You are invited to join us on the Chronological Bible journey in 2021! We have over 1,000 people around the world signed up for our free emails filled with commentary, encouragement, and questions for reflection. To join us on the Chronological Bible journey in 2021 click on this link for more details and to sign up! You can print out a listing of our entire year's readings in PDF format at this link. Or, you may be interested in joining us on the One Year Bible journey in 2021 at this link: www.OneYearBibleBlog.com Or the New Testament in a Year journey at this link: www.OneYearNewTestament.com
Genesis 1:1-3:24
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~
Happy New Year! Welcome to the beginning of our Chronological Bible journey in 2021! Today we begin the book of Genesis!
~Genesis~
Author: Moses
Date: ~1420 B.C.
Content: The book of Genesis was written to explain how everything began; in fact, the very title Genesis means “origin” or “beginning”. It explains that God created the universe, how man was created and placed in a perfect environment, how sin began, and how God provided salvation for lost man. The beginning of human history is described, the beginning of arts and crafts, how human languages began, and where the various nations came from. The focus then shifts to the beginning of the Hebrew people with Abraham, followed by the histories of Isaac, Jacob and his sons, and the book ends with Joseph in Egypt.
Theme: The main idea that runs through the book is that although God made everything good, man’s sin has spoiled it. God has not given up, but is now in search of man to save him. The overall control of God is stressed, and special attention is given to how God directs history for the good of his people and their salvation. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 1) A wonderful commentary on the book of Genesis by Bob Deffinbaugh is at this link. Below is more art from Michelangelo - this is a marble statue of Moses, the author of Genesis, made in the year 1515 in Italy:
Moses is the author/compiler of the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch, or the books of the Law. It is believed that these five books were written by Moses during Israel's 40 years in the desert after the exodus from Egypt - which was likely between 1446 B.C. and 1406 B.C. The book of Genesis is foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible. It is a book of relationships - between God and his creation; between God and humans; and between humans themselves. In Genesis, God pledges his love and faithfulness to humans through covenants. It is a narrative that continually demonstrates faith.

In today's Genesis readings we read about the Creation account and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. There is so much happening in today's readings, that this daily blog will not do it all justice... A series of links with a great overview of the 6 literal 24 hour days of creation that I HIGHLY recommend you read is at AnswersInGenesis.org at this link. Check out some great information on the Creation account in our Genesis readings today at bible.org at this link. Below is a wonderful piece of art from Pat Marvenko Smith titled "The Creation" - you'll note this piece shows all 6 days of creation and what was created on each day, going from the left to the right:
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
Today we read this incredibly powerful verse in Genesis chapter 1 verse 27: "So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them." Do you believe that you are made in the image of God? Is this a powerful thing to reflect upon? What might this mean for your life this new year, knowing that you are made in the image of God? Does this give you a sense of possibility for your life? A sense that you are made for a great purpose in this life?
Chapter 2 verse 3 is beautiful: "And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation." A day of rest. One day a week. If God did this, think we should too? :) 6 days of work and play and 1 day each week of resting in God. I confess I like the concept a lot more than I actually put it into practice. Perhaps this can be a year of new beginnings where a Sabbath day of rest enters our lives each week? How are you doing on taking a Sabbath? I love this image below of God resting on the 7th day:
One quick note from our readings today about the location of the Garden of Eden. It is believed to have been near where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers meet, in what is now southern Iraq. Below is a very high level map:
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 titled "The Meaning of Man: His Duty and His Delight" is at this link.
In Genesis chapter 3 we read about The Fall. Chapter 3 is a foundational chapter of the Bible to understand. From this chapter our history goes forward with sin passed on to every man and woman through the seed of Adam. This sets the stage for God's pursuit of men and women in Genesis, followed by the Exodus from Egypt, the Laws, the judges, the kings, the prophets - and ultimately the final solution to the Fall: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (ultra-Cliff Notes version here... you'll get the full version of all of this over the next 364 days... :-) It is through belief in Jesus as Messiah that we are saved from what began here in Genesis chapter 3.

