Recap of our Discussion on Aug 30, 2009
Genesis 25: Jacob and Esau;
Overview of Gen 1-25
Finishing up from our discussion of Genesis 25: 19-34
7. Because God has chosen Jacob to be the bearer of the family tradition, does that justify Jacob’s tricky ways?
- Did God give them (Jacob and Esau) their personalities? They were pre-wired.
- Esau didn’t appreciate his birthright anyway, so he was a bad candidate to carry on the covenant.
[We ask again – was Esau really hungry, or was he exaggerating? Later on, was Esau’s wife saying, “I married you for better or for worse, but not for lunch.”?]
Nobody’s perfect – everybody is flawed and God can use us, even flawed.
How could Rebecca dismiss what God told her about the older serving the younger?
Overview of Genesis 1 - 25
1. Themes we see in the first part of Genesis
- The same story is told over again and again (through Genesis, and throughout the entire Bible). The story is forgiveness, redemption, and love. Everything leads up to Jesus’ death on the cross, and then the plot line changes.
- There are many different stories with the same underlying theme, because God knows that each of us will respond to certain stories and not others.
- The whole story of Genesis is about how we gave up on our relationship with God, for immediate gratification, starting with Adam-Eve-serpent-fruit, right on through Esau selling his birthright for some red stew.
2. Perceptions which have changed with this study
- (See #1 above)
- I have a problem with Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. Also a problem with Hagar being sent into the desert – it seems unjust. But I don’t blame God; the people made wrong choices.
3. Some favorite characters from Genesis:
- all the barren women
- Jacob talking Esau out of his birthright. It’s cloak-and-dagger stuff!
Some books mentioned:
The Language of God by a scientist. (I am guessing that this book is
The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis S. Collins (Paperback - Jul 17, 2007)
-basic thesis of the book is that we need to learn to accept God as a holy mystery.
Your God is Too Small (I am guessing that this is Your God Is Too Small: A Guide for Believers and Skeptics Alike by J.B. Phillips (Paperback - May 25, 2004)
We tend to put human limitations on God. We try to put God in a box, but God isn’t in a box. God IS the box.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Gen 25: Birth of Jacob and Esau
Recap of our Discussion on Aug 23, 2009
Genesis 25
The death of Abraham/
The birth of Jacob and Esau
1. Isaac is the chosen vessel for transmitting Abraham’s covenant. Does this mean that God’s promises exclude everyone but him?
- No, on a first look.
- This question is unanswerable.
- What are the promises of God?
- to make Abraham the father of many nations
- to bless Abraham and make his name great
- through Abraham to bless all nations
- Eventually through Christ, God’s promises are shared with all people.
-He promised Abraham he would be the father of nations.
- God’s promises are more universal (for example, pray and you’ll be heard). But the promise of that land is just for Isaac.
- This question is unanswerable. Let’s move on.
2b. What is Abraham’s role in the plan of God that runs through Genesis?
- His role is to be the father of many nations; to live in the land.
-They are creating the Jewish nation. That’s why he kept his family separate from other nations.
- Part of his role was to worship God.
-Did he also have a duty to teach his descendants about God?
3. In Gen 25:19-22 what difficulties and tests of faith do Isaac and Rebekah encounter in the birth of their sons?
- another barren woman
- babies jostling within her
- as parents, Isaac and Rebekah and pretty upset.
- One conclusion: obstacles do NOT necessarily mean that God is not fulfilling his promise. Don’t take an obstacle to be a “no” from God.
- Rebekah is a good listener – she hear’s God’s answer. It is easier to pray than it is to listen for God’s answer.
- Sasquatch (Esau) came out first. Remember that Rebekah was like a line-backer, as we learned in Gen Chapter 24.
5. What does Esau’s attitude toward his birthright reveal about his character (25:29-34)?
- Question – what does Esau mean by his statement “I’m about to die”?
One answer- it might be sarcastic, or he is over-dramatizing.
The birthright was an earthly, inconsequential thing to Esau. He didn’t have any faith- can’t look into the future. He is into instant gratification.
6. Do you know anyone, like Jacob, who appears, almost from the start, to struggle with a dark side and at the same time shows promise of great accomplishments?
- Well, nobody from our church.
- From the Bible – David is a prime example (David-Bathsheba-Uriah). Also, Abraham was not faultless.
- All of us make mistakes – some of the mistakes are found out.
- Political leaders can make terrible mistakes, but then still be able to accomplish many good things.
- It’s easy to condemn people for the wrong things they have done.
- We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t struggle with the dark side. Every day.
- These flawed people are still used by God. That gives us hope!
7. Because God has chosen Jacob to be the bearer of the family tradition, does that justify Jacob’s tricky ways?
- We’ll discuss this next time!
Genesis 25
The death of Abraham/
The birth of Jacob and Esau
1. Isaac is the chosen vessel for transmitting Abraham’s covenant. Does this mean that God’s promises exclude everyone but him?
- No, on a first look.
- This question is unanswerable.
- What are the promises of God?
- to make Abraham the father of many nations
- to bless Abraham and make his name great
- through Abraham to bless all nations
- Eventually through Christ, God’s promises are shared with all people.
-He promised Abraham he would be the father of nations.
- God’s promises are more universal (for example, pray and you’ll be heard). But the promise of that land is just for Isaac.
- This question is unanswerable. Let’s move on.
2b. What is Abraham’s role in the plan of God that runs through Genesis?
- His role is to be the father of many nations; to live in the land.
-They are creating the Jewish nation. That’s why he kept his family separate from other nations.
