1. Bell Work: Who is the oldest person in your family?
Write 3 lines about this person and what they mean to you & your family

2. Introduction to Genesis Ancestor Stories
In Spanish, “Padre” = __________
From Latin, “Pater”- Father “arch[y]”- to rule

3. Introduction to Genesis Ancestor Stories
Patriarch –a male ruler or leader
4 Great Biblical Patriarchs – Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph

4. Qualities of the Patriarchs
They obeyed God.
They knew God wanted his people to treat all people with justice.
They lived good, moral lives.
They understood that God wanted his People to come back to Him with their whole selves.
Notes:
They obeyed God: In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for obedience meant primarily “listening” or “hearing.” An obedient person heard God’s Word and followed it (see Exodus 15:26). To be obedient was simply to align oneself with God’s will.
They knew God wanted his people to treat all people with justice: They understood the need for and purpose of divine justice. The Hebrew and Greek words translated as “justice” are also translated as “righteousness” and “judgment.” Divine justice calls for the fair and equitable distribution of life’s necessities. The scriptural idea of justice is based on the truth that all humans have dignity and worth and are children of God. God’s love for all creation is shown in his emphasis on justice, which is love in action.
They lived good, moral lives: They committed themselves to ethical responsibility. The commandments of God are the fundamental rules of conduct for the Chosen People. The Ten Commandments are about love of God and love of neighbor.
They understood that God wanted his People to come back to him with their whole selves: The patriarchs needed to be able to ask the Jews and Israelites to return to the Covenant in body, mind, and spirit. At this time the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants had been entered into, and long adhered to, by the People. Therefore God no longer looked only for sacrifice to appease him. He sought more. Specifically, God was interested in a full return to the Covenant by his People in body, mind, and spirit. Yet the Israelites were unsure of how to accomplish this goal. The leaders God chose were men and women who committed themselves to a relationship with God and to being his voice. They spoke on God’s behalf to the People.

5. Literary Context Most of these Ancestor Stories are Dramas.
As dramas, what should we be looking for?

6. Ancestor Stories Character names are symbolic
Abraham  “The Father is Exalted”
Isaac  “Laughter” (Gen. 18:12-14b)
Jacob  “Leg-Puller” (Gen. 25:24-26)

7. Ancestor Stories Many stories are duplicated
Compare the two Hagar stories:
Gen. 16:5-14  (v.6) Abraham doesn’t care
Gen. 21:8-21  (v. 11) Abraham cares!
Where does this duplication come from?

8. Ancestor Stories Again, remember the multiple sources.
In this case, perhaps one source was trying to “clean up” the other source.

9. Why should we read ancestor stories?
What do YOU Think?
Why should we read ancestor stories?

10. What do YOU Think? Hereditary health issues
Better understanding of history, and your place in it
Geographical significance
Pride in your heritage
What events shaped your family today