Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: TITUS

Titus was a Grecian convert. Luke does not mention him by name in the Book of Acts, but Paul confirms him as a “partner and fellow helper”. Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas on a trip to Jerusalem. Unable to go for himself, Paul sent Titus to work with the congregation in Corinth, and then bring back news about their well-being and spiritual health. He brought back a good report and refreshed the weary Apostle's spirit. Several years later, Paul would leave Titus behind in Crete to build up the Church there.

Image credit: Magic Studio AI art Generator

The relationship between Paul and Titus was much like to his association with Timothy. The two letters to Timothy and the letter to Titus have been grouped together and referred to as Pastoral Epistles. Both men were directed to ordain elders to oversee the flock of God, warned about false teachers, told to maintain good works, the purity of the Church, and especially ensure their own personal morality and blameless reputation as godly men.

The last reference to this young preacher is Paul's mention of him in a letter to Timothy (whom he had left in Ephesus) that Titus was headed to Dalmatia (conquered by the Romans A.D. 12; today a region of Croatia, Yugoslavia).

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: TIMOTHY (or TIMOTHEUS)

Timothy was called Paul's son in the gospel.  Timothy's mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) were devout Jews who taught him the Jewish scriptures from a child. All three of them were converted to Christianity. This young man traveled with Paul to places where he was sent by Paul – such as Berea, Macedonia, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Philippi – to evangelize, preach, teach, comfort, and assure the believers to press on and not falter. Paul was retracing his steps and revisiting Lystra in Lycaonia when he and Timothy crossed paths. The first time he was in this small city was with Barnabas. On this second trip, Timothy joined Paul's company.

Image credit: Magic Studio AI art Generator

Paul commended his young companion as follows (paraphrased): “We have the same mind. He does not seek his own. He has served with me in the gospel and has the same boldness to as I do to defend the faith. His love and care for all the churches is genuine.”

While in prison in Rome, awaiting execution, the Apostle wrote to Timothy instructing him to persevere and continue the Lord's work without him.

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: LUKE (or LUCAS)

The name Lucas means “light-giving”. Very appropriate since he authored a two-part work – the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles – both written to shed light on the life of Christ and the establishment of His Church.

Image credit: AI art Generated – DeviantArt

His first appearance, historically, is in Troas. Details about his conversion are unknown. Details regarding his faithfulness are made plain in the New Testament scriptures. Luke traveled with the Apostle during his second (from Troas to Philippi), third (from Philippi to Jerusalem) and final (from Jerusalem to Rome) missionary journeys. In addition, during one of Paul's imprisonments, Luke dutifully remained close by. Luke was an educated man; writer, historian, and physician by profession. Paul speaks of him with great affection as the “beloved physician”.

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Paul the Apostle Knew His Friends: BARNABAS

Barnabas was Paul's champion. While others may have doubted the sincerity of the Apostle's conversion, Barnabas sought Paul out. When he found him in Tarsus, he encouraged him to become a fellow laborer and convinced others that he could be an invaluable help with the missionary efforts.

Image credit: AI Generated - DeviantArt

“The disciples were called Christians* first in Antioch.” (Acts 11: 26) Barnabas and Paul traveled together to Antioch in Syria to strengthen the community of believers already there. The zealous teamwork of these two men proved very successful. Though the Church began, A.D. 33, in Jerusalem, from Antioch the “good news” would spread to all the major cities in the Roman Empire, including Rome.

Before becoming a Christian, Barnabas was a Jew; a Levite from the island of Cyprus, whose name was Joseph (Joses). He was called “son of consolation (or encouragement)” by the disciples because he had a gift for motivating those who were discouraged to remain focused, steadfast, and faithful. So committed was he that he sold his property and donated the proceeds to help the poor and needy. His act of generosity spurred others on to perform similar good works.

* Greek: Christianoi: “devotees of the Anointed One.

