this angel idea with Matthew 22:30 where Jesus says angels do not marry.  However, he is speaking of obeying angels not disobeying/Fallen angels.

The idea is Satan tried to thwart God’s plan for the Messiah by polluting the Seed of the woman where the Savior will come from (Genesis 3:15).  This could be a reason for the flood.  Man was so corrupt and polluted God had to start over with Noah.

4a)  Morals are the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.

How great man’s wickedness had become and how every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil.

b)  Well, if you believe the sons of God are demons and they mixed with humans than the flood succeeds in purifying the human race again.  God started over with Noah, ridding the world of all the violence and beginning anew.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  That God will punish evil and evil-doers but He will show grace to the righteous.

5a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Sin.  Every sin I commit causes God grief and pain.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Speculation since God hasn’t spoken to me directly but I believe I have found favor by seeking Him, repenting from sin, asking for forgiveness, striving to be more like Jesus every day, learning from my mistakes, reading God’s word, doing His call on my life, praying, putting Him center, following His commandments, etc.

Conclusions:  The Nephilim were believed to be the offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of men.  Of course, this is debated as well, depending upon which theory you believe the sons of God to be.  So they are either the offspring of Seth or of angels.  You can read a good explanation of both theories HERE

If you did the study of Isaiah, you will remember me saying how the whole book was how bad and evil man was and how God was going to judge all.  And it was depressing due to man’s sin.

Here, we see God again (as we see Him often in the Old Testament) judging the evils of man and exercising punishment.  But we also see God’s goodness in preserving a remnant with Noah.  Preserving the righteous.  In rewarding those who do good.

God could have wiped us all out and been done with man.  Fed up with us and given up. Ended His grief and pain over His creation.  But He didn’t.

God is always good even when He is exercising justice in this world.

All sin grieves God.  I saw no need to be specific in 5a.  We all know what we do to cause God grief as He knows.  The key is recognizing it, repenting, asking for forgiveness, accepting His forgiveness, and making changes in your life to do better.  That’s all Fallen Man can do.

Remember when we fall, God will pick us up.  Again and again and again.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 6, Day 3: Genesis 5

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  A written account of Adam’s line.  God created man (Adam) in His likeness.  Then Adam had a son, Seth, in his likeness instead of God’s since Adam had ushered sin into this world.  Seth had Enosh.  Enosh had Kenan.  Kenan had Mahalalel.  Mahalalel had Jared.  Jared had Enoch.  Enoch had Methuselah.  Methuselah had Lamech.  Lamech had Noah.  Noah had Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Enoch walked with God so he did not die we are told.

Questions:

5a)  “And then he died”

b)  John 3:6-8: You must be born again in the Spirit

John 8:24:  If you don’t believe in Jesus, you will die in your sins

Romans 5:14:  Death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses.  Adam was the pattern of the one to come.

Romans 6:23:  The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus

6)  That Adam was created sinless but Seth was not.  Once Adam sinned, all man was born into sin; thus, Seth was as well.  But if you believe in Jesus and what he did for us on the cross, you will be made righteous and be justified before God.

Conclusions:  All men are born sinners.  But all men can be redeemed through Jesus Christ our Savior.

7a)  “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more because God took him away.”  He did not die.  The writer of Hebrews thus commends Enoch as a man of faith since “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:5-6

b)  In Genesis 5, we only have one example of faithfulness (Enoch) and we know nothing about him except he walked with God.  There could have been others but none are mentioned specifically.  So, it encourages me to walk with God.

Conclusions:  I see Genesis 5 as nothing more than a genealogy to Noah.  So, I re-read the questions and am trying to think about what I’m supposed to get out of this besides we all die but can be redeemed through Jesus.

Enoch walked with God but that is all we are told–no specifics.  So a guy who’s mentioned a handful of times in the Bible doesn’t really encourage me.

I think the question would have been better asking who has encouraged us in our commitment to God and how instead of pointing to a dead guy none of us know.

Again, not getting much out of this one either.  Either I am struggling to get a personal application out of a list of names or BSF is struggling to get a personal application question out of a genealogical record.

Either way I’m not getting much.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 6, Day 2: Genesis 4:25-26 with Psalm 34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 4:25-26:  Adam and Eve had another son named Seth.  Seth had a son named Enosh.  At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.

