Genesis Chapter 12

Genesis 

Chapter 

12

1. Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 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 shall be blessed."

(Genesis chapter 12 verses 1 to 3)

At times God gives us particular roles by intervening in our lives both directly and indirectly. Of all the people in the world God chose a man whose wife was barren and was unable to bear children. God is direct in his command but on the other hand explains the nature of the task. God also gives us the much needed support to perform the task at hand. God promises Abram his blessing and protection. Even though Abram had no relationship with God, his heavenly father had already had a relationship with him as is the case with us.



4. So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

(Genesis chapter 12 verse 4)



God asked Abram to leave the security of his homeland and embark on a journey into the unknown. This is the leap of faith, that God wants us to take, every day of our life.



5. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother's son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan

(Genesis chapter 12 verse 5)



When God calls us He gives us all the much needed resources to make the call possible to accomplish. On the other hand when we decide to embark on a project that, does not have God or His will as its foundation the task will be harder to accomplish because we may end up working against God's will instead of in favour.



6. Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.

(Genesis chapter 12 verse 6)




Although God promised Abram the land of Canaan this did not mean that it was to be his from day one of the promise. The conquest was to be a lengthy one indeed especially when considering that the land was already occupied by the natives of the land that would not approve of Abram's presence. Moreover the authenticity of a call that is from God is determined by the level of persecution associated with that vocation.



7. Then the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

(Genesis chapter 12 verse 7)


Once Abram made time for God at the oaks of Moreh in prayer God manifested Himself to Abram and promised the land of Canaan to one who would descend from Abram. Although Abram is said to have built an altar to commemorate the presence of God, it was still hard for an old man and and barren wife to accept God's word that some day they would bear offspring. However although we do not always understand God's will we still have to remain determined and strong in our belief. This is faith in action, when we believe before seeing the action fulfilled.



8. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and invoked the name of the LORD. 9 And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.

(Genesis chapter 12 verses 8 to 9)


In life we are driven and or oppressed by two opposite forces. These are that Spirit of God which drives us to do good and on the other hand compelled by that negative spirit of evil that compels us to do evil. We are driven and oppressed from all sides to make choices in favour of good and in contrary to evil. As Abram journeyed step by step to the Negeb, we are venturing day by day to our heavenly dwelling to Paradise our heavenly home in God's presence.  



10. Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to reside there as an alien, for the famine was severe in the land.

(Genesis chapter 12 verse 10)



Throughout our daily lives we are prone to face periods of dryness in our spiritual life, where God seems to not be able to satisfy our needs, when everything appears to be without meaning or value. When obeying God we will need to say good bye, to the ways of the world. In the beginning this may seem to be rather hard and the temptation may be to go back to our old ways. However in order to put us back on track God permits us to experience such moments or periods of dryness, during which God manifests himself back to us and re kindles our spark of faith again.



11. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, " I know well that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife'; then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account."

(Genesis chapter 12 verses 11 to 13)


On reflecting we notice that Abram was still very weak in his relationship with God as is normal in the early stages of our relationship. As in the case of the bride and bride-groom, trust has to exist between the couple before true love can ever exist.



Although Abram received God's promise he still feared death. Moreover instead of referring to God in times of spiritual dryness, Abram decided to refer to his own means. In order to satisfy his intentions of staying alive, he resorted to lies in order to thwart the Egyptians, instead of relying on God and say the truth. Some may argue that Abram said a half truth with reference to Sarai as being his sister, however even half-truths contain an element of non-truth and we are not to refer to such means.


14. When Abram entered Egypt the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 

(Genesis chapter 12 verse 14)


As Abram had projected the Egyptians realized that Sarai was very beautiful and attractive. Abram's self-fulfilling prophecy was in part going to be fulfilled had it not been for the intervention of God. As humans we are to be aware of such prophecy, because they tend to come true. Anything we fear that will happen may bound to actually happen, not due to some fortune teller's prognosis but because of our own fear and lack of faith in God.



15. When the officials of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female slaves, female donkeys, and camels.

(Genesis chapter 12 verses 15 to 16)



As Abram had feared his wife was taken by the Pharaoh. His self fulfilling prophecy became true, however thanks to God's intervention Abram's life was spared. When God intervenes in the course of nature, everything changes, and what seems probable to happen may not happen at all. On the other hand we witness a typical example where people are valued as much as property or even as property which is in particular circumstances even applied today as a practice. At times we may fall into the temptation of trading our time with God in doing something else that has no value what soever instead of investing our time in our relationship with God.


17. But the LORD afflicted the Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

(Genesis chapter 12 verse 17)


The Pharaoh experienced the consequences of sin. Sin is in itself like a plague. Sin breeds sin and creates a vicious circle that at times may lead to serious negative consequences such as compulsions or disorders.


18. So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her, and be gone." And Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning him; and they set him on the way. with his wife and all that he had.

(Genesis Chapter 12 verses 18 to 20)


When we commit such sins we experience the negative consequences associated with such negative acts. At times as in the case of Abram our sinful acts may have consequences on negative others who may have almost nothing to do with our crooked intentions. A compulsive gambler may bring his family into trouble at time of payback. His family may be harmed if the payment does not go through in time. Innocent people may be hurt as a consequence.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh loving God and father, thank you for the crisis that you give me in order to see if I still have a strong relationship with you and my fellow persons. I am sorry for failing the test at times because when put to the test I resort to my means instead of referring to you. As a consequence of my actions I accept the negative consequences of my actions and pray for your forgiveness.

Genesis Chapter 11

GENESIS

 CHAPTER 

11

1. Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.

(Genesis chapter 11 verse 1)

On reflecting during our times, meaning 2013, the world is also becoming, one in the sense of having almost one currency and sharing the same worldly principles and values. By means of means such as the internet, boundaries are becoming non existent and a new language as in that used on cell phones, chat rooms has already formed and is used by many users. In both a positive and negative way we are experiencing the use and even abuse of this form of modern communication. Dates are being made with partners who relate only online with negative consequences such as murder. Many people prefer to communicate virtually instead of actually and eventually we are becoming more individualistic which is the trap of the Devil. 

2. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

(Genesis chapter 11 verse 2)

In light of God's original command to Noah and his descendants that was to flourish and dominate the earth, we now for the second time witness global disobedience on a massive level. Instead of obeying God this mass population, decided to settle down in the mentioned location.


3. And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 3 to 4)


On analyzing these two verses they can be summed up into one adjective. This is disobedience. The people were aware that God had ordered them to spread throughout the whole earth and populate it, however as a people they decided to settle down in one location. This went directly against the will of God. Moreover the other word that can also express the behaviour of the people is arrogance. The people that were know armed in unity and in intelligence decided to become on the same level as God. The tower that they planned to build had the purpose of reaching the heavens, thus making them on the same level as God.


From these verses we learn that although we may have all the resources at hand in order to accomplish our goals, this may not always be according to God's will. In order to be sure if our plans match with God's will we are to use the tools of discernment in a Spirit of prayer and God will show us if this course of action is according to the Holy Will of God or not. In order to learn more about discerning the will of God please enter 'Discerning the will of God the Ignatian way' in your browser and browse through the many articles on how to discern the will of God as part of our decision making process.


5. The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. 6 And the LORD said, " Look they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 5 to 6)


God who is all knowledge of past present and future proclaimed that once humans unite and become motivated they would be an non stoppable force, because through communication they could be creative in both positive and even in negative acts. Therefore they became a serious threat to God's plan for our salvation. Moreover when we unite in projects that have not God as their center or foundation stone we are bound to hit the rocks and end up hurt in the process. Therefore in such situations God intervenes in order to restore the much needed balance, either directly or by means of significant others.


7. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another's speech." 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 7 to 9)


As in many conflicts between couples or even nations or small communities, the major problem is that of communication. We invest time and energy in talking with others, however during our communication, we do not invest the same energy in listening to each other's feedback in order to make the communication process of transmission and feedback loop complete. Therefore when this process is disrupted the message does not go through and there is confusion and discord, that breeds a serious lack of harmony and even the creation of boundaries, hurts and serious, psychological, and spiritual wounds.


When communicating with God we risk making the same mistake. We may tend to invest the major part of our prayer time in asking God to give us this and that, without ever thinking of blessing, thanking and most important listening to God who always in some way or another answers our prayers. The secret is that of being in tune with God by making time and opportunity to be with Him so that He can deliver his message to us though many medias, such as the reading of God's word during mass, spending time in His presence before the Holy Eucharist, meditating on the Word of God, etc.


10. These are the descendants of Shem. When Shem was one hundred years old, he became the father of Arpachsad two years after the flood; 11 and Shem lived after the birth of Arpachsad five hundred years, and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 10 to 11)


It is very interesting to observe that Shem lived 500 years after the flood and is not mentioned to have died while in previous chapters his ancestors lived longer and are all referred to have died.


12. When Arpachsad had lived thirty-five years he became the father of Shelah; 13 and Arpachshad lived after the birth of Shelah four hundred three years, and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verse 12)


In contrast to his brother Shem, Arpachshad lived less than his brother and still is not mentioned to have died.


14. When Shelah had lived thirty years, he became the father of Eber; 15 and Shelah lived after the birth of Eber four hundred three years, and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 14 to 15)


Four some reason that is not mentioned Shelah outlived his predecessor by three years but bore offspring at a younger age than the latter. This could reflect his having had lived a good life as in the case of some of his predecessors.


16. When Eber had lived thirty-four years, he became the father of Peleg; 17 and Eber lived after the birth of Peleg four hundred thirty years, and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 16 to 17)


If a long life actually reflects a good life, it seems that life on earth started to improve because when looking at the following exhibit, the number of years lived by the mentioned characters is always on the increase.


18. When Peleg had lived thirty years, he became the father of Reu; 19 and Peleg lived after the birth of Reu two hundred nine years, and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 18 to 19)


In contrast to his predecessor Peleg lived alot less. This may again reflect an increase of evil in the world. This may be a technical device used by the author to reflect this drastic change in global spiritual welfare.


20. When Reu had lived thirty-two years, he became the father of Serug; 21 and Reu lived after the birth of Serug two hundred seven years, and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 20 to 21)


It seems that Reu's lifespan was even shorter that that of Peleg who lived 209 years in comparison to the 207 years lived by Reu.


22. When Serug had lived thirty years he became the father of Nahor; 23 and Serug lived after the birth of Nahor two hundred years, and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 22 to 23)


In contrast to his predecessors Serug lived only 200 years which is even less than his brother Reu who lived 207 years.

It seems that the world had embarked on a spiritual and social decline. This may be reflected by the gradual decrease in lifespan.

24. When Nahor had lived twenty-nine years, he became the father of Terah; 25 and Nahor lived after the birth of Terah one hundred nineteen years and had other sons and daughters.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 24 to 25)


It seems that the degradation became more serious because the lifespan reached an astounding rate of 119 years, which is the least in both the pre-flood and even post-flood generations as displayed in the following exhibit.


26. When Terah had lived seventy years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.

(Genesis chapter 11 verse 26)

In contrast to his predecessors Terah fathered offspring at the age of 70 years, which is very late in life. In fact when comparing Terah to others mentioned he can be said to have broken the pattern because the others all fathered children at an earlier time as found in this chapter of the book of Genesis.

On reflecting this may be very significant, thus showing that this tribe or descendant of Noah, was to be in some way different or special in contrast to his other descendants. In order to draw the comparison between Terah and his ancestors we have the following exhibit on which to reflect:

On making a list of the post-flood descendants of Noah we are given the following results;

Shem when 100 years old fathered children and died at 500 years

Arpachshad when 35 years old fathered children and died at 400 years.