Excerpt of content first published at Paul and Friends | HubPages

From #Jerusalem to #Antioch: The Gospel Across Cultures by Jerome Crowe CP https://t.co/LWSgQ4JDld #Christianity #religion #Bible #ancientrome #society and #culture “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." pic.twitter.com/ijwQpBEE8A

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) February 21, 2020

Ancient History : People and Places : Seven Wonders Plus One (or Two)

My late sister was an avid reader. She read anything and everything – books, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries. My appreciation for the joys of reading did not come until my university years. My sister's brain was a repository of all kinds of information. Why read? Just ask her your questions. :) She was the one who taught me about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. To this day, every time there is a mention of these “Wonders”, it opens up a floodgate of memories.

Found an article at Info Barrel and would you believe it? Nothing has changed. Yep. The pyramids, the Hanging Gardens, a statue of Zeus, etc.All seven of them are still holding their historical ground as the "Seven Wonders", marvels and monuments to man's ingenuity, intelligence, and skill.  Structures actually built without a CAD program.  (CAD = Computer Aided Design)

● REFERENCE:

OnlineInspiration. "The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World." InfoBarrel.com. Hinzie Media Inc., 18 May 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.

♦ ♦ ♦

Here's something my sister did not teach me but it has always been a wonder to me; two wonders if you count each person separately.

Two of the most influential people in the history of mankind. One of them, you can't find their grave or burial place. The other, there's a tomb but no body. Moses and Jesus.

You would think, what with them being prophets and notable leaders on a Divine mission, that they would have left some sort of indisputable undeniable physical trace of their existence on earth. Like maybe ... a bone fragment for DNA testing.

Not trying to be blasphemous, irreverent, or disrespectful. Don't want to offend any true believers out there. Let the record show I'm a true believer. OK? But it does make me wonder.  (O.o)

***

“The tomb is now open and the Nazarene is gone.”

Pure Flix. “AD: The Bible Continues.” YouTube, 2 Feb. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ANOKSB060. 

That was the only impressive line in that TV series.  It was a very disappointing television show.  "... this production has got to be the most historically inaccurate, unbiblical presentation of a Bible story ever made!!"  (I'm quoting myself.)

Review:  TV Series : “A.D. The Bible Continues” Does Not Continue the Bible!

Bible Study: The Story of Abigail and Nabal (A Role Model for Wise Women)

The name Abigail is Hebrew and it means "my father's joy". Because of the story about this man in the Bible the name Nabal gained the figurative meaning of being shamelessly malodorous.

Image credit

• For those who are not familiar with the Old Testament story of Abigail and Nabal, it is as follows:

She is described as “a woman of good understanding” (1 Samuel 25), the wife of an unreasonable scoundrel, named Nabal, who provoked the anger of a future king of Israel, David. So ferocious was David's anger that he determined to wipe out the entire house of Nabal. The servants told Abigail what her husband had done and also clarified their report by saying that David had been very kind to them and had protected them from ruthless marauders. She immediately prepared food and took it to David and his men; apologizing for her husband's disrespect and insult; and imploring David to have mercy on those who were innocent and meant him no harm. Her actions caused David to have a change of heart. She also won his heart. When she informed her husband that he had almost caused the death and destruction of his entire family, servants included, he apparently died from shock!

Original Source

Bible Women: Women Named in the Lineage of Jesus

There are 4 books referred to as Gospels in the New Testament.  Only two of those gospels include the genealogy of Jesus.  Of course, whether a believer or a non-believer, the story of Jesus is known around the world and almost everyone knows that the name of His mother was Mary. A careful examination of the scriptures reveals the names of several women in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  One woman was a harlot (prostitute) and another was an evil wicked queen.

These are 5 names that can be extracted from the gospel accounts:  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (“the wife of Uriah”), and Mary.

These are 12 names extracted from books in the Old Testament:  Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Naamah, Maacah, Azubah, Athaliah, Jerusha, Abijah, Hephzibah, Jedidah, and Zebidah.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons – “Ethiopia-Axum Cathedral-fresco-Black Madonna”

Content previously published at Virily.com

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Interesting Facts About These Bible Women:

• Sarah was the wife of the Hebrew patriarch, Abraham; and her name means “Princess”.

• Ruth was the great grandmother of King David, a notable king of Israel.

• Bathsheba was the mother of King Solomon, a notable Jewish monarch.

• Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah, a Jewish patriarch.

• Rahab was a harlot who believed the reports about how God had delivered the Jews had been delivered from bondage in Egypt and was proselytized into the Jewish faith.

