Daily Reading Passages
Click below for access to the passages. Biblegateway.com is an excellent site with many versions of the Bible. The link below opens in NIV. Youversion.com is a new site that allows you to annotate your own Bible, make notes, and comments once you create an account. That link opens in the TNIV version. Other versions are available at both sites.
Coaching Comments
The Old Testament reading again gives us two stories. The first, in chapter three, is the story of the defining event of human development: the fall. This is where humanity chose not to trust God, and instead depend on themselves, with disastrous results. Hours and hours can be spent digging into the implications of what takes place here. You'll see the beginning of shame, the beginning of blaming others, the first victim mentality, and unfortunately, the beginning of death.
It's interesting to note that while most people know that Christianity teaches immortality, most people don't realize that this immortality was originally not a "life after death" situation. It was just a life-in-this-body-never-ending. Those first humans in the story were created to physically live forever, eternally sustained by God's presence. But choosing to live outside of God's presence (the consequence of not trusting Him) brought that to an end. At least for now.
The second story is that of Cain and Abel, the first two children. It's the first incidence of jealousy, vengeance and murder. It's noteworthy that both of these two sad stories end with God giving those involved a second chance. We don't often see it like that, but it's true. (Thanks to Kevin Brusett for pointing this out this insight.) God gave Adam and Eve a chance at life, even equipping them for the journey (See Genesis 3:21). Then God gave Cain another chance at life, protecting him from the vengeance of other people. (See Genesis 4:13-16.)
The New Testament reading also comes in two sections. First is the lesser known dark side of the Christmas story. We're used to seeing the beautiful manger scene, but a lot of people don't realize that days later that same place was the site of a heinous mass murder. True--but there are no Christmas songs about it. Warned by God, Jesus' family escaped to Egypt. Now there's been a bit of fuss about Jesus living in Egypt. A few people have suggested that Jesus grew up there, and that Egyptian mythology influenced his teachings. But Jesus' family only lived in Egypt while He was a baby. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, back in Israel. That's where the story leaves Jesus, before jumping ahead many years.
Wish there was more about the young life of Jesus? You're not alone. But scripture is silent on those years, and the handful of ancient texts that purport to tell us about Jesus' childhood are much too late, and much too mythologized to have any credibility at all.
The second section introduces us to a strange prophet wandering in from the desert named John. This will bring us back to Jesus as an adult. But that's tomorrow.
Back in the Old Testament, the Psalms reading for today is a strange, dark and foreboding prayer. When the Psalms goes in directions like this it can be hard for some of us to reconcile it with our image of a loving God. But David, the author (who had a lot of enemies trying to end his career) is making a point about the futility of opposing God's will.
We'll come across a lot more Psalms like this, a few much darker. One of the helpful things for me about these is that it reminds me that when I pray, God is big enough to handle even the stuff that's painful. My anger, frustration, and fear are safe in His hands.
Our short reading from Proverbs continued the introduction of the book, setting out the true value of wisdom. This is the most important thing you can every find.
By the way, you'll come across the phrase "fear of God" a lot in here. It's a tough translation, because in English "fear" pretty much means "being afraid of." That's a fraction of the meaning of the Hebrew, but not nearly the whole picture. It's kind of like the fear one has of a downed power-line. Knowing the power that lies there brings you into an appropriate level of respect and care. There's a healthy fear of being on the wrong end of all that power. But there's much more. Add to that the fact that we're talking about a person. This "fear" is really much more a deeply profound respect and careful attention. There's a tiny bit of the scariness in this, but it's not paranoia or a phobia. It's just thatthis Person is so vast, and so other, that it really serves us to be thoughtful and careful when we enter into His arena,
Day two! You're doing great. So far the readings have been pretty straight forward. Remember to pray and invite God's presence as you read. Make notes and underline in your Bible. And if you come across something that really moves you or makes you think, take a few extra minutes to journal about it. You'll find that deepens your connection to the text and anything God might be saying to you.
2007 Cohort Comments
Comments (11)
Marc Schelske said
at 1:22 pm on Jan 1, 2009
Good morning and welcome back! As I read through the passages today I was stuck by how much the story of the fall resonates with and explains the painful life circumstances that we find ourselves in. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's will they stepped out of alignment with Him, and the way He designed life to work. Immediately there were implications of that for them. They didn't die at first, so it might have looked like God wasn't telling the truth. But immediately a number of important things happened. First, they lost trust in God. Instead of trusting Him, they began to fear Him. Second, they were painfully aware of their nakedness. They went from being unselfconscious, to being insecure and ashamed. In their shame, they stopped taking responsibility for their actions. They began to blame others for their choices, seeing themselves as victims. And that was just the immediate implications. Their choices had terrible consequences for their children - ultimately Able's murder was a result of these choices. All of this highlights why the Proverbs reading is so important. I want to be teachable. I want to humbly hear what God has for me, so that I can align my life with it. There's so much to lose otherwise. Father - help me be humble and teachable today.