Shelah when 30 years old fathered children and died at 403 years.

Eber fathered children when 34 years old and died at 430 years.

Peleg fathered children at 30 years old and died at 209 years.

Reu fathered children at 32 years old and died at 207 years.

Serug fathered children at 30 years old and died at 200 years.

Nahor fathered children at 29 years old.

On comparing the post flood descendants of Noah with that of the pre-flood generations we can make the following comparison;

Adam lived 930 years.

Seth lived 912 years.

Enosh lived 905 years.

Kenan lived 910 years

Mahalalel lived 895 years.

Jared lived 962.

Enoch lived 365 years.

Methuselah lived 969 years.

Lamech 770 lived years.

Noah lived 950 years

27. These are the descendants of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. 28 Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans.

(Genesis chapter 11 verse 27 to 28)

On reflecting more ambiguities arise from this family. It is said that Haran the son died before his father Terah. This is something more mysterious, making this family more peculiar or special. When God chooses somebody He sets a new pattern and course in nature on many different levels making both the person and the family outstanding or somewhat abnormal in the sense of having particular features and qualities.

29. Abram and Nahor took wives; the name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah. She was the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and Iscah.

(Genesis chapter 11 verse 29)

On comparing verses 27 and 28 with verse 29, we can infer that Sarai and Abram were related from the father but not from the mother. Technically Sarai was Abram's sister, which makes the union in itself appear very strange. In our times the law does not permit such unions between brother and sister however it seems that during these times it was lawful.

30. Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.

(Genesis chapter 11 verse 30)

On reflecting Abram and Sarai when comparing them with their ancestors where unique in the sense that among all the descendants of Noah, Abram and Sarai were the only descendants who were childless. Moreover this makes the couple more outstanding. These peculiarities make Abraham and Sarai perfect grounds for God, to intervene because God is God of the possible and not of the impossible. This will become more clear in the following chapters.

 31. Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram's wife, and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 The days of Terah were two hundred five years; and Terah died in Haran.

(Genesis chapter 11 verses 31 to 32)

For some reason Abram's father did not permit his family to keep on living in the land of Ur of the Chaldeans and planned to go and live in Canaan however it may be that Terah sensed that his health would not permit him to make the journey to Canaan so they decided to settle down in the land of Haran. As we will reflect on in the following chapter that is chapter 12 and others that follow God had special plans for Abram and Sarai that would eventually lead Abram's descendants to the land of Canaan.

On reflecting from a spiritual point of view, and according to my personal knowledge Ur was a pagan land where people worshiped false pagan nature gods. God wanted Abram to be freed from the influence of such gods and their messages. So in order to accomplish this God had to lead Abram to a new environment that was free from such negative influence. It was also God's intention to lead Abram to Canaan, however at this point in time Abram and Sarai were not yet spiritually ready to make this leap of faith. They were still total strangers in their relationship with God.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer;

Oh God Almighty my heavenly and earthly father. Thank you for intervening in my life and in that of my family. Although I do not always understand why certain things happen especially events that have scarred me and hurt me , I know that behind the mystery you are in control and have good reasons for permitting or allowing them to take place. I would like to thank you for all that has happened, all that is now happening and all that will be happening in the present or future.

Thank You God.

Genesis Chapter 10

GENESIS 

CHAPTER 

10

1. These are the descendants of Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: children were born to them after the flood.

(Genesis chapter 10 verse 1)

According to the introductory verse of chapter ten of the book of Genesis it appears that we are going to be given a long list or overview of Noah's descendants. This may appear to be boring and of a non spiritual significance, however on reflecting no word or chapter, full stop or comma has been inserted without a purpose or beyond the will of 'God', therefore although the content may appear tedious, we are to treat it with the same respect as we have done to the previous chapters of the book of Genesis.

2. The descendants of Japheth; Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

(Genesis chapter 10 verse 2)

According to chapter 9 of the book of Genesis Japheth was a kind and respectful person, who found favour in the eyes of his father whom he saved his face in front of the rest of his family, so much that he received his father's blessing in earnest.

3. The descendants of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

(Genesis chapter 10 verse 3)

Gomer is the answer to our previous riddle. She is one of the daughters of Japheth as in verse 2 of the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis. As previously mentioned it was a bit hard to comprehend how out of three sons could the world have been populated. Gomer is one of those women though whom God made this possible.

4. The descendants of Javan: Elishah, Tarshush, Kittim, and and Rodanim. 5 From these the coastland peoples spread. These are the descendants of Japheth in their lands, with their own language, by their families, in their nations.

(Genesis chapter 10 verses 4 and 5)

Javan is referred to be another of the sons of Noah's line of descent. As can be noted the spread of humanity was gradually taking place. This can be noted by the fact that the descendants of Javan had spread to the coast lands or lands surrounding the coast, and had become an individual unit or nation having its own language.  

6. The descendants of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.

(Genesis chapter 10 verse 6)


On browsing through the Bible we find written that Ham or the land of Ham is referring to Egypt. Therefore if we hold the mountain of Ararat as our point of departure we can conclude that the spread of humanity ventured even as far as Egypt.


7. The descendants of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.


(Genesis chapter 10 verse 7)


The descendants of Cush or the Cushites are referring to the people of Asia thus the circle of migration is already in an advanced state of development.


8. Cush became the father of Nimrod; he was the first on earth to become a mighty warrior. 9. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD."


(Genesis chapter 10 verse 8 and 9)


Unlike Noah who was a good and righteous man, Cush was the father of Nimrod, who was known as a mighty warrior and hunter. On reflecting, I wonder and also might you for what people will remind you when you leave this world.


