Reading Genesis 20-25 in Family Worship

Genesis 20

Genesis 20 functions as something of an interlude. The story of Abraham and Abimelech sounds something like a repeat of the story of Abraham and Pharaoh. It is particularly striking because Sarah is now nearly 90 years old — at least, if the story is told chronologically. I suspect that the story happened earlier in their life, but we hear it now since Abimelech plays a central role here in the next couple chapters.

Here we learn that Sarah is indeed Abraham’s sister — so he did not lie when he said, “She is my sister” — although such a statement results in both Pharaoh and Abimelech being deceived. If you tell the truth in such a way that you intend for others to believe a lie (e.g., she is not married), then you practice deception. Abimelech rightly responds, “How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin?”

And yet, Abraham’s reply reveals his fundamental concern: “There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.” While Genesis does not approve of all of Abraham’s actions, neither does Genesis condemn Abraham. Certainly the result of the encounter with Abimelech turns to great good for Abraham.

Song: Psalm 105

Genesis 21

The birth of Isaac is woven into the fabric of this story that includes Hagar and Abimelech. Abimelech has functioned as the latest in a series of threats to God’s promises. After all, if Sarah winds up in Abimelech’s court, then she will not bear the promised seed! And Hagar remains a potential threat as long as Ishmael, the firstborn son, stays around.

So at the weaning of Isaac, Sarah’s jealousy of Hagar and Ishmael reaches its climax: “Cast out this slave woman with her son…” And to our surprise, God agrees with Sarah. Ishmael may not inherit with Isaac — because the inheritance is nothing less than to be the holy seed through whom salvation will come to all the nations.

And chapter 21 concludes with Abraham’s treaty with Abimelech — a covenant of friendship. Abimelech recognizes that God is with Abraham — and so he wants to make sure that Abraham and his descendants will deal kindly with his descendants. (Note: while it refers to “the land of the Philistines” — the names Abimelech and Phicol are not Philistine names. The Philistines did not arrive in Canaan for another 4-5 centuries).

Song: PHSS 167 “The Holy City”

Genesis 22

Don’t even try to get inside Abraham’s head on this one. Soren Kierkegaard tried it in Fear and Trembling — and you cannot begin to make sense of Abraham’s experience of this (or Isaac’s!). Hebrews 11 says about all we can say, “He considered that God was able even to raise the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” Instead, focus on what God tells us in this story. The offering of Isaac happens at the same location where Solomon will later build the temple. God teaches us through this story the necessity of the sacrifice of the firstborn son in order to redeem humanity (a theme that will get played out in more detail in Exodus).

Song: Psalm 127

Genesis 23

This is one of my favorite chapters. Watch the negotiating as Abraham maneuvers Ephron into selling him a piece of land that Ephron does not wish to part with. Of course, Ephron charges him a princely sum, but Abraham is willing to pay anything in order to have a burial plot that he may call his own. When Ephron offers the field as a “gift” he is actually trying to keep the land within his own inheritance. “Gifted” lands were not permanently alienated — only the “use” was given away. That’s why Ephron inflates the price to an astronomical rate. He appears quite upset that Abraham has put him in such an awkward position that he can only ‘save face’ by making Abraham pay in silver.

Why does Abraham want to have a burial plot? Because he does not wish to mingle the bones of God’s people with the bones of those who are under God’s wrath and curse. The same hope of the resurrection that we saw in chapter 22 emerges as well here in chapter 23.

PHSS 166

Genesis 24

The story of Abraham’s servant provides a fascinating glimpse into ancient customs. “Put your hand under my thigh” — is a way of swearing an oath by the “seed.” The servant tells the story that we already know (repetition tells us how important the story is). The marriage is contracted in the home of her family — but also requires Rebekah’s consent: “Will you go with this man?” So by the time she meets Isaac, she is already his wife.

“And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.” Camels were only domesticated in Canaan much later (around the 10th century), so some think that Abraham’s servant could not have brought 10 camels with him. But then again, Abraham is from Babylon (where camels appear in lists of domestic animals from ca. 1800 B.C.) and had sojourned in Egypt (where camels had been domesticated since 2200 B.C.). So it would appear that Abraham brought a handful of camels with him to Canaan — which would have made him look like a wealthy and influential foreigner (exactly how the book of Genesis portrays him…). The only camels in Canaan are approaching.

Song: Psalm 98

Genesis 25:1-18

Even though Abraham was old, he apparently had sufficient vigor to marry again and father six sons with Keturah. Midian is the most important for future purposes (Moses will marry a Midianite woman).

Also notice that when Abraham dies, Ishmael comes and joins Isaac in burying their father. Ishmael is not in the promised line — but he is never portrayed as hostile to the promises (unlike Esau — as we’ll see next week). Nonetheless, the Ishmaelites will often array themselves against Israel.

Song: Psalm 83