Summary of the chapters

[ 12 J By Faith Abraham . . .

The Abraham story (Gen. 11:27-25:11) forms the heart of the book of Genesis. At the outset Abraham is the recipient of major divine promises (12:1-3), with the fulfillment of these being linked to Abraham's obedience to God. As the narrative develops, special attention is drawn to how Abraham's faith in God is credited to him as righteousness (15:6). In response, God cov- enants unconditionally to give Abraham's descendants the land of Canaan (15:18-21). Later God initiates a second covenant, which differs from the first in two main ways: (1) it guarantees that Abraham will be the "father" of many nations who will be blessed through him and his "seed"; (2) in order for the covenant to be established, Abraham must remain loyal and obedient to God. This second covenant is later established by divine oath when Abraham displays total trust in God through his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac (22:16-18). The entire narrative highlights Abraham's faith in God as he awaits the fulfillment of the initial divine promises.

Introduction

In terms of th b · 1 1 h . e num er of chapters given over to him, Abraham 1s c ear Y t e most importa f 11 h h. 1·r m k . nt O a t e human characters in Genesis. Moreover, 1s ue

ar s an imp b . Alth h o~tant watershed in God's relationship with human e1ngs.

oug Genesis 3 11 · · d. · · · ·11 · h the co - gives 1n 1cat1ons that d1v1ne mercy w1 tnump over that a n

1 sequen~es of Adam and Eve's betrayal of God, it is with Abraham

c earer p1ct b . . d . h ure eg1ns to emerge. The divine promises associate wit

173

1'111 Mu i,,. T 111MI' o1 111 1 1' 1-.:1, 11tH.'. II

l . l y .1 central role in restoring hum anity's

hi s c:1\1 ( I 2: 1-3) reveal that ic is to p a . broken relationship with God.

Overview of the Abraham Narrative . f \I ·

0 rwo sections, separated by a brief gencal-

The Abraham narranvc _a s in_r ·. f 11:27-22:19, with 23:1-25·11 . 22·20-24· the mam secno n consists o . .

ogy 111 · ' d. R • through the mai n secnon are the three closely fo rming an appen ix. unn111g d bl . . . d h mes of seed land, an essmg. 111rerrwme t e . h ' . e the theme of seed centers on the divine as-

Within the Abra am narrativ h · · · I · I

·11 h vc many descendants. T e mltla promises that . r' 11cc that Abra iam w1 a h h' " d" ·11 su ·• ' · " (12·2) and t at 1s see w1 possess !\br·1ham will become a "great nanon . d f h' . . . · ' . (12.7) set against the backgroun o Sara s mab1lity the land of Canaan · are Ab h h h ·11

'Id (ll ·30) Later after the LORD assures ra am t at e w1 to have chi ren · · ' S h d h. • f h' d many descendants (15: 1-5), ara persua es 1m to have asono isownan 1 • h' Ab h have a child by her maidservant Haga r (16:1-4). By oanung im, ra am

. I h. (16· 15) Afterward, however, God on two separate claims lshmae as is own . . ·11 b b h ,

• I h s h will indeed have a son who w1 e A ra am s true occaswns revea s t at ara . . d

. . 5 _

21 .

18 . 9 _15). Eventually Sarah gives birth to Isaac (21 :1-7), an heir (17.1 , · h d' · l d d · bl ' h d Ab ham's heir through t e 1vme y approve eparture

he 1s esta 1s e as ra d h d I

h I (21 ·8-21) Isaac's birth mark s the first step towar t e of Hagar an s mac · · .11 b " . ,, fulfillment of the divine promise that Abraham w1 eco me a great nation and have numerous descendants. . .

The second theme in the Abraha m narrative concerns land. l111t1 a~ly God commands Abraham to leave his own land and "go . .. to the land I ~ ill show you" (12: I). Although it is not mentioned specifically th~t A,~raham_w1II possess this land, the promise that he will become a "grea: n~

1

t1on_ (1;:2) implies that his descendants will possess it; the Hebrew term gay,. nation, __ denot~s people inhabiting a specific geographical locati on and formm~ a P?.lmcal umt. Th_us, when Abraham first arrives in Canaan, the LORD promises, To your offsp ring [seed] I will give this land " (12:7). Later, following the separation of Lot from Abraham, God repeats this promise, emphasizing the extent of the land to be possessed by Abraham's descendants (13: 14-17).2 The topic of land reappears in 15:7-21 , where the idea is introduced that Abraham's descendants will take possession of the land of Canaan only after a period of four hundred yea rs , during which they will be slaves in another country (15:13-14). This reve- lation of a delay regarding the acqu isition of the land probably explains why the promise of land, which is very prominent in Genesis 12-15, is mentioned

174

I. It was a custom in the ancient Near East that the maidservant of a barren wife might act as a surrogate mother.

2. Although Abraham is mentioned as possessing the land, there is no suggestion that the present inhabitants of the land will be dispossessed du ring Abrnham's lifetime.

- D

less frequently in the remaining cha t f •• 1

"

1

• •

h h . p ers o the Ab h

22: 17) . Alt oug later episodes hi ghlight f'b h ~a am narrat1vc (cf. 17.8.

R y I A I , II \

h b d b ,, ra am s a · · • •

Beers e a an a tom at Hebron these k C<.ju1s111on of aw II ' . I d . , ma r only th. b . ' c at cess by wh1c 1 Go will fulfill his promise t Ab h c cginning of ihc

. d . d . o ra am re d' pro- The th1 r mam stran 111 the Abraham n . . gar tng nationhood

. h h 'd arrat1ve ts as we h . riced 111 c apter 10, t c I ca that Abraham and h' " ' ave alreadv no-

. bl · 'bl · is seed" will b ' divme essmg, or poss1 y cursmg fo r others Th· . . h. . ca source of , • IS IS tghlt h d .

initial call of Abraham and the concluding oath in 22. !6- g te 111 both the

episodes partly reflect the divine blessing or cursin · f 1 \ ~!though va rious

to Egypt [12:10-20], the abduction of Lot by the eags O

okt. crs (e.g., the visit tern mgs [14·1 2 l

rescue of Lot from Sodom [18:16-19:29], the abduction of Sarah b . - . 4 , tht:

[20: 1- 18], and the treaty between Abimelech and Abr h [2 Y Abimelech . • . a am 1·22-34)) · · clear that, like the promise of nationhood, the promise of G d; bl . ' tt is all the fa~ilies of the earth will only be fulfilled in the futur: (c;. 2; ~1stg on

This brief survey of the themes of seed, land, and blessing bt· h ) · . . h' . 2 esta is es their

Presence wit m Genesis 1 -25. To explore further how the d 1 . Y are eve oped wi thin the Abraham narrative, we shall examine in more deta'l h · • . 1 1 t e 1111na call of Abraham in 12:1-3, the covenants in Genes is 15 and 17 and th d. · h . . , e 1vme oat in 22:16- 18. This will enable us to have a clearer picture of how the overall narrative is structured.