Carl Shelton said
at 5:08 am on Jan 2, 2009
Genesis 3:1 – 4:26
The fall of man, everything we struggle with today is explained here. The Lord God said something very important to Cain but he did not listen as though he did not realize the weight God’s words, just as his parents did not understand. God said, “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:7 NLT)
Lord, help me to understand the weight of your words and give me strength to obey.
Jay Morris said
at 6:51 am on Jan 2, 2009
Good Morning! I like the verse you pointed out, Carl. A lot of times we walk more of a gray line because we want to be accepted int he world, but we are told here that we will be accepted if we do what is right. Then in Psalm and Proverbs, God reiterates the importance of staying on track. The Message says "Start with God- The first step is learning to bow down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning". Proverbs 1:7. I echo Marc's prayer.
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 10:26 am on Jan 2, 2009
It's interesting to me that the first mention of calling on the name of the Lord is after Seth's birth. Yet even then, there still was a vagueness in what their faith was. It seems that there was a simple interaction between the Creator and the created back then. The foundations of faith were not yet established by God. It was an ongoing conversation that mankind seemed to have with Him. Oh the sadness it would be for me to be in face to face relationship with Jesus, as they were and then be removed from that form of intimacy by my choices. I cannot even fathom what grieving went on for Adam and Eve in leaving the beautiful and tranquil garden they were so familiar with. To then lose a son and be out in the "wilderness" basically. Such a drastic shift from the world they knew. I am sure their remorse and longing was so deep. Still thinking about that from yesterday's reading. And even so, the earth is still groaning and longing for the Lord's return. We were not designed for death. We were designed for life. This world has nothing for me and I am longing for things to be put into order once again. What an incredible moment that will be. Face to face once again with the Living God and Creator of ALL things.
Carl Shelton said
at 10:51 am on Jan 2, 2009
Jacqui your post caused me to think about something. Adam and Eve seem to have had at least one advantage over people today. I have heard so many people blame God for things gone wrong but with Adam and Eve, as you say, they were removed from that form of intimacy by their own choices. Now Eve blamed the snake and Adam blamed Eve but there was no long list of family issues or the moral decay of society. In the end we all make our own choices still today and if we could just get to that then turn back to God His grace is waiting for us. That is fantastic news because that means nothing stands between me and the life God has for me except for me, which seems to go along with today's reading.
Just thinking out loud.
Jim Huddart said
at 10:56 am on Jan 2, 2009
I agree with you Jacqui. It is such a sad thing to see how sin ruined a perfect situation and turned things so ugly that a man is savagely murdered by his own brother. How horrible it would be if God had not provided us a way out through Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord!
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 11:52 am on Jan 2, 2009
Amen and amen guys.
Aaron L Huddart said
at 3:07 pm on Jan 2, 2009
Something that struck me was simply how bad this project called earth started out. Everything was perfect, then Adam and Eve disobeyed the only DON'T God gave, then hid, then lied about it. Only to be followed up by the first murder in only the second generation of the world. Then I think of times when I start something new and run into small issues or snags. Usually I get really frustrated and want to just quit or start it all over. I just want to thank God for being LOVE and showing us what living a Love centered (God Centered) life means "No do overs," or no easy reset button on life.
Marc to answer your question from yesterday, I am going to finish a Oregon Business Transfer Degree. And starting off with Econ. 201, so in a few months I might be able to explain what happened to the economy, but still not have an answer on how to actually fix it, like everyone else. Anyway, I just felt I needed more understanding in the business world and I felt I was not living up to my stand on how important learning and schooling is. So, now I have "Put Up."
LuDell Parrett said
at 11:40 pm on Jan 2, 2009
I am reminded of how easily I fall back on my own ideas and desires, like Cain who thought God should accept his sacrifice because it was what he wanted to give, and I am convicted that I need to seek God's will in all things in my life. I need to lay down my pride and my selfish ambitions, even when they are for the good of others or causes, and live more simply in God's ways.
I can not help but wonder about the other children of Adam and Eve that must have been born during the times of Cain and Able. There had to be others -- or who would Cain think would try to hurt him, and where did Cain's wife come from if he was off in the land of Nod??? It just seems to reason that there must have been others at that time as well... or am I off base? I am a curious child and like to think of how may have been... I'd love to hear what any one else thinks.
Blessings!
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 9:29 pm on Jan 3, 2009
LuDell! You are not off base at all. It's a very logical question to ask. It's funny you bring it up as Matthias and I were just studying some of Genesis last week. We usually use the Ken Ham resources when we have questions that don't seem to have obvious answers. If you aren't familiar with Ken, he is a creation scientist and has a program called Back To Genesis. I heard him speak in Bend about 20 years ago and he was fantastic! His take on Cain's wife is that it is one of his siblings. Only because Adam and Eve were to be fruitful and multiply. At that time, there weren't other "people" to help populate the earth, as we well know. So there weren't any other options. With no birth control, I am sure Eve was quite fruitful and over time these children multiplied, moved away and created more families. :) Kind of an 'ew' thought for those of us in the 21st Century, however quite valid for those living in the beginning of creation. Anyone else have input on this?
Marc Schelske said
at 11:58 pm on Jan 3, 2009
Good for you, Aaron That's a great step.
You don't have permission to comment on this page.