Oh Wow.

As the title says, oh wow. Too many chapters, too much information.

Many things from these eleven chapters surprised me. First off, this quote was really unexpected to me the moment I read it, but after reading more and more of the Bible I realized it's not that uncommon at all. "Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah (Gen. 25)." I was convinced that the Bible obligated people to be married only one time, so why would they put this example on it?

For me, it is funny how culture has changed, and I really enjoy analyzing the many things that were normal then but now are just completely insane. Anyways, some other things have stayed the same. This blessing given by someone in Genesis might have as well been given today: "For he had possession of flocks, and possessions of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. (Gen. 26)"

Something else that is really alike is that even since so long ago, women have been expected to be the "woman of the house." They were the ones who would make food and do whatever their husbands wanted them to. "...and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved. (Gen. 27)" That can still be seen these days all the time.

Chapter 28 was a different story. I could barely understand any of it, and it had these weird stories that I had never even heard about before. I don't see much of a point in them.

Instead, in chapter 29 there was a story that I really liked. It was a lot better than many of the past stories. I found it interesting, easy to understand, and a very appealing story. It talks about the perseverance he had to be able to get his wife during seven years. I wonder if many of the names we see today were invented by the Bible, like Jacob and Rachel. It is cool to know they might have been sacred a long time ago.

Chapter 30 was the perfect example of people obeying God's order of "being fruitful and multiplying." "And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. (Gen. 30)" It is weird for me know that they had so many kids, and which so many different partners also. It was as if happiness depended on the number of kids you had. Until now, I think Jacob is very witty, and I like him.

In chapter 31 was the first time I saw the Bible being in first person. I'm not sure if I just missed a part, but it was very weird to see it in Jacob's perspective. "And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. (Gen. 31)". It is nice how these stories about pacts and stealing go so far back. I liked this story a lot also.

I still don't get why people change each other's names. God doing it I understand a little, but this time it was just another human. Who does he think he is to go around ordering people to change their names? And it wasn't even a subtle change, but it was from Jacob all the way to Israel. "And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed (Gen. 32)." I don't think a change in name is very important, because if a person is a prince he should be one by whom he is inside, not what other people call him.

As I previously mentioned, many things in daily life have stayed the same, but some things changed. One very noticeable example is how men treat each other. In those times, it was something like this: "And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept (Gen. 33)." It seems to be out of respect, but I can also see a little fear in Jacob towards his brother Esau. Nowadays, if two men are seen kissing or hugging or even weeping, they are basically considered gay.

Changing the topic, chapter 34 was just another love story. It was just like modern ones, just that instead of the impediment keeping the couple apart being social differences or species or something like that, it is because one family was not circumcised. It is incredible what love can do, and I liked this story a lot just because it was about love.

Before I leave, I was just wondering if all names in Genesis of people and places mean something in Latin or another language, because at least in English they make no sense at all. And one last thing, I am so confused by Jacob/Israel! They use both names, and call him two different names in only one sentence! Are they like different people or something now? Weird.

So, I hope you liked my post, and I will be back soon with a new text; the Book of Samuel!