Psalm 34:  David says he will extol the Lord at all times so the afflicted may hear and rejoice.  He sought the Lord who answered him and delivered him from all his fears. Those who look to Him are radiant and never in shame.  The Lord heard the poor man call and He saved him out of all his troubles.

Blessed are those who take refuge in Him.  Fear the Lord and you will lack nothing.  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.  Do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The Lord’s ears are attentive to the righteous’ cry.  He delivers them from all his troubles.  He protects him.  He is against those who do evil.

He redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who take refuge in Him.

Questions:

3a)  Well, the only possible answer is men began to call on the name of the Lord.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Bring all my troubles to God.  Pray.  Continually talk about God.  Shine His light into society through my actions.

4a)  If you seek the Lord, He answers you and delivers you from all your fears.  Those who seek Him lack no good thing.  The Lord hears those who cry out and He delivers them from all their troubles.  His ears are attentive to your cry.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  That the Lord hears me and delivers me from ALL my troubles.  Knowing I can bring every little thing to Him gives me peace of mind.

Conclusions:  Not a fan of this lesson either especially 3b.  It’s a stretch.  Now I’m assuming we’re only talking about Genesis and NOT Psalm here because it’s a 3b and question 4 discusses Psalm.  Could be wrong here though.

Calling on the Lord, to me, is a personal thing.  It’s when I’m on my knees, pouring my heart out.  It’s not in a grocery store where people think I’m a freak.  Yes, showing my family how to call on Him is very important.  Influencing society?  Not quite sure except to tell others how you rely on Him.

You have to walk that fine line where people don’t think you are a freak.

Just my take again.  Could have missed the point completely.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 5, Day 4: Genesis 4:9-16

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  The Lord asked Cain where was his brother.  Cain replied, “I don’t know.  Am I my brother’s keeper?”  (Hence, where our saying comes from).  The Lord says his blood cries out to Him from the ground and He curses Cain, saying no crops will grow for him and he will be a restless wanderer on the earth.

Cain complains, saying his punishment is unbearable and someone will kill him.  The Lord forbids anyone to kill Cain and marked him as a warning.  Cain lived in Nod east of Eden out of the Lord’s presence.

Questions:

9a)  Cain never once asked God for forgiveness for his crime.  He never apologized or even admitted wrong-doing.  He only cared about the punishment he received and then it was still all about him.  I picture Cain groveling to God how horrible his life will be and how he’ll be killed.  Don’t you deserve it?  After committing the first murder EVER?

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  God took pity on Cain (out of His grace and love) and protected him even though he deserved a death sentence like Cain had given Abel.  God’s love is greater than man’s evil.

10a)  Cain selfishly complains.  David admits he “sinned against the Lord” and even composes a song about repentance!  David asks for God’s mercy and fully confesses his sins and asks for forgiveness.  He asks to be made better, to create a “pure heart” and then tells God he will teach others His ways so sinners will turn to Him.  He says he will praise God.

David has “a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.”  He humbles himself before the Lord.  Cain is still full of pride.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I get defensive cause I’m in denial.  Yet as I grow in God, I get better and better at admitting my wrong-doings, truly repenting, and asking for forgiveness as I strive to do better.  Sure, I fail.  But I do see humility more than pride now.

11a)  We all have sin and we all sin.  If we believe otherwise, we are merely deceiving ourselves and the truth (Jesus) is not in us.  If we confess our sins, God will forgive us and purify us.  If we claim to have Jesus in us but we still walk in the dark (commit evil willingly), then we do not have Jesus.  If we walk in the light, we will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus will purify us from all sin.

b)  Accept the blood of Jesus, have faith in Him, confess our sins, and we will be righteous with God.

Conclusions:  Good lesson on sin and the importance of confessing sin and making it right with the Lord.  Loved reading David’s Psalm.  Great, great prayer for us sinners!

As human beings, we all sin.  No way of getting around that.  We were born sinners.  Yet what matters to God is how you handle sin.  When you fall, admit it humbly to Him and ask Him for forgiveness.  He will grant it.  All you must do is accept Jesus’ blood and have a willing heart.

Cain’s attitude saddens me but I can see myself in him too.  Gives me something to work on!

