Genesis: So Many Great Stories. Which is Your Favorite?
By Marja
@buenavida (9985)
Sweden
January 13, 2011 9:13am CST
I started listening to Genesis in the beginning of January 2011. I am now in one of my favorite stories about Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel.
He was kidnapped by his brothers and sold to Egypt and after many trials got together with his brothers and father again.
The moral principles of Joseph were very impressive and should be an example for all:
"Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”" Genesis 39:6-9 New Living Translation
Joseph must have been taught about the Holy Scriptures that existed in his time by his parents. He knew what God thought about unfaithfulness and was determined to act according to God´s principles, whatever it would cost him.
But the result is so encouraging, because he was richly blessed in the end.
We can be sure that we will also be blessed if we follow the moral principles we find in the Bible.
Which Bible story is your Favorite?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
18 Jan 11
Great discussion! Seems that many have been touched by the example of Joseph. I remember reading an article that compared Joseph's life to Jesus'. Many similarities! Like that both were betrayed by people very close to them and both were great forgivers.
We must not forget Isaac's willingness to be a sacrifice. Isaac also prefigured Jesus.
2 people like this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
18 Jan 11
You are right, there are probably many similarieties like this among the faithful persons we read about. Something to meditate on.
Yes, Isaac was a grown up man when he agreed to be sacrificed. He could have refused but he must have had the same kind of faith in God´s ability to wake him up, as Abraham had.
It is amazing how God teaches us through what happened to these ancient people. The stories are really not just entertainment, there are a lot of things to learn in what happened to them.
Thank you for your comment..
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
9 Mar 13
I started reading or listening to the Bible more regularly in 2010, thanks to the encouragement by you, my friend..
It is now the fourth year and I love it.
Thank you so much!!
It is now the fourth year and I love it.
Thank you so much!!1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
10 Mar 13
Great, keep at it! Remember: the Bible is like sunshine, we just have to open it and let the sun in. We may not always have sunshine but we always have the Bible. Enjoy!
1 person likes this
@ErrollLeVant (4353)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Joseph is a great character, one of my top five in all Scripture. The story of Abraham is a compelling story to, how a normal man can be greatly blessed because of a faithful relationship with God.
2 people like this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Hi, Erroll Yes - we have a lot of great characters in Genesis. Abraham was called God´s friend because he trusted God completely.
I just found many bible dramas on jw.org - helps to make the bible stories even more alive.
Thanks for commenting
Yes - we have a lot of great characters in Genesis. Abraham was called God´s friend because he trusted God completely.
I just found many bible dramas on jw.org - helps to make the bible stories even more alive.
Thanks for commenting @buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
9 Feb 11
Thanks, money4moms, Abraham was a good example for us. He left a comfortable life in Ur and followed God´s command to go and live in tents - he was richly blessed for his obedience.
Thanks for your response
@money4moms (234)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
Hi! Same here i love the story of father Abraham a lot. Obedience to God is really a great way to love God and do His commands. I hope we all do what is good and obey our God completely so blessings will abound in each of us who believes in Him. God Bless us all. Happy day to you.
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Yes, efc872 David had a great personality and he trusted in God, who helped him through many trying times.
He also composed and sang many beautiful songs that we find in the book of Psalms.
He made some mistakes, but he regretted them and changed.
Thanks for your response
David had a great personality and he trusted in God, who helped him through many trying times.
He also composed and sang many beautiful songs that we find in the book of Psalms.
He made some mistakes, but he regretted them and changed.
Thanks for your response 
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
22 Jan 11
I doubt if there was Holy Scriptures in Joseph's time. I believe that in the beginning, God is a lot closer to the patriarchs such as Abraham and Isaac, and eventually to Joseph who was destined to govern Egypt. Genesis stories was sort of passed on verbally, and later, through the hieroglyphics and the scrolls. The first five books was authored by Moses, he was a prince of Egypt in his youth, so he must be educated.
I love almost all the stories in Genesis, except for the Cain and Abel brotherhood betrayal, the rape of Dina, the sale of Joseph, the first infanticide and a few more... Hmmm, the Bible is a page turner. I am in Proverbs now.
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
24 Jan 11
Hi, eileenleyva Yes, God communicated directly with many of His early servants, as the Holy Scriptures were not written yet, only a few documents, but as Adam was very skilled at using his language, he could even give names to the animals around him, he could also write.
You can read about the ancient script if you make a search with "Cuneiform" which is many thousand years old.
But you are right, Moses started to collect the scripture and write down what happened during his time. His father Amram could probably also contribute with what happened in his time.
Anyway, we can now read all those great stories and learn a lot if we read and meditate what God wanted to teach us. Even the stories that show negative things, teach us important things. They show that God dealth with people who were honest enough to write down their and their friend´s and relative´s mistakes and we learn what kind of behavior God does not tolerate.
Thanks for your response, have a great day..