• Rebecca was the daughter-in-law of the Hebrew patriarch, Abraham; and the mother of Jacob, the man whose name was changed to Israel.

♦
Related Links:

• 12 Women: Bible Women From Ur to Nazareth
• 5 Women in the Lineage of Jesus

• Women of the Bible: Character Study: Bathsheba: The Innocent Victim

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And God Said to the Woman "Thou Shalt Not Be Equal" : Did God Really Say That?

I have been a HubPages Contributor for almost 10 years. When I arrived at HP, Scott Belford aka myesoteric was already there publishing extremely interesting articles that generated a lot of discussion from members and external visitors. The title of this particular HUB (link below) caught my eye and I was drawn into the discussion. Below are some of the comments I left behind. 

When I first joined HubPages my user name was "mib56789". That account was deleted and a new account was created under a different user name, "cmoneyspinner1tf". These comments, under my old user name, are 8 years old. I thought when my account was deleted, all related activity vanished. So I was very surprised to see that my comments were still there. Sharing a link to this HUB as you may want to contribute your thoughts. HUBPages is a platform that accepts comments from both internal and external visitors.

And God Said Unto Woman ... You Shall Not Ever Be Equal to Man | Scott Belford, HubPages Contributor

MY COMMENTS:

FIRST: Your HUB title is not contentious. As a HUB writer I know that most often if the title doesn’t grab the reader’s attention they probably won’t read the HUB.

SECOND: By “the Bible”, I assume you mean Old and New Testament scriptures. When something is based on something that means the “basis” is the foundation. Islam is not based on the Bible. Islam is based on the Koran. The Jewish faith is based on the Old Testament (one part of the Bible) and Christianity is based on THE BIBLE (Old and New Testaments).

THIRD: Inequality is not scriptural, i.e. non-biblical, not based on the Bible. Male/female. Black/White. Jew/Gentile. Slave/Free. God has no respect of persons. Everybody gets treated equally. The laws of God were never set up to institutionalize and systematize inequality. Just because humans have chosen to arrange institutions and systems and misapply scriptures to accommodate these inequalities doesn’t mean it was God’s idea.

RE: The fall of humanity wasn’t blamed on Eve. (It’s in the Bible.)

RE: Monotheism has evolving backwards?

God never withheld Himself, His love or His wisdom; because at one time WE (mankind) ALL KNEW THE ONE TRUE GOD. We turned away from God. If you want to call that “evolving backward”? OK.

Yet and still, He’s the same God TODAY that spoke to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God didn’t screw up the world we live in. We did it to ourselves. God has provided a way for us to redeem ourselves. We can accept the offer of salvation or reject it.

There’s scripture for everything I say. I’m not making any of this stuff up. It all comes from God’s word: THE BIBLE. The same Book that you say God made the woman unequal.

Food and Drink: Herbs and Spices in the Bible

Studying the Bible, even if you are not seeking spiritual enlightenment, will always be educational and informative.  No matter which topic you are researching.  Helga Curtis wrote a book about fruits, herbs and spices in the Bible. Fifteen (15) plants were chosen because of their Biblical references. She is proficient in arts and crafts and teaches others her skills. In her book, she shares appliqué designs for fruits, herbs and spices such as chicory, cinnamon, cumin, mint,mandrakes, saffron, olives, figs, grapes, and more. Along with patterns, she also provides information about how the plants were used in Bible times.

Image credit:  Amazon.com

Along with this book, I also found an excellent article at one of my favorite GO TO websites for general health information: Dr. Axe. No worries. It has a Medical Disclaimer that says the content is for information only and that you should seek professional medical advice if you're sick.  He also provides scriptural references for the herbs and spices.

Top 14 Herbs of the Bible that Heal & Nourish 

1. Aloes

2. Anise

3. Balm or Balsam

4. Bitter herbs

5. Cassia

6. Cinnamon

7. Cumin

8. Frankincense

9. Garlic

10. Hyssop

11. Mint

12. Mustard

13. Myrrh

14. Saffron

The last spice, Saffron? No doubt you already know that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world.) But did you know that it was used to treat the Black Death (i.e. the Bubonic Plague)? Uh huh. Just goes to show you. When rich folks start dying and dropping like flies, if it comes to choosing between life and death, ain't nothing too expensive!!

