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.
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abraham. Show all posts
Sunday, August 16, 2009
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.
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)
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?
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