Bible Commentary: Genesis 1-23
Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 9:31 am
THE BOOK OF GENESIS
BIBLE COMMENTARY FOR GENESIS 1-23
Genesis Chapter 1
This very first verse makes a simple but all-inclusive statement without giving a time frame for the creation of the physical universe by saying: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” No indication is given as to when the creative work began nor when it ended. God could have taken eons of time. We simply do not know.
Nor can it be determined how much time expired between the events of verse one and those of verse two. In verse two, Jehovah turns his attention to the earth in preparation for making it habitable for the various forms of life that He would create to live on it.
The earth is described as being formless, void and covered in darkness on this first creative day. God’s spirit is seen moving over the surface of the waters, as the earth was completely covered with water. Jehovah’s first act was to let light come to be, that is, the atmosphere was cleared such that the light from the sun filtered through to reach the surface of the water.
God created an "expanse" on this second creative day by causing a "dividing between the waters and the waters" by raising some of the water that covered the earth (Genesis 1:2) above the earth. This created a hot house effect around the earth, giving it a temperate climate year round.
Peter made reference to this expanse at 2 Peter 3:5, where he said in part: “…that there were heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God.”
At Genesis 2:5 we read that "Jehovah had not made it to rain upon the earth." Verse 6 describes how the ground was watered. It reads: “But a mist would go up from the earth and it watered the entire surface of the ground." Verse 10 supports this view. It reads “Now there was a river issuing out of Eden to water the garden and from there it began to be parted and it became, as it were, four heads.”
The water canopy that was high above the earth did not allow the sun’s rays to penetrate to the oceans and rivers in order to activate the water cycle as we know it today. - Ecclesiastes 1:7
An interesting point in connection with this water canopy is recorded at 2 Peter 3:6. Peter associates this suspended water with the water that produced the flood. He says: “and by those means (see verse 5) the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.”
Genesis Chapter 2
Jehovah ended His creative works in six creative days and on the seventh creative day He rested. Adam and Eve, having been created on the sixth creative day, would be given this day to carry out God’s command to procreate and fill the earth with their offspring. We notice that at the end of each creative day the statement is made “And there was morning and evening, a first, second, etc. day” but that statement is not found anywhere for the seventh creative day which would indicate that this creative day has not yet ended.
Verse 7 of this chapter gives additional detail concerning Jehovah’s provisions for the first human pair. We learn that God caused a garden to grow out of the ground with every tree desirable for food as well as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. The place where this garden was planted was called Eden. More familiarly we tend to speak of Eden as the garden itself, but verse 8 highlights that Jehovah planted “a garden toward the east, in Eden” as though Eden was a specific place that God choose to put this garden.
The statement in verse 15 that “God took the man and put him in the Garden in Eden to cultivate it and keep it” may have a deeper meaning than what we would immediately think at first glance.
The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume 1, page 7, after discussing the unsuitability of the English translations as above, has this to say.
“In light of these objections, a more suitable translation would be “to worship and to obey.” Man is put in the garden to worship God and to obey him. His life in the garden was to be characterized by worship and obedience; he was a priest, not merely a worker and keeper of the garden.” Additionally, this commentary reads: “A further confirmation is the fact that in verse 16 for the first time that “God commanded” the man whom he had created. Enjoyment of God’s good land is contingent on “keeping” God’s commandments.”
This is evidence that Eden represented God’s Kingdom on earth at that time where the man could enjoy Jehovah’s beneficence as long as he is obedient.
Although Adam was told that he could eat from any tree in the garden, there was one tree in the middle of the garden that he was prohibited from eating. It was called the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad." Why this prohibition? This tree represented God’s right to choose for man, His right to determine the right course for humans to take.
Did Jehovah speak those words to Adam directly or did he send an angel to speak to Adam? The 1/1/04 Watchtower magazine, page 29 suggests this by saying:
“God’s chief spokesman was his only-begotten son, called ‘the word.’ (John 1:1) Very likely God spoke to Adam and Eve through ‘the word.’ - Genesis 1:26-28; 2:16; 3:8-18"
And so the Watchtower Society teaches Adam had a "mediator" between himself and God, and was not granted a direct line of communication with God.
However, it would be more reasonable to believe this: Since Adam was created perfect and was called a "son of God" he would not need an intermediary between himself and God. (Luke 3:38) Instead, God could speak directly to him. Of course this situation would have changed after Adam’s fall into sin. However in either case, after pronouncing judgment on Adam and Eve, the inspired biblical account shows Jehovah had no more communication with them.
Indeed, at Genesis 2:17 God pointedly said to the first human, Adam:
“...on the day that you eat from it you will positively die.” Genesis 2:17 New World Translation
In other words, if the first man voluntarily disobeys God, of his own free will, then he would be considered "dead" to Jehovah, from that day forward, particularly in a spiritual sense. In other words, they died spiritually, on that same exact "day" before Jehovah, the same "day" that they disobeyed Him and broke His Lofty Commandment, thus betraying their lack of genuine "love" for Jehovah, their Generous, Loving Creator.
1 John 5:3 says of such like situations,
"For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome"
Genesis Chapter 3
When the serpent questioned Eve concerning the tree in the middle of the garden, she repeated the command that Adam had given her. We also notice that the words "no, you must not touch it” had been added to God’s original statement to Adam. No doubt, Adam added these words when speaking to Eve, showing that he was an official "representative" for God to Eve. He would become God's prophet and priest to Eve, since he was now conveying God's Law to the first subject within God's earthly kingdom, with Adam being her Divinely Appointed Leader, her Divinely Appointed Teacher. If Adam had kept his integrity under test, there can be no question that in time, he would have become God's Chief Director of earth's affairs...had he had remained faithful to God. - See Psalms 89:27
Thus, Adam added the words to Eve:
"...no, you must not touch it."
These added words of Adam, no doubt served to emphasize the seriousness of the command that God had originally gave to Adam. When the serpent told Eve that she had been misled and that the fruit of the tree would produce a different result than what she originally thought, it suddenly, inextricably became something
“desirable to look upon.”
A footnote for this verse in the New World Translation Reference Bible says that this phrase denotes “to impart wisdom (intelligence).” Thus, Eve now has the wisdom to be able to make her own decisions. In other words, now she does not need God to do it for her. Then in a further act of INSUBORDINATION, Eve now moves to even usurp Adam’s authority, God's Appointed Leader of earth's affairs, by urging him to JOIN HER in this blatant rebellion against their Grand Creator. And of course, Adam weakly folds under the pressure, and complies to her wicked, evil wishes.
After confronting these three rebels, Jehovah now utters the first sacred secret or mystery (Greek “mysterion”) recorded in human history, recorded at Genesis 3:15. Yes, indeed, a very great mystery of God's unique making, showing His Superior Wisdom and Understanding of all matters relative to this newly established rebellion on earth. Jehovah utters a sacred secret, a mystery so great, so profound, that even today, it has served to baffle mankind the world over, now for some 6,000 years! Yes, a great mystery that ultimately reveals
Jehovah is "...wise alone." --Romans 16:27
Therefore, the true understanding of this sacred secret has remained a mystery up to our modern times. There have been many explanations offered by many Bible Scholars through out this nearly 6,000 years. The major fallacy with these many explanations is the identity of the four entities in this drama.
For instance, most identify the Serpent correctly as Satan the Devil but can’t identify his "seed" nor do they identify who the woman is (except the Watchtower Society who believes that the woman is the heavenly angels). But most agree that the "seed of the woman" is Jesus who will “crush the Serpent in the head.”
Since the verse says that there is "enmity" between the Serpent and the woman and that there is enmity between their respective seeds, it is more plausible that it is the "enmity" between the respective ‘seeds’ that will bring about the "bruising in the heel" and the "crushing in the head." There is no mention of "enmity" between the Serpent and the “seed of the woman.”
For a more detailed discussion of this verse, see the articles One Big Mistake Made By All Mankind! and God's "Sacred Secret" Revealed In The "Scapegoat" Covenant.
In pronouncing judgment upon Eve, Jehovah said to her:
“your craving will be for your husband and he will dominate you.”
Is this statement indicative of a profound change in the relationship between the man and his wife?
Genesis 1:26, 27 states this: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth. And God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.”
In this verse, both male and female are created equal, both being created in God’s image. Man, in this case, is not given any inherent qualities that would make him superior to the woman. True, the Bible does tell us that man was created first. (1 Timothy 2:13) This was not done simply so that man could say to his mate, ‘I was here first so I’m your head.’ This is a commonly held viewpoint of Jehovah's witnesses. However, this assumption is incorrect.
