January 12 - Genesis 1-2, Matthew 1:-2:12, Psalm 1, Proverbs 1:1-6
Genesis 1-2
- Chapter 1 - Notice the way that each day of creation is described...good, good, good, good, good, and then the last day when all is finished, it is described as very good.
- Ch 1 - Let us create humankind in our image. Male and female God created humankind in God's image. Notice this is speaking to the idea that both male and female are representative of the image of God.
- End of Ch 1 - When it was finished God rested. Reminded me of the Jesus story - Jesus dies on the cross saying "It is finished" and then there is a time of rest (three days in the tomb). Here we have another "it is finished" and then a time to rest. Is the death and resurrection of Jesus a bit of another "creation story"?
- Chapter 2 - Another creation story. This isn't a continuation of the first nor is it a "zooming in" on the human creation in Chapter 1. Order is different, etc. This is another creation story. This undercuts the idea of a "7 day creation" concept. This is a sign of how the people of the day were wrestling with the same big questions we do.
- Ch 2 - God breathed into the humans the "Ruach" - the breath/wind/spirit of God and that's what animated them
- Here's a Bible Project video that speaks to a unique exploration of Genesis 1
Matthew 1-2:12
- Tempting to skip over the genealogies but these were something that likely connected to the original readers more so than us to help them see the connections that the story had. Might be worth filing this chapter away for later on in the Bible in a year read to see some of the names that will (hopefully) be more familiar
- Chapter 2 - Note Joseph's courage in this story. Societal pressures would have been immense for him to leave Mary (which is his initial decision). But he sticks with her likely facing some of the same scorn that Mary would have faced.
- Ch 2 - Joseph had the other dream (to go to Egypt) and it says that he got up and they left by night. Feels very much like he just packed up and went and that was it - they were on the road.
- Here's a video from The Bible Project that helps to summarize the first half or so of Matthew
Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1:1-6
- As I read Psalm 1, I was really struck by the sense of a plant being fully nourished and one that is dried out. I think of a plant that is healthily watered and how soft and flexible it is vs one that is dry and parched and how brittle and stiff it gets.
- Here's a great visual commentary on Psalm 1
- For Proverbs 1:1-6 - note how often the word wise (or variants) show up in these verses. Do we pursue wisdom?
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