Genesis Series: Chapters 19-22.

EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES

 EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES.

THE BIBLE: EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES ICON

 

Chapters 19-22.

In these chapters we read about the earthquake, which destroyed several cities around the Dead Sea.  Starting from this fact, the author expanded his account.  God intervenes to punish the proverbial immorality of these towns.  Lot is saved, together with his daughters.  Through his daughters he is the ancestor of the Moabites and the Ammonites, the enemies of Israel.

In chapter 21, God is faithful to his promises.  When she is far advanced in years, Sarah becomes pregnant.  Her son Isaac is the child of the promise.  

Then comes a chapter we are more familiar with hearing at Mass- chapter 22, which is the Sacrifice of Isaac.

One last time the faith of Abraham is put to the test.  God asks him to offer his only son in sacrifice.  Abraham’s faith and obedience are absolute.  The narrative condemns the sacrifice of children which was the custom in Canaan, and it established the ritual prescription of the redemption of the first-born children of Israel by a sacrifice; like all first fruits, the first-born belong to God and they must not be sacrificed by redeemed by a sacrifice.

This chapter is important because the Fathers and the liturgy saw in this sacrifice of Isaac the type of the passion of Christ, the only Son.

John 3 and Romans 8 exemplify this view. 

Abraham gives us the example of obedience.  We may wish to pray to ‘our father in faith’, so that we too may be given the grace to break the resistance of our erring wills and to follow through all circumstances the straight line of God’s commandments.