NOTE: I am not a qualified historian. I'm just inserting my editorial comments, i.e. my opinions, observations, and a little bit of humor. Here is what an herbologist has to say about the use of saffron to treat the Bubonic Plague.

"For several centuries the cultivation of Crocus sativus was, for the most part, none-existent throughout Europe. This changed after the Moorish civilisation spread from North Africa around the 8th century and began reintroducing the spice. Saffron was rare, expensive and in high demand right up until the 14th century, when its use soared due to the medicinal applications of the plant in attempted treatments for the Black Death. However, many of the farmers that grew Crocus sativus had died from the disease and the demand far outstripped the supply. Thus large quantities of non-European saffron began to be heavily imported. The trade of saffron became of such significance that those found guilty of adulterating supplies were fined, imprisoned and even executed."  (Quote Source)

Bible Study: 7 Major Themes of the Book of Revelation

The overall theme of Revelation is TIME. 

The number 7 was used often in Revelation. There are more than 7 themes in Revelation, however these are the major themes.

1) Crown of life (Rev 2:10)

The saints who remain faithful until the end will receive a “crown of life”.

2) War in heaven (Rev 12:7)

The “war in heaven” is a spiritual war for our souls.  Satan does not want the faithful to be saved.

3) Lamb of God (Rev 5:12) is the Alpha and Omega ( Rev 21:6 )

The “Lamb of God” is Jesus Who was “slain”.  Jesus died for us.  He has the power over TIME.  The “Alpha and Omega” means He is the beginning and the end of TIME.

4) The Harvest   (Rev 14:15)

The “Harvest” is the final day when all on earth will be judged for their works; whether they were faithful or unfaithful.

5) A new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1)

The earth and heaven we now know will be destroyed.  A “new heaven” and a “new earth” will be the new home for the faithful.

6) Tree of life (Rev 22:2)

Jesus promised us eternal life.  The leaves on the “tree of life” are for healing.  Whoever eats of the tree can live forever.  But they have to be in heaven because that’s where the tree is.  Only the faithful will be in heaven.

7) JESUS IS COMING AGAIN! (Rev 22:12)

The faithful are in the church of Christ.  The church is the “bride of Christ”.  Jesus promised He would come again for His bride.  The church will be glad when Jesus comes!

(Image credit: The map of the 7 churches was found at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Seven churches of Asia.)

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If You Liked This, You Might Also Like:

The Major Themes of Genesis

The Book of Exodus

The Book of Numbers

Book of Deuteronomy

Original Source

The Book of Revelation in Art

https://foxmarksatx.tumblr.com/post/651751591768096768/the-woman-and-the-dragon-revelation-1214

https://foxmarksatx.tumblr.com/post/651751638924673024/the-seven-eyed-seven-horned-lamb-from-the-book-of

Who Was Moses? He Was Called Friend of God

Moses, Friend of God:  "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend."

Moses - the name means "drawn from the water" ~ he was the son of Amram and Jochebed (Exo 2: 10-21)

Image credit: Moses On The Nile Spiritual and Religious Bible Wall Decor Art Print Poster (16x20) by Impact Posters Gallery  

“Moses lived for 120 years, a period divided into three sections of forty years each:

The first forty years – from his birth until the flight into Midian. As Pharoah's son, Moses learned to be SOMEBODY.

The second forty years – from the flight into Midian to the Exodus. In desert places he learned how to become a NOBODY.

The third forty years – from the Exodus to his own exodus. As the leader of God's hosts he learned that GOD WAS EVERYBODY – the One he could speak to face to face as a man speaks to his friends”

QUOTE SOURCE: Lockyer, Herbert. "Moses." All the Men of the Bible: A Portrait Gallery and Reference Library of More than 3000 Biblical Characters. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1958. 

Important People in the Life of Moses

Faithful Christians almost never have to walk alone. Besides the fact that Jesus is always with us, in this life we often have faithful companions. It was the same for Moses, who was a faithful servant of God. Three men were there at times when Moses needed encouragement.

