Begins and Ends with God

by Marilyn Oliver

People have wondered about how God created the earth and the Heavens for years. The Bible tells us the answer all you have to do is to read it. God spoke and the heavens was created first and then the earth. He also created the sun and the moon and the stars. he created the sea and the air. He created everything that we see hear feel and touch here in this life. Without God there could have been no earth or anything else. Because God is the beginning and the end to everything.

After God had created the earth and the heavens he created animals. And at the same time birds and fish and animals that walked on the dry land that he had caused to rise out of the sea. After he had created all this he created man. First there was Adam and then Eve. Eve was made from one of Adams ribs hence she was call woman, or woman as we now say it. God gave to Adam and Eve a special place to live and called it Eden.

Now that God had done creating things he rested and that day is the day we call the Sabbath day or the day of rest. Jewish use Saturday as

their day of rest when the Christians use Sunday as theirs. People today all over the world use one or the other of those two days to worship the Lord.

The Lord should be worshiped everyday, but most don't. And that is sad indeed.

God let Adam and Eve live there in Eden for as long as they obeyed his law. But soon they were to break it and since God said that if they

did they would died he had to cause death. But he loved Adam and Eve so much we wouldn't let them die right away. When Eve let the serpent tempt her to eating of the tree of knowledge she committed the first sin, and her second sin was to have Adam eat of it as well. They were banished from Eden and set on the path to death. And to Satan who had appeared to Eve as a serpent was condemned to crawl on the ground forever.

God still loved them so he clothed them, now because they knew that they were naked. He killed some animals to make their clothes. He sent them on their way to live in the wilderness to learn how to grow their own food and to build shelter from the elements of the changing weather.

But God made a promise to Eve, He told her that one of her descendents will crush the head of the serpent forever. He told her that to keep the hope alive that not all is lost.

Eve bore children, and her first two sons were name Cain and Abel. Cain grew their food and Abel raised the animals. One day both brothers

made a offering to God. Cain gave the best of his fields and Abel gave the fines of his lambs. God excepted Abel's but not Cain's. And this made

Cain very angry. He killed his brother Abel and then he hid from God. God called to Cain and asked him "Where is Thy brother Abel" and Cain

answered I do not know, am I my brothers keeper? this angered God further and he asks him again, and again Cain said the same thing. God put a mark on the forehead of Cain and sent him away from the rest of the family to live apart from them forever.

As Adams and Eves family grew, and they married each other, and they as they grew had to move apart to live. Soon the world was full . But it was full of sinners. Since the death of Adam the word of God got misplaced. And the world didn't think of him any more. God was very sad indeed because now the world was to end. All his work and all his love was for naught. But save one man and his family. That man was Noah. He was still with the Lord and had never swayed from the teaching of Adam about God. God told Noah to build a ship and then told him how. And without question Noah did as he was told. Everyone around watched the ship come together and they laughed and laughed. Some even said " What kind of fool would build a ship

so far from the water. I hope he don't plan on us helping him pull it there." When asked why, Noah would tell them what the Lord had told him, and that a great flood was coming and if they would give themselves to God they could go with him. But no body took him up on that. They thought he was crazy. A flood! no way.

As the ship that was called a arch was nearing completion animals started to hang around it. But only two of each kind. Of every kind on the earth. On the day the flood was to start the animals started moving in. It was as if some unseen hand guided them . Noah and his sons got together food for the animals and for themselves till the Lord told them stop, and to make a last plea for people to join them. But there was no takers and the door to the Arch was shut. And the rain started.

As the rain came down and the water rose up people knocked on the arch to plea with God and Noah to let them in but the door remained closed and God and Noah cried. After awhile the pounding stopped and the world was dead, save for Noah and his family and the animals God placed in his care. After forty days the rain stopped and the arch sailed for a year. The water

went down and the world was again new. Noah sent out a dove and it came back, later Noah sent out another one and this time it came back with a

olive branch, later Noah sent out another and it did not return, Noah knew the time had come for the arch to rest. and God opened the door and out

went all the animals and their families born on the arch. And out went Noah and his family and the family born on the arch.

The world was to begin again. God was sad that he destroyed the world by water, and promised never again would the entire world suffer another flood. and to seal this promise he made he made a rainbow.

One of Noah sons Nimrod built a great nation and the nation was called Babel. The people of Babel thought that if they could build a

tower to heaven they would be as important as God. This made God very angry. So he caused everyone to speak a different language. And because nobody could understand what was told to them, the work on the tower stopped. And the people of one language went to live with the people of the same language. That's why today different people of different nations speak different languages.