The Divine Call of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3

Within the co ntext of the book of Genesis, the divine speech in 12: 1-3 is ve_ry importa_nt. It marks the beginning of a_ new stage in God's relationship with huma111ty, sets the agenda for the entire Abraham story and beyond, and introduces themes that will be developed in the following narrative. The LoRD says to Abraham, "Leave yo ur country, your people, and your father's household and go to the land I will show you, so that I may make vou into a great nation and bless you and make your name great. Be a blessi~g, so that I may bless th ose who bless you, and curse the one who disdains you, and so that all the families of the ground may be blessed through you" (12: 1-3, my trans.). Two features of this speech are noteworthy in the present context. First, the fulfillment of the divine promi ses is conditional on Abraham's obedience. By co mmanding him to leave hi s homela nd and be a blessing, God places the onu s on Abraham to obey in order that the promises concerning land, descendants, and the blessing of others may be fulfilled.3 Second, the climax of the speech comes in th e statement that "all the families of the ground may

3. _As it stands, the divine speech to Abraham falls naturally into two halves, each introduml by an imperative. T he first half focuses on the promise of nationhood (i.e., land and descendants); the second centers o n the blessing of others. As we shall o bserve below this t wofold division is reAccted in the two covenants found in Gen. 15 and 17. '

175

176

r 111 r I :,. I ,\ ·1 l ll t" ii

,. Tl . 1 ,rimary motive behind the call of Abr l

I h ro ll , IC . a 1am

be blessed t iroug . bl . ·in<T rather rhan cursmg, on the nations of h . l · ··•robnng ess "'' . . . te

is c;oJ s, 01rc . 1

. Abraham will become a great narion, 1111plying b h 1·1 onusc r J.H d b . b . ot earth . 1c pr d

I d wsr be understoo as emg su serv1ent to G d'

d an an , n h I 4 o s numerou s see bl . II rhc families of r e cart 1.

. . I desire to ess a d . d . Pn nc1pa . . onse to God 's com man 1s note 1mmediarel)' d

I , . pos1nve resp , an

Abra 13111 5 d f Ca,ia"n is rewarded by rhe assurance char "toy . • I · h !;in o , '" . our

hrs arnv;1 111 r c . 11

. e this land" (12:7). The subiect of land dominac · [seed] I w1 g,v es

offsp ring . I separation of Lot and Abraham, God confirms rh . ·, IJ follow1ng ne . at

Genesis · . d danrs will rake possess10n of the land of Canaan ( f Ab

h i's many escen . . c. ra ;lll h • of land then comes to an important climax in Genes,· 4-17) T e promise ' s

l~: 1 . · d'· , ·inring to give Abraham's descendants the la nd "from the 1) w1rl1 Go s cmcn, l "(1 " 18) , . h great river the Eup 1rates ) : • Wad, of Eg)'Pt to t e '

d . . I Promissory Covenant of Genesis 15

The Uncon mona .

15 f II · to two parrs that have in common the subject of inheritance.

Genes, s a s 111 • h • · d · 1-6 are concerned with Abra am s 1mme iate and future \Xlhereas verses ' . • d

. 7 ?J locus 0 11 what shall be mhenred . Go reassures Abraham he1ts, verses - - 1' h II h

·11 h e a son of his own from whom s a come numerous de- that (1) e w, av . .

d d ( ?) after several cenrunes these descendants will take posses-

seen ants, an - ' II I · f h I d f Ca naan The two parts of the chapter para e each other

sJO n o t e an o · II Th bot

h begi n with a divine statement (15: 1, 7) , followed by a strucru ra y. ey , · l ·

· f Ab ham (15•? 8) Next we have Gods response 111vo vmg an quesnon rom ra --, · . b I

· · (15-4-5 9-17) 5 and finally a concluding comment y tie appropnate sign . , , , narrator (15:6, 18-21). .

Two elements in the chapter deserve special attention. First,_ verse 6 contams rhe observation that "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited rt to him JS righteousness. " The rarity in Genesis of such com men rs by the narrato r makes them all the more important when th ey occur. Here Abraham 1s viewed as righteous in God 's sight because he unreservedly believes that the LORD wdl fulfill his promise regarding a son and numerous descendants. Abraham ,s reckoned righteous on account of his faith in God 's promise, rather than due

to any deeds performed by him .

Th . . . l 1· J b I , Ii -~ Id rcperirion of rhe 4. e 1mporrancc of rhe rhemc of blcss111g 1s um er ,nc y r 1e vc 0

Hebrew roor brk, "to bless," in 12:2- 3. I ' desccn· 5. The firsr sign, the sra rs in the heavens, convers rhe vast number of Abra ,am

5 ,

d Th d · · Ii · I · I ·sen r Abraham s anrs. c secon sign ,s more complex. Probably the sacri c,a amma s reprc . d d h b

. d . h ·. ·rh ·t bbz1ng cscen anrs, r c ir s of prey arc the Egyptians, a nd "the smok ing ra z,cr w, • h

t h" ( ) · d · , , d h release of r c ore my trans. 111 ,cares God s presence. The sign thus looks rorwa r tor e .' f I · rr f I · E f h · heir n11dsr. A ter r~rae , ; roGm sd~very rn gypt and the subscgucnr presence o r c LorlDdllll t ·11ar of fire by

e exo us, o s presence rs rnd,cared hy rhc pillar of cloud by day an r ,e P' ' nighr (Exod. 13:21 ; 19:18; 20:18).

Second, the Lorm makes a covenant with Ab h h. " d" ' JI h ra am and th h th·tr ,s sec w, possess t c land of Canaa ·rh· ere y affirm,

' · d' · · · ' '' n . is marks th. 1· the earlier 1v111c promises rcgard111g land and de d · cc 1max of

, . j £ f · seen ants found · 12 13 . 14-17. Severa rcarures o rhc covenant are worth .

111 :7 and · ' noting:

l. It unconditionally guarantees what the LoRo ha d . . . d. d s state to Ab rah

Nowhere 1s it ll1 JCate that the fulfillment of th am. . , f . h b h . e covenant depends

011 the actwns o e1t er A ra am or his descendant . G d f ]fill h

. . ' s, o unreserv- edly covenants to 11 1s promise that Abraham 's de d .

f . . seen ants w,11

Possess the land o Canaan. For this reason 1t may be d · d . . . es,gnate an uncondmonal promissory covenant,

2. The structure of the chapter suggests that there is a link between the making of the promissory covenant m verses 18-21 and the com- ment about Abraham 's believing God in verse 6. Because of the righ- teo usness attributed to Abraham, God blesses Abraham by guarantee- ing that the divine promises regarding descendants and land will be fulfilled .