However, since Adam was given life first, then this would allow time for Jehovah to teach him his laws, thus preparing him for the larger responsibility of being earth's spiritual leader and no doubt becoming, in time, Patriarchal Head of the human race that he would father. No doubt, if Adam had remained faithful, he would have become recognized as the "firstborn" of all humans and the "most high above all kings of the earth." (Psalms 89:27) Thus in this powerful position, Adam would be in the perfect position to then teach these laws to his mate and subsequently she would work alongside him as he carried out his leadership role in a loving manner, in imitation of his heavenly Father.
1 Peter 3:7 refers to women as "weaker vessels, the feminine one." This designation certainly does not match the description provided in Genesis chapter 1. Rather it reflects the curse that Jehovah put on her because she attempted to usurp Adam’s authority and become the leader of the human race in his stead. This curse in effect relegated her to a slave’s position and she would be dominated by man in all aspects of her life. The man would become her "owner" or husband, a degrading designation to all women. Jehovah’s curse included an inordinate longing for her husband (or owner), wherein she would in effect, lose for all her female offspring, their EQUALITY with their prospective marriage mates, originally intended by God within the Divine Institution of marriage and family circle.
Therefore, because of this "curse" from God Almighty, all women from hence forth, would be relegated to a "slave's" position within the family circle, underneath the man's position. Surprisingly, the woman would accept this lesser "position" in the marriage arrangement, and it would even allow her to "be given in marriage" similar to when one is given a piece of property, such as a "slave" is given to be owned [or husbanded] by the man, and he "dominates" her in all affairs of life. This would be possible only because God Himself said: the woman's "longing would be for him," her owner, her husband.
Happily, this situation will be discontinued by God's Decree, when the modern-day fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1, 2 begins, and the World's True Spiritual "Liberator" comes upon the world scene, the Modern Day Servant of Isaiah 49:1-7. Thus, this special "liberation" comes with the release of Divine Truth. This Divine Truth would make or set women worldwide...free, just as Jesus promised. (John 8:32) Therefore, with the release of this earthshaking "good news", we could properly expect the streaming, flowing of “living waters” from the temple as described in Ezekiel 47:1-12, to be true "healing" waters to mankind the world over. -- Please compare Revelation 22:1, 2.
Relative to having a correct understanding of the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, please pay close attention to the following information.
A most curious and yet remarkably prodigious point must be made at this juncture, especially relative to the original Divine Promise given at Genesis 3:15. And what is that?
Let's consider 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26 which says:
"For he must rule as king until [God] has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing." (New World Translation)
Well, think ... if the "last enemy" that is to be removed is clearly said to be "death" as bible prophecy indicates (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14), and just as 1st Corinthians 15:25, 26 says, then we must ask a most provocative question, namely:
How can Satan the Devil be done away with or shall we say "bruised in the head," yes destroyed or put to death by Jesus Christ, God's Heavenly King ... how can such a thing be, if the "rule" or "reign" of Jesus has already COME TO AN END, per the insightful comments of 1 Corinthians 15:25, we ask at the YORWW???
Yes, isn't it true, 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26 clearly shows us, Jesus only "rules" or "reigns" UNTIL...UNTIL he does away with the "last enemy," which in this specific instance, actually proves to be death? Isn't that so?
And then, the "reign" or "rule" of Jesus ends, isn't that so???
Therefore, if Jesus' heavenly reign ends ... ends with the full removal of "death," the "last enemy" per comments from 1 Corinthians 15:26, then it is clear is it not, yes most clear that Jesus Christ actually does NOT destroy Satan the Devil, no but it is actually Jehovah God Himself, who righteously DESTROYS SATAN, which of course is exactly what Romans 16:20 brings out. Think about it!
Therefore, this small bit of information provided above, shows us the "seed of the woman" mentioned in Genesis 3:15 then, does NOT actually "bruise" Satan in the "head," as many religionists today believe. No, but the actual "bruising" action initiated by the "seed of the woman," then must be directed to his already foretold earthly (not heavenly) "enemy," yes the one that God specifically put real "enmity" against for this "seed," namely the "seed of Satan." God put "enmity" between the two (2) "seeds," namely the "seed of the woman," and the "seed of the Serpent" [or Devil].
Yes, Jehovah God predicted He, Himself would put actual "enmity" between the "seed of the woman" and the "seed of the Serpent" [namely Satan the Devil], isn't that true? And of course, that actual "seed of the Serpent" [Satan] would prove to be the one spoken of in Revelation 16:13, 14, 16, yes the one that is destroyed fully at the battle of "Armageddon" itself namely, the "false prophet," and his great collaborator in wickedness, the "wild beast." Therefore, the “seed of the woman,” namely the Modern Day “Servant” of Isaiah 49:1-7, will issue the command to finally destroy all wicked government and religious opposers of God’s newly established Earthly Kingdom ... as depicted by a “long sword” proceeding out of his “mouth” to rid the earth of all unrighteousness. -- Isaiah 11:4; Revelation 19:15, 19-20
Think about it!
Genesis Chapter 4
At the birth of Seth, Eve proclaims that “God has appointed another seed in place of Abel.” Does this indicate that she believes that she is the "woman" spoken of in Genesis 3:15? Yes, she does.
Seth later produces a son and calls him Enosh. The scripture says that “At that time a start was made of calling on the name of Jehovah.” The Watchtower Society has concluded that this is “apparently in a profane way.” (January 1st, 2004 Watchtower, page 28) However, most bible scholars disagree with this view. They believe that this was the start of true worship. For example, some large print bibles with bottom page notations such as the New International Version in the footnote for this verse says that men begin "to proclaim" God’s name.
For a more detailed discussion of this verse, see the article The Beginning of True Worship
Genesis Chapter 5
Lamech gave his first-born son the name, Noah, which sounds like the Hebrew word for "comfort." The statement made by Lamech in verse 29 is believed to indicate that the curse that Jehovah put on the ground because of Adam’s sin would be lifted due to some action by this son. We know that the ground still produces thorns and thistles, but Jehovah, after the flood, no doubt, lessened the curse that he had put on the ground enabling humans in their greatly reduced life span to produce enough food to feed themselves.
Genesis Chapter 6
Verse two of this chapter tells us that “ the sons of God “ began to marry women and produce offspring that became known as "Nephilim." They were "mighty ones" or "men of fame." Numbers 13:32, 33 uses this term in reference to the very tall men who lived in Canaan because they were "people of great size."
This union of materialized angels and humans would produce an unnatural hybrid offspring, giants, wicked men (or women) who were very violent and had no regard for other humans.
As a result, Jehovah declared that the earth was "ruined, because all flesh had ruined its way on the earth." He stated that “his days would amount to only 120 years” from the time God issued this judgment proclaimation to the flood.
In verse 14, Jehovah commanded Noah to build an ark that would be for the preservation of life. The Hebrew word for ark (te-vath) is used only twice in the Hebrew scriptures, in this verse and at Exodus 2:3-5 in reference to the basket that Moses’ mother made to put him in to save him from being killed by the Egyptians. At 1 Peter 3:20, 21, the bible writer compared the ark that Noah built to save his family to baptism, “that which is also saving you.”
Jehovah had revealed to his "prophet" Noah, His "confidential matters" ahead of time. (Amos 3:7) He revealed that he was going to bring about an earthwide "deluge" as punishment for mankind's wickedness. But, Noah has gained favor in God's eyes. He is deemed "righteous" in God's eyes. (Gen. 7:1) Almighty God decided to drop the protective canopy over the earth which previously moderated the extreme temperatures that would have affected it and had acted as insulation to keep the earth within a certain temperature range, worldwide. The bible refers to this as the "floodgates of the heavens" in which, by God's Mighty Decree, "...everything that is in the earth will expire." With the dropping of this "canopy" or expanse by God's Decree, the life expectancy of mankind would then drop drastically, with mankind enjoying much shorter lifespans from that time on. By the time of Moses, the human lifespan had dropped to approximately 70 or 80 years, where it stands today, again by God's Decree. - Genesis 1:6-8; Genesis 6:17; Genesis 7:11; 2 Peter 3:5, 6; Psalms 90:10
The covenant spoken of in verse 18 is believed to be the first direct mention of a covenant between God and man. It is a personal covenant that pertained to the survival of Noah and his household. Noah has to show his faith in Jehovah by doing exactly as he was told to do. He did just as Jehovah had commanded him thus fulfilling his covenanted part. After the deluge ended, Jehovah, on His part, “remembered Noah and every wild beast and every domestic animal that was with him in the ark, and caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters began to subside.” (Genesis 8:1) Verses 18 and 19 of chapter 8 show that Noah, his household and all of the animals came out of the ark and stepped upon dry ground. Thus Jehovah fulfilled his covenanted promise to Noah.