As time went on there was born Abram. Abram wouldn't worship the idols of his people but he did worship God. This pleased God, So he

promised Abram that he would have many descendents. And the love God felt for Abram was so great he changed his name to Abraham which means Father of many nations. But Abraham got tired of waiting for his wife to have

a child so he took to him his wife's' hand maid and had a son. He was named Ishmael by Hagar the mother. While this was so, God came to Sarah, Abraham's wife, and told her she was to have a son, but she laughed, because she was so very old. She was 90 years old then. But she did have a son and his name was Isaac. When Isaac was born she wanted Ishmael and his mother

put out of Abraham's tent. They were sent out into the desert, where Hagar feared they would die. But God never left them and the boy grew to man in the desert. His descendents became the tribe of Ishmaelite who lived in the wilderness of Arabia.

Sarah did have a child and he was named Isaac. And Abraham loved him dearly. As Isaac grew God wanted to test Abraham. So told him to take the boy to the mountaintop and offer him up for a burnt offering. This sadden Abraham but the Lord said to do it so he would. He and Isaac climbed the mountain and built a alter. Isaac must have wondered where the lamb would

come from. and when his father bound his hands and lifted him up to the alter he was so afraid. And when Abraham reached for the knife to kill his son God said to him let the boy go, for now I know you truly love me. And then God provided a lamb for the offering.

God choose a beautiful bride for Isaac when he grew to manhood. And he did this for Abraham. Her name was Rebekah. Isaac married her and loved her dearly. They had two sons, twins, Jacob and Esau. and as they grew up

they learned to hunt wild animals. As death approached Isaac he had his oldest son come to him. He told him he wanted him to lead the family after his death. And then told him to go and hunt for a meal. Rebekah heard them talking and she wanted the youngest of the two , to be leader, so she had him dress up in wooly clothes so when his father would touch him he would think it was the other, Isaac couldn't see very well and would not know the difference. Jacob brought the food to his father before Esau could return and had his father bless him instead. As they were finished and Jacob was leaving the other son Esau came in and discovered what had

happened and complained to the father. Both father and son shook with anger when there was nothing left for Esau.

Esau wanted to kill his brother when he tricked him. And realizing this Jacob ran for his life. While he was in the wilderness he had a

dream about a ladder reaching into heaven. And there were angels going up and down the ladder. He heard the voice of God tell him, I am your God, and I will give you this land. And don't be afraid I am always with you.

He traveled to the land of his uncle and met Rachel who he wanted to marry, So he promised seven years of work for her. But on the night he

was to marry her father gave him Leah her sister instead, Jacob knew now how Esau must have felt. But he wanted Rachel so he worked seven more years for her. He had 12 sons.

The youngest one was named Joseph. And his father loved him dearly because he was born when he was a old man. As time went buy Joseph needed a new coat so his father whose name is now Israel had one made for him. It was made of the finest cloth money could buy. And the colors where many, reds, purples, blues, and many others. The coat was that of a prince.

Now Joseph's brothers were very jealous, and matters were made worse when he started telling them his dreams. In one of his dreams he dreamed that his brothers stakes of wheat bowed down to his. They planned to rid themselves of Joseph so they made plans to kill him. But a band of slave traders came by so they sold him instead. But they kept his coat and poured animal blood on it so their father would think he was dead.

The traders sold him in Egypt to a man named Potiphar. And Potiphars wife thought he was handsome and she wanted him, but Joseph would not have her, this made her mad so she told her husband that he tried to attack her. Joseph was thrown into prison. After he was there for two

years two more prisoners came they were the Pharaohs butler and his baker. Both had troubling dreams and went to Joseph and ask if he could explain them. He told the baker that he would die, and the butler would serve the Pharaoh again. Then that came true.

When the Pharaoh had some dreams that troubled him he sent for Joseph to explain them. One of the dreams was about fat and thin cows, and the other one was about thin and fat corn. Joseph told the Pharaoh that for seven years there would be plenty and that he should store up food, because for seven years after that there would be starvation. The Pharaoh was so impressed that he put Joseph in charge of the grain. And Joseph stored food for seven years, And he tried to tell others to do the same put they didn't listen. And then came the time when nothing would grow. As the people ran out of food they went to Joseph who fed them for seven years.

Joseph became famous, and next to the Pharaoh he was the most powerful. He wore fine clothes and gold chains. People would bow before him everywhere he went.

The famine was all across the land and Joseph's family was effected just like everyone else. So they made their way to the city to find food. When they got to the city they saw Joseph, but they didn't recognize him for it had been many years ago that they sold him. But when Joseph saw his brothers he knew who they were right away. But he didn't tell them who he was. Joseph decided to trick them. He told them that they were spies and that he wouldn't sell them any grain. But if you will bring me your youngest brother then for him I will give you the grain. So the brothers left and returned with Benjamin the youngest brother, and when Joseph saw him he burst into tears and told them who he was. You sold me when I was younger into slavery, but God needed me here to help all the people to have food enough to eat. Then all was forgiven and each brother hugged the other and were happy again. Joseph went to his father who was so happy to see him. He said this, Now I can die in peace for I have seen my Son again.