3. The terms of the covenant mention only descendants and possession of the land; th ere is no reference to blessing being mediated to oth- ers. This omission is significant and is one of the main ways in which this covenant differs from that outlined in Genesis 17. The covenant in Genesis 15 guarantees only some of the divine promises mentioned in 12:1-3. For the remainder we must look ahead to Genesis 17.

The Eternal Covenant of Circumcision

The introduction of a second covenant in Genesis 17 is somewhat surprising. Why should God make another covenant with Abraham? To answer this, it is necessary to observe rhar rhe covenant in Genesis 17 differs in a number of important ways from that given in Genesis 15. First, ir is a conditional covenant. Whereas the promissory covenant of Genesis 15 is unconditional, the establishment or ratification of the covenant of circumcision depends on Abraham's con tinuing obedience to God . This is highlighted in the introduc- tion ro the covenant. After identifying himself as El Shaddai (God Almighty), the LORD says ro Abraham, "Walk before me a nd be blameless so that I may confirm my covenant between me and you a nd increase you greatly " (1?:1-2, my trans.; cf. ESV). Unfortunately, many English translations fail to appreciate the distinctive syntax of the Hebrew o riginal a nd so miss the imporranr link rh ar exists between the initial imperatives, "Walk before me and be blameless," and the fac r that th ese must be obeyed before the covenant

b w,;I be established. The LORD will ratify rhe covenant o nly if Abraham walks erore God and . bl I h . ' is ame ess. For t e actu al establishment of rhe covenant,

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178

we lllu s r look ro the d ' . Abraham in Gen es ,· . 2';~11c o ath that concludes rhc account of t he te ·t ·

S s - · s 111g of econd , the covenant of circ . . · .

o f Genes is I.)" . I . . umcrsron differs from the promissory 111 r 1ar rr is .1 • • I ' covcna, esis 15 is ·1 d ' . , • n crcrna covcnan r. Whe reas rhc covenant f c· It

. • rv111c guar·1nt . Al I . , o . land of C I . . cc: ro ,ra iarn that hrs descendants will p . , •cn -

anaan r ic cov ·n· f . . . . assess the relat io I . b , . e .1nr o c1rcumns1011 cnrarls a conrinuin .

I n s lip etween God and Abraham 's "seed. " 7 A/rhougl rh g spec:,al

cm ,race rho . . / 1 e covenant ·u 110 I I

. sc w 10 arc nor Abraham 's natural children-others · h' w, use 10 d rncl d ' c • . . wit 111 1i ·-

• ' 11 mg 1orc1gne rs, may be c1rcumc1sed (I 7: 12)-G d 15 clear th ·u his • · · · 1 ° makes · . . • covenant 1s mrrmate y linked ro rhe chosen fami/ line· - . rt e st

,ib/'.shed with the promised " seed" Isaac and n o t with Ishn:ael (l'/\;~ll be Third, whereas rhc emphasis in Genesis 15 is solely on des d · 21 ),

la d h , •· · - cen ants a d 11 , r c covenant 111 Genesis 17 focuses primarily o n Abraham as the f h . ' n

man y nation s. God srares, "A s for me, rhis is my covenant with y . y,at erof b h f h f · ou. ou w,11 et e a t er o many nar10n s. No longe r will you be called Abram· ,·11 b Ab I c ,yournamc

\\' e ra 1am , ror I h ave made you a father of many n a rions I ·11 f · f I I ·11 · · wi make you ver y rurt u ; w , make narrons of you , and kings will c0111e f . . ro m you"

(17:4-6). These words are briefly echoe d regardmg Sarah: " I will b/e h h / ·1 • . ss er so t ar s 1e w , I be rhc mother of nations; kmgs o f peoples will come fro h ,,

(17: 16). '.he memion of n ations co n'.ing from Abraham a nd Sarah pre~:nr:ra problem ,f rh,s rs 111te rprcted as re f~mng only ro the nations directly descended from horh of them ; srnctly speak111g, only rhe Israeli res and Edomires co within this category. " However, iris likely thar the concept of "fa ther" is n:c restric ted here ro actual physical desce ndants. Rather, Abraha m is the "father''. o f a ll who are circumcised. G o d instructs Abraham to circumcise not merely his own family m e mbe rs but a lso every male "i ncluding those born in your h o use hold or bought with your money from a foreigner-those who are nor yo ur offspring [see d] . Whether born in your h ousehold or boug ht wirh you r m oney, they must be ci rcum cised " ( 17: 12-13).,

6. Alrhough rhe covc:nanr of circumcision is iniriared in Gen. 17, ir is nor finally esrahlishcJ unril Gen. 22. A period of rime 111us1 elapse hcnn:cn rhe iniriarion and rhe csrablishmcnr of rhc covenant due ro irs conditional nature. Whar csrahlishcs rhc covenant is nor rhc acr of ,·ircumci- sion irsdf, bur obedience ro God.

7. In Gen. 15: 18 God "ems a covenant" wirh Abraha111 (Hebrew karat herit); rhcn in 17:7, 19, 2 1 God speaks of ''esrab/ishing"' an everlasting covenant (Hebrew heqim bent) wirh Abraham and his "seed ." This everlasting co\'(:nanr will be csrablishl·d with Isaac, hur nor wirh Ishmael, c1·c 11 rhough he and or her males in Abraha111 's ho usehold arc circumcised ( 17:24-27). There is good reason ro believe rhar rhc everlasting covenant is established with rhe members of rlw unique line of "seed " thar is traced in Genesis from Abraha111 ro Isaac and rhm Jacob. hur nor with a/I of Abraham's descendants.

8. The Israelites and Edom ires arc descended from Jacob and Esau respecrivcl)( The Ishmael ires and Midianires arc probably nor robe included here because they arc nor descended from Sarah.