Aaron was the brother of Moses. Because he could speak well, God allowed him to go with Moses before Pharoah and ask for the people to be set free. Even though he held an important position as a leader, he was weakened by the murmuring and complaining of the people. He made a golden calf for the Israelites to worship in the desert. This was a terrible sin of idolatry. They were all punished. Despite this he was Moses' faithful speaker, and the first high priest of Israel.

Jethro was a shepherd and priest who lived in Midian. Moses married one of his daughters, Zipporah, and so he became his father in law. Jethro is also called Reuel. He gave Moses wise counsel on how to properly judge God's people. He told him to judge the hard matters and leave the less difficult cases to able men.

Joshua was a faithful servant to Moses and the son of Nun. He was born as a slave under the bondage of Pharaoh in Egypt. He was one of the 12 spies sent to bring back a report on the land of Canaan. Joshua reported that the land was good. He was a soldier, brave in battle, and a man who prayed and had faith in God. He was chosen to lead the people after the death of Moses. Moses changed his name from Oshea to Hoshea which means “help” to Joshua, which means “God's help” or “salvation”. 

 

Image credit:  Wikimedia Commons ~ Moses and the Ten Commandments, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902), gouache on board, 10 11/16 x 5 5/8 in. (27.3 x 14.5 cm), at the Jewish Museum, New York  c. 1896-1902

The Death of Moses, God's Chosen Prophet, God's Lawgiver, and God's Friend

Moses is honored by many today as a holy man of God, a prophet, the one who gave God's laws to Israel, and the man called God's Friend. Yet unlike many other men who built great tombs so that they would not be forgotten, there is no monument or tombstone to mark his grave. To this day nobody has ever discovered the burial place of Moses. All that is known is that he climbed Mount Nebo, viewed the Promised Land (Canaan) from a distance, and died. The nation of Israel mourned his death for thirty (30) days. His passing is recorded in Deuteronomy 34: 1 – 8.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain, The Death of Moses, as in Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company, 1907

Bible Study: Book of Deuteronomy

The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament, and focused on certain events that were recorded in chapters 31 through 34.

Deuteronomy means “second law”. It ends with Moses' death at the age of 120 years old. This book contains the final teachings he gives to the people. Before Moses dies he sings a song recorded in Deuteronomy 32 and blesses the Israelite tribes. Because he sinned, he never entered the Promised Land. He only viewed it from a distance before his death, but that will never change the fact that Moses is a highly respected man in Judaism and Christianity today.

My favorite verse is Deuteronomy 33:3.

• Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.

This is my favorite verse because the thought of everyone receiving the LORD'S words and worshiping at His feet makes me happy. Also,whenever I stumble in my Christian walk I can always remember the LORD loves people and that all His saints are in His hands. I always have the chance to receive His words and study His words.

Bible Study: The Book of Numbers

This is a brief overview of the Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Old Testament, and focuses on certain events that were recorded in chapters 10 through 14, and 20 – 14. For example, the people being fed quail and Moses fetching water from the rock. This was done because they said they were brought out of Egypt to die from lack of food and water.

Numbers centers on God's faithfulness to His people and how disobedience will not be tolerated in His eyes. As the tribes set out from the Desert of Sinai the Israelites turn to complaining which provokes the LORD to anger. Even the brother and sister of Moses, Aaron and Miriam, made God angry because they spoke harshly to Moses about his Cushite wife. Miriam was infected with leprosy and had to be confined outside the camp for seven days. 

After leaving Hazeroth, the Israelites camped at the Desert of Paran while Moses sent 12 men to explore Canaan and bring back a report. Ten of the men who brought back a bad report claiming their size compared to the people that lived there was like grasshoppers to giants. The remaining two, Joshua and Caleb, gave Moses a good report. Those who brought back a bad report died by a plague from the LORD.

The Israelites complained often about not having water. The first time Moses miraculously brought water from a rock, God told him to strike it. But the second time, God instructed Moses to speak to the rock. But Moses let his won anger get the better of him and disobeyed God by striking the rock. This sin was the reason Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

The lesson for Christians through the Book of Numbers is God is faithful and always fulfills our necessary needs even though we may have petty complaints about what we need, but He does not tolerate disobedience.