- Part of his role was to worship God.
-Did he also have a duty to teach his descendants about God?
3. In Gen 25:19-22 what difficulties and tests of faith do Isaac and Rebekah encounter in the birth of their sons?
- another barren woman
- babies jostling within her
- as parents, Isaac and Rebekah and pretty upset.
- One conclusion: obstacles do NOT necessarily mean that God is not fulfilling his promise. Don’t take an obstacle to be a “no” from God.
- Rebekah is a good listener – she hear’s God’s answer. It is easier to pray than it is to listen for God’s answer.
- Sasquatch (Esau) came out first. Remember that Rebekah was like a line-backer, as we learned in Gen Chapter 24.
5. What does Esau’s attitude toward his birthright reveal about his character (25:29-34)?
- Question – what does Esau mean by his statement “I’m about to die”?
One answer- it might be sarcastic, or he is over-dramatizing.
The birthright was an earthly, inconsequential thing to Esau. He didn’t have any faith- can’t look into the future. He is into instant gratification.
6. Do you know anyone, like Jacob, who appears, almost from the start, to struggle with a dark side and at the same time shows promise of great accomplishments?
- Well, nobody from our church.
- From the Bible – David is a prime example (David-Bathsheba-Uriah). Also, Abraham was not faultless.
- All of us make mistakes – some of the mistakes are found out.
- Political leaders can make terrible mistakes, but then still be able to accomplish many good things.
- It’s easy to condemn people for the wrong things they have done.
- We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t struggle with the dark side. Every day.
- These flawed people are still used by God. That gives us hope!
7. Because God has chosen Jacob to be the bearer of the family tradition, does that justify Jacob’s tricky ways?
- We’ll discuss this next time!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Genesis 24: Rebekah and the Camels
Recap of our Discussion on Aug 16, 2009
Genesis 24
Isaac and Rebecca
1. What do you think are Abraham’s main concerns when he gives instruction to his servant? (24:1-9)
- That Isaac get a wife.
- That Isaac get a wife from a particular area
- that Isaac NOT go back there.
Several asides:
1a. It was a long trip, according to the map.
1b. Define “relatives” – isn’t Isaac marrying his cousin?
- Later under Mosaic law, it was forbidden to marry your cousin, sister, etc. But it wasn’t forbidden at the time of this story. The legend is very old, and the writers put into it things that were disapproved of later.
1c. Why not send Isaac WITH the servant?
- maybe Isaac’s personality was not a selling point.
- maybe it was too dangerous
1d. “Under my thigh” (v 2 and 9) – I don’t start conversations like that!
2. Why did Abraham and the other patriarchs prefer not to have their sons marry the local Canaanite women?
- They are idol worshippers. The patriarchs don’t want their sons marrying them.
- (But probably the daughters could marry idol –worshippers)
3. When the servant arrives at his destination, he offers the first prayer for guidance recorded in the Bible. What does he specifically ask of God (24:10-14)?
- he asks for success
- he asks for a particular response from the girl
- he asks for a kindness to himself (and a kindness to the animals?)
- he is asking for a miracle, because the girl wouldn’t know that this particular action is the sign
- Even before you have asked, God knows the desire of your heart.
- God might have put that idea(to ask for that sign) in the servant’s head
3a. What do people look for when they ask God for a sign?
- check about roadblocks. If there is an obstacle, then it probably means I am not supposed to continue on that path.
- I want to be sure – is it idolatrous to ask for certainty?
4. Describe Rebekah in your own words.
- she is good-looking.
- pure and innocent.
- she has her eye on the Main Chance; she is looking out for herself.
- I disagree. She’s hospitable.
- typical for her time, she dutifully served others
- she is strong (could lift water for 10 camels = 25 gallons per camel)
- hospitable
- humane
- anxious to leave home.
- an aside: nobody in her family asked about the character/personality of Isaac.
5. Why is the servant so astonished when the first girl to arrive at the well met all his requirements so exactly? To what does he attribute this fortuitous happening?
- he attributes this to God answering his prayer.
6. What clues do you get from this passage about Isaac’s personality and character?
- He was obedient to his father, who wouldn’t let him go get his own bride.
- He was sorely damaged by his past experience (near sacrifice on Mt Moriah)
- He was a genial dolt. He was a Momma’s boy.
- So what if he was a dolt - he loved Rebekah – this is a redeeming aspect to his personality.
An aside: one Bible’s footnotes suggest that the story is also an allegory, with the characters representing ideas/ people from the New Testament. For instance, the servant is a “type” of the Holy Spirit; Rebekah represents the Church; Isaac – the bridegroom of the church.
We disagreed on whether this was an appropriate interpretation.
7. Are the camels important? Why or why not?
- They are the center of the miracle, which revealed the nature of Rebekah as a suitable wife for Isaac.
- They are the transportation to make a long trip – indispensable.
- A sign of wealth
- Camels can travel a long distance without water.
- Maybe they really used donkeys instead, since archaeologists say camels are anachronistic in this story.
- The archaeologists can’t say that there weren’t camels; they can only say there is no evidence that there were camels at that time in history.
- Don’t get stuck on the details and end up missing the main point of the story, which is...
8. If you had to pick a theological theme for this passage, what would you say the theme is?
- ask for specifics when praying
- God’s involvement with us is amazing.
- The progeny is the important thing here- Abraham can’t have descendants if his son doesn’t have a wife.
Genesis 24
Isaac and Rebecca
1. What do you think are Abraham’s main concerns when he gives instruction to his servant? (24:1-9)
- That Isaac get a wife.