9. Those who were circumcised enjoyed ,1 special relationship wirh one another. We w,rncs~ evidence of this in Gen. 34, where rhe sons of J acob promise Shechcm and his fa r her Hamor

'f h · · d " Th ·11 · d I r ·rs and rake your J aughrcrs rha t , r cy a rc crrcum c,sc , en we w, g,vc you o ur :rng 1 c ·

H r t- " 11 11 A ~ K Al t A \t

Ab . h God und e rlines rh e im po rtance

' · m · ro ra am , h . IIY ch:1nf:i11g Abr~;1; s ,~1. f:ther of man y n ations. Thi s o ccurs n o t ~ca u s~ 1' . ftcr rhar he wr 1e r ;; • ndants but because he is for the m the c anne

o ft i;; . 'r,·ons arc his natur:il descc .' . f "f~ther'' is probably reflected in the I ••sc n,1 h · d ··rsrandrng o ·• r 1• · . · T rs un c h h '' (45·8) Furthermore f divine blessing. . h was "farhcr to p arao . . . '

o sual commerH tha t j os_ep 5· 11 echoing an earlier blessing by Isaac o n unu G d blesses Jacob Ill 3 . , " nation" and "a community of vhen o . . · drawn between a

' b (? '-'·]) ,1 disrrnctron 15 ' . 1. . would see m to b e that whereas

J aco _ o. , I . The ,mp ,canon . ·11 b . . " coming from 11m. . d ' th him only o ne n atron w1 e

nanons . ·11 be closely associ a t e w, ' many narwns wr h . 11 ,o

d .' rly descended from '.' · . . e n ,·n 12· l-3 it is d ea r that rhe cov- 1rec d ' · rom1ses-g1v · ' .

In the lighr o f rhe ,v,ne i I ment each other. Whereas Genesis 15 nants in Genesis 15 and di I codmt~; emphasis in Genesis 17 is on Abraham

e ' d danrs a n an ' · · h · h focuses Oil esce_n rrs God ' s blessing to o thers; in this capacny e I ~ ~ e as the o ne who ,mpa This understanding of the covena nt of_ c1rcumc1s1on forhcr o f many n a twns. . . h f Genesis 22, which establishes the cov-

fl d 111 the d,v111e oat o is farer re ecte enant wirh Abraham.

The Divine Oath in Genesis 22:16-18

. . h · ?2· 16-18 forms a fram e (inclusio) with Abraham ' s call The d,vme speec 111 - • · f h Ab h .

1 3 d O brings ro a conclusion the m a in s ection o t e ra am 111 12: - an s . . . . d · All thar w·is promised cond1t1onally m 12: 1-3 1s now guarantee

na rranve. ' • h hy divin e oa t h: " I swear by m yself, declares the LORD, that be~a use you ave done this and h ave nor withheld you r son, your only son, I will surely bless

yo u and make yo ur descendants [seed] as numerous as t~e stars in the ~ky and as rhe sand on rhc seashore. Your descendant [seed) will take possession

of rhe ga te of his enemies, and through your d escendant [seed] all nations o f

rheearrh will be blessed, because yo u h ave obeyed m e" (22:16- 18, my trans.; cf. KJV, ESV) . This oarh n or on ly signa ls the end of th e main section of the Abra ham narrative, but also establishes rhe covenant of circumcision promised

in Genesis 17. By demon s trating h is obedience to God , even to the point of

being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham fulfills the conditions laid

down in 17: 1; h e shows beyond doubt his willingness to walk before God and be bfameless.

for ourselves. We 'II settle among yo u ·mJ hccom . I . " background rhc killing b>· 51·111,0 d. L . c one peop c w,rh you (34: 16). Again st t his - c 11 a n cv, of all rh os • h h · b · • ccpuoi~ally repulsive ro their father Jacob (34·2~ e w o a~e 1us~ cen c1rc umc1scJ is ex- of fom,ly solidariry is misused for rh d. ·. 31) . Wha r God has inte nded to be a sy mbol

JO Th. . . e cstrucrro n of o thers. ·. c same idea of blcssmg as bcin •d ' '

regarding the rclarionship between J· h g hmc drarcd lo o chers may underlie Noah 's comments nta)• j h hi ' . aper an Shem· "M Gd d

· ap er rvc Ill rhc rcnrs of Shern ~ (9:Z7). · ay O ex tcn Japheth 's territory ;

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180

T 111 Al~ , .., T,, , \II' () I 1 11 1 J' I ' I \ I I ll l 11

Evidence ,upportini.: rhe idea rh a r Genesis J2 s l1<>til •I I 1· k I . • . . - . ' >c m ·n t I enanr o f c1rc11mc i,io11 in Genes is 17 m ay he deduced hy . .· I . 0 t le co,·. • f h . . L0 11 s1c enn .. ti counr o r e CO\'en.rn r ,,·1 th Noah 111 Genesis 6- 9 " A I • " ie ac:-. . • . . n a na y,1s oft hi s .. i- LOve nant revea ls that 1r has rhe following s tructure : · c,\r 1cr

I . The p rom ise of a covenanr (6: 18) 2. T he ohligario ns of rhe covena nt (6: 14--16, 19- 21 ; 7: 1-3) 3. The ful fi llm ent of rhe ohligarions (6:22 ; 7:5) 4. T he sa crifice o f burn t offerings (8:20) 5. T h e esra blis hmcnr o f rhc covenant (9:9- 17)

Remarkably. the same srrucrure em e rges if Genesis 17 and 72 ·ire r k h

. - • a en rogethc C apter 17 records the promi se o f a covenant with Abralnm acco . r. • . . . • • ,. mpan1ed by cerram obl1ganons: Ahraham 1s to walk before God and be blame! , .. w,h. h bl

. . I h ess. w tic t ese o 1ganons a re mo re gene ra t an those given to Noah God I Ab I

, b · • . - , a ter rests r a 1am so ed1e n ce 111 a spec1hc way; h e d e mands th at A br~ha h

1 . ~ u " . " u C: Ill s O U d o ffe r up hi s on ly son Isaac as a burnt o ffe nn g (22:2 NRSV) Jn sp·r f h

·b l . . . . · 1 e o t c tern e consequences of kill mg his he ir, Abraham displays his wi!J1· 11 gness ro fu lfill even _ the most test ing of divine co mmands. Afte r God ' s inte rven tion and the deliverance of Isaac, as a b urnt o ffering Abra ha m offers up a ram rh has been unexp ecte dly provided . 12 Finall y, God est ablis hes rhe covenant wi~ Abraham by swea ring a n oath (22: 16-18).

