Abraham & Family How Israel Came into Being Genesis 12-50

Genesis: Literary Structure First Obvious Literary Development: Two Major Genre Sections First Obvious Literary Development: Two Major Genre Sections 1-11 Cosmological Origins Myths1-11 Cosmological Origins Myths Myth=story which explains reality Myth=story which explains reality Ancestor Hero Stories12-50 Ancestor Hero Stories Stories which help identify our character Stories which help identify our character

Genesis: Literary Structure Second Obvious Literary Development: Four Story Cycles Second Obvious Literary Development: Four Story Cycles 1-11 Origins Story Cycle1-11 Origins Story Cycle What is the nature of reality? What is the nature of reality? Abraham Story Cycle12-25 Abraham Story Cycle Who are we as a unique people? Who are we as a unique people? Jacob Story Cycle26-36 Jacob Story Cycle What is our character as a people? What is our character as a people? Joseph Story Cycle37-50 Joseph Story Cycle How did we get to Egypt? How did we get to Egypt?

Genesis: Literary Structure Third Obvious Literary Development: Creation plus Ten “Generations” Third Obvious Literary Development: Creation plus Ten “Generations” 1:1-2:3 Creation (the norm)1:1-2:3 Creation (the norm) 2:4-4:26 “Heaven & Earth” (-)2:4-4:26 “Heaven & Earth” (-) 5:1-6:8 “Adam” (-)5:1-6:8 “Adam” (-) 6:9-9:29 “Noah” (+)6:9-9:29 “Noah” (+) 10:1-11:9 “Sons of Noah” (-)10:1-11:9 “Sons of Noah” (-) 11:10-26 “Shem” (+)11:10-26 “Shem” (+) 11:27-25:11 “Terah” (Abraham) (+)11:27-25:11 “Terah” (Abraham) (+) 25:12-18 “Ishmael” (-)25:12-18 “Ishmael” (-) 25:19-35:29 “Isaac” (Jacob) (+)25:19-35:29 “Isaac” (Jacob) (+) 36:1-37:1 “Esau” (-)36:1-37:1 “Esau” (-) 37:2-50:26 “Jacob” (Joseph) (+)37:2-50:26 “Jacob” (Joseph) (+)

Genesis diagrammed Creation Individual Sin Individual Salvation Communal Sin Communal Salvation Genesis 1-11Genesis (Ishmael) (Esau)

Abraham Story Cycle: Abram is an Aramean (Iraqi) Abram’s father began a journey that Abram continues Abram experiences a series of four covenant-making events with “God” Note: name for God throughout Abram stories is “Yahweh,” except in Melchizedek’s speech at the end of Genesis 14 and the covenant- making ceremony of Genesis 17 (“Elohim”) Implications: In general, the Abram/Abraham stories are to be read in retrospect from the time of Israel at Sinai The language of the Genesis 17 covenant reflects the terminology that Abram would have experienced in his day

Ancient Near Eastern Covenant Types General “Parity Agreements” General “Parity Agreements” Between Equals (cf. Jacob & Laban in Genesis 31:36-54), for mutual benefitBetween Equals (cf. Jacob & Laban in Genesis 31:36-54), for mutual benefit Babylonian “Royal Grants” Babylonian “Royal Grants” Gift of a king or nobleman to someone without long-term reciprocal behaviorsGift of a king or nobleman to someone without long-term reciprocal behaviors Hittite “Suzerain-Vassal Covenants” Hittite “Suzerain-Vassal Covenants” Social construct for reciprocal relationship between a ruler and peopleSocial construct for reciprocal relationship between a ruler and people

Abraham & Covenants Genesis 12 Genesis 12 Royal Grant: landRoyal Grant: land Genesis 13 Genesis 13 Royal Grant: landRoyal Grant: land Genesis 15 Genesis 15 Royal Grant: sonRoyal Grant: son Genesis 17 Genesis 17 Suzerain-Vassal: land, son, and relationship of obedience (circumcision)Suzerain-Vassal: land, son, and relationship of obedience (circumcision) Abram’s response: Abram’s response: Leave land Abram’s response: Abram’s response: Fight for land Abram’s response: Abram’s response: Connive to get Ishmael as son Abraham’s response: Abraham’s response: Faith & Trust (cf. 22) Implication for Israel: Obedience/Response strengthens faith Implication for Israel: Obedience/Response strengthens faith