- That Isaac get a wife from a particular area
- that Isaac NOT go back there.
Several asides:
1a. It was a long trip, according to the map.
1b. Define “relatives” – isn’t Isaac marrying his cousin?
- Later under Mosaic law, it was forbidden to marry your cousin, sister, etc. But it wasn’t forbidden at the time of this story. The legend is very old, and the writers put into it things that were disapproved of later.
1c. Why not send Isaac WITH the servant?
- maybe Isaac’s personality was not a selling point.
- maybe it was too dangerous
1d. “Under my thigh” (v 2 and 9) – I don’t start conversations like that!
2. Why did Abraham and the other patriarchs prefer not to have their sons marry the local Canaanite women?
- They are idol worshippers. The patriarchs don’t want their sons marrying them.
- (But probably the daughters could marry idol –worshippers)
3. When the servant arrives at his destination, he offers the first prayer for guidance recorded in the Bible. What does he specifically ask of God (24:10-14)?
- he asks for success
- he asks for a particular response from the girl
- he asks for a kindness to himself (and a kindness to the animals?)
- he is asking for a miracle, because the girl wouldn’t know that this particular action is the sign
- Even before you have asked, God knows the desire of your heart.
- God might have put that idea(to ask for that sign) in the servant’s head
3a. What do people look for when they ask God for a sign?
- check about roadblocks. If there is an obstacle, then it probably means I am not supposed to continue on that path.
- I want to be sure – is it idolatrous to ask for certainty?
4. Describe Rebekah in your own words.
- she is good-looking.
- pure and innocent.
- she has her eye on the Main Chance; she is looking out for herself.
- I disagree. She’s hospitable.
- typical for her time, she dutifully served others
- she is strong (could lift water for 10 camels = 25 gallons per camel)
- hospitable
- humane
- anxious to leave home.
- an aside: nobody in her family asked about the character/personality of Isaac.
5. Why is the servant so astonished when the first girl to arrive at the well met all his requirements so exactly? To what does he attribute this fortuitous happening?
- he attributes this to God answering his prayer.
6. What clues do you get from this passage about Isaac’s personality and character?
- He was obedient to his father, who wouldn’t let him go get his own bride.
- He was sorely damaged by his past experience (near sacrifice on Mt Moriah)
- He was a genial dolt. He was a Momma’s boy.
- So what if he was a dolt - he loved Rebekah – this is a redeeming aspect to his personality.
An aside: one Bible’s footnotes suggest that the story is also an allegory, with the characters representing ideas/ people from the New Testament. For instance, the servant is a “type” of the Holy Spirit; Rebekah represents the Church; Isaac – the bridegroom of the church.
We disagreed on whether this was an appropriate interpretation.
7. Are the camels important? Why or why not?
- They are the center of the miracle, which revealed the nature of Rebekah as a suitable wife for Isaac.
- They are the transportation to make a long trip – indispensable.
- A sign of wealth
- Camels can travel a long distance without water.
- Maybe they really used donkeys instead, since archaeologists say camels are anachronistic in this story.
- The archaeologists can’t say that there weren’t camels; they can only say there is no evidence that there were camels at that time in history.
- Don’t get stuck on the details and end up missing the main point of the story, which is...
8. If you had to pick a theological theme for this passage, what would you say the theme is?
- ask for specifics when praying
- God’s involvement with us is amazing.
- The progeny is the important thing here- Abraham can’t have descendants if his son doesn’t have a wife.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Genesis 23: the Burial of Sarah
Recap of our Discussion on Aug 9, 2009
Genesis 21: 22-34 and 23
Two business transactions
I neglected to take good notes, so this will be sketchy and inaccurate.
Genesis 21: 22-34
Abraham and Abimelech make a covenant about the well at Beersheba.
Abimelech recognized that God is with Abraham. Note that Abimelech and Phicol are not just random dudes but are powerful men with an army at their command. These powerful people find it to their advantage to make a treaty with Abraham.
Genesis 23
The Burial of Sarah
1. Who are the characters in this passage? Abraham, the Hittites, Ephron.
2. What major characters from recent chapters of Genesis are not mentioned in this passage? Isaac (we presume he did not return with Abraham, after the event on Mount Moriah). Hagar, Ishmael.
Abimelech.
God. Does the fact that God is not mentioned explicitly mean that God is not involved?
No- Abraham has been tight with God all along.
3, 4 & 6. The nature of the transaction
This is a classic case of Middle-Eastern bargaining. Each side must retain dignity throughout the transaction. The Hittites had to offer the best burial sites in order to not look bad. The mute understanding is that they really don’t mean it, and the other side is supposed to respond appropriately by refusing the “gift”. Abraham responds by asking for a different site.
American culture assumes that we will honestly state upfront what we expect from a transaction. Not so in the culture of Genesis 23.
5. Why did Abraham pick this site for burial? What were some of the other options that he must have rejected?
Abraham is at the mercy of the Hittites – he needs to bury Sarah so he needs a burial space, and quick.
Perhaps he had some pressure to take Sarah’s body back to Ur where he was originally from?
9. Who is buried in Grant’s tomb? Who else was eventually buried in the cave at Machpelah? Gen 25:8-9; 49: 29-32; 50:12-13
Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Rebecca...
Joseph's bones - final resting place
Another question: Where were Joseph’s bones laid to rest after they were brought back from Egypt? One answer is found in Joshua 24:32
32 And Joseph's bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph's descendants.
8. How would you eulogize Sarah? We leave this question hanging, for lack of enough time to discuss it...
Genesis 21: 22-34 and 23
Two business transactions
I neglected to take good notes, so this will be sketchy and inaccurate.