My favorite verse from this book of the Bible is Number 12: 3.

• “Now the man Moses was very humble,more than all men who were on the face of all earth.”

This is my favorite verse in Numbers because it gives me a figure of modesty that I can follow in my Christian walk. Modesty or humbleness in Christian teachings is the fruit of the spirit.



Image Credit: Wikimedia commons, Public Domain  - Miriam stricken with leprosy

Bible Study: The Book of Exodus

The Book of EXODUS focuses on Israelites multiplying and spreading in the land of Egypt resulting in the Egyptians oppressing them with harsh labor due to Pharaoh’s fears of the tribes attempting to oppose him because of their increasing number of people. Pharaoh was so scared that he made an order to throw every Hebrew baby boy in the Nile River,but he allowed girls to live.

Moses was born a Hebrew and because of Pharaoh's order, his mother, Jochebed hid Moses for three months. When she could no longer do this, she then placed him in a papyrus basket and set it in the Nile River. Moses' sister, Miriam, carefully watched to see what would happen to him when Pharaoh's daughter saw him. Although he was identified as a Hebrew baby, Pharaoh's daughter took him to be her own son. Miriam suggested that she could find a Hebrew woman to nurse the child and she went and got Moses' mother.

Moses was raised as a part of Pharoah's family and lived in Egypt for 40 years. One day, he murdered an Egyptian who was mistreating one of the Hebrew slaves. The next day he discovered that his act was not a secret, so he ran away to Midian. There he lived as a shepherd, married, and had children. A life changing pivotal point in Moses' life occurs on Mount Horeb where Moses encounters a flaming bush that was not being burned by the fire. God spoke to Moses from the bush. God said He has heard their cries of agony from His people and Moses would be sent to deliver them. Moses was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey called Canaan.

Listen to the Book of Exodus online free.

* Important Events in the Book of Exodus

1. Moses drawn from the river by Pharoah's daughter
2. God speaks to Moses through the Burning Bush
3. Egyptians were afflicted with Ten Plagues
4. Moses parting the Red Sea
5. Moses receives the Ten Commandments
6. Tribes of Israel worship the Golden Calf
7. God's people gather manna, the bread from heaven
8. Moses' arms held up to win the battle of Amalekites

Bible Study: The Major Themes of Genesis

Probably an excellent way to study the Bible is to start at the beginning. That's what the word "Genesis" means. If you are a new student of biblical studies these notes should get you started.

THE MAJOR THEMES OF GENESIS

1. God had a plan to redeem all of humanity.

2. The beginning of God’s creation.

3. Temptation by Satan to sin.

4. Sin against the Lord; mankind’s disobedience.

5. God’s promise to Abram (Abraham)

6. Lives of holy men like Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph and how they walked before God.

7. God keeps His promises.



IMPORTANT EVENTS

• God created the heavens, the earth, and man; and made the Sabbath Day holy.

• Satan tempts God’s children, Adam and Eve, and they sin against the Lord, and are cast out of their first home.

• Noah preaches and warns people about the flood; builds the ark, the flood happens, and only eight souls survive (Noah’s family).

• Nimrod builds the Tower of Babel to reach the heavens and God confuses the language of the people to stop the work and they scatter upon the face of the earth.

• God calls Abram out of his homeland, the Ur of the Chaldees, promises to make of his seed a holy nation. 

Abraham's Seed:  God's Plan ~ God's Promise ~ God's Providence

BRIEF OUTLINE OF GENESIS

• Chapters 1 - 5:  Creation and the fall of man  
• Chapters 6-11 : 9:  Noah, the flood; Tower of Babel, and confusion of languages  
• Chapter 11: 10 – Chapter 36:  Lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 
• Chapter 37 – 50:  The story of Joseph and how God brought His people out of bondage to fulfill His promise to Abraham.
  
  

READ or LISTEN to the Book of Genesis Online

There are many sites on the Internet where you can read or listen to the books of the Bible free.

• If you want to read Genesis online, click here.
• If you want to listen, click audio.

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Related JDV Posts:

And God Said to the Woman "Thou Shalt Not Be Equal" : Did God Really Say That?

