Week of June 29, 2020
Bible Study for Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 24
Sometimes I hear from people that the Old Testament is too difficult for them to read and understand, that they prefer the New Testament where they see grace and faith rather than the “angry God of the Old Testament.” I have felt that myself for some years. But then an esteemed pastor started teaching Bible Study from the Old Testament reading for any given Sunday and he told me how much he regretted not having preached more from the Old Testament. That got my attention and has been an important part of my teaching and preaching ministry.
What I have come to see and appreciate is that the Old Testament (or the “Hebrew Scriptures” as they are often called) is the story of God creating relationship with God’s people, establishing an eternal covenant with them, and coming to their aid time after time after time. The Old Testament has taught me to appreciate the community of the faithful; that in the beginnings, as now, the life of the faithful is a corporate or communal matter, something that our contemporary society doesn’t seem to appreciate as we have tended to make it personal and private and individualistic.
There’s a lot of interest these days in learning about our family trees – we send our DNA off and wait for the results that will give us leads to a new distant cousin or information about a long-lost great-great-aunt. Well, the Hebrew Scriptures give us important information about the family tree of our faith, from the patriarchs through the prophets and those in exile; then to those returning to their homeland after king Cyrus granted them leave; and then finally to the birth of Jesus. Centuries and centuries of family tree.
Two other points. First, the scriptures that Jesus would have learned as a child would have been the Old Testament – he would have heard the stories about his forebears and would have learned the psalms. Second, there are numerous references to these ancient stories in the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. Hebrews 11 contains a long recitation of the ancients and their faith. So, as we continue the study we began a few weeks ago in Genesis, let us keep using the lens of God’s faithfulness, God’s steadfast love, and God’s continual actions to redeem the chosen people. You may want to look back on previous weeks’ material as we have seen how God created a covenant relationship with Abram and Sarai, promising to make of them a great people to be a blessing to the world. And how God was faithful to that promise despite their advancing age.
While the appointed reading is Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, & 58-67 (likely for brevity’s sake), it is more helpful to read the entire chapter. Here is a link to read it in The Message Bible, a modern paraphrase:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+24&version=MSG .
Describe the conversations and dialogues that you read. You may see them organized like this: vs 1-9 – Abraham and his servant; vs 11-27 – the servant and Rebekah; vs 28 – 61 – the servant and Rebekah’s family; and vs 62-67 – Isaac and Rebekah. What are the phrases that you hear repeated? Why do you think these are important?
In what ways do you see God at work in these verses? What do you think of the servant’s prayer in chapter 24:12-14? Read Judges 6:36-40 and see the similar query that Gideon put to God. Is there a time that you have prayed this kind of prayer? What was the result?
Please note a bit more about the context of this story. In Genesis 25, we read of the death of Sarah, Abraham’s wife and Isaac’s mother, at the age of 127. Read Genesis 24:67 in which we learn of Isaac’s love for Rebekah and the comfort it gave him. And also note that in Genesis 25:7-8 we read of the death of Abraham. Think about how it was (or might be) at the time that both of your parents have passed from this life into the next. Describe any feelings you may have had of the mantle being passed. What is the mantle passed to Isaac and Rebekah?
One commentator has noted that when we have a significant decision to make, we may follow the process seen in this story – prepare, pray, wait and then respond with generosity. How might this work in our lives individually and also as a community of faith?
Let us pray: Loving God, thank you for the model of Abraham and Sarah. Thank you for guiding Abraham’s servant. Thank you for the clear response of Rebekah and her willingness to go to Isaac. Thank you for blessing them with love. Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness to us over the years. Grow our love and trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible Study Addendum - Genesis 24
I have often enjoyed the prayers and blessings found in a relatively recent addition to my library: Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing by Alden Solovy.
This one struck me today as we have considered the lives of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and the others whom we will meet in coming weeks. Please join me in giving thanks.
God of our fathers,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
God of our mothers,
Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel,
Open my heart to serve others
With joy and thanksgiving.
Remove ego, judgment and self-will,
So that I am present with kindness and understanding.
Make me a tool of Your hand,
An echo of Your voice,
And a shining lamp of Your love.
Grant me the wisdom to offer myself willingly, without fear.
Fill me with compassion and grace,
Vitality and endurance,
So that my service becomes a blessing
In heaven and on earth.
Blessed are You, God of old,
You set Your people
On a noble path,
To serve with love.
May it be so. Amen.