Genesis Chapter 7
Did Noah take seven or "seven pairs" of the clean animals into the ark? (Verse 2) Most translators believe it to be seven pairs. Sadly, Watchtower Society literature specifically states on this matter: “A classification of animals is to be noted in God’s instruction to Noah to take with him into the ark seven of each clean animal and two of each unclean animal.” (Insight on the Scriptures, Volume I, page 111, paragraph 2. See also My Book of Bible Stories, Story #9 “Noah Builds an Ark”)
Yet the New World Translation Reference Bible specifically says in this verse: “Of every clean beast you must take to yourself by sevens, the sire and its mate….” The footnote on this verse says “Lit., seven sevens.” Why so many more of the ‘clean animals’ than the unclean ones? Not only would these animals be used for sacrifices, but they would also serve as food, whereas the unclean animals would serve for food only.
Genesis Chapter 8
Noah’s first act after leaving the ark was to build an altar and offer burnt offerings to Jehovah using some of the clean animals and flying creatures. Then afterwards, Jehovah began to smell a “restful odor.” This reminds us of what Lamech said at the birth of Noah. (Genesis 5:29) In verse 22, Jehovah makes reference to the growing of food when he said “seed sowing and harvest will never cease,” which reinforces the idea that God will permit man to gain some yield from his efforts to till the land, even though it is under a "curse" from Him, ever since the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 6:5 and Genesis 8:21 highlights the inescapable truth that humans are "inclined" or naturally prone to do what is wrong from youth on, which shows why it so difficult to "escape sins law within" each every descendant of Adam and Eve. -- Romans 7:17-23
Genesis Chapter 9
The covenant recorded in verses 8-11 is referred to as the "Rainbow Covenant." The rainbow was given as a reminder or symbol of this covenant.
Jehovah does not stipulate any necessary human actions needed to keep this covenant in force as it includes not only humans but also the animal kingdom. He promises that He would never bring another deluge to ruin the earth. (verse 11) This does not preclude His use of other means to bring an end to wickedness on the earth.
The events related in verses 20-27 resulted in the descendants of Ham through his son Canaan being cursed. Ham was the first to see his father's nakedness. Rather than cover his father, he went and told his two brothers what he had seen.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, page 41, says this concerning Ham's action:
"To the ancients, however, even seeing one's father naked was a breach of family ethic. The sanctity of the family was destroyed and the strength of the father was made a mockery. Ham apparently stumbled on this accidentally, but went out and exultingly told his two brothers, as if he had triumphed over his father. So what seems to be a trivial incident turned out to be a major event. Noah's oracle (vv.25-27) showed that the natures of his three sons would be perpetuated in their descendants."
Genesis Chapter 10
All nationalities on earth today are descendants of Noah’s three sons. Thus, when Noah comes back in the resurrection, he won't understand the reference to different families of people being classified as different "races." To Noah, all families of people came FROM him, and are thus his "sons", making all of us just one human "race" of people. Today, it is thought that the ancient Assyrians, Chaldeans, Hebrews, Syrians and some Arabian tribes descended from Shem; the ancient Ethiopians, Egyptians, Canaanites and some African and Arabians tribes descended from Ham and the Indo-Europeans and those of Asian descent descended from Japheth.
Genesis Chapter 11
Jehovah’s instruction to Noah’s three sons after they came out of the ark was to “fill the earth.” But again, we see humans attempting to thwart Jehovah’s purpose. Rather than spread throughout the earth, they were determined to remain in one central location by building upwards, "a tower with its top in the heavens."
This action led Jehovah to ‘divide the earth’ by confusing their language since “all the earth was one language and one set of words.” They were forced to discontinue their building program and move to various parts of the earth, just as Jehovah had purposed them to do.
A remarkable statement and admission is made by God Almighty at Genesis 11:6 where He says:
"...Look! They are one people and there is one language for them all, and this is what they start to do. Why, now there is nothing that they may have in mind to do that will be UNATTAINABLE for them."
In this instance, Jehovah God uses his Infinite Wisdom to see far into the future. (Romans 16:27) Jehovah knows if wicked mankind continued as one language and one tongue, their goals toward WICKEDNESS would be greatly advanced where they would no doubt reach their ultimate goal of scientific advancement in destructive weaponry. Their acquiring weapons of mass destruction for themselves (under the direction of Satan the Devil) would have occurred much sooner if God did not directly intervene and vitiate or thwart their wicked efforts to collectively make a "celebrated name" for themselves. Thus, Jehovah in His Infinite Wisdom decides to interrupt them in their pursuits, thus retarding the discovery of nuclear fission and the use of atomic energy that will ultimately cause devastation very soon in our day and time. (Daniel 10:1 NIV; Revelation 6:4-8) By God's direct action of instantly confusing the tongue of mankind, He delayed them in their efforts to "attain" to such wicked things until much later in the stream of time.
No specific date is recorded for this event other than that it occurred “in the days of Peleg.” Interestingly, the name ‘Peleg’ means “division or stream.” Peleg is listed as the great-great grandson of Shem. - See also 1 Chronicles 1:24, 25
From the listing given in Genesis chapter 10 and 1 Chronicles chapter 1, a timeframe can be determined for the above event. Peleg was born 101 years after the flood ended and he lived 239 years. The confusing of the languages occurred sometime within Peleg’s life time.
Genesis Chapter 12
According to Acts 7:2, the words in verses 1-3 were spoken to Abram “while he was in Mesopotamia before he took up residence in Haran.” Terah took his family from Ur to go to the land of Cannan. When they arrived at Haran, however, they settled there. (Genesis 11:31, 32) After Terah, Abram’s father, died in Haran, Jehovah caused Abram to move his residence from Haran to the land of Canaan. He was 75 years of age at this time.
Did Abram deliberately lie when he told Pharoah that Saraih was his sister? The bible account shows in time of severe famine, Abram was compelled to move temporarily to Egypt. It was during this time that Abraham decided to represent Sarai as his sister.
According to Genesis 20:12, Abraham said to Abimelech “And besides, she is my sister, the daughter of my father, only not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.” Abram said to Sarai before they went into Egypt “Please say you are my sister in order that it may go well with me on your account and my soul will be certain to live due to you.” Abram’s life was spared as a result but Jehovah had to step in to keep Sarai from being taken as a wife of Pharoah. (Psalms 105:14) Sarai, at this time, was 65 years of age.
Genesis Chapter 13
Both Abram and Lot had become very wealthy due to Jehovah's blessings upon them. They had many flocks, herds and tents. They were living in the area of Bethel and Ai when their respective herdsmen began to argue because the land was not large enough for them to stay together. To stop the quarreling from escalating, Abram suggested that they separate and he allowed Lot to choose the direction that he would go and he, Abram, would go in the opposite direction. Lot chose to go in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah because it was well watered, "like the garden to the LORD."
After the two men separated, Jehovah again spoke to Abram and reiterated His promise to him. He told Abram to continue walking throughout the land because He was going to give it to his descendants. Abram moved his belongings to Hebron. Numbers 13:22 tells us that Hebron was a very old city "being built seven years before Zoan in Egypt."
Genesis Chapter 14
Abram, after defeating the kings who had taken Lot captive, met a prophetic figure, Melchizedek, who was both King of Salem and priest of the Most High. Nothing is given in the Bible as to his genealogy but he is prophetic of the one who will hold both offices in our day, the Modern-day "Servant." (Isaiah 49:1-7) Just as Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek then, he will have opportunity to do so again to the one prefigured by Melchizedek, the Modern Day Anointed King/Priest of our time, the Modern Day "Chieftain" of God's Grand Spiritual Temple, after he has been resurrected at the beginning of the millennium reign of the MDS. – Ezekiel 44:3; Zechariah 6:12, 13
Genesis Chapter 15
Abram still has no heir at this time and he is concerned that his servant would be his heir. Jehovah reassures him that he would have an heir who would come from "his inward parts." Abram's response is recorded in verse 6. Most scholars agree that this verse is the first specific mention in the Bible of a person "exercising faith." At Romans 4:11, Paul calls our attention to this verse and its meaning for us by saying, in part: “…..that he (Abraham) might be the father of all those having faith while in uncircumcision, in order for righteousness to be counted to them.” (See also Galatians 3:5-7) Jehovah had not given Abram the covenant of circumcision at this time.