By linking Gen esis 17 and 22, we m ay s h ed new li g ht o n a number of issues. First, iris possible to a ccount fo r rh e divine testi n g o f Abra ha m . T h rough his obedience in Genesis 22, Abraham de m onstra tes his willingness to keep th e conditio ns of the covenant laid o ur in 17:1. Second, the fact that the events o f Genesis 12 are part o f a condi tional covena nt exp lai n s why Abraham by

11. S,x imporra111 parallels can be observed berwcen the two covenants: ( 1) Both covenants J re described as eternal or everlasting covenants, berit '6 /iim (Gen. 9: 16; 17:7, 13, 19) . (2) These corenanrs arc accompanied bran appropriate sign. In the case of Noah ir is the rainbow (9: 12-14), and in rhc case of Abraham it is circumcis ion (17: 11 ). The rainbow is related to rain, which in wrn wo uld remind the people of rhe flood. Circumcision relates to the procreation of descendants. which is a point of emphasis in rhc cownanr of Gen. 17. (3) In both cases, the expressions used of forming rhe cownanr a re heqim berit (9:9, 11 , 17; 17:7, 19, 2 1) and 11,ita11 b,'rit (9: 12; 17:2). (4) The covenant, in Gen. 9 and 17 arc spoken of by God as "between me and you" (9:12, 15; 17:2, 7). However, at the same rime they also include the descendants of Noah and Abraham (9:9, 12; 17:7, 9). (5) The benefit rhar each covenant brings for those with who m it is esrablishcd is rhar they shall nor be cur off (9: J I; 17:1 4). (6) The divine command in 17: l , " Walk before me faithfully and be blameless," resembles the description of Noa h in 6:9, "bla meless in hi s generation; Noah walked wirh God" (NRSV) . The word " bla meless, " tamim , is found only on these cwo occasions in the whole of Genesis. This list of similarities highlights the close paral- lels rh ar exist between the two covenant s (T. D. Alexander, "Genesis 22 and the Cownanr of Circumcision," } SOT 25 [ 1983] : 19-20).

12 . /11 the whole of Genesis , only in thi s chap ter and in 8:20 is the term " burnt offering" used to designate a sacrifice.

I 76 _2_ 5 LO h av<.: m e ritc:d th e di vin e

I lic:11CC is cons1dc: red in 22 : l6- l 8a_1~~ l a ;,d and ; h e bless ing o f o the r s .

11 , ,01Cl. • c oncc r111n gscc(. , · , .. . • ( rh <.: pro 1111 sc:s fi . , nclu ~io n to the ma111 sec ti on

i-:11 ,1r,1111 cc<> I · . 77 · 16- 18forn1sa ve r y rr1n gc > • • • cs 15- 18 a ~ a T hi rd , rh c· oal 1111 --· . . Al th o ugh man y sch o la r s v iew ve r s

f rh c· Abraha111 narr,1_n vc . unr of the restin g o f Abrah:1111 , t he ~truc rure o . 1 li rio n t<> rhc o rigin .ti :,cco . h... f ·1 burnt offerin g befo re God could l·itcr .1< c . . , the s·,cri ce o • . I J • I •. vc n,int requiring : · . . . Ve rses 15- 18 are an 1ntegr a a n

of r 1c.: c<> I h . c·irlier p rom ises. . 11 h · r nt with an oat l r c • . 22 h r a lso of rhc ent ire Abraham n a rrauvc .

.::on I f Genesis u f h 1·

.:sscn ri,11 p,irr no t on y ~J - - 18 n ot o nl y embraces the contents o t e e ar ier T he di vi ne oa rl_1 in--· 161_ y descendants and land but a lso mcludes

t reg ar~ m g 111311 h h Ab h ' s issory covena n ' . ·11 h e bles sed t roug r a am pro m I t rh ar ·1II nanons w1 h .d . f t

he.: addi tion ,1 aspcc • • d'' . ·gnificanr Unfortunatel y, t t:: t entity o • . of "see is s 1 • . . f " d" d

"sc.:ed ... The mention I . While th e fir s t menn o n o see e- d

" . r ·a sy t o c etermme. f . I this "see is no '-'• . h I I the remaining re ferences re er t o a s mg c

d nrs" in r e p ura ' . I . d . notes "descen a , . 1

•bilit y d ese r ves s p ec1a con s 1 cratton descenda nt (cf. ESV) . This am:r pofstsh1c H e brew s t ro ngl y s upport s the idea

. First th e syntax o k f fo r four reasons. . ' d . l ? b-l8 is s in g ular. 14 Se c o nd , the boo o

I . . , . d" men none in ve rses . . f " d " that t ,c see d . ·· derable a tte ntion t o trac in g a !m e o see • vholc evotcs cons1

Genesis. a s a _, . I Ad · 1 and ending with Judah , form s the e arly ancestry h beg1nnmg wit 1 an • k h . ~/:;;c Davidic dynasty. Unfortuna te ly, sch o lars ge n erall y o verloo t e 1'.11p~r-

f h . · le line o f d escendants . Third , the Jacob and J oseph stones

r-ince o r is s mg . f h . f ·1 •. · c to th e blessing that th e patnarchs, as m em b e r s o t 1s amt Y

give pro mmenc h " d" f I . bestow on oth ers Although Esa u and Jacob are both t e see o me, may · . , · · f d

Isaac it is clear th at the bro ther w h o receives th e father s bless m g 1s avore more,rha n the o ther. It is Jacob who experiences G o d ' s blessi n g and is :ible to mediate it to o thers. Si milarl y, J ose ph is und o ubte dl y favo re d by hi s fath e r, J acob, who eventuall y imparts the bless ing of the firstborn t o J oseph ' s so n Ephraim (48 : 1- 22). Sig nifica ntl y, Genes is focuses on th e blessing that o thers receive throug h Jacob and J o sep h . They alone are presented as the ones who may impart b lessing t o oth ers. Although o the r brothers exist, the Genesis narrative associa tes the p owe r to bless with those who receive th e firstborn

bless ing: Fourth , in announcing the covena nt o f circumcision to Abraham, God

emphasizes t h e u111qu e role of Isaac; i t is with Is aac that th e covenant will b e established and not wi th Is hm a el ( 17·19 71) G i·ve n the 1· ·r d · h . . . • , - . 1m1 e inte res t t at ~cncSJS. ~.i sp la~s 111 t h e d escendants o f Is hmae l , it seems logical to c onclude ~ adththi.:d seed of Abraham mentioned in 22:18 does not include I s hm ·1 el an 1s escendants Fo th . h. • . . r ese reason s, t is final referen ce t o "seed" in thi s

13. Vario us commc.:ntators propose th at or· . II . th·r · · Jf Ab · • igma y in vc:rses l- 14 th • · . · fl

c.: c,1ar or raham's obc<licncc: that ro . . . . , c sp.1r111 g u saac was obeyed the divine comnn 11d a11J st d Ph po. sal is surc_·l y m:1dequ atc . If Abr:1ham h a d d ·1s- . · . • • • aye at om · h·!" f , f • m unmcd1atc danger. The spari n<> o f I .. I t: , t c I: o lsa:,c would no t h:1vc been placed

14 S" T D I ., saac is iardly a surr-ibl . . d f Ab (

. cc . . A cxander, "Further Ob . . ' . • c rcwar o r r:1. ham ' s o bedience 1997): 363-67 scnat1o ns o n the Term ' S. , I' · G . · . eec m enes1s," Tyn Bu/ 48

u

:82

I (·11 22· I 8) denotes :1 si11glc dcscc11danr, who is Jlercc · . I c 1aprcr , · . . · . rvel as . I ·ry l,y ,kfr·ir111g h,s c11e1111es. cxcrcisi, :111r 1orr ·. ~ . . 1g