10. The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, and Accad, all of them in the land of Shinar.

(Genesis chapter 10 verse 10)


According to the Word of God we are given indications that Shinar was located in Babylonia however the aim of this analysis, is not that of trying to identify the actual place, but to refer to the fact that indeed the descendants of Noah did spread throughout the world as found in the 'Word of God and as found in other sources. Therefore we, will continue going through the rest of the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis.


11. From that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and 12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

(Genesis chapter 10 verses 11 to 12)


On reflecting it is no coincidence that the land of Assyria has till today retained its original name as found in the Bible. This can be confirmed in any atlas.


13. Egypt became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim, from which the Philistines come."


(Genesis chapter 10 verse 13)


On reflecting the Word of God refers to the fact that indeed the sons of Noah ventured throughout the world of their days and left descendants that can be traced to present day lands.



15. Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, and Heth, 16 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. 19 And the territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon, in the direction of Gerar, as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim as far as Lasha.


(Genesis chapter 10 verses 15 to 19)


Although these nations existed long ago, some of the names such as Sidon can still be identified by their original names and therefore continue to shed light on to how far was the expansion of the descendants of Noah that led to the eventual population of the world as found in the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis.


20. These are the descendants of Ham, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations.

(Genesis chapter 10 verse 20)



According to verse twenty from the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis, the descendants of Noah spread extensively throughout the world so much that they had different languages, lands and nations.


21. To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born. 22 The descendants of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachsad, Lud, and Aram.

(Genesis chapter 10 verse 21 to 22)


On analyzing the given list the descendants are all presented by the following classification based on their geographical location in order to show the pattern of expansion undertaken by humanity in the process of populating the world.


23. The descendants of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachsad became the father of Shelah; and Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother's name was Joktan.


(Genesis chapter 10 verses 23 to 25)



According to verse twenty-nine from the tenth chapter of the book of Genesis, evil was in an increase in the world so much that the people of the world had become divided among themselves.



26. Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the descendants of Joktan. 30 The territory in which they lived extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar, the hill country of the east. 31 These are the descendants of Shem, by their families, their languages, their lands, and their nations. 32 These are the families of Noah's sons, according to their genealogies, in their nations; and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.

(Genesis chapter 10 verses 26 to 32)


On reflecting the author of the book of Genesis constantly repeats the criteria underlining the given classification of the descendants of Noah according to the region that they had emigrated to, leading to the actual population of the world.


Although this classification and the actual process of world population may be disputed and even supported or refuted, what matters is that after the second birth of humanity after the cleansing of the world by the waters of the flood, humanity regressed back to its natural self and commenced in a process of spiritual, sinful, social, and psychological degeneration that is still going on today. Throughout this sad process, evil is on the increases in many walks of life both on a material level and even on a spiritual level. Priests are becoming accused of immoral acts, some of which are alleged as being guilty, Judges of the peace have also been proved to be corrupt, murder, robbery, drug abuse have become the rule of the day.


However, although the given scenario seems to be bleak and tragic, God is still in control of the goings on in the world, and that humanity has control, only to some extent. God is aware that we are constantly at war with our sinful selves, and that the Devil takes advantage of our natural weakness to try to hurt God, (biting the heel), but God has already crushed the head of the serpent. The Devil is a loser, therefore our hearts and minds are to be at rest that the victory over evil is of God.

I would like to end this chapter which has not been easy to analyze in a spirit of prayer, with the following prayer.



Oh God thank you for all the people of the world, people of different religions, colour, creed, social standing etc. All people are your reflection and are one big family with you as their one and only father, whether we admit it or not. Thank you for my many aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, thanks for making one unique in his or her own way, while I also thank you for making all equal in your just and loving heart.

Thank You 

God

  

Genesis Chapter 9

GENESIS 

CHAPTER 

9

1. God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 1)

On reflecting God's command required that humanity increased in number and occupy the earth, however it did not say kill your sons and daughters by aborting them or marry a partner of the same sex, or experiment with the systems that I have created with the risk or intention of destroying them. However in truth, this is exactly what we are doing or what is going to happen in the coming future.

2. The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 2)

According to verse two of the ninth chapter of the book of Genesis all the animals that God had created respected humanity or Noah and his descendants and were subject to him as much as they had been subject to God when they had the fear of him in them.

3. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and just as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 3)

According to the will of God there was no longer the prohibition on what could be consumed, however it, was up to common sense not to eat anything that could harm the body as in things that were poisonous or harmful in any way. Moreover every Christian or Hebrew who believes in God is no longer conditioned on what and not to eat because God removed the ban that had existed in this respect.

4. Only, you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 For your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning; from every animal I will require it and from human beings, each one for the blood of another, I will require a reckoning for human life.

(Genesis chapter 9 verses 4 and 5)

One exception that God made was in relation to taking the life of both creatures and human beings. When considering how many people die in wars, aborted children etc, this is a very serious issue on which to reflect, however as much as we can kill each other with weapons of war, we can kill each other emotionally, and even psychologically, by refraining from speaking to the other person or simply ignoring the person as if he or she was invisible. This is also a means of psychological murder or torture that is not to be practiced. We are to keep in mind that according to the 'Word of God' we are accountable or responsible for each other's well being either physically, spiritually or even on a social level. When appearing before God He will question us in relation to such issues, therefore before acting out of love with the risk of harming any body we quickly refer to Genesis chapter 9 verses 4 and 5 and refrain from the planned negative action.

6. Whoever sheds the blood of a human, by a human shall that person's blood be shed; for in his own image God made humankind.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 6)

 By the words written in verse six of the ninth chapter of the book of Genesis God does not mean that He is in favour of blood shed and violence among humans or creatures. God loves humanity so much that He created it in His form.


7. And you, be fruitful and multiply, abound on the earth and multiply in it."

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 7)


On reflecting our God is not a God of idleness or idle people. He is totally active and wants us to be active and creative in order to reflect our heavenly father. Instead of using contraception to limit the amount of offspring to a big zero, God wants us to procreate and increase in numbers.


8. Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 "As for me I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark."

(Genesis chapter 9 verses 8 to 10)


According to verses eight to ten God is going to make an important declaration to all creation meaning both humans and creatures.


11. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 11)


On reflecting God made an important promise to everyone on earth that He would never destroy the earth with the waters of the flood. However God does not need to destroy the earth because humans today are doing exactly the contrary. As a consequence of war many people are dying, while others have to flee their homes and country because it no longer offers them security and well being.


12. God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

(Genesis chapter 9 verses 12 to 15)



According to verses twelve to fifteen the rainbow was given the following significance. It was a reminder of a pact between God and humanity that the waters of the flood would never destroy all life on earth again. Moreover God always keeps His promises. Therefore if great floods happen with the result of loss of life, we are to rest assured that it is not an 'act of God' or an act that happened withe the approval of God.


16. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 16)


According to verse sixteen when God sees the rainbow He will remember his pact with humanity, however we have to keep in mind that in truth, God can never forget his promises. Moreover God knows before the rainbow is in the sky that it has the mentioned significance and does not need it to remind him.


17. God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all the flesh that is on the earth."  

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 17)


According to verse seventeen the image of the rainbow was more of a natural happening that has the benediction of God to take place after a rainy period. It is an important symbol of a covenant that has taken place forever between God and humanity.


18. The sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah; and from these the whole earth was peopled.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 18 to 19)


It may sound to rather hard to believe that out of three men the rest of the world was populated, however one has to consider that the aim of the author of the book of Genesis was not that of giving a geographical account of how the world was populated, however it is obvious that Shem, Ham and Japheth had wives and begotten other sons and daughters and therefore the possibility would be more likely according to this scenario. Moreover there is geographical evidence that holds the name of the sons of Noah as commemorated and referred to as having had existed. 

20. Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vine yard. 21 He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 20 to 21)


Noah is a great consolation for all people who attempt to lead a good life. Although we have an example of a good man, we see that even this person fell into the sin of loss of self-control and became drunk thus if such a good man could not control himself and was still loved by God, our heavenly father will surely show understanding to our human weaknesses.


22. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his brothers outside.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 22)


On reflecting Ham is the typical example of those who gossip about other people or the things that have happened to them. Instead of helping his father on seeing him in such a situation Ham went to his brothers and shared the news of his father's nakedness with them.


23. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; their faces was turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 23)


Shem and Japheth on the other hand are typical examples of how our behaviour is to be in such circumstances. As loyal sons both to God and to their father, Shem and Japheth did not even seek to set their eyes on the nakedness of their father but covered him in a way that hindered them by being contaminated by the sinfulness of the situation.


24. When Noah awoke from his wine and knew that his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, "Cursed be Canaan; lowest of slaves shall he be to his brothers."

(Genesis chapter 9 verses 24 to 25)


As a reaction to his son Canaan's negative behaviour and manifestation of lack of love and respect, Noah proclaimed the following condemnation that was to be a prophecy for years to come. In fact his curse was not only his voice, but God was using Noah to transmit a truth that was to take place later on. At particular times God speaks by means of His 'Word' and by means of the Roman Catholic Church among others.


26. He also said, "Blessed by the LORD my God be Shem; and let Canaan be his slave.

(Genesis chapter 9 verse 26)


It seems that Canaan's act was so sinful that he merited the label of a slave to both his brothers, who instead of shaming their father did, their best to remedy the situation.



27. May God make space for Japheth, and let him live in the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his slave." 28 After the flood Noah lived three hundred fifty years. 29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years; and he died.

(Genesis chapter 9 verses 27 to 29)


It seems that Ham and Japheth was the brains behind the attempt to save Noah's honour and face, because Japheth received the greatest blessing. He was permitted to have a place in his own dwellings and in the dwellings of Shem that means a position of authority and superiority among the brothers.


When comparing Noah to his predecessors as referred to in the previous chapters Noah lived a ripe old age that in turn reflected the quality of life lived by this faithful and obedient person to God who serves as a signpost for us to follow in his footsteps.

Adam lived 930 years.

Seth lived 912 years.

Enosh lived 905 years.

Kenan lived 910 years

Mahalalel lived 895 years.

Jared lived 962.

Enoch lived 365 years.

Methuselah lived 969 years.

Lamech 770 lived years.

Noah lived 950 years

I would like to end this chapter withe the following prayer:


Oh God father of love cleanse us with your Divine Grace, give us the strength to overcome our sinful nature that compels us to perform sinful acts against others. Please give us the needed control over ourselves, especially our tongues, that when out of control can be an instrument of psychological harm, that which when accompanied by physical harm can be a very dangerous weapon.

I would also like to thank you for my family tree, please help me to accept and forgive those who have hurt me in the past and even the present and please forgive me for hurting others for I am also a sinner with the ability of hurting others.

Thank You

God

Genesis Chapter 8

GENESIS 

CHAPTER 

8

1. But God remembered Noah and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; 2 the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, 3 and the waters gradually receded from the earth. At the end of one hundred fifty days the waters had abated; 4 and in the seventh month, on on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.

(Genesis chapter 8 verses 1 to 4)

When the fertilization of the cell meaning the ark actually took place, it rested on the top of Mount Ararat. Although there is dispute regarding the actual existence of the ark there is an unlimited amount of evidence from several fields of science such as archaeology, history and even world religions that give evidence of the flood and even the existence of Noah and his family.

What is of value is that God never forgets us even in times of trials and tribulations. When it is safe for us to leave our secure domain God opens the doors and gives us the appropriate solutions for our problems.

5. The waters continued to abate until the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared. 6 At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth.

(Genesis chapter 8 verses 5 to 7)


On reflecting we can observe, that although the ark had rested on the mountain, Noah waited patiently and in faith for more instructions from God before attempting to leave the ark. However this does not mean that Noah just sat in waiting. God gives us intelligence that He would like us to make use of. In order to test if the land had dried up Noah chose two types of birds, a raven and a dove that followed the raven.