Jehovah then restated his promise to give Abram’s descendants the land of Canaan. Abram then asks: “By what shall I know that I shall take it in possession?” The action described in verses 9-11 and 17 came to be known as "cutting a covenant." According to The Expositor’s Bible Dictionary, Volume II, page 103, we learn this: “The act of dividing the animals and walking through the parts was apparently an ancient form of contractual agreement.”
Jehovah tells Abram that after his death his descendant would become "aliens" in another land. Verse 16 states that "in the fourth generation" they would return to this land. Beginning with Jacob who went into Egypt because of a famine in the land of Canaan, and including Levi, Amram, and Moses/Aaron, for example, we have four generations.
Genesis Chapters 16 and 21
Chapter 16 records the birth of Abram’s first son by Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai. It was Sarai’s idea that Abram should take Hagar as his wife as she would be able to claim Hagar’s children as her own. This, of course, was not in harmony with Jehovah’s purpose, as we shall later see. When Hagar became pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Sarai began to mistreat her and she ran away from their home. Later the angel of Jehovah spoke to her and told her to return and submit to Sarai. He also said that she would bear a son whom she would call Ishmael, which means "God hears." The angel told her that her son, Ishmael, would live in the wilderness away from human habitats. She obeyed the angel and returned to Sarai and eventually gave birth to a son. Abram was eighty-six years old at this time.
The birth of Isaac is recorded in Genesis 21:1-21. At the time of his birth, Abraham was one hundred years old. Sarah gave birth to Isaac at the time that Jehovah had said she would and when he was eight days old, Abraham had him circumcised in harmony with Jehovah’s command. After Isaac had been weaned, Sarah noticed Ishmael mocking Isaac and she said to Abraham that he should send Hagar and her son away because he would not share in the inheritance with Isaac. It pained him to send his son away but Jehovah told him that Sarah was correct in her assessment of Ishmael.
The events recorded in these chapters are use by the Apostle Paul to dramatize the difference between earthly Jerusalem under the Law Covenant and the Jerusalem Above under the New Covenant or Christian Covenant. Galatians 4:21–31 reads thus:
“Tell me, you who want to be under law, Do you not hear the Law? For example, it is written that Abraham acquired two sons, one by the servant girl and one by the free woman; but the one by the servant girl was actually born in the manner of flesh, the other by the free woman through a promise. These things stand as a symbolic drama, for these women mean two covenants, the one from Mount Sinai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Hagar. Now this Hagar means Sinai, a mountain in Arabia, and she corresponds with the Jerusalem today, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: “Be glad, you barren woman who does not give birth; break out and cry aloud, you woman who does not have childbirth pains; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous that those of her who has the husband.” Now, brothers, we are children belonging to the promise the same as Isaac was. But just as then the one born in the manner of flesh began persecuting the one born in the manner of spirit, so also now. Nevertheless, what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the servant girl and her son, for by no means shall the son of the servant girl be an heir with the son of the free woman.” Wherefore, brothers, we are children, not of a servant girl, but of the free woman.”
Genesis Chapter 17
When Abraham is 99 years old, Jehovah changes his name to reflect the extent to which He would fulfill His covenant with him. He would be called Abraham, instead of Abram, as Abraham means ‘father of a crowd of nations.’ In addition, he would change his wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah which means “Princess, or “Kings of people will come from her.” (verse 16)
The Apostle Paul emphasized the extraordinary faith that Abraham had in believing Jehovah’s promises to him. At Romans 4:18-22, he writes: “Although beyond hope he had faith that he might become the father of many nations in accord with what had been said: “So your seed will be.” And, although he did not grow weak in faith, he considered his own body, now already deadened, as he was about one hundred years old, also the deadness of the womb of Sarah. But because of the promise of God he did not waver in a lack of faith, but became powerful by his faith, giving God glory and being fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do. Hence “it was counted to him as righteousness.””
Genesis Chapter 18
When Lot and Abraham separated and Lot went towards Sodom, Genesis 13:13 stated this: “And the men of Sodom were very bad and were gross sinners against Jehovah.” The Apostle Peter describes the effect this wickedness had on Lot at 2 Peter 2:8. He writes: “For that righteous man by what he saw and heard while dwelling among them from day to day was tormenting his righteous soul by reason of their lawless deeds.”
Jehovah determined to take action against this wickedness, but before He does act, He apprises Abraham of his intentions. In verses 18 and 19, Jehovah explains His reasons for including him in this decision.
Amos 3:7 explains it this way: “For the sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.” The bible definitely tells us that Abraham was a prophet. - See Genesis 20:7
We of the YORWW Congregation today can attest to the fact that Jehovah has again told his Modern Day "Servant," His prophet, His "confidential matters" concerning His name people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, as shown at Amos 3:7.
Genesis Chapter 19
Many today have issues with why Lot, a righteous man, would suggest sending his daughters out to the mob outside his door. The reason he could do this in good conscience goes back to the sentence pronounced on Eve, hence all women, by Jehovah. Women were accounted as slaves or property owned by men that they were free to do with as they pleased. An example of a similar situation to this one can be found in the book of Judges chapter 19.
So those who have problems with this should take them up with Eve, not Lot or Jehovah, as she is the root cause of the situation. Today, in some cultures though not all, there are laws that protect women from being thrust into situations like the above that they have no control over. But overall, that curse is still in effect over the earth today. That curse will be lifted with the exaltation of the “low dry tree,” the YORWW Congregation. – Ezekiel 17:24
Genesis Chapter 20
Abraham has moved his family into Philistine territory and he again urges Sarah to say that they are brother and sister. The ruler in this land does just as Pharoah had done (Gen. 12:15), he sends and takes Sarah into his household. Jehovah intervenes again to keep this man from committing a serious sin. After returning Sarah to Abraham along with “sheep, cattle, menservants, maidservants and a thousand silver pieces of money,” Abimelech said to Sarah “Here it is for a covering of the eyes to all who are with you and before everybody, and you are cleared of reproach.” The expression "covering of the eyes" is a public declaration that the reputation of this woman is undamaged, clearing her from accusation in the eyes of others. Sarah was set in the right light.
Many scholars believe that Abraham was in the wrong in this affair. But as he stated to this king “It was because I said to myself, "Doubtless there is no fear of God in this place and they will certainly kill me because of my wife.” And he was correct in this analysis as Jehovah had already let him know that He was going to take this land from the nations occupying it at that time because of their wickedness. It was simply not Jehovah’s time to do this when Abraham was alive. Therefore Jehovah told him that “the error of the Amorites has not yet come to completion.” – Genesis 15:16
Jehovah’s dealings with Abimelech is in harmony with Psalms 105:14, 15 which reads: He did not allow any human to defraud them, but on their account He reproved kings saying ‘Do not you men touch my anointed ones, and to my prophets do nothing bad.’”
Genesis Chapter 22
Jehovah told Abraham to offer up his only son as a burnt offering. Abraham complies. The Apostle Paul writes concerning what Abraham did in Hebrews 11:17-19. He says: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up Isaac and the man that gladly received the promises attempted to offer up his only-begotten son, although it has been said to him: “What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.” But he reckoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead; and from there he did receive him also in an illustrative way.”
Abraham now has works to back up his outstanding faith. The Bible writer James explains this for us at James 2:21-23. He writes: “Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? You behold that his faith worked along with his works and by his works his faith was perfected, and the scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he came to be called “Jehovah’s friend.”” - See also 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8
Genesis Chapter 23
When Sarah died at the age of 127, Abraham needed to buy a burial place for those dying in his family. He wanted to purchase a cave that was located in a field belonging to Ephron, a Hitite. But Ephron wanted to sell the field as well. So he said to Abraham "No, my lord! Listen to me. The field I do give to you, and the cave that is in it." Sop Abraham understood that Ephron wanted to sell both so he ascertained the amount of silver that Ephron eanted, 400 silver shekels and paid him.
Abraham's purchase of this field and the cave located in it in the land of Canaan as a burial site showed that he considered Canaan to be his homeland. Usually family members were buried in the place of their birth. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, page 66, has this to say: "When Abraham bought this cave, he was renouncing Paddan Aram, that is, Northwest Mesopotamia (cf. 25:20).... Canaan was now Abraham's new native land."
