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III. Genesis 12 - 50

Religion Mr. Kilbridge McQuaid Jesuit. III. Genesis 12 - 50. A. Introduction. Historical time – ca. 1800 BC Written between 1000 and 500 BC Fertile Crescent (Ur, Haran, Canaan, Egypt) Gen. 1-11 “Primeval History” Gen. 12-50 “Patriarchal History” Theme: The Covenant (contract)

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III. Genesis 12 - 50

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  1. Religion Mr. Kilbridge McQuaid Jesuit III. Genesis 12 - 50

  2. A. Introduction • Historical time – ca. 1800 BC • Written between 1000 and 500 BC • Fertile Crescent (Ur, Haran, Canaan, Egypt) • Gen. 1-11 “Primeval History” • Gen. 12-50 “Patriarchal History” • Theme: The Covenant (contract) • Land and Progeny (descendants) in exchange for loyalty and circumcision. • Chosen People

  3. B. Patriarchs and Matriarchs

  4. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 1. Gen. 12 - Abram Called & Visit to Egypt • Questions: • Why does God call Abram? • What does it mean to be “called”? • Who can receive God’s call? • Does being called guarantee or require righteous behavior? Does it require faith? • The Call: v. 1-2 “Go from your country…to the land…great nation” • Egypt: “Say you are my sister, so that it may go well for me…” • Moral/ethical questions unaddressed (J) • Famines and plagues related to Egypt – a recurring theme

  5. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) 2. Gen. 15 - Promise and Covenant • Covenant Ceremony - “Cutting” a covenant • Descendents will number like the stars • J and E: evidence? • Written during/after Babylonian Exile (587 -537) • The story of enslavement in Egypt is particularly meaningful for an oppressed people living in Exile. • Psalm 137 (Source: New Jerome Biblical Commentary)

  6. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 Abraham Told to Count the Stars, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794-1872) (Source: http://www.artnet.com)

  7. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) 3. Gen 16, 21: Hagar & Ishmael; Birth of Isaac • Hagar and the use of surrogates in the ANE • Consider: Who is admirable, Hagar or Sarai? • Hagar, initially arrogant, is noble in the end (demonstrating perseverance and faith) • How old is Ishmael when Isaac is born? What explains the discrepancy? (Source: New Jerome Biblical Commentary)

  8. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) Hagar Leaves the House of Abraham Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) (Source: http://www.bible-art.info/Hagar.htm)

  9. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) 4. Gen. 17, 18- Covenant renewed and amended • Abram  Abraham; Sarai  Sarah • Circumcision • Son promised • Nature of the visitors? Which Redactor?

  10. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) Muslim Boy on his way to be circumcised

  11. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) 5. Gen. 20 – Abimelech • Where have you read this story before? • Gen. 12:10-20 • What are the differences between this version and the first one? • How do you explain the differences? • E moralizes, whereas J doesn’t • Note that Sarah is 90 (17:17; 18:12) (Source: New Jerome Biblical Commentary)

  12. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) 6. Gen. 22 – The ordeal of Isaac • Troubling: God’s demand and Abraham’s unquestioning obedience. • How do you know when you hear God’s voice? • God’s demands are absolute, His will is inscrutable and His final word is grace. • Christian interpretation has interpreted this story as one that prefigures Christ (anagogical) (Source: New Jerome Biblical Commentary)

  13. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) The Sacrifice of Isaac, Caravaggio (1590-1610) (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Sacrifice_of_Isaac_(Caravaggio))

  14. C. Abraham: Genesis 12-22 (cont) • Faith is "a paradox which is capable of transforming a murder into a holy act, well-pleasing to God.” Søren Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling • “…if the voice commands him to do something contrary to moral law, then no matter how majestic the apparition may be, and no matter how it may seem to surpass the whole of nature, he must consider it an illusion.” Immanuel Kant, Conflict of the Faculties

  15. D. Isaac and Jacob: Gen 24-34 • Gen. 24 – Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca • Gen. 25 & 27 – Esau and Jacob • Why does Rebecca act to further Jacob’s interest? • Fulfill Yahweh’s promise? Shared interest? Self-interest? • Is there any ethical judgment rendered on them? • Discontinuity is evidence of two authors • Gen. 28 – Jacob’s Ladder • Theophany, patriarchal promise, etiology, Bethel • Gen. 29 – 31 – Jacob, Laban, Rachel, and Leah • Gen. 34 – Rape of Dinah

  16. E. Joseph: Genesis 37 - 50

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