Reading the Bible

[johnscanlon]

I'm reading the bible with my girlfriend. She is devote and I know it is important to her. I'm not, and I'm being exposed to most of this for the first time. I have only been to church a handful of times. I read Genesis 1 to 45 last night, and I plan to read the entire bible. I strongly intend to give things a fair hearing, but some things are bothering me.

I was wondering if someone could help me interpret some things. Before I comment, I want to say that I am not seeking to argue or challenge anyone's beliefs. I just want to understand how I should be interpretting things. I did not grow up Christian so I do not have any context on these things.

From Genesis 1 to 45

Polygamy (having multiple wives or mistresses) - Both Jacob and Abraham have children with multiple women and God doesn't seem to discourage it. Yet this is far from present values. How do I reconcile this?

Undue force - After Shechem defiles (rapes?) Dinah daughter of Jacob, the sons of Jacob go on to deceive and kill all the males in Hamor's city, loot it, and carry off the women. Although rape is terrible, this seems like an excessive response. Yet God protected them, " terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them". I don't understand this.

Should I be reading this as a history, and assume that the motives of God are higher than ours? Or that god didn't comment because at that point spreading faith was more important than specific sins?

I'd appreciate any insight.

Thanks,
John

[Steve M]

Polygamy is a long discussion; I'll leave that for another time.

With Shechem, two things to note; one, it's apparent that those brothers who organized this were violent men. This is noted later, and they're both passed over for the seed-line. (that is, the Messiah is not descended of them, nor the kings)

Secondly, that fear that fell on the surrounding people isn't a supernatural fear exerted by God; that's a healthy response to realizing that these God-following people in the desert are perfectly capable of wiping out a city.

[thepenitent]

Undue force - After Shechem defiles (rapes?) Dinah daughter of Jacob, the sons of Jacob go on to deceive and kill all the males in Hamor's city, loot it, and carry off the women. Although rape is terrible, this seems like an excessive response. Yet God protected them, " terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them". I don't understand this.

Should I be reading this as a history, and assume that the motives of God are higher than ours? Or that god didn't comment because at that point spreading faith was more important than specific sins?

I'd appreciate any insight.

Thanks,
John

Keep reading. God didn't forget what what Simeon and Levi did to the men in Hamor's city. Through Joseph, God pronounced the following concerning those two because of their acts:

Genesis 49:5-7 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel

.

Further, Levi's descenden's were denied an allotment of Land in the promised land (although this ultimately worked to their advantage) and the tribe of Simeon, along with their land, was pretty much gone by the time of Solomon. Swallowed up by Judea. So the prophecy came true. God didn't forget, he just chose a time and place for retribution that fit into his greater plans.

One thing to remember when reading the Bible - different genres of Bible books should be read differently. Some major genres are narrative/historical, wisdom literature, poetic literature, prophets/prophecy, Gospels, and epistles. Many of the early books of the Old Testament (and for the most part the Gospels too) are historical and narrative in structure. You can read them as history or any other narrative work. The books of poetry and prophecy use a lot of symbols, metaphors and dual meanings so they must be read accordingly and not necessarily literally. The epistles contain lots of doctrine and spiritual truth which can be deeply philosophical and complex at times. They require a much deeper study and slower reading.
I recommend you refer to the book introductions in a good study Bible. These introductions to each book tell you the basic genres you will encounter and enough background to help you understand how to read the book and what the book is basically about.

Keep reading and enjoy the Word. It is well worth the effort as it is truly the direct revelation of God.

[Radagast]

I'm reading the bible with my girlfriend. She is devote and I know it is important to her. I'm not, and I'm being exposed to most of this for the first time. I have only been to church a handful of times. I read Genesis 1 to 45 last night, and I plan to read the entire bible. I strongly intend to give things a fair hearing, but some things are bothering me.

I salute your intention, though I would suggest the two of you read the New Testament first.

Polygamy (having multiple wives or mistresses) - Both Jacob and Abraham have children with multiple women and God doesn't seem to discourage it. Yet this is far from present values. How do I reconcile this?

It's described (and was probably common back then), but not necessarily endorsed. The multiple wives are shown as leading to trouble and conflict, and the mistresses are implicitly condemned.

[Jeffinator]

I salute your intention, though I would suggest the two of you read the New Testament first.

Agreed, back in the day I couldnt read the whole way through starting with Genesis. Start with the New Testament.

[JohnDB]

That is an issue with reading this stuff.

You about have to be a scholar to understand all the metaphors and allusions and history that is told as part of a prophesy for the future as well.

Women in the Days of Jacob weren't thought of in the same light as we do here in America. In those days women were one step above cattle or sheep (and they were highly prized)...but as co-equals with men? Not hardly...LOL.