Genesis 21: 22-34
Abraham and Abimelech make a covenant about the well at Beersheba.
Abimelech recognized that God is with Abraham. Note that Abimelech and Phicol are not just random dudes but are powerful men with an army at their command. These powerful people find it to their advantage to make a treaty with Abraham.
Genesis 23
The Burial of Sarah
1. Who are the characters in this passage? Abraham, the Hittites, Ephron.
2. What major characters from recent chapters of Genesis are not mentioned in this passage? Isaac (we presume he did not return with Abraham, after the event on Mount Moriah). Hagar, Ishmael.
Abimelech.
God. Does the fact that God is not mentioned explicitly mean that God is not involved?
No- Abraham has been tight with God all along.
3, 4 & 6. The nature of the transaction
This is a classic case of Middle-Eastern bargaining. Each side must retain dignity throughout the transaction. The Hittites had to offer the best burial sites in order to not look bad. The mute understanding is that they really don’t mean it, and the other side is supposed to respond appropriately by refusing the “gift”. Abraham responds by asking for a different site.
American culture assumes that we will honestly state upfront what we expect from a transaction. Not so in the culture of Genesis 23.
5. Why did Abraham pick this site for burial? What were some of the other options that he must have rejected?
Abraham is at the mercy of the Hittites – he needs to bury Sarah so he needs a burial space, and quick.
Perhaps he had some pressure to take Sarah’s body back to Ur where he was originally from?
9. Who is buried in Grant’s tomb? Who else was eventually buried in the cave at Machpelah? Gen 25:8-9; 49: 29-32; 50:12-13
Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Rebecca...
Joseph's bones - final resting place
Another question: Where were Joseph’s bones laid to rest after they were brought back from Egypt? One answer is found in Joshua 24:32
32 And Joseph's bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph's descendants.
8. How would you eulogize Sarah? We leave this question hanging, for lack of enough time to discuss it...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Gen 22: The Binding of Isaac
This doesn't really capture the richness of our discussion of this vital passage. Just a few things I managed to jot down. Feel free to comment!
Recap of our Discussion on July 26, 2009
Genesis 22: 1-19
The Binding of Isaac
1. In 22:1-2 what phrases emphasize the importance and difficulty of God’s command?
- “your only son”
- “whom you love”
- “God tested” – a test is difficult.
2. What was God asking Abraham to give up by sacrificing Isaac (22:2, 17:4-8, 19)?
- He was asking him to give up his son.
- Plus giving up the descendants Isaac would have had.
- He is giving up a gift.
- Abraham accepted the task so willingly – this is alarming.
Additional comments:
- The story is a foreshadowing of God sacrificing Christ.
- God wants us to follow God’s law, which is “Love God and others” (all the other commandments are contained in that statement. Just like Prego spaghetti sauce – it’s all in there).
3. Describe some of the thoughts and emotions you would have if you were Abraham; Sarah; Isaac.
Abraham:
- Confused.
- Torn between trusting God and the love of my only son.
- If I were Abraham, I wouldn’t do it; it is too much to ask.
- I would think I was just hearing things.
- Abraham never expected to go through with it. He used logic and knew that God loves Isaac and wouldn’t carry it out.
- But then it’s not a test.
Isaac:
- confused.
- Would he trust his father after that?
Isaac knew how committed his father was to the Lord
Isaac learned that when the Lord makes a promise he keeps it
Sarah:
Probably wasn’t told what was going on.
4. Compare Abraham’s response to God’s intentions in Gen 18:22-33 with Abraham’s response to God’s command here in 22:1-19.
In Gen 18 Abraham negotiated with God over Sodom. If Abraham had negotiated here in Chapter 22, then the story would not be making the point about trust. So a negotiation does not fit with the point of this story.
5. What did Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac prove (22:12)?
- He was willing to follow God’s orders.
- Obedience.
- That he had respect for the Lord.
- What if Abraham had disobeyed? Did Abraham think he would be punished?
- A question – what was Abraham’s belief about life after death?
6. How did God respond to Abraham’s willingness (22:11-18)?
- God made Abraham go to the very edge of sacrifice.
-God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac.
- God accepted a substitute (like Christ).
- The promise to Abraham is repeated.
- Did the promises God gave before this chapter include “taking over the land of your enemies.”??
7. What does this episode reveal about God (22:1-2, 12-18)?
- God is consistently cranky.
- God is demanding in vv 1 & 2, merciful in 12-18.
- God is good for his word – He keeps a promise.
- It is impossible to understand God’s motive.
- God is a little jealous of Isaac – God needs to know that Abraham loves the Lord more than Abraham loves Isaac.
8. Why do you think this story is in the Bible?
- To reinforce the covenant.
- To illustrate trust, faith, willingness to obey.
- Political – to reinforce the Hebrews’ claims that the covenant passes through Isaac and to justify taking the land from their enemies.
9. What is the test (22:1)? Who/what is being tested?
- Abraham’s faith is being tested.
- The point of the story is trust
- No, the point of the story is faith
10. What happened to Isaac at the end of the story? (Read Gen 22:19, Gen 24:62, Gen 24:67)
- Isaac was the next step in the fulfillment of God’s promise.
- He went back with his father.
- We don’t know if he still had a good relationship with his father after this incident.
Recap of our Discussion on July 26, 2009
Genesis 22: 1-19
The Binding of Isaac
1. In 22:1-2 what phrases emphasize the importance and difficulty of God’s command?
- “your only son”
- “whom you love”
- “God tested” – a test is difficult.
