#first verses

These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: (NIV)

This verse is a bit weird, until you realise that Exodus follows directly on from Genesis. Like with a sequel, unless you've read the first one, you have no idea whi any one is or what is happening.

Genesis ended with the story of Joseph and his cool coloured coat. While he gets the happily ever after treatment, it is by no means the end if the larger narrative that is being told. So this verse is part of the set up for the next part of the story.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)

Happy new year! I wanted to get back into doing some of this blog bible study stuff and figured that the first day of the (calendar) year was a good time, new year new project and all that. I thought it would be interesting working my way through the first verse of each book, with the plan being to do last verses at the end of the year. We’ll see how it goes.

So, genesis 1:1. The beginning. Of earth. Of our journey. Of basically everything.

I’ve had a number of beginnings in the past year; flats, friendships, among other things. Sometimes it was clearly a beginning, easier to define and put time or date on it, like when I moved into my flat. Others it wasn’t so clear cut, like when I started going to a church instead if just visiting, and meeting people who are becoming friends. But this beginning, is such a line in the sand. It is has a clear before and after. It’s one of the defining parts of Christianity, as well as other religions. If you don’t believe this, then you don’t believe in the same God that I do.

Ancient Greek-First verses of Iliad

Μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος οὐλομένην, ἣ μυρί᾿ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγε᾿ ἔθηκε, πολλὰς δ᾿ ἰφθίμους ψυχὰς Ἄϊδι προΐαψεν ἡρώων, αὐτοὺς δὲ ἑλώρια τεῦχε κύνεσσιν οἰωνοῖσί τε πᾶσι·

Modern Greek

My sweet angel dove,

I'm amazed, I'm amazed,

by your light.

Oh it comes,

and it burns like the sun,

in the sky and it,

lights up my life.