Tl ·oi·c,i•nr, 111 (,cnes1s 15 :111d 17 differ markedly. 15 Wli

1e l •• . . . . . _ . - ere as Ge _ .. , _ d . . 111 unco 11dmon:tl promissory coven.mt rhar docs IIOt I nes,s 15 rlcor , , . icccssa -1 ,woillg rd,trionsl11p between God a11d rhc descendants of Ab ri Ycntail

an o " • . . . h d. . I rah .11 ,,1rofcircurnc1s1on 1s bo t con 1t1011a and eternal Furtli a 111 , th,. cove ,, • _ . . . , _ . . · . crmore 0

G 1 · s is /) ,mpltcs rhar Abr.th.1111 s fa1rh, credited as nght , though c1 l . . eousnes . c ir:ilys r for rhc makmg of the promissory covenant, the establ· I s, is the • • . . l h ' . • is in1ent f

covenant of circumc1s1on rests on A )ra am s obedience to God A . 0 the ill 26:2-5, Ahrah:1111 's o bedience is an important factor in the e~ta~i::flecred of rhis ete rna l co1·c11anr. hmenr

Old Testament Summary

Viewed as :i w/10/e, rhe Abraham narrative provides a n inrerestin . . d . . d ·I / f . I g picture of rhe ,nrerplay between 1v111e wor ant iuman art 1 a nd o bedier

1 . .

. f . I f lfi lCC. lllt, ·i// rh c LORD m:tkes a series o promises, r 1e u 1/menr of which is cond· . ' Y on Abra/1:1m 's obedience ( 12: 1-3). As Abraham in faith obeys and - ltr ona/

h h I II h b Journeys to Canaa n , God declares t ar es 1a ave oth land a nd descendants (l 2

:?· 13: 14-17). In wrn: these statements are confirmed rn a promissory cov '

h . h . 1· k d Ab h ' b · d. d cnanr (15:18-2 1) , w re rs 111 e to ra ams e rngcre rte asrighreous h . I oo~ count of his faith (15:6). T e narrarrve, 1owever, does nor conclude her . .

goes on to hig hlight Abraham 's continuing faith in and obedience to Ge,d,r . f I O ' as revea led in rhe establishment o r 1e eternal covenant of circumcision

( 17: 1-27; 22: 1-19), a covenant rha r focuses o n the divine blessing rhar wi/l come through Abraham and his "seed" ro all n a tions. From beginning ro end faith expressed through obedience is rhe hallmark of Abraham 's re/arionshi; wirh rhe LORD.

Abraham 's fairh, however, is all the more remarkable when rhc following factors are a/so taken inro accounr. Firsr, ir is dear rhat rhe divine prom - ises concerning narionhood (i .e ., seed and /and) a nd rhe blessing of al/ rhe families of rh e ea rth will never be fulfilled in Abraham 's lifetime; ar the very mosr Abraham will experience only rhe firsrfruits of rheir fu/fil/menr. Second, circumstances exisr or develop rhar mi lira re aga inst rhe fu/fil/menr of these

promises. Sarah 's barrenness is a major obstacle for much of rhe n:trrarive, a nd even when al/ seems assured with the birrh of Isaac, God him self places

rhe future fulfillment of the promises in jeopa rdy by demanding rhat Abraham sacrifice Isaac. Yet in spire of rhese factors, Abraham displays il fairh in God thar in the book of Genesis is matched only by rhat of Noah.

15. A full discussion of the relationship between Gen. 15 and 17 is provided by P. R. Williamson in Abraham, Israel and the Nations: The Patriarchal Promise and Its Covenantal Dtevelopme1tr in Genesis, JSOTSup 315 (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press , 2000) .

H y I ,._ I r II , \ Ii k A II A ,t

C nnections .. ..,..csra mc11r o . Epistles rhe most note Nc:W ,, . N ·w Tesramenr I I

. . hr rh:tt wir/1111 rhe e_ .. . this dearl y in Hebrews . , Then.: is l, rrk d<fHAJ I rain m 's life is his fo1th . Whe see . commended fo r having

. ·r o ' ' • " . rs" w o were 19) ,vorrhy :1spL~. ·1 lkrailc.:d list of anc1en ·, devoted ro Abraham ( 11 :8- ' which prov1d~s. ·ly o ne-third of rhe chapter is 1 · . d •• Fittingly, the author

\ rc,xunarc . t person rsrc · . h f:iirh . f rP f rhe mosr imporran I. of " confidence rn w at nwking /11111 b: ~\ts Abraham 's foirh as an exam_r, ~' 11 : 1 ). of Hebrews h1gJ1~!ur:111ce :ibo ur what we ~o n ot_~e~o~ans 4 and Galat ians we hope ; ? r ,1;:n;l's undersranding of Abra ia;, ~ ro Genesis 15 :6 , Abraham

l{cg.ir ing_ : . clearly on rhe focr rhar, accor ,n b be,·ng circumc ised and has1s 1s • · f · h nd n ot Y

J _rhc e~~~~ed o r made righteous by his ar; o; events in the Abraham s~ory is 11a,JU he l:tw 17 For Paul , rhe sequenc . hteo u s before bein g crrcum -

.\~~f:i1'~!;ranr·. S.iric: Abraham_ isrcyr:~1~:~;sf~r;an individual to be reckoned •1 • · is n ot necessa _. ·d circumc1s1011 . crse , . G d's eyes. He wrrres , righreous 111 ,o .

. Abraham 's faith was credited ro him as nghre~ usness. We have been say mg rhar . . ·d· d) Was ir afrer he was c1rcumcrsed , or

. r nccs was it ere ,re . . .. Under what c1 rcums a • , , , A d h. received rhe sign o f c1rcumc1s1on , a

rafter bur berore. n c - · d 5 before? It was no . ' h h db f ·rh while he was still uncrrcumc1se . o

f 1 · I reousness rhar e a Y a, · d · d seal o r i_c rig i f ·ill who believe bur h:1ve nor been circumcise ' 111 or er then , he is th e forhcr oh '1 d . d ro them And he is th en also rhe fa rher of th e

. 1 ,ssm ig r Je cre ire · f char rig 1tcodus1l1c or on ly arc circumcised bur who also walk in rhe footsteps o e1rcumc1se w 10 11 ' · · d (R 4 9 J7) rhc faith rhar our forhcr Abraham had before he was c1rcumcrse . om . : - -

Here Paul stresses that Abraham is rhe farher of those who have faith, whe th e r

rhcy a rc his 11 :itura/ descendanrs o r nor (cf. Rom. 9:6- 8). Thus h e concl udes rhar Jews and Genri /cs can be justified only by faith .

