I cringe every time I hear someone say that the NASB is hard to read. It came up last night in our devotional/prayer time. I know I'm not the most literate person in the room, but I have no problems in reading it. They don't argue that it is the most literal translation, just that it is hard to read.

This is a question about the numbers in Genesis chapter 46. I have consulted commentaries, and it seems they wish only to talk about Stephen's comment in Acts 7:14. However, my question is unrelated to that comment, and is about a seeming discrepancy in the numbers within Genesis 46.

This chapter lists Jacob's descendants who went into Egypt, both male and female. The numbers specifically do not include Jacob's wives, nor the wives of his sons, (nor do they include Jacob himself, except in v.27,) but do include his sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters; all those which came from him. The names of his descendants are grouped according to which of Jacob's wives bore them, and a total is given for each of those four groups.

If you add up all the names given, you will find that there are 71. But this includes Er and Onan, who died in Canaan and did not go to Egypt (v.12.) Subtracting two leaves the total at 69. However, this includes Joseph and his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, who were already in Egypt. So subtracting those three leaves 66, which matches v.26 "All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all." Okay so far?

Now verse 27 says "And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy." So here we add back Joseph and his two sons, and Jacob himself (all of the house of Jacob,) to arrive at 70. Still good.

The apparent discrepancy occurs when you look at the totals of the four groups, given as 33 (v.15,) 16 (v.18,) 14 (v.22,) and 7 (v.25,) which total 70, rather than 71. So subtracting Er and Onan, Joseph and his two sons, leaves 65 (doesn't match v.26;) and adding back Joseph and his two sons, and Jacob, makes 69, which doesn't match v.27.

If you count the number of names given for the last three groups, Zilpah, Rachel and Bilhah, they match the given totals (16, 14, 7.) However, all of the names listed in the first group of Leah, total 34 which does not match the given total of 33, either before or after removing Er and Onan!

So where is the problem--is it somewhere within the translation, or is it with the guy behind the keyboard?

This month's Article of the Month was penned by one of my most beloved of God's earthly children who now sits in the heavenlies with Christ awaiting for the redemption of his body and the New Heaven and New Earth. Dr. Gerstner delves into the subject of "adoption" starting from the beginning (typically a good place to start, wouldn't you say?) with what family mankind belongs to by birth. And then he progresses through the steps by which a person comes to be adopted by God, given a new name and given a permanent place in the family of God. He hits on a couple of subjects which have been mentioned and discussed here on the board in the past and even recently. Those who have been reading the discussions here should pick up on those subjects.

I do hope that you all will enjoy Dr. Gerstner's little exposé as much as I have and still do.

You can read this month's article now by clicking here: Adoption: Belonging to God's Family.

Or, you can go to The Highway main page and click on the "Article of the Month" link which will give you access to current article and all past articles.

In His service and grace,

Would like everyone's input on this....

I view this as a positive command, however, not sure if everyone in my own household would.... Unfortunately, they sometimes spoil it for me, the head of household.

How does one who seeks to keep the Lord's Day holy grapple with those who makes that one agitated due to their lack of desire.....

What about spouse? Children in their teens? I find myself believing all amusements and entertainments and most activities non permissible.... but I also don't feel like Im missing out, or bored, etc.... What may I do with they who are not like minded? Just getting any of my family members to join me to two services is a big challenge....

My 10 year old son has Autism and is unable to tolerate more than one service but I believe that is often used as an excuse for violating the command by the rest of my family....

This makes my Sundays very anxiety provoking and discouraging....

Maybe I have the wrong concept of how to keep the Sabbath day??? I kind of feel like most of us, even Reformed Christians, abuse our liberty..... Im not looking for this to get into the area of dos and donts as I believe this is a heart issue but I also believe I need to set an example and provide proper instruction.

I was wondering if I could get some help with a conversation I am having with a Wesleyan who believes in “Prevenient Grace”. I am finding that although I think I am up to the task, given time. Unfortunately, at the moment my time is limited. With that in mind, I gave him the following link: http://www.reformationtheology.com/2006/07/does_the_bible_teach_prevenien.php
The following is his response:


I do not want to spend too much time on this one, because I have other commitments that I need to meet. However, I thought I would spend some time on the issue.
Thanks in advance
I just read what this person said again, and realized that if I am not mistaken he didn't respond to what Dr. Sproul said; he said something that wasn't even relevant to the what Dr. Sproul said. Funny I didn't see this on first reading.
Am I correct?

Tom