2. What was God asking Abraham to give up by sacrificing Isaac (22:2, 17:4-8, 19)?
- He was asking him to give up his son.
- Plus giving up the descendants Isaac would have had.
- He is giving up a gift.
- Abraham accepted the task so willingly – this is alarming.
Additional comments:
- The story is a foreshadowing of God sacrificing Christ.
- God wants us to follow God’s law, which is “Love God and others” (all the other commandments are contained in that statement. Just like Prego spaghetti sauce – it’s all in there).
3. Describe some of the thoughts and emotions you would have if you were Abraham; Sarah; Isaac.
Abraham:
- Confused.
- Torn between trusting God and the love of my only son.
- If I were Abraham, I wouldn’t do it; it is too much to ask.
- I would think I was just hearing things.
- Abraham never expected to go through with it. He used logic and knew that God loves Isaac and wouldn’t carry it out.
- But then it’s not a test.
Isaac:
- confused.
- Would he trust his father after that?
Isaac knew how committed his father was to the Lord
Isaac learned that when the Lord makes a promise he keeps it
Sarah:
Probably wasn’t told what was going on.
4. Compare Abraham’s response to God’s intentions in Gen 18:22-33 with Abraham’s response to God’s command here in 22:1-19.
In Gen 18 Abraham negotiated with God over Sodom. If Abraham had negotiated here in Chapter 22, then the story would not be making the point about trust. So a negotiation does not fit with the point of this story.
5. What did Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac prove (22:12)?
- He was willing to follow God’s orders.
- Obedience.
- That he had respect for the Lord.
- What if Abraham had disobeyed? Did Abraham think he would be punished?
- A question – what was Abraham’s belief about life after death?
6. How did God respond to Abraham’s willingness (22:11-18)?
- God made Abraham go to the very edge of sacrifice.
-God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac.
- God accepted a substitute (like Christ).
- The promise to Abraham is repeated.
- Did the promises God gave before this chapter include “taking over the land of your enemies.”??
7. What does this episode reveal about God (22:1-2, 12-18)?
- God is consistently cranky.
- God is demanding in vv 1 & 2, merciful in 12-18.
- God is good for his word – He keeps a promise.
- It is impossible to understand God’s motive.
- God is a little jealous of Isaac – God needs to know that Abraham loves the Lord more than Abraham loves Isaac.
8. Why do you think this story is in the Bible?
- To reinforce the covenant.
- To illustrate trust, faith, willingness to obey.
- Political – to reinforce the Hebrews’ claims that the covenant passes through Isaac and to justify taking the land from their enemies.
9. What is the test (22:1)? Who/what is being tested?
- Abraham’s faith is being tested.
- The point of the story is trust
- No, the point of the story is faith
10. What happened to Isaac at the end of the story? (Read Gen 22:19, Gen 24:62, Gen 24:67)
- Isaac was the next step in the fulfillment of God’s promise.
- He went back with his father.
- We don’t know if he still had a good relationship with his father after this incident.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Genesis 21: Birth of Isaac; Hagar and Ishamel Sent Away
A recap of our discussion
of Genesis 21
on 7/19/09
Some questions that came out of our discussion:
Did Moses write the first five books of the Bible?
Why is it that people in the Bible always go up on a mountain to speak to God?
The birth of Isaac
How Sarah feels, after Isaac is born: Disbelief. Giddy. Tired. Joyful.
How can Sarah and Abraham’s experience encourage us to be more patient while we wait for prayers to be answered? - S &A didn’t have patience, and that made a mess! ... The secret to patience is to do something while you wait.
Who was laughing? Whose was the joke? Sarah laughs, Abraham laughs. It is God’s joke on A & S.
Hagar and Ishmael are sent away
Sarah’s motive for sending H & I away – it could be jealousy, maternal instinct, she could see that there would be friction between the two sons, she wanted her son to have the birthright, rather than the firstborn. Footnote said that the treatment of Hagar was in accordance with the Code of Hammurabi, ancient lawbook.
From God’s point of view, H & I had to be sent away because: maybe in order to relieve household tension. “When Sarah ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
If we were in Sarah’s place, it would be hard to do what she did. Maybe the events didn’t unfold the way God intended them to, but God used the situation for his purposes. Sarah seems fickle, competitive.
God didn’t really exclude Ishmael. God thought it would turn out differently than it did.
of Genesis 21
on 7/19/09
Some questions that came out of our discussion:
Did Moses write the first five books of the Bible?
Why is it that people in the Bible always go up on a mountain to speak to God?
The birth of Isaac
How Sarah feels, after Isaac is born: Disbelief. Giddy. Tired. Joyful.
How can Sarah and Abraham’s experience encourage us to be more patient while we wait for prayers to be answered? - S &A didn’t have patience, and that made a mess! ... The secret to patience is to do something while you wait.
Who was laughing? Whose was the joke? Sarah laughs, Abraham laughs. It is God’s joke on A & S.
Hagar and Ishmael are sent away
Sarah’s motive for sending H & I away – it could be jealousy, maternal instinct, she could see that there would be friction between the two sons, she wanted her son to have the birthright, rather than the firstborn. Footnote said that the treatment of Hagar was in accordance with the Code of Hammurabi, ancient lawbook.
From God’s point of view, H & I had to be sent away because: maybe in order to relieve household tension. “When Sarah ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
If we were in Sarah’s place, it would be hard to do what she did. Maybe the events didn’t unfold the way God intended them to, but God used the situation for his purposes. Sarah seems fickle, competitive.