A similar, bur nor identical, argument is adva nced in Galatians 2:5-3:29 as Paul responds ro rhose who emphasize rhc necessity of circumcision in order to be children of Abraham and h e n ce recipients of the promises made to

him . He writes: "So also Abraham ' believed God, and ir was c redited to him

as righteou sness.' Understand, then, that those who have faith a re ch ildren

of Abraham" (Gal. 3 :6-7 ). By stressing the importance of faith over against circumcision , Paul concludes rhat it is nor necessary for an individual to be circumcised in order to be a c hild of Abraham.

Paul, however, does not conclude his a rgu m ent in Gala tian s at this point. He focuses on three furth er aspecrs of the Ab h · · d d • . ' ra am n arrative 111 or er t o rrve home hrs case that the Gentiles are now the r ecipients of God's blessing.

16- Moses, who is next in import . . · . . b . Heb. 11:23-28). ance, receives ,I out half the space given to Abraham (cf.

17 G 1 · 6 . en. J: is quoted in Rom. 4:3 and Gal. 3:6.

183

I II 1 .\ I \ / '\ I JI I \I I , ◄ ) I I II I / 1 1 '\ I \ I I LI \ II

Fm,r. 111 chc jw,r 1ti,·.11 io11 o ( rhc (;c nri k, he ,cc, rhc f 11 .11 · 'I I I II · ll 1 111c11r ( pro1111.,c ro ., ,r., 1.1111 r 1,11 ., 11 .1t1 011 ., would hl' hi . .. . I o rh c I _ . , . . <.:sst:l th r I . ' 11·11, •

Sc npru rc fnrcs.111· rh.1 r ( ,od wo uld 111s t1fy rhc Gen rik . 1 ( . o ug 1 hr ,n . .. ..... 1 l'

I I \ I I , . s ' Y a rrh .1 1 , 1l' the l,!,o,pc 111 .1, ,·:1 1Kl' t<> : , ra 1,1111 : All 11;1r 1o ns w ill I · II ' · ll ( :i 11 110 11 .

. • · • . lt: ' csscd f 11<l'd So rhm,c who l1.1n· f.111 h .1r,· hk sscd a lo ng \\'1th Ahr· I . r !rough .

, • • • • •1 1.1m the ) o u ' (C.11. 3 :S- 9). By l11 g h l1g lir111g th e 1mpo rt;111 cl' rh.1t the Gc,i : .. . lll a11 of fai t/

1 :.

11 · • I · 11 I I f I t sis 11 a rr · 011 ;1 n.1t1011 , ,c 111g , cssn r 1ro 11g 1 A , r a h a m p.11 I .. 1 II • a rn,._. 1,h . • . . • • , • 1 t 1a cng, . 1 .. ccs h,s oppo ncnrs th .i t God s bkss 111g 1s 0 11 1\' llltl'ndcd ~ 1 cs r 1c l'icw f ( II . o rr1 c a cruaf (b· o Jc~ccnd.1 111, o · A ,ra 1am . · rologica J)

Seco nd, l';w l :1rg11cs rhar rh c di1·inc promiscs mad . Al . . . I . . • t: to Jrah -1 fi

11ln111.1tc fu l fi llmcnr 111 ]l's 11 , C 1rrsr. To arrr w •ir rhi s co, ·/ . • Ill nd th ci f d .. ·(G k • · K 11s1on l'·tul f, r rhc l·onccpr o "sec rec · sperma, G:i l. 3 : 16). H c a r 11 , . 1

' • ocuscs 011 . . 'I I d I . .. d " . g cs r iar the IJ . were given ro ,., ,ra 1:i m :111 ro 11s sec , imply ing o ne . ro1111 s~s d., . J Cl . S b ·11 · I J Pt:rson ·ind rh "sec 1s es us 1rrs r. o mc 1, K:1 sc 10/ars co nclude rl I ' · at this

f hi . . . . I . iar icrc Pa t I . 1 :1 fo rm o r:t , rnK exe~cs1s r 1:i r m1 g hr h ·1ve b een pri • I b 1 .1, opts . ' . . · : c r1 cec y h ·. J .

conrempo rarres, hut th a t hrs app roa c h 1s clearl y nor in k, . . . 15 . cw1sh . . f . c ep1ng w1rh d

cnn ca l me th o d s o excgcs rs. Unfortunately, t hese sch o hr I 1110 crn . d . . dP /' . . . • s iavc pcrh ap ·

re:idily 1sm1sse .1u s mre rpre ta n o 11 w1 rh o ur examini n , iri d . . · s roo d .. . d . G . A g erarl how ti term "see rs use 11 1 e n es1s. s n o rcd in ch a prcr 9 (a bove) h , 1c

d ' .. d " · I I · k d · G ' r c Hcbrc\ wor ::rra , sec , 1s c ea r y a ey wo r 111 e n esis· w hi le ir som ·t · d v . I r . . . . ' e I Ill es enot , . :1 gro up, 1r may a so rcrer ro a sm gle 111d 1v1du al (as i11 KJV: G en. 4.J5

. . t s I · I ·1 ·1· · · · ·fi · ·- ,

21. 13) T 11s a rrer p oss, J I rry 1s s 1g 111 ca nt, csp ecra lly when we o bser ve rl . 1 . · f

• r . . i .i rr ie e11r1rc book o G enesis 1ocuses o n a partrcula r l111 e u f seed rhar enj oys .

1 s .

1 I . h . . I G d G · d ·d ' pccia re-:w ons 1p 11·1r 1 o . e nes 1s evo tes c o n s 1 c rablc a rrcnri o n , esp eci al/ · h

. h I . .d .f , h d f I . . y 111 t e pa m :i rc a s ron es, ro r e nr1 y 111g r e see o r 11 s specia l lin e. F urrher mor . gives clea r in dica rio n s ch ar this lin e o f seed form ed rhe ea rl y an ces try of ~j

1 ~

royal line of David. Apa rr fro m rh e reference t o kings he ing d esce nded from Abra ha m (17:6) , J acob ' s bless ing o f Juda h in 49:8- 12 in dicarcs th a r roya lty will com e fro m rhe lin e o f Judah . S ince Gen esis a s a whole focu ses o n a royal line of seed throug h which God will fulfil/ hi s pro mi ses to Abra ha m, rhcn Paul's interpretation of the te rm zera ' as r e fe rring to J esus C hrist is in keep- ing with the common N e w Tes tam e nt unde rstanding o f Jes us as rhe Davidic M essia h. Pa ul affirm s tha t it is o nly th ro ug h faith in J esus C h ris t , the "seed" of Abraha m , th a t Jews a nd Gentiles m ay n ow receive th e bless ing given to Abraha m a nd becom e God 's c hildre n .

f ina lly, Pau l in Galatia n s also argues t hat th e di vin e covenant m a de with Abra ha m takes p rec ed ence over th e la w g i ven se veral centuries later at M o unt Sinai. H is opponents a r e a d voca ting that b elievers m u s t k eep th e la w in order to be righ teous; Paul responds by d ecla ring th a t the law, g i ven later to ful - fill a tempo ra r y role un til Christ came , co uld n e ve r m a k e a n yon e rig hteous

since i t m erely ind ica ted the rig hteo usness required by God, n o t th e means of ach ieving such rig h teo u sn ess. As s u ch it underl in ed th e necessity o f becom ing righteous th ro ugh fa ith.