On reflecting on the nature of the raven it is considered as an unclean bird that lives on flesh and is termed as a carnivore. Apparently the land was not yet dry because the raven did not return with anything that proved a reliable result.



8. Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; 9 but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth, so he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him.

(Genesis chapter 8 verses 8 and 9)


The second attempt was done by sending a clean animal that is the dove, however this attempt was also a failure, for it did not result in a positive outcome. Although without certainty I hold that while in the ark, Noah remained praying in the ark and it was according to the influence of Divine prompting that his attempts took place.

When facing a tough problem that we do not have an idea how to solve the, best thing is to do nothing. However on the other hand we are to refer to God in a spirit of prayer and in time God will give us the necessary and adequate solution to our problem. Waiting on God can appear to be tedious however, the results have always been beneficial.


As based on my experience when I waited on God instead of rushing from one alternative to another the outcome was more positive than when I decided to act on my own initiative. Today I am living the same experience I am still waiting on God for answers that lead to further decisions for the good of my family and myself. I have the option of doing it myself, however like Noah I chose to wait on God who will enlighten me in relation to the correct time and decision.


10. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; 11 and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. 12 Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him ant more.


(Genesis chapter 8 verses 10 to 12)


As previously mentioned the presence of God and the presence of evil cannot dwell in the same presence, because one is opposite to the other and as in magnetism one repels the other. This explains why the dove during its first attempt returned to Noah in the ark, however when order was restored to the earth once again from a state of sinful contaminated chaos, the dove did not return back because it found a secure dwelling in the presence of God.


13. In the six hundred first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying.

(Genesis chapter 8 verse 13)


As in spiritual discernment Noah was interpreting the signs given to him by God Almighty. When the time of his sojourn in the bosom of the ark had reached its end, Noah started removing the cover of the ark however he still did not have the go ahead of God to leave the ark.


14. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. 15 Then God said to Noah, 16 "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your son's wives with you.

(Genesis chapter 8 verse 14 to 16)


At long last Noah received the go ahead from God and the latter started making preparations for the unloading of his cargo both human and animal. We can observe that the 'Word of God became flesh, alive and incarnated' in the sense, that as a consequence of God's word the rebirth of the earth was to take place. The cell that had been travelling in the reproductive tubes, was now ready to give birth from the Holy Spirit of God and bring new life on earth. As humans we can also be reborn of the Spirit that gives us the power to overcome our human sinful self.


17. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh-birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth-so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth."

(Genesis chapter 8 verse 17)


God gave Noah the go ahead to leave the ark and also the order to reproduce and dominate the earth, but not to destroy it as we are doing today. In the beginning God had brought the first humans to the garden of Eden. It can be observed that now God invested the power in Noah to bring out the animals from the ark.


18. So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his son's wives. 19 And every animal, creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families.

(Genesis chapter 8 verses 18 to 19)


Verses eighteen and nineteen and further proof that God created all forms of animals both of earth and sky. The author of the book of Genesis is specific in his choice of diction in order to pass on this detailed information.

20. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

(Genesis chapter 8 verse 20)


Noah is a typical example for all Christians. On being safely delivered safely from the trauma of the deluge of the great flood, Noah offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God. Before his departure God had ordered Noah to take into the ark a number of clean birds so that they would later on be offered as a sacrifice. Noah remained faithful to the will of God and was grateful to God. This is reflected by Noah's fidelity to God.


21. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor, the LORD said in his heart, " I will never curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.

(Genesis chapter 8 verse 21)


It can be observed that the author of the book of Genesis is attributing human traits to the person of God. God is portrayed as having been sorry for the mistake that he had made when destroying all life on earth. This message is transmitted to the readers of the Word of God in order to set us an example, however it cannot be applied to God. In his infinite wisdom God is free from any form of error and therefore cannot be said to make mistakes. This is why when nature gets out of control and floods take place, the insurance companies commit a serious error when labeling the situation as being an 'act of God' because God loves humanity too much to do such a thing.


22. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."

(Genesis chapter 8 verse 22)


According to verse twenty-two which brings us to the end of the eight chapter of the book of Genesis God lifted the ban on the earth that was the consequence of the sin of Cain for having killed his brother Abel, during which humanity was to reap the fruits of the earth with sweat, and that the earth will bear thistles and produce with much difficulty.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God father and creator of heaven and earth, help me to live according to your Holy Will. Please help me to discern your will and voice from that of the world, and live in total obedience to you Holy Will. 


I would also like to thank you for providing me with the much needed resources to lead our life on earth, and thank you for your blessings and intervention in our lives, moreover thank you for work and prayer time and even the sharing of my prayer time with others online, because during such moments you are manifesting your loving self to us. 

Thank You

God.

 
 
 

Genesis Chapter 7

GENESIS 

CHAPTER

 7

1. Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation.

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 1)

Verse 1 of the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis is really encouraging. Of all the people in the world God was aware that Noah had remained faithful in his commitment to God. This means that God knows me personally as an individual and also as a member of the body of Christ meaning the Roman Catholic Church. For me it is comforting that my father knows me in the sense of having a personal relationship with me. God is aware of my strengths and even of my weaknesses and is also aware of my motivation to overcome my sinful self.

2. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; 3 and seven pairs of the birds of the air also male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth.

(Genesis chapter 7 verses 2 to 3)

According to verses 2 to 3 of the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis, God makes a distinction between herbivores meaning creatures that thrive on the grass of the earth and birds of the air, and can be offered as sacrificial offerings from other creatures who thrive on eating the flesh of other creatures by shedding their blood such as is the case of the vultures.

Since the beginning God was not in favour of violence or of blood shed . Throughout the pages of the Word of God our father in heaven and earth was never in favour of such negative acts.

4. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth and for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground."

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 4)

As previously mentioned the number seven may be a symbolic and not in actual fact seven days, however whatever the number of days the evidence from many fields of study, including history archaeology and even other world religions all confirm that a world flood had actually taken place.

5. And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 5)

In contrast to Adam, Eve and their descendants Noah was a sign of complete obedience to the will of God. One thing that God really likes is our obedience to him.

6. Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth.

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 6) 

Noah is an example of a person who walked with God and obeyed him to the letter. In return God gave him a long life along with other gifts such as strength and even intelligence in order to build such a massive structure and undertake such a great mission.

7. And Noah with his sons and his wife and his son's wives went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 7)

As in the case of the animals God applied the same criteria with humans in the sense that God chose members of both genders to enter the ark in order to ensure the further development and regeneration of the human race on earth once the waters of the flood subsided.

8. Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds and of everything that creeps on the ground, 9 two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah.

(Genesis chapter 7 verses 8 and 9)

It can be observed that nature submitted itself to Noah and accepted to enter the ark. On reflecting before the fall humanity and nature were at one with each other however, after the fall God commanded nature not to remain receptive to the wills of humans. However in the case of Noah there seems to be no signs of conflict or disobedience.

10. And after seven days the waters of the flood came on to the earth.    

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 10)

On reflecting on verse ten of the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis, we can observe that everything is under the control of God, even the elements and mechanisms of the sky meaning clouds and rainfall.

11.  In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 11)


In order to solve the riddle and discover the exact month, and day that the waters of the deep meaning lakes, oceans and rivers and the sources of water in the heavens, which may correspond to rain water in large quantities deposited there by the natural process of evaporation we would need to be knowledgeable in the Hebrew calendar which is not the aim of this analysis, however what is important is that, God is able to intervene in time at any moment He desires because God is the Master of time.


12. The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. 13 On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark, 14 they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind-every bird, every winged creature. 15 They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 And those that entered male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.

(Genesis chapter 7 verses 12 to 16)


On reflecting verses twelve to sixteen are a model answer of the riddle or theory of evolution. It is emphasized more than once in the book of Genesis that God created all of nature. This means every creature of every kind. Therefore if we are to take God's Word as absolute truth even in this respect, we are given water tight evidence that no scientific theory can invalidate.


God selected male and female species to enter the ark which could be referred to as the womb of which the seed was planted or conceived by the Holy Spirit of God, that was later to give birth meaning new life on earth at the time appointed by its creator.


17. The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18. The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 The waters swelled so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered; 20 the waters swelled above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.


(Genesis chapter 7 verses 17 to 20)


On reflecting the waters of the great flood was a flood or source of baptism. Its aim was to destroy all that was contaminated on the earth and bring cleansing to both the earth and the elements of both sea and heavens.


According to verse twenty in particular all the mountains were covered thus covering the highest peaks by fifteen cubits. When considering that one cubit is equal to 0.4572 meters the water can be calculated to have risen 7.5 meters above the highest peaks or mountain tops. As calculated of the the highest mountains in the world some reach 8,850 meters above sea level while other mountains reach up to 20,703 feet.


21. And all the flesh died that moved on the earth, birds domestic animals, wild animals, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all human beings; 22 everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died.

(Genesis chapter 7 verse 21)


On reflecting on this verse I imagine that on dying the Holy Spirit of God that dwelt in these creatures returned back to God from whom it was originally released. Our souls that are likewise born in God as owner of creation, on dying they leave our frail body and return back to the presence of God. As living souls God paid the price of our salvation and a dear one indeed.


22. everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23 He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, human beings and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. 24 And the waters swelled on the earth for one hundred fifty days.


(Genesis chapter 7 verses 22 to 24)


As was declared in God's plan all evil and evil beings were cleansed with the waters of the flood, however God spared the righteous from his destructive wrath and enclosed them in a cell that he kept in safety throughout its journey through the 'uterus' of the earth in order to give new 'birth' at the time appointed by God.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God my father I would like to thank you for saving me from my evil self, for accepting to be sacrificed instead of me at the time of your passion, for saving me from the sentence that was fit according to my sins. Thanks Oh Father for being just. Thanks for having mercy on just people and not giving them the same judgement as people who do evil. Thank you God for giving the a second chance to have new life in your Spirit again. I pray that you always keep me in your sight because I am prone to sin by nature and therefore I will escape and sin when temptation draws near due to my human condition.


My prayer to you my God is to keep on breathing your Holy Spirit of Grace and mercy on me because although I sincerely wish to be good and do good, pure goodness does not dwell in me and if left alone my sinful nature will get the better of me and I end up hurting both myself and those that are close to me both at home and at work or elsewhere.

Thank You Jesus.

 


                                                                                                                                                    

Genesis Chapter 6

GENESIS 

CHAPTER

 6

1. When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose.

(Genesis chapter 6 verses 1 and 2)

Apparently there  was a rapid increase of males and females on earth, however the quality of spiritual and social values was in a rapid state of degradation. Instead of consulting God with reference to whom to marry, people started acting on sexual and sensual gratifications and started choosing according to their mean and sinful desires.

This is something that is happening even during our times. Many people are making decisions that do not have God as their basic assumption or foundation. Lawmakers are planning laws such as same sex marriages and adoption to homosexuals and implementing laws such as divorce that all go against the will of God and even against the natural course of human nature.

3. Then the LORD said, "My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred twenty years." 

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 3)

As previously mentioned God's presence and the presence of evil cannot coincide. This means that when humans became tainted by sin, they became corrupted and seriously inclined to a bad and negative human nature governed by sinful desires and instant gratification. This also means that humans lost contact with the 'Divine grace of God' and had become as we are today, slaves of our own desires and gratifications regardless of the will of God. In a way we have become no better than animals who act on instinct.  However in order to free ourselves of this terminal condition we are to turn to God by means of the Church and seek to open our sinful selves to God so that His light of grace can shine in us once again and deliver us out of our sinful selves.