Yes, God communicated directly with many of His early servants, as the Holy Scriptures were not written yet, only a few documents, but as Adam was very skilled at using his language, he could even give names to the animals around him, he could also write.
You can read about the ancient script if you make a search with "Cuneiform" which is many thousand years old.
But you are right, Moses started to collect the scripture and write down what happened during his time. His father Amram could probably also contribute with what happened in his time.
Anyway, we can now read all those great stories and learn a lot if we read and meditate what God wanted to teach us. Even the stories that show negative things, teach us important things. They show that God dealth with people who were honest enough to write down their and their friend´s and relative´s mistakes and we learn what kind of behavior God does not tolerate.
Thanks for your response, have a great day..1 person likes this
@Blacksun310 (559)
• Philippines
14 Jan 11
Joseph's story is really nice. It became one of my inspirations in my life. Even though Joseph was betrayed, he still forgave his brothers easily. Joseph's Story is also my favorite in the Genesis. 
The story in the Bible that I like most is the story of Moses in the Exodus. He was a shy and quiet person. But then God helped him accomplish God's order. He was successful in freeing the Israelites from the Egyptians. God sent plagues, fires and the most memorable, the rising of the sea water.
The story in the Bible that I like most is the story of Moses in the Exodus. He was a shy and quiet person. But then God helped him accomplish God's order. He was successful in freeing the Israelites from the Egyptians. God sent plagues, fires and the most memorable, the rising of the sea water. @buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Yes, Blacksun We all have to learn to forgive and as it was in this case, the brothers of Joseph regretted what they had done to him. It must have been wonderful to see how much they had changed during the years after they sold him to the Ishmaelite traders.
Moses was very humble, thinking of him first being a prince in Egypt, after that a shepherd and then to get such a great mission from God. God knew whom to choose to lead his people and helped Moses in many ways to fulfill the assignment He had given him.
We all have to learn to forgive and as it was in this case, the brothers of Joseph regretted what they had done to him. It must have been wonderful to see how much they had changed during the years after they sold him to the Ishmaelite traders.
Moses was very humble, thinking of him first being a prince in Egypt, after that a shepherd and then to get such a great mission from God. God knew whom to choose to lead his people and helped Moses in many ways to fulfill the assignment He had given him.
@suguwillu (113)
•
14 Jan 11
Praise the LORD. i do like Joseph story. it defines our life with ups and downs and over comming stress....
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Yes, suguwillu It was thanks to the support from God that Joseph survived the difficult times until he was united with his father and the rest of the family again. And as he was faithful to God, he got so many blessings in the end.
He really is a good example for us to follow.
Thanks for your comment
It was thanks to the support from God that Joseph survived the difficult times until he was united with his father and the rest of the family again. And as he was faithful to God, he got so many blessings in the end.
He really is a good example for us to follow.
Thanks for your comment 
@peavey (16936)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Joseph is a favorite character of mine, too, but I'm fascinated by the story of Noah. How much faith he must have had to build an ark when everyone else thought he was crazy! I can imagine what people said to him and about him. This wasn't a few days' worth of work, either, it was a very huge project. He had to have complete confidence in God to invest so much time and effort. The end result must have left him with mixed emotions, though. He must have been jubilant that he and his family survived the flood and things happened just the way God said they would, but so sad to see the world so totally destroyed. What an undertaking, to start over again!
2 people like this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Yes, peavey It is interesting that Jesus consider this story about the big flood in Noah´s time as historical and he also used it as an illustration of what would happen and what people would be like in the time of the end.
Noah also talked to people about what was going to happen and he did it during many years while he was building the ark so they would have the chance to survive.
There is a warning message going out in our days too, as we can read in Matthew 24:14 (New Living Translation):
"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come."
It is interesting that Jesus consider this story about the big flood in Noah´s time as historical and he also used it as an illustration of what would happen and what people would be like in the time of the end.
Noah also talked to people about what was going to happen and he did it during many years while he was building the ark so they would have the chance to survive.
There is a warning message going out in our days too, as we can read in Matthew 24:14 (New Living Translation):
"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." @ljlisas (76)
• Philippines
8 Feb 11
Goodness!
My favorite story in the Bible...that is a hard question to answer!
So many great stories and all of them has beautiful lessons worth applying in our lives!
I've been sitting here and pondering for 5minutes already but i just can't pick out a single story and a single person that i like the most! Joseph! David! Jonah! Moses! Esther! Ruth! Aaaaahhh....
My mind is going in circles! lol
I love them all! Sighs....
I'm trying to read the Bible from cover to cover and back again and this time around I can't help appreciating the books 1&2 Kings. So many evil kings and some few good ones and to me Joash and Josiah stands out coz they were just little boys when crownd Kings and they followed the God of their forefather David.
Josiah was the greater though coz he did more in correcting the evil ways of his people. So maybe my future sons will be named Joash and Josiah. Lol
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
9 Feb 11
Hi, ljlisas I agree with you, there are so many great stories in the Bible that it is impossible to choose any favorite. And we don´t need to - the most important thing is that we continue reading and learning.