/l y I A I I I I 1\ II It .\ II A ~ t

I .. . ·rive ways in Ga lat ia ns to . · fou r l 1s r111c .

. . . h.: Ahr,1 ha 111 narr:1 11 ve 111 G.:n rile bel ievers mu s t he c 1rc um ~ 1',111' 11,t:s r . f his opponents rh;it G d 's salva tion . Thu s ir is

f •v icw o . l ·r rok now O · ' d '· h . ·h:1llc11i.:.: r ic I . f~w of Moses in o re c I heavil y in Au c n cc oy is

< I I cy r ic " f h gosp e was c: isc·d '""

0 1

1 .. ,ndcrsra nding O r e

1h·1r 11 ' L h ;ipp;1rcnr ·. . .· . 12_z5. . , 2.2(}-24 _ H erc, howeve r, t e . ( Genes is . . d 111 I a m es • 1 k r,:·1d111 g o f . I i·s :ilso d1 sc usse . d G~laria n s. Pa u see s to . I . . ·111 l • . R n s a n " , ' Abr,1 i :1111 s ,f l rln r fo und in o m a . . . J a m cs is co n cern ed to

,-ffcrs ro n ' . h ci rc um c1s 1o n , d . c:onrcx r c 1 ,· . r ioriry of fa ir over I .. it m y bro th ers a n sis-

. nrc r 1c P f • I "Wh a r gooc is , . h d.:monsr . . f savin g ai r i : ' d d ~ Can suc h fa ir save I , nwrc u . . . h b r h as n o ee s. cl,1rif)' r it: I . . cl·1ims ro h:ivc fo 1t u . . 1·s rhc desi re ro s h ow th at

·f -0 mconc · f J . , . d isc u ss io n rcrs, J ,, s . 4 . Ar th e heart _o . a mes s . ·ou s ac t io n s. Thus h e focuses o n rhc111 ? (2 : l G) d vii i ex h ibit 1tsel f in n g hrc he alta r "Was not o ur

f, ·rh 111 o ' ff · of Isaac o n t · . rrue ·11 d . pa r ticular rhc o enn g h h did w hen h e o ffe r ed hi s Ab :1ha 111 an in . d . h . us fo r w at e k . . r -r Abraha m cuns1dere n g ~co h . fair h a nd hi s ac t io n s we re wo r 111 g f.ir icl ... con rhe al rn r? You see r at JIS b w h a t h e did . A nd th e scri ptu re son s.1.1 . I ade co mp ere y d . d h .

he r and his fo rt i was m. b 1· d God a nd ir was e re ire t o im roger , ' 'Al h 1 e 1 eve , • · . fulfi lled rh ar say_ s, ,ra a nll d G d ' s fri e nd . Yo u see th a t a p e r so n is

w,is , d I e w·1s ca e O " 2 2 1 ?4 ) as righteous ness , a n l h ~r t h e d o a nd n or b y fai t h alon e ( : - - . conside red rrg hreous byf w h . i dy o b edience ro God c annot be s eparate d .

. I h ow a 1t JJ1 a , . b f . h Herc J:imcs reve.1 s h A b h m was con s idered nghreo u s y a lt ' Altho ugh J a mes accepr6s rha r .. ra r~ e la t e r a cr io n s of Abra h a m as vis ib le

d . G nes1s 15 : ' e views . b as scare JJl e . . . f . I U d o ubre dl y he foc u se s o n Ge n es is 2 2 eca u se • . f his 111 ne r :u r 1. n •fi

exprcssw ns _o I . ·I Ab h a m is rewa rded fo r hi s w ill i n gness to sac n ce of rh cFway in ~ 11r1.:h: re ;;~1 be no scpara ri o n o f fa ith a nd d eed s . H e v iews Isa·1c o r J a me s, J · · f h t

b , h. ,

1 ·0115. in Ge nesis 22 as rh e fu lfillment o r c u m111 a n o n o w a A ra a m s ac 1

was sca red in Ge nes is 15:6. . Altho ugh J a mes writes, "A p e rson is co n s id e red n g hteo u s b y w h a t t h ey

do a nd nor by fo irh a lone" (2:24 ) , iris clear fro m the co ntex t th ~t h e d oes n o t actua lly contradict what Pa ul has to sa y in Ro m a n s a nd G al a nan s. The t wo men a rc a ddress ing di ffe re nt sit u a ti o n s a nd t h e re fore h ighli g ht diffe r e nt as- peers of Abraha m 's fo irh . O n t h e o n e hand , Pa u l co ncent ra t es o n Gen esis 15 :6 beca use he is respo nd ing e irhe r di rectl y o r i n d irectl y to th ose w h o e mph asize rh e necessity of ci rcum cision for sa lva t io n . O n th e o the r h a nd , James is co n -

cern ed ro show tha t A bra h a m ' s faith , by wh ic h h e w as co n s id e r e d ri g hteo u s , produced rig hteo us act ions. T hu s h e wr it e s, " Fa ith w ith ou t d eeds is d ea d " (2:26) . Undo u btedly Pau l a nd J a m es w o ul d h ave agreed w h o le he a rtedl y w ith what th e o th er had to say, given t he diffe re nt p robl e m s th a t con fron t e d th e m .

The final N ew Testa m e nt passage t o be b rie fl y c o n s id e r e d is H e bre w s 6: 13- _l8. It is included h ere n o t beca use it fo c uses o n Abraham ' s fa ith , but b eca u s e it draws a tte ntion to t h e oa th that God mad e t o Abraham i n o rde r to g u ar- ~nree beyond doubt the fu lfil l m e nt o f th e d ivi n e promise made to Abrah a m : Beca use God wa nted to ma k e t h e u n c hang in g n a ture o f hi s p urpose very

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THE MAIN TH E MES OF THE P ENT ATEUCH

186

clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged" (Heb. 6:17-18). The oath mentioned here clearly refers to Gen- esis 22: 16-18 . By anticipating the coming of a royal descendant of Abraham who will impart God's blessing to the nations, this oath is an important part of the New Testament understanding of Jesus Christ's mission.