2017, July 23 ~ Genesis 28:10-19a, Isaiah 44:6-8 & Romans 8:12-25

During the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.

Genesis 28:10-19a

Today’s story occurred after Jacob (with Rebekah’s connivance) tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing that should have gone to Jacob’s older twin brother, Esau. Jacob and Esau parted company, and Isaac directed Jacob to go to Haran (where Abraham came from) to find a suitable (i.e. non-Canaanite) wife.

Enroute, Jacob dreamt of a ladder (or stairway) with angels descending and ascending from heaven to earth. In Jacob’s dream, YHWH stood beside Jacob and reaffirmed the promise of extensive lands and many offspring that was made to Abraham in various forms in Genesis 12.

When Jacob awoke, he said this was a holy place and the “house of God” (v.19). He named the place “Bethel” because in Hebrew, “Beth” means house (as in “Bethlehem” – house of bread), and “el” is the most ancient name for God. The suffix “el” appears in many names that have meanings “of God” such as Gabriel (God is my strength), Daniel (God is my judge) and the like.

Isaiah 44:6-8

The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel’s history. Chapters 1-39 are called “First Isaiah” and were written by “Isaiah of Jerusalem” in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. “Second Isaiah” is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. “Third Isaiah” is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.

Today’s reading is part of Second Isaiah in which the prophet speaks for YHWH to the Judeans in Exile and reassures them that YHWH is “first and last” (v.6), unique (v.7) and the “rock” upon which they can rely (v.8).

Romans 8:12-25

Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last, and theologically most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written.

Today’s reading continues Paul’s extended discussion of sin, the flesh, and the Spirit. For Paul, “the flesh” is our human tendency towards self-centeredness and self-interest. “Sin” is our personal egoism that leads to “death” (both spiritual and physical). Life in the Spirit of God (or the Spirit of Christ Jesus) leads to wholeness and life. Paul emphasizes that as children of God, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – if we suffer with him. This suffering can take many forms, including rejection by those who embrace the values of the world/the flesh. Paul also introduces the sense of “now, but not yet” in terms of the glory to be revealed, and that God’s purposes for us are greater than the present time would indicate.