Genesis

I am reading Genesis. And not just reading it. I really want to wrestle with it. Go back to the beginning and write down questions or comments I have. Talk with people about it. Work through some doubts. This personal study has nothing to do with the basics or foundations of my faith...I just want to do it. So without further ado, here are some questions/observations I've had so far (i'm up to chapter 9):

* When I pictured the beginning, I pictured darkness and nothingness. In Genesis 1:2 it says "and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters". So...I guess water has always been here?

* It looks like humans and animals were all vegeterians before Noah. Gen. 1:29 God gives plants and trees for food. After Noah and his fam exit the ark in Gen. 9:3, God gives them plants, trees, and animals to eat and we all got to become omnivores. Thank goodness because I really enjoy a good steak. That sounds weird to say in this context, but movin' on...

* Did ALL animals talk before the Fall? If not, wouldn't Eve have freaked out and said, "Holy crap! A talking snake!"

* Did she know the serpent was Satan? Did she even know there was a Satan?

* There's always been tons of speculation about where Adam was during the temptation. Had he just mosied in and took a bite of fruit his wife gave him? Or was he mutely there the whole time, watching everything and not speaking up?

* I think it is interesting that Even sinned first (and God knew that) and yet it is Adam he calls after in the garden and asks an explanation from.

* People lived forever in the OT! Well, I'm exaggerating, of course, but still! Chapter 5 is all about the descendents of Adam. Methuselah (fun name) looks to be the oldest man ever, clocking in at a ripe 969 years of age. Good lord. He also happened to be Noah's grandpappy.

* Speaking of Noah, he was 500 when his 3 sons were born. Ack! No piggy-back rides for those boys!

* Onto Noah and the flood. Here's something I LOVE: I learned that the Hebrew word for "ark" is the same word used to describe the basket Moses was put into as a baby. AND there had never been a "flood" before, so no one knew what that word meant. So basically God was saying, "Noah - I want you to build a 45 foot tall basket because I am going to make it sxhgeqtm." Poor Noah probably had no idea what God was talking about. BUT he still trusted God even if he didn't understand. Which is always a good lesson for me to remember.

* Personal comment: I think it is funny that Noah's ark is taught all cutesy and colorful. Parents have "Noah's Ark" themed rooms for their babies. Sunday School shows us pictures of Noah and the animals smiling as they walk into the ark two-by-two. What a great story! Right? Um, that's because no one ever focuses on the fact that millions of people died horrible, painful deaths. I'm not gonna dwell on this, because it's super sad to think about. I just wanted to make a comment on the irony of Noah's Ark being seen in such a cute, fun light when the more I think about it...it really isn't.

* I added up all the days and months the Bible said it rained, flooded, the ark chilled on the water, etc. It came out to about 6 months. 6 months! It wasn't just 40 days and nights like we sang about as kids. Noah, his wife, 3 sons, and their wives had to live in that big, smelly, floating, wooden "basket" for 6 months with all those loud animals. And then it looks like it took another 6 months for the water to recede and they got to feel dry land again. One whole year total. Dang. I wonder if Noah ever felt God had forgotten about him during that time?

* Personal question - why the heck did Noah have to bring mosquitos on the ark? All they do is suck blood, make us itch, and spread the West Nile virus. I think we'd be ok without them.

Well, that's what I've gotten so far. Feel like sharing your thoughts on these questions? Or add some of your own?