Isaac the Fortunate

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming.  And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel, and said to the servant, “who is the man yonder walking in the field … Read more

Key Abrahamic Motifs: Trees

Posted in Uncategorized on February 17, 2014 by ancienthopes So Abraham moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the Oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.  Genesis 13:18 In his many years of living in and traveling throughout the Promised Land (some 100 years!), it … Read more

Key Abrahamic Motifs: Theophany Encounters

And I will fetch a morsel bread, and comfort your hearts … (Gen. 18:5, KJV) Throughout the patriarchal narratives we find mysterious encounters with the mal’ak YHWH (“Messenger of YHWH”). Judging from the reaction of those who meet Him, and the person in which the Being speaks (sometimes in the first person speaking as God), … Read more

Abrahamic Motifs Cont. – Greatness

 These [the Nephilim] were the mighty men that were of old, the  men of renown (Heb. shēm)    Genesis 6: 4 Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name (Heb. shēm) for ourselves … … and I will make your name … Read more

Key Abrahamic Motifs Cont. – The Nations

And I will make you a great nation … (Genesis 12:2a) And [Abraham] divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and routed them, and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. (Genesis 14:15) The Lord said, “shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall … Read more

Key Abrahamic Motifs: Blessing

I will bless you …. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the world will [be blessed].  Genesis 12:1-3 And Melchizedek, king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.  And he blessed him … Read more

Sodom and Gomorrah

And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar; this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.  Genesis 13:10 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, while Lot dwelt among the … Read more

The Sublime Climax: Genesis 22

“By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only begotten son, I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven …”                              … Read more

Gen 17: My Covenant in your Flesh

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.  And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”                                    … Read more