Genesis

Well, I finished reading Genesis, but never blogged any more. I think most people are aware of the link from Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, to Joseph. Abraham was told to sacrifice his son as a test of his faith. He passed and Isaac's life was spared. Lesson I learned was to put God before my children. Not something I am good at doing. I don't know that I would ever be willing to sacrifice any of my children, to be completely honest. That to me is completely unfathomable. Thank God for grace and forgiveness, because I am not as strong as Abraham was. Next, Isaac begot Jacob and Esau, the twins. Jacob has me a bit perplexed, as he is considered a great man of the Bible even though he seems to me to be a very dishonest man. He steals Esau's birth rite, and blessing. I guess the lesson here is that many times, God's plan and will, will not look like we think it should look. He had a hand in all of this, it all happened according to God's will. Just because it doesn't sit well with my understanding doesn't mean it won't be used for the glory of God. Everything that happens is being used for the glory of God. These happenings all lead to the birth of Joseph, who teaches us many good lessons. Lessons about understanding the sovereignty of God, and in that finding forgiveness for man with understanding that their actions are predestined by God. When we find ourselves upset with others' because of their actions, we find ourselves' upset with God's plan in our lives. We should instead, hate the sin itself, but not the sinner. We are all being used of God for His glory, not for our happiness. It's not about us, it's about God. All the bad in this world is a product of our own sin. We are all equally responsible for it. Any good in this world is God's glory shining through. That God that He allows that good to shine through, so we aren't completely stuck in the darkness of our sinful nature. Everyone of us has more than we deserve, and Joseph saw this. He is a great example of a humble spirit as well as good stewardship of our resources.
So now I am reading Job, since the happenings of Job happened during the same time toward the end of Genesis. I am also taking a class at church called The Whole Counsel of God, which deals with Systematic Theology and how the Bible deals with certain issues that come up in the world. The text we are reading is, Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith, by Wayne Grudem. More later....
Again, any criticism, comments, or musings on my thoughts are gladly welcome!