Genesis 28: 10-19a As his father, Isaac, and grandfather, Abraham before him, Jacob experiences his own affirmation of God’s covenant.  Also, like his father,  Abraham, Isaac insists that his son, Jacob,  return to the homeland to find a wife who … Continue reading →

Genesis 25: 19-34 Isaac’s story continues.  Last Sunday’s reading relayed how a wife, Rebekah,  was found for Isaac among his father Abraham’s people.  Now we are told the story of  their marriage and “the descendants of Isaac.”   Rebekah was … Continue reading →

Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67 After the death of Sarah and as Abraham nears his own death, he sends a servant to find a wife for their son, Isaac.  He wants Isaac not to marry a Canaanite, but someone from … Continue reading →

Deuteronomy 10: 17-21 In Deuteronomy, Yahweh is no longer the greatest god among gods, God is God of all creation, who inexplicably chose the descendants of Abraham and Sarah for a unique relationship.  As Robert Alter explains, this God is … Continue reading →

Genesis 22: 1-14 The Abraham/Sarah narrative reaches  its climax: God instructs Abraham to take his and Sarah’s only son, miraculously given to them by God long past their child bearing years, and offer Isaac as a sacrifice.  God gives instructions … Continue reading →

Genesis 21: 8-21 The Abraham/Sarah narrative continues.  The time has come to celebrate the weaning of Isaac.  Sarah expels from the household Hagar, the slave woman who bore a son, Ishmael, to Abraham when Sarah was still barren fourteen years … Continue reading →

Genesis 18: 1-15 (21: 1-7) Continuing the story of Abraham and Sarah, we are now told that God repeats the promise of a son to the elderly couple.  But the promise of a baby seems silly to the aged Sarah. … Continue reading →

Genesis 12: 1-9 Abram [and Sara] are called to go on a journey with God.  The destination is the future– future generations, future nations and future blessing.  It requires faith.  Despite their old age, Abram and Sara leave their home … Continue reading →

Genesis 1: 1- 2:4a This story of creation was probably written after the captivity in Babylon.  It begins with a haunting scene: “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the earth….”   A vaguely defined … Continue reading →

Act of the Apostles 2: 1-21 The Holy Spirit has made discrete, but critical appearances in Luke’s narratives to this point, but now takes center stage.  The occasion  is the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, the place is Jerusalem.  In it’s … Continue reading →