Module 5: Week 5 — Abrahamic Covenant
Answer thoroughly the following questions based on the Learn material in Module 5: Week 5.
1. The first eleven chapters of Genesis possess a Universal and Cosmic emphasis.
2. With the introduction of Abraham, Moses begins to particularize redemptive history.
3. How has archaeology verified the historicity of chapters 12 — 14 in Genesis?
` mean they were
actually written
early, as Davis argues (p. 155). Yet doubts remain in scholarly circles.
4. What are the three possible locations for Ur?
Moslems may link the site to Urfa, a town about twenty miles northwest of Haran—
known as Edessa to Greeks. They also think it could be Ura, a Hittite-held settlement northeast
of Haran, or perhaps Tell al-Muqayyar in southern Mesopotamia today.
5. What did it mean for Abraham to leave his father’s house?
Abraham could be leaving a city rich with goods though his reasons seem unclear. (Davis
167)
6. What are the three main things God promises to Abraham?
Did the promise falter? Abraham, perhaps, claimed Sarah his sister, though she was his wife,
jeopardizing hope again (Davis 177)
7. How is the promise in jeopardy in Genesis 12 — 14?
Perhaps the covenant faltered, for Abraham claimed Sarah sister though actually his wife—
raising doubts about his honesty in the narrative overall.
8. Who is Melchizadek? Be thorough.
Perhaps he's represented a pre-incarnate Christ appearance; maybe he also lived as a man
mirroring Jesus; some think he served as a Canaanite priest; others even call him Shem (Davis
181).
9. Which view from question #8 do you hold to? Why?
Maybe he seems a real man mirroring Christ. Melchizedek supposedly worships the Most
High.
God likely never worships Himself, right? according to Davis
10. Why does Davis say that Genesis 15 is an “especially important” chapter?
perhaps the apostle Paul relied on it; justification by faith appears supported (Davis, 183)
11. Abraham called God “Lord” because master and he called God “Jehovah” because
he had given him the covenant promise. (Davis, pg. 184)
12. What was Abraham afraid of in Genesis 15?
Abraham seemed worried about getting a son, because only a boy could keep his stuff and
maybe bring God's promised blessings later for future
13. How did God reaffirm Abraham’s faith?
God told Abraham that countless descendants would shine like stars forever.
Abrahamic stories match second-millennium BCE customs pretty closely. That could
14. Explain the nature of true faith as revealed in Abraham’s encounter with God.
It doesn’t deny natural laws, yet seems to claim God outranks them,
possibly
reshaping them, therefore aiming. Does that hold or still perhaps other
forces
intervene?
15. How is the covenant sealed between Abraham and God? Why is this important? God
seemed to show his pact by walking through the split parts of a sacrificial animal—
that was a known rite, so people said, ‘to cut a covenant’ meaning ‘to make a
covenant’ (v.18). Usually
both sides passed between the pieces, a picture we see also in Jer.34:18-19. In this case only
God
moved, appearing as a smoking furnace and a burning lamp; Abraham stayed still. This may
mean the promises were sure, no act needed from him. Abraham’s job was to set the scene and
keep it safe from breakage (v.11). The fire symbols, likely, fit the great power and holiness of
God. Some could argue the language is more pictured than law.
16. Describe how the promise is in jeopardy in Genesis 16.
Sarah maybe helpless gave Hagar to Abraham, a second wife, as a concubine, since perhaps she
lacked children. (Davis)
17. Who is the “Angel of the Lord”?
Possibly early hint of Trinity's second person, per Davis p.189, seems uncertain.
18. What is the sign of the covenant?
Abraham seems required to cut each newborn boy’s foreskin on the eighth day, both his kids
and those of his servants, as the covenant appears to demand (Davis 191).
19. Explain the meaning of Abraham’s laughter.
The chuckle seemed more disbelief than celebration, perhaps due to their age; he and Sarah,
likely beyond child-bearing years, evoked skepticism (Davis, 192) in the scene.
20. What practical lesson does Davis bring out in the last paragraph?
Abraham’s story may suggests that natural law does not block God’s plans, though other views
could still disagree ultimately.
21. After watching the presentation, state the ways that marriage and the Abrahamic
Covenant are similar.
God seems to start the covenant.
A man starts the marriage pact with a woman.
God also gives an unselfish promise to Abraham; that may hint that a husband ought to put his wife’s
needs first.
In addition, God’s promise with Abraham looks unconditional, so a husband should love his wife the way
Christ loves the church.
Finally, the promise appears everlasting, suggesting the marriage should truly last forever.
