Paul tells the Romans that Abraham trusted the promise of God: "He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barreness of Sarah's womb," (Rom 4:19).
My response is, "Yes, but..." When God told Abraham about the impending birth of Isaac, Abraham's first response was laughter. He tried to get God to accept Ishmael as the heir and forget about any others. God, said no to him, "We'll do it my way" (Genesis 17:15-22).
Trust does not mean that we aren't allowed to argue. Trust doesn't mean that the outcome seems likely--or even possible. Trust does mean letting God's way become our way.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Lectio Divina, June 5, 2008
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, (Romans 4:20).
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations, (Psalm 33:11).
the thoughts of his heart to all generations, (Psalm 33:11).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Lectio Divina June 4, 2008
For this reason it depends on faith,
in order that the promise may rest on grace
and be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not only to the adherents of the law
but also to those who share the faith of Abraham
for he is the father of all of us (Rom 4:16).
in order that the promise may rest on grace
and be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not only to the adherents of the law
but also to those who share the faith of Abraham
for he is the father of all of us (Rom 4:16).
Questions that arise from reading Romans 4
What does Paul mean by righteousness? Is he talking about our behavior? Or, is he talking about God's?
Paul asserts that God's promise of blessings (4:13) is guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants (4:16). He's making the point that non-circumcised, Torah-illiterate, Gentiles are to be included along with Jews. How inclusive do we think that God's promises to Abraham are (Gen 12:3)? That is, are we willing to include the other descendants of Abraham, Muslims, in this promise?
Read Isaiah 51:1-8.
Paul asserts that God's promise of blessings (4:13) is guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants (4:16). He's making the point that non-circumcised, Torah-illiterate, Gentiles are to be included along with Jews. How inclusive do we think that God's promises to Abraham are (Gen 12:3)? That is, are we willing to include the other descendants of Abraham, Muslims, in this promise?
Read Isaiah 51:1-8.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Lectio Divina June 3, 2008
Abram journeyed on by stages....(Gen 12:9a).
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world
stand in awe of the Lord (Ps 33:8).
let all the inhabitants of the world
stand in awe of the Lord (Ps 33:8).
Abraham's Call, Reflection on Gen 12:1-9
Here's some comments about this passage that I found in Narrative in the Hebrew Bible, by David M. Gunn and Danna Nolan Fewell:
Abram's father had brought the family half-way already (from Ur to Haran).
The text doesn't tell us what Abram said to Sarai, or if he said anything to her, about the command to move or the blessing.
When Abram gets to Canaan, God says "This is your land." Abram then moves on to Egypt.
Abram's father had brought the family half-way already (from Ur to Haran).
The text doesn't tell us what Abram said to Sarai, or if he said anything to her, about the command to move or the blessing.
When Abram gets to Canaan, God says "This is your land." Abram then moves on to Egypt.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Lectio Divina June 2, 2008
I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you,
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing (Gen 12:2).
and I will bless you,
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing (Gen 12:2).
God loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord (Ps 33:5).
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord (Ps 33:5).
The Mercy of God, Reflection on Gen 12:1-4
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, God expelled them from the garden. But, God didn't send them out in the scratchy fig leaves; he came them fur coats to wear.
After Cain murdered his brother Abel, God sentenced him to a life as a fugitive and wanderer. But, God also put a mark of Cain so that no one would kill him.
When God saw that wickedness was abounding on the earth, God sent a flood to destroy everything--well, not quite everything. God protected Noah and his family and pairs of all kinds of animals. Moreover, after the flood God made covenant with Noah.
When humans built the Tower of Babel in an attempt to be like God, God responded by scattering them-- separation by place and by language.
Here's the recurring pattern in Genesis so far. Sin followed by punishment followed by grace. Today's passage may be seen as a response to the Tower of Babel. People were separated. Now, God calls Abraham to be a blessing to all the families of the earth.
After Cain murdered his brother Abel, God sentenced him to a life as a fugitive and wanderer. But, God also put a mark of Cain so that no one would kill him.
When God saw that wickedness was abounding on the earth, God sent a flood to destroy everything--well, not quite everything. God protected Noah and his family and pairs of all kinds of animals. Moreover, after the flood God made covenant with Noah.
When humans built the Tower of Babel in an attempt to be like God, God responded by scattering them-- separation by place and by language.
Here's the recurring pattern in Genesis so far. Sin followed by punishment followed by grace. Today's passage may be seen as a response to the Tower of Babel. People were separated. Now, God calls Abraham to be a blessing to all the families of the earth.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Reflection on Psalm 46
In her sermon on Psalm 46 this morning, the preacher cited verses 4 and 5: "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns."
She told us that the church is the new city of God. I thought that many people feel safer living in the suburbs.
She told us that the church is the new city of God. I thought that many people feel safer living in the suburbs.
Lectio Divina, June 1, 2008
In you, O Lord,
I seek refuge;
do not let me
ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness
deliver me (Ps 31:1).
I seek refuge;
do not let me
ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness
deliver me (Ps 31:1).
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