Tag: Abraham
Cover to Cover Reading: Genesis 21:1-23:20 Focus: Genesis 23:1-20 As with each story, there is an end, at this point in the story, it is the end of Sarah’s tale. Yet, in her death we begin to see the influence and renown of Abraham among the people with whom he lived. At the time, living among the Hittites, Abraham sought provision of land from them to bury his wife, Sarah. It is a telling story of the relationship that Abraham had with those around him.
Cover to Cover Reading: Genesis 18:1-20:18 Focus: Genesis 18:1-15 The story of Abraham is one of great anticipation, of which the central focus is God’s promise to make Abraham into a great nation. However, it is also a story of human disruption in the divine plan, as time and time again, Abraham does stupid things because he lacks faith in trusting for God’s provision and protection. God had made it explicitly clear to Abraham that Sarah herself would give birth to a child, but instead Abraham had a son with Hagar, Sarah’s servant. As Abraham travelled throughout various cities, he…
Cover to Cover Reading: Genesis 14:1-17:27 Focus: Genesis 15:1 – 21 As we enter into this stage of Abraham’s life, he had just fought against the Canaanite kings (think clan chieftains rather than national kings) after his nephew Lot was captured in a recent battle (see Genesis 14). At the end of this battle, one of the kings offered Abraham his portion of the war spoils but Abraham refused having taken an oath before God. (It’s not like Abraham was poor anyway!) Here, at the beginning of Genesis 15, God appeared to Abraham with the promise: “Do not be afraid,…
Cover to Cover Reading: Genesis 9:18-13:18 Focus: Genesis 12:10-20 Abraham, father of the Promise, man above men, good ol’ father Abraham… When we think of Abraham, we think of a man who left his family heritage, followed God’s call and lived a life of obedience. -cough- Quite the contrary, Abraham isn’t as great as we make him out to be. God had called Abram (before named Abraham later), “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” Such obedience is unquestionable, Abram obeyed the call of God and set out.