***©2005 by YORWW Congregation
BIBLE COMMENTARY FOR GENESIS 1-23
Genesis Chapter 1
This very first verse makes a simple but all-inclusive statement without giving a time frame for the creation of the physical universe by saying: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” No indication is given as to when the creative work began nor when it ended. God could have taken eons of time. We simply do not know.
Nor can it be determined how much time expired between the events of verse one and those of verse two. In verse two, Jehovah turns his attention to the earth in preparation for making it habitable for the various forms of life that He would create to live on it.
The earth is described as being formless, void and covered in darkness on this first creative day. God’s spirit is seen moving over the surface of the waters, as the earth was completely covered with water. Jehovah’s first act was to let light come to be, that is, the atmosphere was cleared such that the light from the sun filtered through to reach the surface of the water.
God created an "expanse" on this second creative day by causing a "dividing between the waters and the waters" by raising some of the water that covered the earth (Genesis 1:2) above the earth. This created a hot house effect around the earth, giving it a temperate climate year round.
Peter made reference to this expanse at 2 Peter 3:5, where he said in part: “…that there were heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God.”
At Genesis 2:5 we read that "Jehovah had not made it to rain upon the earth." Verse 6 describes how the ground was watered. It reads: “But a mist would go up from the earth and it watered the entire surface of the ground." Verse 10 supports this view. It reads “Now there was a river issuing out of Eden to water the garden and from there it began to be parted and it became, as it were, four heads.”
The water canopy that was high above the earth did not allow the sun’s rays to penetrate to the oceans and rivers in order to activate the water cycle as we know it today. - Ecclesiastes 1:7
An interesting point in connection with this water canopy is recorded at 2 Peter 3:6. Peter associates this suspended water with the water that produced the flood. He says: “and by those means (see verse 5) the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.”
Genesis Chapter 2
Jehovah ended His creative works in six creative days and on the seventh creative day He rested. Adam and Eve, having been created on the sixth creative day, would be given this day to carry out God’s command to procreate and fill the earth with their offspring. We notice that at the end of each creative day the statement is made “And there was morning and evening, a first, second, etc. day” but that statement is not found anywhere for the seventh creative day which would indicate that this creative day has not yet ended.
Verse 7 of this chapter gives additional detail concerning Jehovah’s provisions for the first human pair. We learn that God caused a garden to grow out of the ground with every tree desirable for food as well as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. The place where this garden was planted was called Eden. More familiarly we tend to speak of Eden as the garden itself, but verse 8 highlights that Jehovah planted “a garden toward the east, in Eden” as though Eden was a specific place that God choose to put this garden.
The statement in verse 15 that “God took the man and put him in the Garden in Eden to cultivate it and keep it” may have a deeper meaning than what we would immediately think at first glance.
The NIV Bible Commentary, Volume 1, page 7, after discussing the unsuitability of the English translations as above, has this to say.
“In light of these objections, a more suitable translation would be “to worship and to obey.” Man is put in the garden to worship God and to obey him. His life in the garden was to be characterized by worship and obedience; he was a priest, not merely a worker and keeper of the garden.” Additionally, this commentary reads: “A further confirmation is the fact that in verse 16 for the first time that “God commanded” the man whom he had created. Enjoyment of God’s good land is contingent on “keeping” God’s commandments.”
This is evidence that Eden represented God’s Kingdom on earth at that time where the man could enjoy Jehovah’s beneficence as long as he is obedient.
Although Adam was told that he could eat from any tree in the garden, there was one tree in the middle of the garden that he was prohibited from eating. It was called the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad." Why this prohibition? This tree represented God’s right to choose for man, His right to determine the right course for humans to take.
Did Jehovah speak those words to Adam directly or did he send an angel to speak to Adam? The 1/1/04 Watchtower magazine, page 29 suggests this by saying:
“God’s chief spokesman was his only-begotten son, called ‘the word.’ (John 1:1) Very likely God spoke to Adam and Eve through ‘the word.’ - Genesis 1:26-28; 2:16; 3:8-18"
And so the Watchtower Society teaches Adam had a "mediator" between himself and God, and was not granted a direct line of communication with God.
However, it would be more reasonable to believe this: Since Adam was created perfect and was called a "son of God" he would not need an intermediary between himself and God. (Luke 3:38) Instead, God could speak directly to him. Of course this situation would have changed after Adam’s fall into sin. However in either case, after pronouncing judgment on Adam and Eve, the inspired biblical account shows Jehovah had no more communication with them.
Indeed, at Genesis 2:17 God pointedly said to the first human, Adam:
“...on the day that you eat from it you will positively die.” Genesis 2:17 New World Translation
In other words, if the first man voluntarily disobeys God, of his own free will, then he would be considered "dead" to Jehovah, from that day forward, particularly in a spiritual sense. In other words, they died spiritually, on that same exact "day" before Jehovah, the same "day" that they disobeyed Him and broke His Lofty Commandment, thus betraying their lack of genuine "love" for Jehovah, their Generous, Loving Creator.
1 John 5:3 says of such like situations,
"For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome"
Genesis Chapter 3
When the serpent questioned Eve concerning the tree in the middle of the garden, she repeated the command that Adam had given her. We also notice that the words "no, you must not touch it” had been added to God’s original statement to Adam. No doubt, Adam added these words when speaking to Eve, showing that he was an official "representative" for God to Eve. He would become God's prophet and priest to Eve, since he was now conveying God's Law to the first subject within God's earthly kingdom, with Adam being her Divinely Appointed Leader, her Divinely Appointed Teacher. If Adam had kept his integrity under test, there can be no question that in time, he would have become God's Chief Director of earth's affairs...had he had remained faithful to God. - See Psalms 89:27
Thus, Adam added the words to Eve:
"...no, you must not touch it."
These added words of Adam, no doubt served to emphasize the seriousness of the command that God had originally gave to Adam. When the serpent told Eve that she had been misled and that the fruit of the tree would produce a different result than what she originally thought, it suddenly, inextricably became something
“desirable to look upon.”
A footnote for this verse in the New World Translation Reference Bible says that this phrase denotes “to impart wisdom (intelligence).” Thus, Eve now has the wisdom to be able to make her own decisions. In other words, now she does not need God to do it for her. Then in a further act of INSUBORDINATION, Eve now moves to even usurp Adam’s authority, God's Appointed Leader of earth's affairs, by urging him to JOIN HER in this blatant rebellion against their Grand Creator. And of course, Adam weakly folds under the pressure, and complies to her wicked, evil wishes.
After confronting these three rebels, Jehovah now utters the first sacred secret or mystery (Greek “mysterion”) recorded in human history, recorded at Genesis 3:15. Yes, indeed, a very great mystery of God's unique making, showing His Superior Wisdom and Understanding of all matters relative to this newly established rebellion on earth. Jehovah utters a sacred secret, a mystery so great, so profound, that even today, it has served to baffle mankind the world over, now for some 6,000 years! Yes, a great mystery that ultimately reveals
Jehovah is "...wise alone." --Romans 16:27
Therefore, the true understanding of this sacred secret has remained a mystery up to our modern times. There have been many explanations offered by many Bible Scholars through out this nearly 6,000 years. The major fallacy with these many explanations is the identity of the four entities in this drama.
For instance, most identify the Serpent correctly as Satan the Devil but can’t identify his "seed" nor do they identify who the woman is (except the Watchtower Society who believes that the woman is the heavenly angels). But most agree that the "seed of the woman" is Jesus who will “crush the Serpent in the head.”
Since the verse says that there is "enmity" between the Serpent and the woman and that there is enmity between their respective seeds, it is more plausible that it is the "enmity" between the respective ‘seeds’ that will bring about the "bruising in the heel" and the "crushing in the head." There is no mention of "enmity" between the Serpent and the “seed of the woman.”
For a more detailed discussion of this verse, see the articles One Big Mistake Made By All Mankind! and God's "Sacred Secret" Revealed In The "Scapegoat" Covenant.
In pronouncing judgment upon Eve, Jehovah said to her:
“your craving will be for your husband and he will dominate you.”
Is this statement indicative of a profound change in the relationship between the man and his wife?
Genesis 1:26, 27 states this: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth. And God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.”
In this verse, both male and female are created equal, both being created in God’s image. Man, in this case, is not given any inherent qualities that would make him superior to the woman. True, the Bible does tell us that man was created first. (1 Timothy 2:13) This was not done simply so that man could say to his mate, ‘I was here first so I’m your head.’ This is a commonly held viewpoint of Jehovah's witnesses. However, this assumption is incorrect.
