I do not know if it is appropriate to say, “I read the Bible and got nothing” but I am saying it today–but before you get bothered please allow me to explain.
I am currently in Louisville, KY. I am here for a doctoral seminar at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where I am pursuing my Doctor in Ministry degree. This is my third time here in the last 13 months and I will be here likely every six months until December of 2021, which is my projected graduation date.
So this morning, I read Genesis 7, and in the moment of reading it “I got nothing” now when I say, “I got nothing” I mean that nothing struck me–there was no “aha” moment or grand revelation. I didn’t see anything in there in a new way or something old that impacted me in such a way that I thought, “I want to write on that.” But I decided to sit on the text for a ‘bit and see if I would feel different about the text after I sat in class for the day. Well, I didn’t and now after dinner and a run, I still don’t.
Why am I sharing this?
First, because I want to encourage folk that sometimes read the Bible and come up blank. It’s okay, it happens to all of us–well maybe not everyone–but if you’re reading this you can know it happens to me also. You’re not alone.
Second, I am sharing this because while I say, “I got nothing” out the text, I don’t know if that is actually true. At some point tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, I may be conversing with someone and suddenly I need something from Genesis 7 to add to the conversation or to answer one of their questions. By reading the text even when I don’t “get anything out of it” is building familiarity with the scriptures. Familiarity God can and I believe will use for my edification or the edification of another in the future.
Third, because even when “I get nothing” of this scripture or any other, I am developing the discipline for returning to the Word of God day after day. The spiritual discipline of daily Bible Study is a challenge in our hectic world, a world with so many of the devil’s distractions. I have to develop the muscle of study. I sometimes go out for a run, and I feel like it was the worst run ever, but I know that even though the run felt like a waste, I still added discipline to my life that will help me go out there and run the next day.
Fourth, I know that while I may feel like “I got nothing” from my reading time. I have been building a relationship. The Bible is God’s holy word; it, along with Holy Spirit guided prayer, are the two primary ways God communicates to us and builds relationship with us. Relationships don’t go deep through every day “wow” moments. Relationships deepen through consistency. I called my wife and kids tonight. What did we talk about? With the kids: homework. Basketball practice. Going to their friend’s house (and that is literally all they said, no details about the friend’s house). With Christina: her work. My class. Paying for the piano lessons. My run. When am I graduating again? No “wow” moments. And honestly, nothing new. But my relationship is stronger with my family because I check in every day, even when “I get nothing.”
I’ll talk to you tomorrow–Genesis 8
Oh, P.S. Happy Birthday Dad and Uncle Donnie!
Genesis 6 begins with a much debated passage:
Now it came to
Genesis 6:1-2pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
Some believe this passage is speaking of human women sleeping with evil angels or evil spirits. Some believe this passage is speaking of women becoming wives and sleeping with men of renown, kings and princes, etc. Others believe this is speaking of men from the line of Seth taking for themselves wives from the line of Cain.
I go with the latter. The latter is the least supported position amongst modern commentators and even ancient Jewish writers such as Philo and Josephus (they supported the angel and humans intercourse theory).
Why do I choose the idea of Sethites mingling with Cainites, because to me it fits in with the rest of the narrative of the Old Testament. As one will discover in later books God consistently warns God’s people not to take wives from those that are not followers of the one true God. And in multiple places in scripture when this does happen, wickedness flourishes.
I believe Genesis 6 is the first time God has chosen to teach the “unequally yoked” concept of 2nd Corinthians 6.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
2 Corinthians 6:14, 15
Marriage to someone that does not hold the same faith as you, (this does not mean they belong to the same denomination–a committed Adventist marrying a uncommitted Adventist or a committed Baptist marrying an uncommitted Baptist, is still being unequally yoked) is a path that often leads to deterioration in ones home, ones morals, and even as we see here in Genesis 6 society.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lordwas sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
Genesis 6:5,6
There are many reasons evil spreads in the world, but in the context of Genesis 6 it is firmly rooted in the relationships ungodly marriage relationships being developed in society.
What happens when we decide that we know better than God’s Word? Genesis 3 is a testimony of the results . . . SIN . . . regret . . . SIN . . . Consequences.
How humanity deals with our sin problem . . .
How God deals with our sin problem . . .
Consequences can hurt–but I still prefer God’s way!
I wish Genesis chapter 1 ended after Genesis 2:3. But since chapter and verse breaks are not inspired (they were standardized in the 13th and 16th cent. respectively) I will not spend too much time worrying about it.
When I read Genesis chapter 1, I read about an overview of all creation.
When I read Genesis chapter 2, I read about the relationship of the creation to story to man and man’s relationship to that creation.
Genesis chapter 1 is a
Wait a second, maybe that is why Genesis 2 begins with:
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 2:1-3, English Standard Version
Genesis chapter 2 is about mans relationship to creation and thus to the creator…
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant,
Exodus 20:8-11, ESVor your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
A goal written down is more likely to be accomplished than a goal left in your head.
Me
What about you?