The Covenant with Abraham (Qtr 2 - Week 7: 14 May)

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LMcDonald
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The Covenant with Abraham (Qtr 2 - Week 7: 14 May)

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Wk 7 The Covenant with Abraham.JPG
Key Text: “But Abram said, ‘Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ ” (Genesis 15:2, NKJV)

In this section we get into the heart of Abraham’s religious experience. This is the moment God makes His covenant with Abram, which is God’s second covenant after His covenant with Noah (Genesis 6:18–9:20). The Abrahamic covenant contains the same requirements as the Noahic covenant. However, unlike the covenant with Noah, the Abrahamic covenant starts with a sacrificial ceremony associated with the promise of a son and a homeland. The covenant is confirmed by a sign. The Abrahamic covenant is, however, different from the covenant with Noah, as well, and contains new elements. It has two sacrificial ceremonies. The sign is the circumcision, and Abram receives the new name of Abraham. Furthermore, the biblical narrative offers two different perspectives of that covenant. While in the covenant with Noah the focus is on God, and the person of Noah is subdued, the covenant with Abraham includes Abraham’s perspective, and, as a result, the course of that covenant develops in a more complicated manner.

Lesson Themes:
1. The Tension of Faith. Abraham’s faith is made of questions and doubts; Abraham believes in God in spite of himself. Abraham’s laughter is made of irony and awe. Abraham’s prayer to God is made of submission and challenges.
2. The Laws of Hospitality. Abraham’s care for his foreign guests contrasts with the Sodomites’ callousness and threats toward the foreigners.
3. The Passion of Intercession. Abraham pleads for the wicked in the city of Sodom, hoping that there are enough righteous within to avert destruction

Thought Question: Abraham Bargains Against the Lord. Why was Abraham’s boldness and challenge of God’s will an act of faith? How would you apply this example to your experience of prayer?

The Covenant with Abraham (Qtr 2 - Week 7: 14 May) Part1
The Covenant with Abraham (Qtr 2 - Week 7: 14 May) Part2

Audio recordings are available 5-10 minutes after the show has aired.


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