Women couldn't go out and vote or do anything except for cooking, sewing, and having babies. The baby thing was their greatest redeeming feature as everyone during that time frame was all concerned about their legacy. (something not very many are concerned with today)

So...men had many wives or raped one in order to own one for their very own. When Schechem raped Dinah it was because he found her to be the best woman he had ever seen or found...he wanted her immediately before anyone else could get his hands on her. The town was named after him so he must be a prominant man in that town (usually made up of extended family)

But because he was a "gentile" it was forbidden...and his act was seen as contemptuous by her brothers. Even though he really didn't percieve that he did anything wrong...he didn't know any better. And instead of telling him that he needed to be adopted into the family by Jacob the two boys answered up with this evil plot.

Now this family of Jacob's was just like him....all of them were really big guys. They woulda dwarfed the football players that you might have seen. Schechem on the other hand was likely small and normal. That is the reason for the fear...it only took two of them to wipe out a whole village. Jacob's family was huge including servants and slaves and children...they were a village in their own right. LOL

IN order to really understand this scripture it has to be taken in very slowly. Each and every word has to be precious to you or else you are going to miss out on a lot of it.

Like why was Jacob/Israel happy when he finished his wrestling match with God?
What was the covenant with God that Jacob made and why was it important and significant

What did Adam and Eve need with Gold in the Garden of Eden?

How many kingdom's did Abraham and his men fight off?

What was the splitting of animals (by Abraham) and that scene all about?


How did Cain and Able know when the appointed time was for offerings to be offered?


What was the sin of Babylon that made God confuse their language?

[tt1106]

I agree about the New Testament.
I would read that first.

[livingwaters]

John, I just want to thank you for even desiring to read the Bible...there are many Christians who do not read their Bibles...so, praise the Lord for you seeking HIM and understanding HIS Word...Also, I think that your girl might be a blessed girl in more ways than one...to have a guy who doesn't know the Lord as his Savior, yet still wants to do what he feels is right...quite promising, my dear!

Just know, before you read the Bible, ask the Lord to remove the scabs from your eyes and help you to understand HIS Will for you....HE has a will for each and everyone of us...don't give up, if you don't understand, just keep praying and seeking HIM.

God bless ya!

[tango]

Just a quick note folks, remember this is Christians Answer so please keep replies addressed to the original poster. If your post is missing it's because you didn't.

[amazzin]

I'm reading the bible with my girlfriend. She is devote and I know it is important to her. I'm not, and I'm being exposed to most of this for the first time. I have only been to church a handful of times. I read Genesis 1 to 45 last night, and I plan to read the entire bible. I strongly intend to give things a fair hearing, but some things are bothering me.

I was wondering if someone could help me interpret some things. Before I comment, I want to say that I am not seeking to argue or challenge anyone's beliefs. I just want to understand how I should be interpretting things. I did not grow up Christian so I do not have any context on these things.

From Genesis 1 to 45

Polygamy (having multiple wives or mistresses) - Both Jacob and Abraham have children with multiple women and God doesn't seem to discourage it. Yet this is far from present values. How do I reconcile this?

Undue force - After Shechem defiles (rapes?) Dinah daughter of Jacob, the sons of Jacob go on to deceive and kill all the males in Hamor's city, loot it, and carry off the women. Although rape is terrible, this seems like an excessive response. Yet God protected them, " terror of God fell upon the towns all around them so that no one pursued them". I don't understand this.

Should I be reading this as a history, and assume that the motives of God are higher than ours? Or that god didn't comment because at that point spreading faith was more important than specific sins?

I'd appreciate any insight.

Thanks,
John

John

It is a historical book as much as it is God's word to us and it is very relevent today and it was when it was first written.

May I suggest you take it 3-5 chapters at a time and not read it through too quickly. I also suggest you have a good study guide next to you because there are many "types and shadows" representing Jesus and you will need to pause and consider it more.

I also suggest you include someone with you who can answer your questions. After over 30 years of ministry as a Pastor I am still learning.

[Quickened]

I agree with amazzin. Take your time when you are reading it. There is alot to be gleaned from the text and a lot of lessons learned. If you are interested there are also alot of free commentaries online from great expositors. Matthew Henry for example.

That way if you are reading and get a bit confused or even intrigued by a portion of text you can take a look at what some great minds of the past have thought.

Perhaps after Genesis go to the Gospels. While i am not downplaying the importance of the OT it wont hurt to go directly to stories about Christ (the gospels) and the development of the Christian church (Acts).

I hate giving recommendations because there is so much good reading here.

But if you ever have any questions large or small come on by and I know with this community you will definately get some great insight! No such thing as a dumb question