 4. The Nephilim were on the earth in those days-and also afterward-when the sons of God went into the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes of old, warriors of renown.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 4)

Apparently it seems that fallen beings such as angels that could be the followers of Satan who had already become corrupted intermingled with humans and somehow bore children to them as in Greek mythology where hybrid beings such as half horses and half humans came into beings. In fact verse four could be actually referring to such beings.

5. The LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 5)

In fact it is absolutely true that our natural inclinations are inclined to bad and corrupt instincts. Furthermore had it not been for laws, commandments and other restrictions, the world would end up in a state of absolute chaos. 

6. And the LORD was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 6)

 When reflecting on God's great love for us, we can only imagine God's immense sorrow when the biblical verse says, that God's heart was grieved. It can also be concluded that the greater the love the greater the sorrow.



7. So the LORD said, "I will blot out from the earth the human beings I have created-people together with animals and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 7)


It seems that not only human beings had become corrupted but even nature. As previously mentioned the fallen ones representing nature had corrupted and contaminated humanity and therefore both had now been contaminated by evil and did not merit to remain in existence. Therefore, it was now time to apply plan B and save humanity and the world from the evil state it had come to end up in. This called for the need of a format of all creation and the need to save His only Son as a means of compensation for the sins of humanity.



9. Theses are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth.


(Genesis chapter 6 verses 9 and 10)



According to verses 9 and 10 from the sixth chapter of the book of Genesis, among the corrupted generations of these times, Noah had remained non corrupted by the sinful ways of life practiced. God appreciated that Noah had remained righteous and had mercy on him and his family. Noah was a person who walked with God and not before Him or behind Him. This means that Noah and God had a relationship where the two friends walked closely side by side. This is the type of relationship that as Christians we are to aim for.


11. Now the earth was corrupted in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 11)


It seems that along with corruption the world had also become corrupted with violence. Violence and corruption are two things that god really hates.



12. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, " I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the  earth.


(Genesis chapter 6 verses 12 to 13)


It seems that God patiently lovingly and caringly went through the complete decision making process and finally reached the following conclusion. If God had found a convincingly large proportion of the world still not corrupted God would not have decided on such as tragic conclusion. however when evil increases so much that it almost superseded goodness, action needs to be taken because goodness and evil cannot both exist at the same time with the same intensity. They are two opposites that repel each other but can never attract.



14. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.


(Genesis chapter 6 verse 14)


Although there has been much debate on the real material chosen to build the ark in the sense if it was cypress or another material, the emphasis of this analysis is not that of giving the reader the correct answer. What is of importance is that God ordered Noah to build and Ark that was to be protected both from the inside and from the outside with pitch a waterproof material.


God also wants us to be protected both from the inside and from the outside. God protects us with His infinite blessings by means of the sacraments and other blessings initiated by the Roman Catholic Church, and moreover God gives us His real self to heal us and cleanse us from the inside by means of his own body and blood in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.


15. This is how you are to make it; the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 15)


If it is really of any significance apart from manifesting the glory of God as manifested in this enormous structure that God ordered Noah to construct we are going to reflect on the given measurements as found in verse fifteen of the sixth chapter of the book of Genesis.

In order to base our analysis on a correct beginning we have to keep in mind that:

1 cubit is equal to 0.5 meters.

Therefore the length of the ark in cubits is 300 hundred cubits which in meters is 150 meters. The width of the ark is referred to be 50 cubits that is equivalent to 2.5 meters. Moreover the height of the ark is referred to have been thirty cubits which is equivalent to 15 meters.  

When God embarks on a project God in his perfect wisdom goes in to much details in order to make the finishing product perfect.


16. Make a roof for the ark and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 16)

While using the same formula 1 cubit is equal to 0.5 meters, we can conclude that the roof was to be 0.5 meters high from the topmost deck of the ark.


God told Noah to construct three decks in the ark to cater for the needs of all the groups of animals that were to be chosen to enter the ark. Therefore if God catered for the salvation of animals by making particular places for them, God will also make places for us in our heavenly home.


17. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 17)


It seems that in all of God's creation He blew the breath of life that is His Holy Spirit. This breath seems to have given life to all creation meaning both creatures and humans. Therefore it can be said that the Holy Spirit of God that is source of all life, is even found in animals and not only in humans.


18. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you your sons, your wife, and your son's wives with you.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 18)


From all the people on earth God promised salvation to those who remained in his ways and who wanted to be saved. People who become worldly only believe in a material world and even, if they are offered the chance of salvation of their souls they still might refuse the opportunity.


19. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 19)


In order to promote the existence of society God chose to select two of every species that is a male and female kind. This is the logic of God that is in contrast to the concept of marriage between two males or two females, which brings to a grinding halt the development and growth of society.


20. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 20)


On reflecting it is interesting that God ordered Noah to welcome into the safety of the ark creeping creatures that creep on their bellies especially when considering that the evil one previously had the form of a creature that was later on was condemned to a life of creeping on the flour and eating its dust.


21. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them."

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 21)


In his infinite wisdom God made provisions for the food of both the animals and that of humans. This means that the two species were to consume different food stuff and that animals were not created to serve as food for animals.


22. Noah did this; he did all that God had commanded him.

(Genesis chapter 6 verse 22)


In contrast to the disobedience of the first humans Noah obeyed God to the letter and fulfilled His will according to the criteria established by God.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God please help us to conquer our human will and inclinations, and empower us to behave according to your holy will. Help us to discern the details of your will and give us the grace to accomplish it in our lives. I beg you to help us Oh God because for us as humans to go against our nature is a difficult thing to accomplish especially where it involves the control over physical drives and moreover our sinful selves.