Soon Joseph's brothers moved into Egypt and there was born many children of the Hebrews. Joseph died and a new Pharaoh sat on the throne of Egypt, and since the Hebrews were out numbering the Egyptians the Pharaoh thought

of a plan to cut down their numbers. He would have the first born son of each family drowned in the river. Now one mother thought a way to keep

her son safe and she placed him in a waterproof basket and sent the basket down the river. Where it was found by the Pharaohs daughter. Now the

Pharaohs daughter was without children and since her husband was dead it was unlikely that she would have one of her own. So she took the child to her father and told him that he was the son of her husband, given to her to take the place of her husband. The baby was a newborn so it was easy for her to fool him. And the Pharaoh excepted the child and raised him as one of his own. The Pharaohs daughter called him Moses, Which means from water.

Moses grew to a fine young man, all of Egypt was proud of him. The pharaoh had a special fondness for him, and offered him his kingdom, ahead of his own son. The Pharaohs son named Ramsey took a great effort to rid himself of Moses and looked for many reasons his father shouldn't give to Moses the Kingdom. Everyone knew of the myth of one, who was to come, and

set them free of slavery. So Ramsey sought to have Moses play the part. Little did he know, that he was right, it was Moses. Once when Moses was out and about he came across a Hebrew and a Egyptian fighting, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand where he was found by the soldiers and when asked it was said that Moses had did the thing. Moses ran off to live in the country of Midian. By now he had learned of the truth of his birth and wanted nothing else of his life with the Egyptians.

He had met his real mother and his brothers and the space in his heart was filled at last with a since of belonging.

When Moses reached the desert of Midian he was led to the tent of Jethro. He felt welcome there and soon he took a wife and there he lived

for many years. While he was there he learned of their God and soon wanted to know more. It was there that God spoke to him for the first time.

While Moses was there in Midian he Pharaoh died and his son took his place that Moses learned from God what he wanted him to do. There came a time when one day Moses was in the field he saw a fire, And he went to see this fire he found that even though the bush was on fire it didn't burn. Moses stared at the bush for a long time and then he heard the voice of God. He told Moses that he wanted him to return to Egypt and free the people there. Moses must have asked how because God made a bad skin rash to appear and then to leave and said Powers like these I will give to you, so he will listen and let my people go.

Before Moses had gone into the land of Midian the Pharaoh's son had given him a stick to rule over the desert, and it would be with that Moses would show him the power of God.

At first the Pharaoh wouldn't listen, and after many miracles and the death of the Pharaohs son he let Moses and the people leave Egypt.

The Pharaoh himself brought on the death of his son by ordering the deaths of all the first born Hebrew children. It was the decree that the Pharaoh had issued many years ago that brought Moses into their life. God sent the hand of death through the land and every house that was not

marked was smitten with death. This is where the Passover holiday came from, the day the Lord passed over all the marked houses.

The Pharaoh's son was the first to died. Pharaoh let the people leave and mourned the lost of his son. But soon he changed his mind and went after Moses. But God had other plans For them. Moses had reach the river, and there was nowhere to run when they saw the Pharaoh, and his men coming. So God caused a pillar of fire to block the way and had Moses open the sea

and the people crossed without trouble.

When all the people was safe on the other side God caused the water to close and all the men with the Pharaoh was drowned there.

In the Wilderness the people thought that God had forgotten them they didn't know from where

there would be food found. But God had not forgotten, and there was food everyday. Water from a rock that Moses struck with his stick and meat every night. All given to them by God.

After about three months they reach the bottom of Mount Sinai, and it was there that God gave to Moses the Ten Commandments. He was on top of the mountain for a very long time and the people thought that Moses had run away or had died. So they started to live the way the Egyptians did back home.

God gave to Moses these Ten Commandments.

1.I am the Lord thy God, You must have no other God before me.

2.You must not make any graven images.

3.You must not use the name of you Lord in vain.

4.Remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy.

5.Honor thy Father and thy Mother.

6.You must not kill.

7.You must not commit adultery.

8.You must not steal.

9.You must not bear false witness.

10.You must not covet things of your neighbors.

While Moses was getting these commandments the people down below built a golden calf to worship, and this angered God. He sent Moses down to stop them and Moses did just that. When Moses saw the things the people were doing he called to them to stop and return to the Lord Most did but some did not and with the weight of the stones God had given to Moses with the ten Commandments on, he tossed them down and caused the ground to open and swallow the calf and the sinning people.

God restored to the people the stones of the ten commandments, and they were placed in a ark, and the covenant with God was made.

