01.01.2010

A lot to read for the first day.

Genesis 1 and 2, Psalms 1, Proverbs 1, and Matthew 1 and 2.

In the story of creation, I was surprised to note that God was very specific in His description of a day. A sun rise and a sun set, a period of light and of dark, consecutively. I have heard many versions of creation that try to incorporate modern science, and guess that a day to God could be millions of years to us. This description directly from the source denies that.

Another interesting note, in the first chapter of Genesis, God refers to Himself as 'Us.' This is the first reference I believe to God having multiple aspects, yet being one entity.

The first Psalms, God promises that blessings will come to the man who delights in the Law of the Lord. Those who take wicked counsel are not guaranteed blessings.

Today's Proverb was interesting. A part of it specifically grabbed me.

Pro 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Pro 1:11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
Pro 1:12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
Pro 1:13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Pro 1:14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

This sounds a lot like a warning against a Socialist or Communist ideology just as much as a warning against a gang of thieves. He warns not to be enticed by these sinners to steal what others have worked hard for, not to fill your home with the rewards of other peoples toils, especially with the promise of equality among the thieves. Thieves in my quick synopsis could easily be replaced by Socialists or Communists. It is precisely their M.O. To take from those who have and split it amongst their followers. There is a warning of laying low and waiting for an opportunity to attack and harm the innocent as well. That puts me in mind of the way our faith is put under attack through political correctness, but to be politically correct, I may be imagining things.

On the the New Testament. The first chapter of Matthew begins with a remarkable genealogy. Many find these passages boring, but this one is relatively short and to the point. The Son of Man has a fantastic pedigree, not only is He God's only begotten Son, but a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and so on.

The second chapter involves the fulfillment of dire prophecies, and a mention of the wise men. Three gifts, but no mention of the amount of wise men.

More tomorrow.