However, since Adam was given life first, then this would allow time for Jehovah to teach him his laws, thus preparing him for the larger responsibility of being earth's spiritual leader and no doubt becoming, in time, Patriarchal Head of the human race that he would father. No doubt, if Adam had remained faithful, he would have become recognized as the "firstborn" of all humans and the "most high above all kings of the earth." (Psalms 89:27) Thus in this powerful position, Adam would be in the perfect position to then teach these laws to his mate and subsequently she would work alongside him as he carried out his leadership role in a loving manner, in imitation of his heavenly Father.
1 Peter 3:7 refers to women as "weaker vessels, the feminine one." This designation certainly does not match the description provided in Genesis chapter 1. Rather it reflects the curse that Jehovah put on her because she attempted to usurp Adam’s authority and become the leader of the human race in his stead. This curse in effect relegated her to a slave’s position and she would be dominated by man in all aspects of her life. The man would become her "owner" or husband, a degrading designation to all women. Jehovah’s curse included an inordinate longing for her husband (or owner), wherein she would in effect, lose for all her female offspring, their EQUALITY with their prospective marriage mates, originally intended by God within the Divine Institution of marriage and family circle.
Therefore, because of this "curse" from God Almighty, all women from hence forth, would be relegated to a "slave's" position within the family circle, underneath the man's position. Surprisingly, the woman would accept this lesser "position" in the marriage arrangement, and it would even allow her to "be given in marriage" similar to when one is given a piece of property, such as a "slave" is given to be owned [or husbanded] by the man, and he "dominates" her in all affairs of life. This would be possible only because God Himself said: the woman's "longing would be for him," her owner, her husband.
Happily, this situation will be discontinued by God's Decree, when the modern-day fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1, 2 begins, and the World's True Spiritual "Liberator" comes upon the world scene, the Modern Day Servant of Isaiah 49:1-7. Thus, this special "liberation" comes with the release of Divine Truth. This Divine Truth would make or set women worldwide...free, just as Jesus promised. (John 8:32) Therefore, with the release of this earthshaking "good news", we could properly expect the streaming, flowing of “living waters” from the temple as described in Ezekiel 47:1-12, to be true "healing" waters to mankind the world over. -- Please compare Revelation 22:1, 2.
Relative to having a correct understanding of the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, please pay close attention to the following information.
A most curious and yet remarkably prodigious point must be made at this juncture, especially relative to the original Divine Promise given at Genesis 3:15. And what is that?
Let's consider 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26 which says:
"For he must rule as king until [God] has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing." (New World Translation)
Well, think ... if the "last enemy" that is to be removed is clearly said to be "death" as bible prophecy indicates (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14), and just as 1st Corinthians 15:25, 26 says, then we must ask a most provocative question, namely:
How can Satan the Devil be done away with or shall we say "bruised in the head," yes destroyed or put to death by Jesus Christ, God's Heavenly King ... how can such a thing be, if the "rule" or "reign" of Jesus has already COME TO AN END, per the insightful comments of 1 Corinthians 15:25, we ask at the YORWW???
Yes, isn't it true, 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26 clearly shows us, Jesus only "rules" or "reigns" UNTIL...UNTIL he does away with the "last enemy," which in this specific instance, actually proves to be death? Isn't that so?
And then, the "reign" or "rule" of Jesus ends, isn't that so???
Therefore, if Jesus' heavenly reign ends ... ends with the full removal of "death," the "last enemy" per comments from 1 Corinthians 15:26, then it is clear is it not, yes most clear that Jesus Christ actually does NOT destroy Satan the Devil, no but it is actually Jehovah God Himself, who righteously DESTROYS SATAN, which of course is exactly what Romans 16:20 brings out. Think about it!
Therefore, this small bit of information provided above, shows us the "seed of the woman" mentioned in Genesis 3:15 then, does NOT actually "bruise" Satan in the "head," as many religionists today believe. No, but the actual "bruising" action initiated by the "seed of the woman," then must be directed to his already foretold earthly (not heavenly) "enemy," yes the one that God specifically put real "enmity" against for this "seed," namely the "seed of Satan." God put "enmity" between the two (2) "seeds," namely the "seed of the woman," and the "seed of the Serpent" [or Devil].
Yes, Jehovah God predicted He, Himself would put actual "enmity" between the "seed of the woman" and the "seed of the Serpent" [namely Satan the Devil], isn't that true? And of course, that actual "seed of the Serpent" [Satan] would prove to be the one spoken of in Revelation 16:13, 14, 16, yes the one that is destroyed fully at the battle of "Armageddon" itself namely, the "false prophet," and his great collaborator in wickedness, the "wild beast." Therefore, the “seed of the woman,” namely the Modern Day “Servant” of Isaiah 49:1-7, will issue the command to finally destroy all wicked government and religious opposers of God’s newly established Earthly Kingdom ... as depicted by a “long sword” proceeding out of his “mouth” to rid the earth of all unrighteousness. -- Isaiah 11:4; Revelation 19:15, 19-20
Think about it!
Genesis Chapter 4
At the birth of Seth, Eve proclaims that “God has appointed another seed in place of Abel.” Does this indicate that she believes that she is the "woman" spoken of in Genesis 3:15? Yes, she does.
Seth later produces a son and calls him Enosh. The scripture says that “At that time a start was made of calling on the name of Jehovah.” The Watchtower Society has concluded that this is “apparently in a profane way.” (January 1st, 2004 Watchtower, page 28) However, most bible scholars disagree with this view. They believe that this was the start of true worship. For example, some large print bibles with bottom page notations such as the New International Version in the footnote for this verse says that men begin "to proclaim" God’s name.
For a more detailed discussion of this verse, see the article The Beginning of True Worship
Genesis Chapter 5
Lamech gave his first-born son the name, Noah, which sounds like the Hebrew word for "comfort." The statement made by Lamech in verse 29 is believed to indicate that the curse that Jehovah put on the ground because of Adam’s sin would be lifted due to some action by this son. We know that the ground still produces thorns and thistles, but Jehovah, after the flood, no doubt, lessened the curse that he had put on the ground enabling humans in their greatly reduced life span to produce enough food to feed themselves.
Genesis Chapter 6
Verse two of this chapter tells us that “ the sons of God “ began to marry women and produce offspring that became known as "Nephilim." They were "mighty ones" or "men of fame." Numbers 13:32, 33 uses this term in reference to the very tall men who lived in Canaan because they were "people of great size."
This union of materialized angels and humans would produce an unnatural hybrid offspring, giants, wicked men (or women) who were very violent and had no regard for other humans.
As a result, Jehovah declared that the earth was "ruined, because all flesh had ruined its way on the earth." He stated that “his days would amount to only 120 years” from the time God issued this judgment proclaimation to the flood.
In verse 14, Jehovah commanded Noah to build an ark that would be for the preservation of life. The Hebrew word for ark (te-vath) is used only twice in the Hebrew scriptures, in this verse and at Exodus 2:3-5 in reference to the basket that Moses’ mother made to put him in to save him from being killed by the Egyptians. At 1 Peter 3:20, 21, the bible writer compared the ark that Noah built to save his family to baptism, “that which is also saving you.”
Jehovah had revealed to his "prophet" Noah, His "confidential matters" ahead of time. (Amos 3:7) He revealed that he was going to bring about an earthwide "deluge" as punishment for mankind's wickedness. But, Noah has gained favor in God's eyes. He is deemed "righteous" in God's eyes. (Gen. 7:1) Almighty God decided to drop the protective canopy over the earth which previously moderated the extreme temperatures that would have affected it and had acted as insulation to keep the earth within a certain temperature range, worldwide. The bible refers to this as the "floodgates of the heavens" in which, by God's Mighty Decree, "...everything that is in the earth will expire." With the dropping of this "canopy" or expanse by God's Decree, the life expectancy of mankind would then drop drastically, with mankind enjoying much shorter lifespans from that time on. By the time of Moses, the human lifespan had dropped to approximately 70 or 80 years, where it stands today, again by God's Decree. - Genesis 1:6-8; Genesis 6:17; Genesis 7:11; 2 Peter 3:5, 6; Psalms 90:10
The covenant spoken of in verse 18 is believed to be the first direct mention of a covenant between God and man. It is a personal covenant that pertained to the survival of Noah and his household. Noah has to show his faith in Jehovah by doing exactly as he was told to do. He did just as Jehovah had commanded him thus fulfilling his covenanted part. After the deluge ended, Jehovah, on His part, “remembered Noah and every wild beast and every domestic animal that was with him in the ark, and caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters began to subside.” (Genesis 8:1) Verses 18 and 19 of chapter 8 show that Noah, his household and all of the animals came out of the ark and stepped upon dry ground. Thus Jehovah fulfilled his covenanted promise to Noah.