Even though the Lord provided for the people everything they would need they still complained. So for the old to die out and the new to replace them they wondered the desert for forty years. When the time came for them to go to the promised land only the children of the ones who complain went, because the ones who grumbled had died.

Moses was not to go into the promised land, but God let him see it from the top of Mount Nebo. It was Joshua who led them now. He led them to the land of Canaan, ( the Land of Milk and Honey) Across the river Jordan and into the Land.

After many generations the people grew strong and had much in the way of gold and silver.

David one of Moses' descendents came to be king of the city of Jerusalem and on that day there was a great feast. and for the first time the people saw their new king dance in the streets with them and he was loved by everyone.

David loved the Lord with all his heart and the Lord loved him, that is why in the Bible it reads David a man after Gods own heart. King David

wrote much of the book of Psalms. He was the father of Solomon. And he proved to be as good a king as his father. King David brought together

the two nations of Israel in peace, and King Solomon did as well.

When King Solomon died, the people divided themselves and choose leaders from their own people. And at times the two people fought, and soon they were defeated by other enemy countries.

For about four hundred years there is no stories of what happened before Christ came, But there was some who foretold it. Like in the book

of Malachi. He foretold of the great news. he told this, "Behold, I will send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me: and the Lord

will come into his temple. On that day, the proud and the evil will be burned like straw".

The Jews would cry for years "How long, must we wait, Lord?"

God choose two women to use to bring Jesus into the world, The first one was named Elizabeth, In her old age she gave birth to John, John later became known as John the Baptist. The second woman chosen was the most important. That was Mary. She delivered into the world Jesus. The Son of God. Elizabeth was a cousin to Mary, And Mary went to visit her when the angel came to Mary and she was Glad to see the Angel had been right. Elizabeth was having a child, and when the two women met the Baby turned in Elizabeth and both were so very happy. Mary left Elizabeth and she returned home. The Lord came to Mary and she was with child, and she rejoiced.

Mary's husband to be was not so glad, he didn't understand what the Lord had done for them, so he thought to put Mary away to cover the shame. But God sent a angel to tell Joseph that to go ahead and marry her, the Lord was with her.

Mary delivered to the world Jesus Christ, in a manger, and the whole world rejoiced with them. When Jesus was eight days old he was circumcised, and his name was Jesus has was given to him by the angel before.

Herold was upset because he thought that Baby Jesus was to take over his kingdom, so he sought him to have him killed. His Mother and Joseph

took Jesus and left town. They went to Nazareth. And Jesus came to be from there so his name The Nazarene came to be fulfilled.

Now while all this was happening John, Mary's cousins child grew and he came to be the crier of repentance. Jesus came to him to be baptized and John did so, but not without hesitance, he said that he was not fit to untie Jesus' shoes that Jesus should baptize him. But Jesus said no, let the scriptures be fulfilled and John Baptized him, and when he was done, the spirit of the Lord came to him as on the wings of a dove and said, " This is my Beloved Son, In whom I am very proud". And John told all who was following him, to now follow Jesus and they did.

When Jesus was about 30 years old John was placed in prison, soon after he had Baptized Jesus. When Jesus heard this he took up his teachings and went throughout the lands saying, Repent for the Kingdom of your Lord is at hand.

For the next three years or so Jesus went through out the land teaching of the word of God and how to worship him. Now Jesus rubbed

several of the old Rabbis and teachers of the old way , the wrong way, a way they didn't like, because it made them feel and look like fools.

From almost the beginning they sought to kill him.

Jesus always managed to out smart them though, and this made them even more determine to get to him. One day they did, Judus thought that if he would give them his Lord they wouldn't kill him, maybe put him into prison but not kill him. So he betrayed him to them. And once they had him they told Judus that he was the fool and they paid him, Judus threw down the silver and ran away. But he couldn't run from himself. He hung himself for the guilt that he felt.

Jesus was tried and convicted before sunrise, and by night fall he was dead. He was buried in a tomb and large rock was placed in front of it,

and soldiers to keep guard in order to keep his followers from stealing his body, and making a claim that he had risen. But three days later after the Sabbath had passed some women went to the tomb to anoint the body, When they got there the rock had been moved and Jesus' body was gone. While leaving Mary saw a man tending the ground and he said to her, " Why do you seek the living among the dead?" and a little way down the road she met Jesus, and she fell to worship him at his feet and he said " Rise and go tell my brothers I will come to them, Wait there from me." She went and told what she had seen and heard, But few believed her. Then when Jesus came and sat among them and showed to them his hands they rejoiced and praised the Lord for he had truly risen. He spent a time with them and then he ascended to heaven and as he went he said to them " I shall be with you for ever, even until the end of time"

The End...