The Weekend Bible Study - with Ronald L. Dart

As we make our way through this study of the Book of Genesis, we are observing and inspecting historical facts and points of interest that God deemed necessary for everyone to know. It’s safe to assume Moses wrote the Book of Genesis as well as the rest of the Pentateuch so that all of mankind throughout the ages would have record of creation and the Mosaic Law. But maybe Moses wasn’t projecting that far ahead. After more than 400 years, the enslaved Israelites may have completely lost all vestiges of their own history, and so, Moses sets about to inform and educate them about who they are and from whence they came. Additionally, in the five Books of Moses, beginning early on, we can see prophecies that point to Jesus Christ which lead up to the literal advent of Jesus in the New Testament. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15 KJ2000 We will follow that prophetic thread throughout the Old Testament. I’m Ronald Dart. Now let’s join Wes White for part 18 of his study of Genesis.

In your study of the Bible, don’t you find yourself wondering why so much information was omitted on any given subject? Take, for example, the subject matter of tonight’s study: There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Genesis 6:4 KJ2000 And that’s all we’re told about those mysterious giants. Would it have been too much trouble for the author to include a couple more verses to explain what was going on? Well, maybe so, but there may be another way to look at some of the ambiguities throughout the Bible. These difficult verses might just pique our curiosity to study deeper into God’s Word. I’m Ronald Dart saying, be like the Bereans who searched the scriptures daily to learn more about God’s teachings. Now let’s listen to Wes White with part 17 of his study of the Book of Genesis.

Human life is precious. Lives matter. All lives matter! Life is a gracious gift of God that no one has the right to take. From the very beginning God instructed man that murder was wrong and anyone who deliberately shed innocent blood was worthy of receiving the death penalty. The operative phrase here is innocent blood. But there are different jurisdictions to which God addresses throughout the Bible. For instance, individuals don’t have the right to avenge murderers, but Romans 13 assigns civil governments the duties of jurisprudence, law enforcement and administration of the death penalty when necessary. Physically speaking, we probably have not been guilty of shedding innocent blood. On the other hand we are all guilty of causing Jesus to shed his innocent blood. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV I’m Ronald Dart and I thank you for joining us tonight for part 16 of Wes White’s study on the Book of Genesis.

President Abraham Lincoln stated that, If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide. Sadly and tragically, we are seeing that happen before our very eyes. God has always given man the freedom of choice to follow him and be blessed, or to disobey him and be cursed. The counterfeit religions, which began with Nimrod, have led mankind down the road of deception and disobedience to God which leads to depravity, despair, and punishment. This is your lot, the portion of your measures from me, says the Lord; because you have forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood. Jeremiah 13:25 KJ2000 But… Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Psalm 40:4 NIV I’m Ronald Dart. Now let’s listen to part 15 of Wes White’s study of the Book of Genesis.

Why do we do the things we do? Why do we believe the things we believe? Do we just go along to get along? Isn’t it odd that so many people seldom wonder or question themselves about their personal beliefs? Why do you suppose that is? Could it be a lack of intellectual curiosity or could it be that some may be afraid of the truth? In John 8:31, Jesus said: If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. In our recent Bible studies on Genesis we have been hearing about Nimrod. His machinations have been hidden in plain sight for millennia, yet so many have no idea how influential he has been. I’m Ronald Dart. Let’s join Wes White for part 14 of his study and more about this notorious individual.

And then there was Nimrod. Now, here is an ambitious fellow. He was known as the mighty hunter before the Lord in Genesis 10:9 and he was the original founder and builder of the city of Babylon. It’s interesting to note that Babylon and it’s inherent mystery religions are mentioned more than 280 times throughout the Bible for the purpose of dissuading people from following her beguiling ways. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18:4–5 KJ2000 Now let’s join Wes White for part 13 in his study of the Book of Genesis and more on this fellow Nimrod.

If you ever have doubt that God loves us and wants us to enjoy his marvelous creation, just consider the amazing beauty we’re able to behold just by observing our surroundings. The rainbow is but one of his beautiful gifts to mankind as a sign promising he would never again destroy civilization with a flood. Ah, yes, the rainbow. We see it as one of the glorious proofs of God’s creativity, yet, in all of His power and grandeur, it’s only a small part of His awesome creation. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul in the Book of Romans: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and deity; so that they are without excuse: Because, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20–21 KJ2000 I’m Ronald Dart and we were born to love and appreciate all that God has done for us. Now, here’s part 12 of the Book of Genesis with Wes White.

The story of Noah’s Ark is one of those compelling accounts that has captured the hearts of children who grew up hearing fascinating Bible stories about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea or Jonah and the Great Fish, Daniel and the Lions Den and so many more. While these evocative stories may resonate with all of us, it’s important to not only be enamored with the incredibility of these stories, but we should also be aware of why they had to happen. It’s difficult to imagine just how terrible things must have been for God to decide to completely destroy every living being on the face of the earth, but for Noah and his family. Jesus warned that: As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:37 I’m Ronald Dart saying, be alert and mindful of the days in which we live. Now, here’s part 11 of Wes White’s study of the Book of Genesis.

Throughout the ages, there have been many deceptions about the Bible meant to dissuade believers from accepting the Word of God as Truth. How can we know what is true and what is not true when it comes to what we read in the pages of the Bible? What is truth? That’s the question Pilate posed to Jesus when he was being falsely accused. How can we know what is true and what is no true when it comes to what we read in the pages of the Bible? Of course, we need always be praying for discernment and wisdom so we can know right from wrong and we need to employ common sense, which is a rare commodity these days. Take the divinity of Jesus, for example. C. S. Lewis said this about our Lord: Jesus could only have been one of four things: a legend, a liar, a lunatic—or Lord and God. There is so much historical and archeological evidence to support his existence that every reputable historian agrees he was not just a legend. If Jesus were a liar, why would he die for his claim, when he could easily have avoided such a cruel death with a few choice words? And, if he were a lunatic, how did he engage in intelligent debates with his opponents or handle the stress of his betrayal and crucifixion while continuing to show a deep love for his antagonists? Christ said he was Lord and God. The evidence supports that claim. I’m Ronald Dart. Now let’s listen to part 10 of Wes White’s study on the Book of Genesis.

As we continue to study this first book of the Bible, how can we know if it is true? Isn’t belief in the Bible a matter of faith? Well, yes it is. And it’s faith that makes the difference between believers and non-believers, but that’s not to say the Bible can’t be substantiated. John 1:1 tells us: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NIV And we’re told in Proverbs 30:5 that: Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5 NIV I’m Ronald Dart. Now let’s listen to part 9 of Wes White’s study on the Book of Genesis.