I agree with you, there are so many great stories in the Bible that it is impossible to choose any favorite. And we don´t need to - the most important thing is that we continue reading and learning. 
@rosekiss (30380)
• Eugene, Oregon
30 Jan 11
I like the story of Joseph as well, but I think i like the story of Noah and the flood the most. That fact that he build an ark on dry land in anticipation of the flood. what amazes me is he had enough faith in God to accept it, build and ark, and then preach about a flood coming for 120 years. I am not sure I could have preached that long trying to get people to accept it. The sad part is, they truned a deaf ear, and just laughed at him, telling him that he was crazy as it had never rained before. He never gave up though trying to get people to accept God, but once the door of the ark was shut, then probation had closed for them, and sad to say, they will be lost when Jesus comes. We all need to be ready at all times. Take care, and may God bless you.
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
30 Jan 11
Yes, Noah was a faithful servant of God. And he was the first Arkitecht..
Nobody listened to his warning except his family, which shows that the people of his time were really depraved.
Jesus talked about Noah´s days and compared it with the time of the end. In our time a huge information work is going on, people from all nations talk with others about the Kingdom of God - Matthew 24:14 - How many will listen? At least a lot more people than in Noah´s time!!
But the majority are so occupied with their everyday life so they have not time, just like the people in Noah´s days and do not care.
May we keep searching the Kingdom of God, that will soon rule over all the earth.. Daniel 2:44
Nobody listened to his warning except his family, which shows that the people of his time were really depraved.
Jesus talked about Noah´s days and compared it with the time of the end. In our time a huge information work is going on, people from all nations talk with others about the Kingdom of God - Matthew 24:14 - How many will listen? At least a lot more people than in Noah´s time!!
But the majority are so occupied with their everyday life so they have not time, just like the people in Noah´s days and do not care.
May we keep searching the Kingdom of God, that will soon rule over all the earth.. Daniel 2:44 @sender621 (14894)
• United States
13 Jan 11
I( still like the story od Adam and Eve. it has shaped so much of our lives. It is the beginning of mankind.2 people like this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Yes, it is a very important story as it explains why we still live in such difficult times now. The first prophecy is in Genesis 3:15 (New Living Translation) "And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel."
This gives hope that one day the evil spirit that caused this trouble for mankind will be destroyed.
@scottcoleson (578)
• Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
13 Jan 11
Joseph is also one of my favorite people in the Bible and I love his story in the Book of Genesis. One of the most powerful examples of forgiveness is found in his story. He had been hated so much by his brothers, sold into slavery by them, then thrown into prison for something he didn't do, forgotten by the people who said they would remember him, and then willingly forgave his brothers for what they had done when he had the power to put them in prison or even have them killed. He recognized that even though his brothers did those things to harm him, God allowed it to happen for a much bigger purpose: to save the lives of many! I hope that I could do the same as Joseph when mistreated!
2 people like this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Hi, scottcoleson Thank you for this contribution to the discussion. This is a great example for us. It is interesting that Joseph din´t reveal his right identity until he had tested and seen that his brothers had changed completely.
Yes, Joseph understood the big picture - the reason why he was sent to Egypt. I checked jw.org and found a drama we can download about what happened in these days.
Thanks and have a great day
Thank you for this contribution to the discussion. This is a great example for us. It is interesting that Joseph din´t reveal his right identity until he had tested and seen that his brothers had changed completely.
Yes, Joseph understood the big picture - the reason why he was sent to Egypt. I checked jw.org and found a drama we can download about what happened in these days.
Thanks and have a great day @buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
Hi, asyria51 I didn´t know there is a musical about this. People often say that "The book is better" 
We learn so much from this story, so it can be worth to read it many times and meditate about how it can be applied into our life.
You will find many Bible dramas if you go to jw.org
Thanks for your comment
I didn´t know there is a musical about this. People often say that "The book is better"
We learn so much from this story, so it can be worth to read it many times and meditate about how it can be applied into our life.
You will find many Bible dramas if you go to jw.org
Thanks for your comment @lizmik143 (137)
• Philippines
13 Jan 11
Joseph is also my favorite Bible character. For me Joseph became the redeemer for his nation, the preserver of their race. And he remained faithful to God. He was chosen by God and he uphold that choice in his life. And he believed that the God he believed was true and living.
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
14 Jan 11
You are right, lizmik one important thing that was preserved was the family where Jesus was going to be born. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah.
It was the faith in God, that helped Joseph in all the trials he went through.
If you want to listen to the drama about this, you will find it on jw.org where you also can download the whole Bible and listen to it.
Thank you for your great comment
one important thing that was preserved was the family where Jesus was going to be born. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah.
It was the faith in God, that helped Joseph in all the trials he went through.
If you want to listen to the drama about this, you will find it on jw.org where you also can download the whole Bible and listen to it.
Thank you for your great comment 