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 5, Day 2: Genesis 4:1-5

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Eve gave birth to Cain and then Abel.  Abel was the shepherd and Cain was the farmer.  Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to God. Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock as an offering to God. The Lord favored Abel’s offering but not Cain’s.  Cain was angry and downcast because of this.

Questions:

3a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Because God demands the best.  Cain only brought some of the fruits of the soil.  Abel brought the best (fat) portions AND they were from the firstborn of his flock (think venison versus veal).  Abel brought the choicest cuts.  Cain only brought hamburger meat (analogy here).

The verses point to how Jesus was a perfect, unblemished sacrifice.  God sets the example.  He demands the best since He gave the best.

Hebrews seems to point to how Abel had more faith in God than did Cain.  God knows the heart.  And Cain’s heart was not right that day.

It could have been attitude as well.  Abel came with a cheerful heart; Cain not so much–begrudging maybe.

b)  He wants our faith in Him and we show that by giving Him the best of us.  Then we shall be righteous before Him.  If we have faith in God, we will be accepted.

4)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Just based off of these verses (Genesis 4:1-5) and pretending I don’t know what happens I would answer Yes.  Genesis 3:15 is God’s promise to put enmity or distrust between the devil and man and how the devil will eventually be defeated.  His promise of a Savior.  No man had ever been born before so why wouldn’t Cain be the deliverer in Eve’s mind?

What mother ever thinks her son is evil or will be tempted by the devil?  I think Eve thought Cain would defeat the devil and could even be God’s promised Savior.  Here, in this offering, for all we know Cain is just in a bad mood or it’s his first sacrifice ever and he’s not for sure what to bring.  He’s learning.  We don’t know.  But I would say the devil does not have Cain yet here.

5a)  Seriously?  What’s your attitude?  We have a total of 2 verses here that talk about Cain, his offering, and his reaction.  Sometimes I wonder how much speculation, interpretation, and deduction BSF wants.  We know nothing of Cain’s life in-between his birth and this offering.  For all we know this offering made him snap.

His attitude is not good.  Maybe resentful of even having to offer a sacrifice since he did not bring the first fruits.  He probably grew up hearing stories from his mom and dad about how great Eden was before the Fall so he’s pining for that and resenting his parents for his toil of the land.

To Abel he obviously resents and is jealous (but we don’t know this until he kills him).  He’s just been shown up by his younger brother.  How would you feel?  Anger and downcast we are told.

To life?  Speculation:  Who knows?  Maybe resentful.  Maybe happy.  We just don’t know enough here.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  He was angry because he was felt not good enough by his offering and his brother showed him up.  His pride was wounded.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Constant comparison to others.  It’s easy in this world where we do feel not good enough even though God says we are.  It’s tough to believe sometimes.

We all like to be the best and our human pride does get wounded often, which makes us unhappy or angry.  Also, if God is not our center, it’s easy to get off-kilter and be angry and unhappy.  We must keep Him our focus in the midst of the daily drudges.

6)  Sacrifice of praise and to do good and share with others.  Try to praise God every chance I get and do good and share with others.  Not sure on specifics.  Have to see what God presents first.

Conclusions:  Seemed to me to be a lot of speculation in this lesson.  We don’t know anything about Cain’s life after his birth up until this sacrifice.  We don’t know how old he is either.  He could be 12, 18, 22, 32, 102, 402…

Seems unfair to me to speculate about Cain’s life based off of one sacrifice (pretending we don’t know he’s about to murder his brother since the verses today do not include that–nor God’s reprimand and warning to Cain).  He could have had a great childhood, loving relationship with Abel, his parents and God, and just snapped in the moment.

It’s all speculation unless the Bible says and it doesn’t.

One could argue, “Well, he brought the crap which indicates he didn’t have faith and was resentful.”  True.  But it could have been a bad day or he didn’t know any better.  We are not told the REASON Cain brings the crap (except in Hebrews that he lacks faith).  But there are days my faith isn’t as strong as others and I’m in a bad mood.

I would like to think of the good in Cain.  Yes.  He failed this test miserably and God himself reprimanded him.  But saying his whole life up until the sacrifice was miserable and lacked faith is something I’m just not going to say or believe.

God wants us to be happy and have a good life.  And I think Cain did too.