Genesis Chapter 7
Did Noah take seven or "seven pairs" of the clean animals into the ark? (Verse 2) Most translators believe it to be seven pairs. Sadly, Watchtower Society literature specifically states on this matter: “A classification of animals is to be noted in God’s instruction to Noah to take with him into the ark seven of each clean animal and two of each unclean animal.” (Insight on the Scriptures, Volume I, page 111, paragraph 2. See also My Book of Bible Stories, Story #9 “Noah Builds an Ark”)
Yet the New World Translation Reference Bible specifically says in this verse: “Of every clean beast you must take to yourself by sevens, the sire and its mate….” The footnote on this verse says “Lit., seven sevens.” Why so many more of the ‘clean animals’ than the unclean ones? Not only would these animals be used for sacrifices, but they would also serve as food, whereas the unclean animals would serve for food only.
Genesis Chapter 8
Noah’s first act after leaving the ark was to build an altar and offer burnt offerings to Jehovah using some of the clean animals and flying creatures. Then afterwards, Jehovah began to smell a “restful odor.” This reminds us of what Lamech said at the birth of Noah. (Genesis 5:29) In verse 22, Jehovah makes reference to the growing of food when he said “seed sowing and harvest will never cease,” which reinforces the idea that God will permit man to gain some yield from his efforts to till the land, even though it is under a "curse" from Him, ever since the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 6:5 and Genesis 8:21 highlights the inescapable truth that humans are "inclined" or naturally prone to do what is wrong from youth on, which shows why it so difficult to "escape sins law within" each every descendant of Adam and Eve. -- Romans 7:17-23
Genesis Chapter 9
The covenant recorded in verses 8-11 is referred to as the "Rainbow Covenant." The rainbow was given as a reminder or symbol of this covenant.
Jehovah does not stipulate any necessary human actions needed to keep this covenant in force as it includes not only humans but also the animal kingdom. He promises that He would never bring another deluge to ruin the earth. (verse 11) This does not preclude His use of other means to bring an end to wickedness on the earth.
The events related in verses 20-27 resulted in the descendants of Ham through his son Canaan being cursed. Ham was the first to see his father's nakedness. Rather than cover his father, he went and told his two brothers what he had seen.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, page 41, says this concerning Ham's action:
"To the ancients, however, even seeing one's father naked was a breach of family ethic. The sanctity of the family was destroyed and the strength of the father was made a mockery. Ham apparently stumbled on this accidentally, but went out and exultingly told his two brothers, as if he had triumphed over his father. So what seems to be a trivial incident turned out to be a major event. Noah's oracle (vv.25-27) showed that the natures of his three sons would be perpetuated in their descendants."
Genesis Chapter 10
All nationalities on earth today are descendants of Noah’s three sons. Thus, when Noah comes back in the resurrection, he won't understand the reference to different families of people being classified as different "races." To Noah, all families of people came FROM him, and are thus his "sons", making all of us just one human "race" of people. Today, it is thought that the ancient Assyrians, Chaldeans, Hebrews, Syrians and some Arabian tribes descended from Shem; the ancient Ethiopians, Egyptians, Canaanites and some African and Arabians tribes descended from Ham and the Indo-Europeans and those of Asian descent descended from Japheth.
Genesis Chapter 11
Jehovah’s instruction to Noah’s three sons after they came out of the ark was to “fill the earth.” But again, we see humans attempting to thwart Jehovah’s purpose. Rather than spread throughout the earth, they were determined to remain in one central location by building upwards, "a tower with its top in the heavens."
This action led Jehovah to ‘divide the earth’ by confusing their language since “all the earth was one language and one set of words.” They were forced to discontinue their building program and move to various parts of the earth, just as Jehovah had purposed them to do.
A remarkable statement and admission is made by God Almighty at Genesis 11:6 where He says:
"...Look! They are one people and there is one language for them all, and this is what they start to do. Why, now there is nothing that they may have in mind to do that will be UNATTAINABLE for them."
In this instance, Jehovah God uses his Infinite Wisdom to see far into the future. (Romans 16:27) Jehovah knows if wicked mankind continued as one language and one tongue, their goals toward WICKEDNESS would be greatly advanced where they would no doubt reach their ultimate goal of scientific advancement in destructive weaponry. Their acquiring weapons of mass destruction for themselves (under the direction of Satan the Devil) would have occurred much sooner if God did not directly intervene and vitiate or thwart their wicked efforts to collectively make a "celebrated name" for themselves. Thus, Jehovah in His Infinite Wisdom decides to interrupt them in their pursuits, thus retarding the discovery of nuclear fission and the use of atomic energy that will ultimately cause devastation very soon in our day and time. (Daniel 10:1 NIV; Revelation 6:4-8) By God's direct action of instantly confusing the tongue of mankind, He delayed them in their efforts to "attain" to such wicked things until much later in the stream of time.
No specific date is recorded for this event other than that it occurred “in the days of Peleg.” Interestingly, the name ‘Peleg’ means “division or stream.” Peleg is listed as the great-great grandson of Shem. - See also 1 Chronicles 1:24, 25
From the listing given in Genesis chapter 10 and 1 Chronicles chapter 1, a timeframe can be determined for the above event. Peleg was born 101 years after the flood ended and he lived 239 years. The confusing of the languages occurred sometime within Peleg’s life time.
Genesis Chapter 12
According to Acts 7:2, the words in verses 1-3 were spoken to Abram “while he was in Mesopotamia before he took up residence in Haran.” Terah took his family from Ur to go to the land of Cannan. When they arrived at Haran, however, they settled there. (Genesis 11:31, 32) After Terah, Abram’s father, died in Haran, Jehovah caused Abram to move his residence from Haran to the land of Canaan. He was 75 years of age at this time.
Did Abram deliberately lie when he told Pharoah that Saraih was his sister? The bible account shows in time of severe famine, Abram was compelled to move temporarily to Egypt. It was during this time that Abraham decided to represent Sarai as his sister.
According to Genesis 20:12, Abraham said to Abimelech “And besides, she is my sister, the daughter of my father, only not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.” Abram said to Sarai before they went into Egypt “Please say you are my sister in order that it may go well with me on your account and my soul will be certain to live due to you.” Abram’s life was spared as a result but Jehovah had to step in to keep Sarai from being taken as a wife of Pharoah. (Psalms 105:14) Sarai, at this time, was 65 years of age.
Genesis Chapter 13
Both Abram and Lot had become very wealthy due to Jehovah's blessings upon them. They had many flocks, herds and tents. They were living in the area of Bethel and Ai when their respective herdsmen began to argue because the land was not large enough for them to stay together. To stop the quarreling from escalating, Abram suggested that they separate and he allowed Lot to choose the direction that he would go and he, Abram, would go in the opposite direction. Lot chose to go in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah because it was well watered, "like the garden to the LORD."
After the two men separated, Jehovah again spoke to Abram and reiterated His promise to him. He told Abram to continue walking throughout the land because He was going to give it to his descendants. Abram moved his belongings to Hebron. Numbers 13:22 tells us that Hebron was a very old city "being built seven years before Zoan in Egypt."
Genesis Chapter 14
Abram, after defeating the kings who had taken Lot captive, met a prophetic figure, Melchizedek, who was both King of Salem and priest of the Most High. Nothing is given in the Bible as to his genealogy but he is prophetic of the one who will hold both offices in our day, the Modern-day "Servant." (Isaiah 49:1-7) Just as Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek then, he will have opportunity to do so again to the one prefigured by Melchizedek, the Modern Day Anointed King/Priest of our time, the Modern Day "Chieftain" of God's Grand Spiritual Temple, after he has been resurrected at the beginning of the millennium reign of the MDS. – Ezekiel 44:3; Zechariah 6:12, 13
Genesis Chapter 15
Abram still has no heir at this time and he is concerned that his servant would be his heir. Jehovah reassures him that he would have an heir who would come from "his inward parts." Abram's response is recorded in verse 6. Most scholars agree that this verse is the first specific mention in the Bible of a person "exercising faith." At Romans 4:11, Paul calls our attention to this verse and its meaning for us by saying, in part: “…..that he (Abraham) might be the father of all those having faith while in uncircumcision, in order for righteousness to be counted to them.” (See also Galatians 3:5-7) Jehovah had not given Abram the covenant of circumcision at this time.