God didn’t really exclude Ishmael. God thought it would turn out differently than it did.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Genesis 20: Abe and Abimelech
A recap of our discussion:
Abraham does not give priority to the covenant with God. He fears for his life, and tries to save his own skin. But then, from his point of view, how would God's promise be fulfilled if Abraham gets killed? We thought that it was a natural reaction to try to save your own life. We had a rendition of a song "NEver make a pretty woman your wife" (the real root of Abe's problem?)
God, on the other hand, took action to protect the covenant and not derail the promise of an heir for Abraham and Sarah. God realized limitations, and moreover, prevented Abimilech from sinning.
Was it acceptable for a godly man to deceive pagans because they did not fear God? Various opinions: A godly man shouldn't have to deceive anyone. If pagans are threatening you, deceiving them is okay.
Why didn't God abandon Abraham and just pick someone else? The group's consensus: there wasn't anybody else better.
Abraham does not give priority to the covenant with God. He fears for his life, and tries to save his own skin. But then, from his point of view, how would God's promise be fulfilled if Abraham gets killed? We thought that it was a natural reaction to try to save your own life. We had a rendition of a song "NEver make a pretty woman your wife" (the real root of Abe's problem?)
God, on the other hand, took action to protect the covenant and not derail the promise of an heir for Abraham and Sarah. God realized limitations, and moreover, prevented Abimilech from sinning.
Was it acceptable for a godly man to deceive pagans because they did not fear God? Various opinions: A godly man shouldn't have to deceive anyone. If pagans are threatening you, deceiving them is okay.
Why didn't God abandon Abraham and just pick someone else? The group's consensus: there wasn't anybody else better.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Fire and Brimstone, Death and Destruction
Genesis 19
How does Lot demonstrate his righteousness in this passage?
What can we learn from the results of Lot's choices?
How does Lot demonstrate his righteousness in this passage?
What can we learn from the results of Lot's choices?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Genesis 18: Abraham argues with God
Some questions to ponder, when reading Genesis 18: 16-33.
Is Abraham’s appeal addressed to God’s justice or to God’s mercy?
Would you be afraid to tell God he was not acting appropriately?
Is Abraham’s appeal addressed to God’s justice or to God’s mercy?
Would you be afraid to tell God he was not acting appropriately?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Genesis Chapter 17
May 10, 2009
Genesis 17
Today we talked about the happy topic of circ*umci*sion!
This is also the passage where God changes Abram's name to Abraham, and Sarai's name to Sarah. A few of the questions we discussed are:
In what ways does baptism for Christians serve a similar function as circumcision for Jews?
Can ceremonies and rituals (e.g. sacraments) become powerless and perfunctory, or do they have power in themselves whether or not the participants take them seriously?
Next week: The Three Visitors (Genesis Chapter 18)
Genesis 17
Today we talked about the happy topic of circ*umci*sion!
This is also the passage where God changes Abram's name to Abraham, and Sarai's name to Sarah. A few of the questions we discussed are:
In what ways does baptism for Christians serve a similar function as circumcision for Jews?
Can ceremonies and rituals (e.g. sacraments) become powerless and perfunctory, or do they have power in themselves whether or not the participants take them seriously?
Next week: The Three Visitors (Genesis Chapter 18)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
May 3, 2009 Hagar and the birth of Ishmael
Genesis 16 : The Birth of Ishmael
One commentary states that in this passage “the basic conflict is between certain specific legal rights and natural human feelings.” What are the feelings of the major characters, and how do these feelings influence their actions?
What action does Hagar take and what does she learn about the Lord in this traumatic experience (16:6-14)?
One commentary states that in this passage “the basic conflict is between certain specific legal rights and natural human feelings.” What are the feelings of the major characters, and how do these feelings influence their actions?
What action does Hagar take and what does she learn about the Lord in this traumatic experience (16:6-14)?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April 5: Belief, covenant, and ritual
Genesis 15
Abram is still bopping around without any kids, and in this passage he asks God what's up with that promise. This passage includes a description of an ancient covenant ritual. The Bible says in verse 6 that Abram believed, and in verse 9 Abram begins the ritual, at God's direction. If Abram believed, why did God have him perform this ritual?
Abram is still bopping around without any kids, and in this passage he asks God what's up with that promise. This passage includes a description of an ancient covenant ritual. The Bible says in verse 6 that Abram believed, and in verse 9 Abram begins the ritual, at God's direction. If Abram believed, why did God have him perform this ritual?
Friday, February 27, 2009
March 1: Abram goes on a trip
Genesis 12:1-9
Imagine yourself as a nomad temporarily camped at the edge of the urban world in Mesopotamia. How would you react to a message from God to pack up and head south to someplace yet to be determined?
How would you even know it was God who had spoken to you?
Imagine yourself as a nomad temporarily camped at the edge of the urban world in Mesopotamia. How would you react to a message from God to pack up and head south to someplace yet to be determined?
How would you even know it was God who had spoken to you?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Babble, Babel, Babble
Genesis 11:1-9
The Tower of Babel
A few study questions:
3. In what way is the desire of the builders of the Babel tower similar to that of Adam and Eve?
5. By dispersing the people of Babel over the face of the earth, did God accomplish something more than just punishing them?
The Tower of Babel
A few study questions:
3. In what way is the desire of the builders of the Babel tower similar to that of Adam and Eve?
5. By dispersing the people of Babel over the face of the earth, did God accomplish something more than just punishing them?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Genesis 8:21 Is evil the same as sinful?
