Summer of the Bible 2014 - Week 3

Well, this is the week when I remember why this is such a challenge.  How in just a few readings can we begin to get all the richness (and drama and humor) of Genesis, chapters 12-50?  My goal each week has been to keep the number of readings limited so that it doesn't seem like an impossible task.  But how do you begin to understand Jacob's wrestling with the angel without understanding the complexity of his relationship with his brother Esau, or Joseph's interpretation of dreams without also knowing about what happened between him and his brothers (and that coat of "many colors"), or only hear about Sarah laughing without also hearing about Hagar's weeping - and the fact that Hagar is the first person in the Bible to give a name to God?  (see Gen. 16:13).  Let alone, we don't begin to deal with some of the more troubling texts of Genesis - the sacrifice of Isaac, Sodom and Gomorrah, the deceitfulness (or cleverness?) of Jacob, let alone the stories of Rachel, Dinah, or Tamar.

My best advice:  read all of Genesis 12-50!  But if you can't, at least take time to read the following texts in addition to the ones suggested in the readings for Week #3 (scroll down to see this week's background and texts).

Happy Reading!

• Genesis 15:1-6 - God's covenant with Abraham
• Genesis 16:1-6; 21:8-21 - Hagar and Ishmael
• Genesis 22:1-19 - the Testing of Abraham (and the attempted sacrifice of Isaac)
• Genesis 25:19-34; 27:5-38 - the sons of Isaac:  Jacob and Esau
• Genesis 37:1-36 - Joseph and his brothers
• Genesis 50:15-21 - Joseph sees God at work

WEEK #3 - "The Promise

Background on the Book of Genesis, chapters 12-50:

            “After setting the stage of human history in the first eleven chapters, Genesis next focuses on the primary ancestors of the people of Israel: the “patriarchs” – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – along with their wives and children. … At the core of it all, however, these stories promise an unconditional relationship with God. First made with Abraham, the covenant is expanded with Israel under Moses at Mount Sinai. The covenant embodies a solemn divine oath that binds God to stand by this people forever; it calls them to be obedient to the Law; and it assures them that they can truly trust this God.” [Journey through the Word, J.E. Davison & S.C. Juengst, Westminster John Knox Press, 2003, p. 10]

            The idea of a “covenant” is a central principle of our faith - - that God makes promises and can be trusted to keep them.  In return, we make promises to God as well.  From Genesis through to the New Testament, we see how God chooses to be “bound together” with us.

            It is very hard to capture all of this in just a few reading selections! But short of reading all of Genesis 12-50 (which is actually WELL worth the time), in this week’s readings we will follow the story of God’s covenant promises with “snapshots” of the lives of Abraham, Sarah and their descendants.  (For those who completed the readings in 2011, only the first 2 readings are the same.)

Readings for week of June 15-21:

·    Genesis 12:1-9 – the call of Abraham

·    Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 – Sarah and the birth of Isaac

·    Genesis 24:1-4, 34-67 – Rebekah and Isaac

·    Genesis 28:10-17 – Jacob’s ladder

·    Genesis 32:22-32 – Jacob wrestles with the angel

·    Genesis 41:1-13, 25-40 – Joseph interprets dreams

Questions for reflection:

1.     In what ways do you see God’s “hidden” presence in and through these stories? How have you experienced God’s presence?

2.     After wrestling with God, Jacob’s name is changed to “Israel” meaning “he struggles with God.”  How does that name change impact your understanding of Israel and the people of God?  How does it impact your understanding of your own faith journey?

Additional Resources for Study:  You will need to copy the URL and "paste" it into the search function of your browser.

• background on "theological themes" in Genesis:  http://www.enterthebible.org/oldtestament.aspx?rid=20
• "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" - this musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Race, based on the story of Joseph and his brothers, was first a Broadway musical, later a movie (starring none other than Donny Osmond!), and then a popular musical production by high schools and church youth groups.  A number of versions of these are on-line at youtube.  One of these is found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WINrYLQzB4 (not necessarily the best - but one of the better-recorded local productions!).
• A series of articles from Luther Seminary on Genesis -http://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/issues.aspx?issue_id=54
• "Abraham in Three Movements" - reflections on the call of Abraham -http://www.journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20080211JJ.shtml
• A BRIEF video comment on the meaning of Joseph's story in Genesis:  http://www.enterthebible.org/oldtestament.aspx?rid=20 
• Another brief video comment on the passage about the "sacrifice of Isaac" - http://www.enterthebible.org/oldtestament.aspx?rid=20