Jehovah then restated his promise to give Abram’s descendants the land of Canaan. Abram then asks: “By what shall I know that I shall take it in possession?” The action described in verses 9-11 and 17 came to be known as "cutting a covenant." According to The Expositor’s Bible Dictionary, Volume II, page 103, we learn this: “The act of dividing the animals and walking through the parts was apparently an ancient form of contractual agreement.”
Jehovah tells Abram that after his death his descendant would become "aliens" in another land. Verse 16 states that "in the fourth generation" they would return to this land. Beginning with Jacob who went into Egypt because of a famine in the land of Canaan, and including Levi, Amram, and Moses/Aaron, for example, we have four generations.
Genesis Chapters 16 and 21
Chapter 16 records the birth of Abram’s first son by Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai. It was Sarai’s idea that Abram should take Hagar as his wife as she would be able to claim Hagar’s children as her own. This, of course, was not in harmony with Jehovah’s purpose, as we shall later see. When Hagar became pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Sarai began to mistreat her and she ran away from their home. Later the angel of Jehovah spoke to her and told her to return and submit to Sarai. He also said that she would bear a son whom she would call Ishmael, which means "God hears." The angel told her that her son, Ishmael, would live in the wilderness away from human habitats. She obeyed the angel and returned to Sarai and eventually gave birth to a son. Abram was eighty-six years old at this time.
The birth of Isaac is recorded in Genesis 21:1-21. At the time of his birth, Abraham was one hundred years old. Sarah gave birth to Isaac at the time that Jehovah had said she would and when he was eight days old, Abraham had him circumcised in harmony with Jehovah’s command. After Isaac had been weaned, Sarah noticed Ishmael mocking Isaac and she said to Abraham that he should send Hagar and her son away because he would not share in the inheritance with Isaac. It pained him to send his son away but Jehovah told him that Sarah was correct in her assessment of Ishmael.
The events recorded in these chapters are use by the Apostle Paul to dramatize the difference between earthly Jerusalem under the Law Covenant and the Jerusalem Above under the New Covenant or Christian Covenant. Galatians 4:21–31 reads thus:
“Tell me, you who want to be under law, Do you not hear the Law? For example, it is written that Abraham acquired two sons, one by the servant girl and one by the free woman; but the one by the servant girl was actually born in the manner of flesh, the other by the free woman through a promise. These things stand as a symbolic drama, for these women mean two covenants, the one from Mount Sinai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Hagar. Now this Hagar means Sinai, a mountain in Arabia, and she corresponds with the Jerusalem today, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written: “Be glad, you barren woman who does not give birth; break out and cry aloud, you woman who does not have childbirth pains; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous that those of her who has the husband.” Now, brothers, we are children belonging to the promise the same as Isaac was. But just as then the one born in the manner of flesh began persecuting the one born in the manner of spirit, so also now. Nevertheless, what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the servant girl and her son, for by no means shall the son of the servant girl be an heir with the son of the free woman.” Wherefore, brothers, we are children, not of a servant girl, but of the free woman.”
Genesis Chapter 17
When Abraham is 99 years old, Jehovah changes his name to reflect the extent to which He would fulfill His covenant with him. He would be called Abraham, instead of Abram, as Abraham means ‘father of a crowd of nations.’ In addition, he would change his wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah which means “Princess, or “Kings of people will come from her.” (verse 16)
The Apostle Paul emphasized the extraordinary faith that Abraham had in believing Jehovah’s promises to him. At Romans 4:18-22, he writes: “Although beyond hope he had faith that he might become the father of many nations in accord with what had been said: “So your seed will be.” And, although he did not grow weak in faith, he considered his own body, now already deadened, as he was about one hundred years old, also the deadness of the womb of Sarah. But because of the promise of God he did not waver in a lack of faith, but became powerful by his faith, giving God glory and being fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do. Hence “it was counted to him as righteousness.””
Genesis Chapter 18
When Lot and Abraham separated and Lot went towards Sodom, Genesis 13:13 stated this: “And the men of Sodom were very bad and were gross sinners against Jehovah.” The Apostle Peter describes the effect this wickedness had on Lot at 2 Peter 2:8. He writes: “For that righteous man by what he saw and heard while dwelling among them from day to day was tormenting his righteous soul by reason of their lawless deeds.”
Jehovah determined to take action against this wickedness, but before He does act, He apprises Abraham of his intentions. In verses 18 and 19, Jehovah explains His reasons for including him in this decision.
Amos 3:7 explains it this way: “For the sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.” The bible definitely tells us that Abraham was a prophet. - See Genesis 20:7
We of the YORWW Congregation today can attest to the fact that Jehovah has again told his Modern Day "Servant," His prophet, His "confidential matters" concerning His name people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, as shown at Amos 3:7.
Genesis Chapter 19
Many today have issues with why Lot, a righteous man, would suggest sending his daughters out to the mob outside his door. The reason he could do this in good conscience goes back to the sentence pronounced on Eve, hence all women, by Jehovah. Women were accounted as slaves or property owned by men that they were free to do with as they pleased. An example of a similar situation to this one can be found in the book of Judges chapter 19.
So those who have problems with this should take them up with Eve, not Lot or Jehovah, as she is the root cause of the situation. Today, in some cultures though not all, there are laws that protect women from being thrust into situations like the above that they have no control over. But overall, that curse is still in effect over the earth today. That curse will be lifted with the exaltation of the “low dry tree,” the YORWW Congregation. – Ezekiel 17:24
Genesis Chapter 20
Abraham has moved his family into Philistine territory and he again urges Sarah to say that they are brother and sister. The ruler in this land does just as Pharoah had done (Gen. 12:15), he sends and takes Sarah into his household. Jehovah intervenes again to keep this man from committing a serious sin. After returning Sarah to Abraham along with “sheep, cattle, menservants, maidservants and a thousand silver pieces of money,” Abimelech said to Sarah “Here it is for a covering of the eyes to all who are with you and before everybody, and you are cleared of reproach.” The expression "covering of the eyes" is a public declaration that the reputation of this woman is undamaged, clearing her from accusation in the eyes of others. Sarah was set in the right light.
Many scholars believe that Abraham was in the wrong in this affair. But as he stated to this king “It was because I said to myself, "Doubtless there is no fear of God in this place and they will certainly kill me because of my wife.” And he was correct in this analysis as Jehovah had already let him know that He was going to take this land from the nations occupying it at that time because of their wickedness. It was simply not Jehovah’s time to do this when Abraham was alive. Therefore Jehovah told him that “the error of the Amorites has not yet come to completion.” – Genesis 15:16
Jehovah’s dealings with Abimelech is in harmony with Psalms 105:14, 15 which reads: He did not allow any human to defraud them, but on their account He reproved kings saying ‘Do not you men touch my anointed ones, and to my prophets do nothing bad.’”
Genesis Chapter 22
Jehovah told Abraham to offer up his only son as a burnt offering. Abraham complies. The Apostle Paul writes concerning what Abraham did in Hebrews 11:17-19. He says: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up Isaac and the man that gladly received the promises attempted to offer up his only-begotten son, although it has been said to him: “What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.” But he reckoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead; and from there he did receive him also in an illustrative way.”
Abraham now has works to back up his outstanding faith. The Bible writer James explains this for us at James 2:21-23. He writes: “Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? You behold that his faith worked along with his works and by his works his faith was perfected, and the scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he came to be called “Jehovah’s friend.”” - See also 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8
Genesis Chapter 23
When Sarah died at the age of 127, Abraham needed to buy a burial place for those dying in his family. He wanted to purchase a cave that was located in a field belonging to Ephron, a Hitite. But Ephron wanted to sell the field as well. So he said to Abraham "No, my lord! Listen to me. The field I do give to you, and the cave that is in it." Sop Abraham understood that Ephron wanted to sell both so he ascertained the amount of silver that Ephron eanted, 400 silver shekels and paid him.
Abraham's purchase of this field and the cave located in it in the land of Canaan as a burial site showed that he considered Canaan to be his homeland. Usually family members were buried in the place of their birth. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, page 66, has this to say: "When Abraham bought this cave, he was renouncing Paddan Aram, that is, Northwest Mesopotamia (cf. 25:20).... Canaan was now Abraham's new native land."
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