Category: Promise

Genesis 25:12-27:46 reminds us that God is faithful to fulfill his covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness.  Isaac shows a similar failure of faith, as did his father. He lies about Rebecca being his wife and instead of blessing the nations, he arouses disdain from them. Yet, despite Isaac’s unfaithfulness, the Lord blesses him and causes him to prosper. He recovers numerous wells that his father had dug and digs new ones, making his mark as he sojourns in the land of promise. In the land of promise he builds an altar and worships, calling upon the name of YAHWEH.  Isaac’s sojourn in the land of promise is twice threatened both by famine and disputes with Abimelech and his herdsmen. Nevertheless, God encourages him to remain in the land of promise and twice reaffirms to him the promise given to Abraham. Isaac and Rebecca give birth to Jacob and Esau. Continue reading “The Gospel in Genesis 25:12-27:46 and in the City”

The promise of God to Abraham to create a new humanity through whom the nations would be blessed comes to fruition with the birth of Isaac.  In the midst of that joyous birth,the presence of Hagar and Ishmael appears to be a threat to Sarah who understands rightly that the promise of blessing to the nations comes through Isaac, not Ishmael. Under God’s direction,  Abraham sends Hagar and her son away. God provides for them and promises that, as the seed of Abraham, the line of Ishmael would also become a great nation.

Abraham settles a dispute with Abimelech, king of the Philistines, over a well in the Negev.  Abimelech concedes to Abraham ownership of the well and Abraham  makes a covenant with Abimelech affirming that the well, called Beersheba, belonged to Abraham. Continue reading “The Gospel in Genesis 21 and in the City”