Bible Study: 7 Major Themes in the Book of Revelation

The number 7 was used often in Revelation.  There are more than 7 themes in Revelation, but I understand these. 

1) Crown of life (Rev 2:10)

The saints who remain faithful until the end will receive a “crown of life”.

2) War in heaven (Rev 12:7)

The “war in heaven” is a spiritual war for our souls.  Satan does not want the faithful to be saved.

3) Lamb of God (Rev 5:12) is the Alpha and Omega ( Rev 21:6 )

The “Lamb of God” is Jesus Who was “slain”.  Jesus died for us.  He has the power over TIME.  The “Alpha and Omega” means He is the beginning and the end of TIME.

4) The Harvest   (Rev 14:15)

The “Harvest” is the final day when all on earth will be judged for their works; whether they were faithful or unfaithful.

5) A new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1)

The earth and heaven we now know will be destroyed.  A “new heaven” and a “new earth” will be the new home for the faithful.

6) Tree of life (Rev 22:2)

Jesus promised us eternal life.  The leaves on the “tree of life” are for healing.  Whoever eats of the tree can live forever.  But they have to be in heaven because that’s where the tree is.  Only the faithful will be in heaven. 7) JESUS IS COMING AGAIN! (Rev 22:12) The faithful are in the church of Christ.  The church is the “bride of Christ”.  Jesus promised He would come again for His bride.  The church will be glad when Jesus comes! Image credit:  "New Jerusalem" Poster by Calgacus | Redbubble #Apocalypse #Revelation #prophecy https:// ~ https://bit.ly/3m0toEk ~ #artposters #wallart

Ancient History : People and Places : Nimrod and the ‘Gate of God’

If you come from a Judaeo-Christian background, then you might be familiar with the story of Babel because you were probably taught about it as a child. If you are unfamiliar with the biblical account, it tells of the time when everyone on earth all spoke the same language but God confused the languages. Why? Because there was a king who was trying to build a tower to reach heaven, where God lives. 

This ambitious and over-reaching endeavor was displeasing and as a punishment, God confused the languages of the people. This lack of communication prevented the laborers from working together and completing the building project. The unfinished structure is often referred to as the tower of Babel and symbolizes human pride and rebellion. The entire account of this event is all of nine (9) verses. You can read it in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 11, verses 1 through 9.

If you believe that Babel existed, then you might also believe that there was a king who angered God.

Now about that king. What was his name?

NIMROD

Scholars are in disagreement as to the identity of Nimrod. Some say he was Sargon the Great. Others say he was an Assyrian king, Tukulti-Ninurta I. Others speculate that he could have been Amenophis III, an Egyptian leader. Yet another group believes that he was Merodach-Baladan, a man who insisted on being king of Babylon, however, he never achieved his ambition.

The biblical record identifies Nimrod as the son of Cush, the grandson of Ham, and the great-grandson of Noah. He is described as “mighty” in two instances: “a mighty one on the earth” and “the mighty hunter before the Lord”. Furthermore, the Bible account states: “And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.”  Shinar, the land of Southern Mesopotamia, became known as Babylonia.

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Content first published at Blogjob.com on Jun 5, 2017.  Site shut down.

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Other Posts in This Series:

Lydia and Persia

Who Were the Philistines?

Mark Antony and Antonia Fortress

Seven Wonders Plus One (or Two)

The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible

♦  Related Links, Tweets, and Suggested Books and Literature:

What is a Universal Language of Light?

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All Those “ites”

King Nimrod Built 4 Cities: “Babel, Erech, Akkad and Calneh in the land of Shinar” (Mesopotamia) - Virily ~ https://t.co/J6eaA9B8jA via @flipboard @virilycom #ancienthistory #peopleandplaces

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) January 3, 2020

♦ Why didn’t somebody STOP Sargon? ~ https://t.co/KKDWzCOUGL #ancienthistory #peopleandplaces ~ See also a related link: ♦ The Origin of Brutal Regimes ~ https://t.co/l1Qnadv3bL

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) January 3, 2020

• The Ancient Hebrew Language and Alphabet
• Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World’s Undeciphered Scripts
• The Ancient Languages of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Aksum
• The Ancient Language of Dreams