Abraham & His Sons Ishmael Born to a slave concubine Loved by Abraham Not chosen to carry the direct covenant blessing Father of many near eastern tribes and peoples Isaac Born to a chosen and free wife Loved by Abraham Chosen to carry the direct covenant blessing Father of Esau and Jacob, the latter who became “Israel”

Genesis diagrammed Creation Individual Sin Individual Salvation Communal Sin Communal Salvation Genesis 1-11Genesis (Ishmael) (Esau)

Abraham & the Sacrifice of Isaac: 22 A “test” of commitments (Suzerain-Vassal Covenant) A “test” of commitments (Suzerain-Vassal Covenant) Note: it was not unusual for people to believe that deities required human sacrifice Note: it was not unusual for people to believe that deities required human sacrifice The unusual part of this story is that Yahweh communicates that he is not one who requires this The unusual part of this story is that Yahweh communicates that he is not one who requires this Abraham proves his loyalty and Yahweh provides for an alternative sacrifice Abraham proves his loyalty and Yahweh provides for an alternative sacrifice The name of the place is “Moriah” The name of the place is “Moriah” “God sees” or “God will be seen”“God sees” or “God will be seen” For location, note 2 Chronicles 3:1For location, note 2 Chronicles 3:1

The Jacob Story Cycle: Isaac’s story is quickly told: Isaac’s story is quickly told: A divinely appointed wife from the family (24)A divinely appointed wife from the family (24) A pair of sons who are opposites and in competition (25)A pair of sons who are opposites and in competition (25) Repetitions of Abraham’s life (26)Repetitions of Abraham’s life (26)

Jacob’s story: A conniver from birth (25:21-34) A conniver from birth (25:21-34) Favored by his mother (Rebekah) Favored by his mother (Rebekah) Cheated his father (Isaac), brother (Esau), uncle (Laban) and daughter (Dinah) Cheated his father (Isaac), brother (Esau), uncle (Laban) and daughter (Dinah) Worked for wives and cattle from his uncle Worked for wives and cattle from his uncle Cheated by his uncle Cheated by his uncle Afraid of his brother Afraid of his brother Cowardly, wrestler with God (“Israel”) Cowardly, wrestler with God (“Israel”) Receives the Covenant blessing & mandate (35) Receives the Covenant blessing & mandate (35)

The Joseph Story Cycle: Joseph the Dreamer (37) Joseph the Dreamer (37) Joseph the Slave (38) Joseph the Slave (38) Joseph the Interpreter of Dreams (39-41) Joseph the Interpreter of Dreams (39-41) Joseph the Egyptian Ruler (42-44) Joseph the Egyptian Ruler (42-44) Joseph the Savior of his Family (45- 47) Joseph the Savior of his Family (45- 47) Jacob passes the covenant blessing and dies (48-50) Jacob passes the covenant blessing and dies (48-50)

Genesis as Sinai Covenant Prologue Explains the character of reality, including original goodness and the devastating effects of sin Explains the character of reality, including original goodness and the devastating effects of sin Informs Israel of God’s long-standing plan to reassert divine connection, and this through a community Informs Israel of God’s long-standing plan to reassert divine connection, and this through a community Identifies Israel’s unique origins and character Identifies Israel’s unique origins and character Explains Israel’s recent history Explains Israel’s recent history

Genesis Patterns Creation Individual Sin Individual Salvation Communal Sin Communal Salvation Genesis 1-11Genesis (Ishmael) (Esau)

Genesis Patterns  1-11 Origins Story Cycle What is the nature of reality?What is the nature of reality? Divinely Good, Contaminated by Evil Divinely Good, Contaminated by Evil Abraham Story Cycle Abraham Story Cycle Who are we as a unique people?Who are we as a unique people? Miraculously born to be God’s witness to the nations Miraculously born to be God’s witness to the nations Jacob Story Cycle Jacob Story Cycle What is our character as a people?What is our character as a people? Deceitful Connivers who Wrestle with God Deceitful Connivers who Wrestle with God Joseph Story Cycle Joseph Story Cycle How did we get to Egypt?How did we get to Egypt? By dreaming our own dreams By dreaming our own dreams How did we get out of Egypt?How did we get out of Egypt? By dreaming the dreams of God By dreaming the dreams of God