Is “evil” the same as “sinful”? What’s your opinion?
According to that august source of all knowledge, the internet, this question is not settled. I guess it mostly depends on the meaning you assign to the English words “evil” and “sinful.” My MS Encarta dictionary gives the first definition of evil as
1. profoundly immoral or wrong
and goes on to list five other definitions.
For sinful the dictionary says
1. engaging in or characterized by behavior that goes against the law or teachings of a particular religion
2. morally or ethically wrong
So meaning 2 for sinful is the same as meaning 1 for evil.
Here’s a little investigation of the original word we were discussing in Genesis 8:21. This will probably serve to further confuse or bore everyone, but, maybe not.
Gen 8: 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (New International Version)
The Hebrew word used here for evil is “ra” (Strong's H7451).
This is the same Hebrew word used earlier in Genesis chapters 2 and 3, to talk about the tree in the garden: the “tree of knowledge of good and evil. Sometimes this Hebrew word is translated “wicked” or “bad.” In all, the Hebrew word is used 663 times. I didn’t look them up.
In all the English translations I checked, the word is translated as “evil,” not as “sinful”.
The Hebrew word for “sinful” is “chatta.” This is as it used in Genesis 13:13, which I picked because it uses both Hebrew words “ra” (evil) and “chatta” (“sinful”).
Gen 13:13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked (“ra”) and sinful (“chatta”) against the LORD.
If you even got this far, after reading about all this evil, wickedness, and sinfulness, you probably feel a great need to wash your hands. Not a bad idea.
According to that august source of all knowledge, the internet, this question is not settled. I guess it mostly depends on the meaning you assign to the English words “evil” and “sinful.” My MS Encarta dictionary gives the first definition of evil as
1. profoundly immoral or wrong
and goes on to list five other definitions.
For sinful the dictionary says
1. engaging in or characterized by behavior that goes against the law or teachings of a particular religion
2. morally or ethically wrong
So meaning 2 for sinful is the same as meaning 1 for evil.
Here’s a little investigation of the original word we were discussing in Genesis 8:21. This will probably serve to further confuse or bore everyone, but, maybe not.
Gen 8: 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (New International Version)
The Hebrew word used here for evil is “ra” (Strong's H7451).
This is the same Hebrew word used earlier in Genesis chapters 2 and 3, to talk about the tree in the garden: the “tree of knowledge of good and evil. Sometimes this Hebrew word is translated “wicked” or “bad.” In all, the Hebrew word is used 663 times. I didn’t look them up.
In all the English translations I checked, the word is translated as “evil,” not as “sinful”.
The Hebrew word for “sinful” is “chatta.” This is as it used in Genesis 13:13, which I picked because it uses both Hebrew words “ra” (evil) and “chatta” (“sinful”).
Gen 13:13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked (“ra”) and sinful (“chatta”) against the LORD.
If you even got this far, after reading about all this evil, wickedness, and sinfulness, you probably feel a great need to wash your hands. Not a bad idea.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Which wolf will we feed?
Words from the inaugural prayer service:
There is a story attributed to Cherokee wisdom:
One evening a grandfather was teaching his young grandson about the internal battle that each person faces.
"There are two wolves struggling inside each of us," the old man said. "One wolf is vengefulness, anger, resentment, self-pity, fear... The other wolf is compassion, faithfulness, hope, truth, love..."
The grandson sat, thinking, then asked: "Which wolf wins, Grandfather?"
His grandfather replied, "The one you feed."
There are crises banging on the door right now, pawing at us, trying to draw us off our ethical center - crises that tempt us to feed the wolf of vengefulness and fear.
We need you, Mr. President, to hold your ground. We need you, leaders of this nation, to stay centered on the values that have guided us in the past; values that empowered to move us through the perils of earlier times and can guide us now into a future of renewed promise.
We need you to feed the good wolf within you, to listen to the better angels of your nature, and by your example encourage us to do the same.
Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins
Sermon: Harmonies of Liberty
Isaiah 58:6-12, Mt 22:6-40
National Prayer Service; January 21, 2009
Links to the entire sermon:
In text:
http://www.disciples.org/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/NewsandUpdates/HarmoniesofLiberty/tabid/483/Default.aspx
For audio or video, try here:
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/presidents/service.html
There is a story attributed to Cherokee wisdom:
One evening a grandfather was teaching his young grandson about the internal battle that each person faces.
"There are two wolves struggling inside each of us," the old man said. "One wolf is vengefulness, anger, resentment, self-pity, fear... The other wolf is compassion, faithfulness, hope, truth, love..."
The grandson sat, thinking, then asked: "Which wolf wins, Grandfather?"
His grandfather replied, "The one you feed."
There are crises banging on the door right now, pawing at us, trying to draw us off our ethical center - crises that tempt us to feed the wolf of vengefulness and fear.
We need you, Mr. President, to hold your ground. We need you, leaders of this nation, to stay centered on the values that have guided us in the past; values that empowered to move us through the perils of earlier times and can guide us now into a future of renewed promise.
We need you to feed the good wolf within you, to listen to the better angels of your nature, and by your example encourage us to do the same.
Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins
Sermon: Harmonies of Liberty
Isaiah 58:6-12, Mt 22:6-40
National Prayer Service; January 21, 2009
Links to the entire sermon:
In text:
http://www.disciples.org/OfficeoftheGeneralMinisterandPresident/NewsandUpdates/HarmoniesofLiberty/tabid/483/Default.aspx
For audio or video, try here:
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/presidents/service.html
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Unicorn Song
On Jan 18th we'll continue looking at the story of Noah, the Adult Version.