In verses 1 through 4 in today's readings we are first introduced to the devil in the Bible, who clothes himself as a snake. The devil is often referred to as the "great deceiver", and in this chapter you can see why. I think an important thing for us to realize today is that the devil continues to work in our world. He continues to deceive men and women. And, unfortunately, he is good at what he does. I have a hunch that probably a few people reading this blog do not believe in the existence of the devil. I will admit that early in my Christian walk, I did not believe in the devil's existence. However - thankfully, I was discipled by a godly man who counseled me through Bible passages that prove his existence - chapter 3 of Genesis certainly being one. In fact, one interesting thing my friend said to me at this early stage of my Christian walk was this - "The devil's greatest trick is to make you think that he does not exist." This is a very powerful statement. Please consider it. Why would this be his greatest trick? Because if you believe there is no devil, then you may believe there is no evil, and you then may believe that there is really no sin or nothing you can do wrong, and then you may come to believe that there is no moral code. You see the slippery slope of not acknowledging and realizing the existence of the devil and evil? I hesitated to post up this picture below - I really don't like it at all - but I think it's appropriate for this conversation. It reminded me of the temptation of our modern day addictions - like pornography or drugs etc. - the apple perhaps looks tasty at first glance, but you can't bite the apple without getting bit by the snake and getting poisoned...

The other problem of not realizing the existence of the devil or evil is that you can more easily be tempted and enslaved to bad habits and sins. So - I know I'm going on quite a bit here about this point - I just want to encourage you to ask yourself - do you believe in the existence of the devil? Do you believe in the existence of evil? Of temptation? Of sin? There is a remedy and solution to protect and keep you from all of this - and that is Jesus. But, it's possible that you may not run into the loving and saving arms of Jesus if you don't believe in the devil or evil. Second to last point - a book that did help open my eyes in a big way to existence of evil in our world today is Frank Peretti's "This Present Darkness". It is a Christian book and one that I believe will really bring home the seriousness of evil and temptation in our world today. You may want to check it out if you have questions on all of this. Also, C.S. Lewis, in the intro to his incredible book about evil and temptation in our lives called "The Screwtape Letters" writes this: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight." A great quote... and a great reminder to not have an excessive nor unhealthy interest in the devil or evil - this is of course extremely dangerous! And the bottom line is of course to turn your eyes and gaze toward God and Jesus for ultimate protection - and I do believe reading the Bible each day is one of the best ways to do exactly this!


In verses 12 and 13 we see Adam and Eve passing the buck on why they sinned. Check out Adam's words in verse 12: ""but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it." At first glance you might think that Adam is just blaming Eve in this verse, but note that he is also blaming God! "the woman YOU gave me..." Adam was blaming God and Eve - anybody but himself. How often do we do this in our lives? Blame others for our mistakes? The painting immediately below I think captures Adam's words and expression in verse 12 above perfectly!

Verse 15 is a prophetic verse that carries forward to Jesus: "From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."" This last sentence refers to Jesus ultimately defeating the devil through his life, death on the cross, and resurrection!

Below is "The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise" by American Neoclassical Painter Benjamin West from the year 1791:

Worship Video: I typically post up a worship video that relates to our daily readings on this section of the blog. Today, reading about God's creation of our world in Genesis reminded me of Chris Tomlin's song "Our God" (filmed live at Red Rocks, Colorado, in 2013 - I was there!). Enjoy, and don't be afraid to Worship God right now along with this video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJpt1hSYf2o
Do you personally know our Great God? Click here to meet Him!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27 NLT
Prayer Point: Based on Genesis 1:27 above, will you pray today for your family, co-workers/students, and others in your community that you will see the image of God in each of them them? Also, will you pray for those you know who are made in the image of God, and yet are not in a saving personal relationship with Jesus? Will you pray that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior this year?
Comments from You and Question of the Day: As today is our first day together on the Chronological Bible journey in 2021, I thought I'd post up a Chronological Bible "roll-call." This is an opportunity for each of us to click on the "Comments" link below and let everyone know a few things about ourselves, as we'll be journeying through the Word together over the coming year. So here's the roll-call questions: 1. Have you read the entire Bible before? 2. What are you looking forward to about reading the entire Bible in 2021? 3. What's your favorite book or verse in the Bible? Thanks for participating in the roll-call! :) Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.
p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!
A New Year that brings with it a New Beginning. Today we set out to begin the daunting task of reading through the entire Bible. For some this will be the first time and will bring with it tons of questions and probably comments like, “What does this all mean?” Some stories will be exciting and better than the entire series of The Godfather or more spectacular than Star Wars. There will also be plenty when you will think of giving up with a statement saying, “God, this is boring and besides, this makes no sense.”
From a veteran Read through the Bible Reader, may I encourage you to stay focused and read even when it seems like you are chewing wood. I began reading through the Word in 1987 and some of the “What in the world does this mean?” have just begun to be answered. Each and every time I go through I get a deeper understanding of the things I grasped at first and at each succeeding reading though and an a simple understanding of things I just had no clue about.
Genesis is the Book of Beginnings so let us come to this book leaving behind our preconceived understandings and ideas, our denominational glasses suspending our disbelief and unbelief believing that God’s Word will explain itself to us in the daylight of His Word.
Whom will he teach knowledge?
And whom will he make to understand the message?
Those just weaned from milk?
Those just drawn from the breasts?
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
Line upon line, line upon line,
Here a little, there a little.”
For with stammering lips and another tongue
He will speak to this people
(Isaiah 28:9-11-NKJV)
In the Beginning is our chance to study God’s Principals and Patterns so that we can apply those patterns and principals to our lives.
Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don't fight the ways of God
Grace and peace to all in the New Year,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | December 31, 2020 at 02:07 PM
Looking to read as much of this book the Bible as I can .This is the first time in chronological order.
I found a bit of a USA feel but I'll try get my Kiwi head round it.
Posted by: Aaron | January 01, 2021 at 07:26 AM
Happy New Year from Louisiana!
Yes, I have read the Bible cover to cover, now I decided I really needed to read it in chronological order, because I really get confused sometimes knowing the Kings in order and what happens under each.
Posted by: Karen Ballinger Mitchell | January 01, 2021 at 07:56 AM
This is my eleventh year reading the Bible through. It’s the best decision I ever made — besides becoming a believer and marrying my husband.
Posted by: Karen Kincaid | January 01, 2021 at 12:45 PM
I’m from Louisiana too. Happy New Year. I’ve read the Bible through for several years but this is my first time with chronological. Thanks for what you do.
Posted by: Teri Myers | January 01, 2021 at 01:16 PM
Happy New Year from the South Eastern United States. (1) We have read through the Bible several years but this is our first time reading a Chronological Reading Plan. We also have several local community believers reading with us. (2) We look forward to seeing what a Chronological Plan adds to our love of the Scriptures. (3) Our favorite Scriptures are Isaiah 40:31 and Psalms 31:15
Posted by: Benjamin Davis | January 01, 2021 at 03:38 PM
This is my first time reading the entire Bible. I am reading it along with my daughter who is 15. I currently do not have a favorite scripture as my faith journey has just begun. I was saved and baptised five years ago with my daughter and we have learned so much but want to stay in an eternal learning environment with our faith walk, ministry and mission.
Posted by: Iris Adelia Dickerson Logan | January 01, 2021 at 04:29 PM
Happy New Year from Western Canada. I was privileged and enjoyed doing this study in 2014. I found a whisper in my ear to do this again. I have to admit that I learn and understand more when I submit comments because it collects your thoughts into order. Through these dark times a favorite verse is Psalm 23:4. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me"
A favorite theme in today's reading if from Genesis 3:6 the decision the woman makes to eat the fruit and giving it to the man to also eat. The thread I would like to submit is the question of how much time before she decided? About 3 weeks ago I found a really interesting answer on YouTube by Rabbi Manis Friedman, "Here is What Nobody told you about Adam and Eve". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXxZ7RMHt4g I haven't found out how he determined this but it is incredible. Take a guess......9 hours! That is from the time from being created. The Jewish theology behind this is well thought out and worth the 20 minute watch. And guys, we apparently bit into that fruit an hour later.
Posted by: Robert Bieberdorf | January 01, 2021 at 08:13 PM
I have read through the Bible several times. Just finished One Year Daily. Felt compelled to do the chronological study this year hoping for a deeper understanding in areas where I can get confused with time frames. And a deeper understanding of my Lord and Savior.
Posted by: Vickie Davis | January 02, 2021 at 10:22 AM