Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Week 15: Genesis 23–24

We're nearing the end of Abraham's journey. This week we looked at Sarah's death (Gen. 23) and the search for a wife for Isaac (Gen. 24). 



Skills:
  • How can we get better applications of the Bible?


Activation:
  • Sarah's death
  • Abraham's purchase of a burial site
  • The search for Isaac's wife, Rebekah

At-Home Skills Practice:

  • Step 1: Read through Genesis 25:19–50:26 at least twice this week. Don’t forget that you can use an audio Bible to help you.
This week we are going to focus on chapters 25 and 26. We are going to do things a little differently. I’m asking the questions and you’re answering. You really shouldn’t need any outside resources to get these answers other than your Bible. I want you to begin to equip you to notice patterns in the text.
  • What is the purpose of Gen. 25:1–4? How does it push the top-level story of redemption along.
  • What is the purpose of Gen. 25:5? Why does the author include this information?
  • What significance is the phrase “…in the east”? Who else went “east” earlier in Genesis? Make a short list and include references.
  • How is Gen. 25:11 a fitting end to this section (that started back in 11:27)?
  • What is the purpose of Gen. 25:12–18? How does it push the top-level story of redemption along? What do you think the significance is that there are 12 descendants of Ishmael?
  • Gen. 25:19 starts a new section of the narrative. What is the purpose of verses 19–23? What is this supposed to remind the reader of? What parallels do you see from previous stories in Genesis? Make a short list and include references.
  • Gen. 25:27–34 is a famous story about Jacob and Esau. What previous brother “pairs” has the author introduced us to in Genesis? What parallels do you see between those stories and this one? Make a short list and include references.
  • In Gen. 26:1–6, we read of famine in the land. What is the purpose of this section of scripture? What is the author wanting us to see about the relationship between Isaac and Abraham?
  • What previous section in Genesis does Gen. 26:7–19 remind you of? Make a short list of parallels. Include references.
  • What is the purpose of Gen. 26:23–24? How does it push the top-level story of redemption along?
  • What previous section in Genesis does Gen. 26:26–31 remind you of? Make a short list of parallels. Include references.