On Jan 25th we will not meet.
This past Sunday, we remembered another song (from our childhoods) about Noah. Here are the lyrics of the first few verses of the song which I found floating around on the internet.
Another song about Noah and the Flood
The Unicorn Song
by Shel Silverstein
A long time ago when the earth was green
Why there was more kinda animals than you've ever seen
And they just run around free while the earth was bein' born
And loveliest of them all was the unicorn.
There was green alligators and long neck geese
Some humpty back camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn
Now God seen some sinnin' and it gave him a pain
And he said stand back cause I'm gonna make it rain
He said hey brother Noah I'll tell you what to do
Tou build me a floating Zoo.
And take some green alligators and long neck geese
Some humpty back camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
Don't you forget my unicorn.
etc, etc, etc
On Jan 25th we will not meet.
This past Sunday, we remembered another song (from our childhoods) about Noah. Here are the lyrics of the first few verses of the song which I found floating around on the internet.
Another song about Noah and the Flood
The Unicorn Song
by Shel Silverstein
A long time ago when the earth was green
Why there was more kinda animals than you've ever seen
And they just run around free while the earth was bein' born
And loveliest of them all was the unicorn.
There was green alligators and long neck geese
Some humpty back camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn
Now God seen some sinnin' and it gave him a pain
And he said stand back cause I'm gonna make it rain
He said hey brother Noah I'll tell you what to do
Tou build me a floating Zoo.
And take some green alligators and long neck geese
Some humpty back camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants but sure as you're born
Don't you forget my unicorn.
etc, etc, etc
Friday, January 9, 2009
Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory!
This week and next, it's Noah and the Flood.
From your childhood, do you remember any songs about Noah and the Flood? What did these songs teach you about the Bible story? What characters and actions are featured in these songs?
For the adult version, turn to Genesis, chapters 6 through 9.
The Lord said to Noah
There's gonna be a floody, floody (2 times)
Get those children out of the muddy, muddy
Children of the Lord
Chorus:
Rise and shine and
Give God your glory, glory (3 times)
Children of the Lord
From your childhood, do you remember any songs about Noah and the Flood? What did these songs teach you about the Bible story? What characters and actions are featured in these songs?
For the adult version, turn to Genesis, chapters 6 through 9.
The Lord said to Noah
There's gonna be a floody, floody (2 times)
Get those children out of the muddy, muddy
Children of the Lord
Chorus:
Rise and shine and
Give God your glory, glory (3 times)
Children of the Lord
Friday, January 2, 2009
Jan 4, Genesis 4: Cain and Abel
What a great way to start off the new year - by studying the story of Cain and Abel, sin lurking at the door, the first murder. What can I say? I have the flu, so perhaps I'm delusional at the moment.
I thought of calling this study "Juicy Genesis". When we look at Genesis as adults we see all sorts of things that we weren't told about, or didn't think about, as kids. In preparing for this week's study, I notice how much is left out of the text, how much we have to infer.
Study questions for Jan 4, 2009
Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and Abel
If you have time, skim Genesis Chapters 1-3 to set the scene.
For this study, read Genesis 4:1-7, 8-12, and 13-16.
1. In verses 1-5 what do we learn about the two brothers and their offerings?
2. Is it important to know why God preferred Abel’s offering to Cain’s?
3. Would it be a better story if we knew the root cause for enmity between the brothers?
4. Why does Cain become angry? Who is he angry at? Is his anger sinful?
5. How do verses 6-8 describe God’s response to Cain and Cain’s reaction?
The Lord –
Cain’s response –
6. Cain is told that sin is crouching at the door and he must master it. What happens when we refuse to admit that we are on the wrong track?
7. What resources do we have to overcome sin?
8. Why does God not punish Cain for murder as prescribed by the law code given to the Israelites?
9. In what way is the “mark of Cain” a gift from God?
Study notes:
New Testament passages which refer to this Genesis text:
Hebrews 11:4 ; 1 John 3:12
The name Cain derives from the Hebrew qanah, meaning to get, create
The name Abel derives from the Hebrew hebel, meaning vapor, nothingness
I thought of calling this study "Juicy Genesis". When we look at Genesis as adults we see all sorts of things that we weren't told about, or didn't think about, as kids. In preparing for this week's study, I notice how much is left out of the text, how much we have to infer.
Study questions for Jan 4, 2009
Genesis 4:1-16
Cain and Abel
If you have time, skim Genesis Chapters 1-3 to set the scene.
For this study, read Genesis 4:1-7, 8-12, and 13-16.
1. In verses 1-5 what do we learn about the two brothers and their offerings?
2. Is it important to know why God preferred Abel’s offering to Cain’s?
3. Would it be a better story if we knew the root cause for enmity between the brothers?
4. Why does Cain become angry? Who is he angry at? Is his anger sinful?
5. How do verses 6-8 describe God’s response to Cain and Cain’s reaction?
The Lord –
Cain’s response –
6. Cain is told that sin is crouching at the door and he must master it. What happens when we refuse to admit that we are on the wrong track?
7. What resources do we have to overcome sin?
8. Why does God not punish Cain for murder as prescribed by the law code given to the Israelites?
9. In what way is the “mark of Cain” a gift from God?
Study notes:
New Testament passages which refer to this Genesis text:
Hebrews 11:4 ; 1 John 3:12
The name Cain derives from the Hebrew qanah, meaning to get, create
The name Abel derives from the Hebrew hebel, meaning vapor, nothingness
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