Genesis 17

In Genesis 17 circumcision is initiated as a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendents. Circumcision is still practiced among Jews to this day. The time following birth that is given for performing a circumcision is the 8th day. It needs to be noted the modern medicine has shown do to a peeking of potassium levels on the 8th day following birth making it the ideal time for performing a circumcision. God also changes Abraham name from Abram to Abraham and Sarah’s name Sarai from to Sarah

God also tells Abraham that next year Sarah would have a son and that his name is to be Isaac. It should be noted that Sarah was 90 years old at the time. God also tells Abraham about Ishmael decedents.

Genesis 16: 4-16

Genesis 16: 4-16 takes palce after Abraham takes Hagar as a second wife. Sshe is now pregnant causing Sarah to get jealous. Hagar flees but God intervenes telling her to return and that she will have a son who will become the father of many nations. A fact demonstrated by the fact that the Arabian people of the descendents of Ishmael.

It needs to be noted that Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born but he would not be Abraham’s only son though the only one through Hagar

Genesis 16:1-3

Genesis 16:1-3 shows us an example of that day’s version of a surrogate mother. It also shows a lack of faith in God. In all fairness to Abraham and Sarah were just showing a normal human weakness that shows up when God timing not only is not ours but makes no sense to us. Note that that Hagar was an Egyptian suggesting that she was acquired during their time in Egypt. So their earlier failing to trust God, helped lead to this one.

Genesis 15

Genesis 15 is mainly a confirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant in which God promised that Abraham’s descendents will inherit the land of Canaan. It also predicts the 400 year sojourn in Egypt of the Children of Israel and God’s promise to bring them out of Egypt to the land of Canaan to then inherit it. Given Abraham’s advanced age and childlessness at this point a scientific look at the situation would say that this promise was impossible by natural means, particularly with the advanced age of his wife.

Genesis 14: 21-24

In Genesis 14: 21-24 he king of Sodom request to Abraham to return his people to him but told him that he could keep all of the goods recovered from the invasion. Actually by the military traditions of that day Abraham had every right to keep the goods even if the king of Sodom has said nothing. However Abraham tells the king of Sodom that he we return both the recovered goods and the people to him with the exception of the portion of the recovered goods that Abraham’s men were due for the part in the rescue. Abraham’s reason for doing this is that he did not want the king of Sodom to be able to claim the he rather than God made Abraham rich. This also prevented any possible claim on the part of the king of Sodom that Abraham owed anything to him for not making an issue about returning the recovered goods

Genesis 14:17-20

Genesis 14:17-20 introduces the rather enigmatic person by the name of Melchizedek he is called the king of Salem and the priest of the most high God. The passages further says that gave him tithes. (a tenth) There hare are two main theories on Melchizedek’s identity. One is that that he was Shem, the son of Noah. The other is that he was a preincarnate appearance of Jesus.

The view that Melchizedek was Shem has two main lines of support the first is the fact that Shem’s life did over lap Abraham’s life. The second comes from Chazalic literature which consist mainly of the rabbinic literature written from about 300 B.C. to about 650 AD. Chazalic literature gives Melchizedek as a nickname used to refer to Shem. If indeed Abraham and Shem knew each other then Shem could have given Abraham historical material on the Flood; of which Shem was a whiteness; and of event from creation to the Flood. This would provide an ordinary reason the Biblical account could be more factually reliable than the Babylonian flood account.

The view that Melchizedek was a preincarnate appearance of Jesus is supported the vary terms used to refer to him. Melchizedek means King of righteousness and Salem means peace so he is called the King of peace. This fact is state in Hebrews 7 along with statement of him having no mother and father no a beginning or en of life. Hebrews 7 further states that he was “made like unto the Son of God.” Only Jesus being God could literally fulfill this description.

Genesis 14:13-16

Genesis 14:13-16 shows what happened when Abraham finds out that Lot was taken captive he get his men together and goes after the invading kings. The relatively small band sneaks into the invader’s camp, kills them rescues the captives, including Lot and recovers all of the goods taken by the invaders. Abraham shows faith in God here by taking on an overwhelmingly superior force.

Genesis 14:1-12

Genesis 14:1-12

These vereses describe an invasion that results in Sodom and Gomorrah being sacked and it people taken prisoner. Note that by this time Lot was living in Sodom. He went from look towards Sodom to living in it.

The historical nature of these events is supported by the list of specific kings and nations involved. A writer of fiction would not likely go to all this trouble, Further more a story handed down only by word of mouth would probably not retain such details even if it were base on a real event. This is consistent with this account being based on a written account of the events passed down from Abraham and eventually to Moses.

Genesis 14:1-12

Genesis 14:1-12 describes an invasion that resultes in Sodom and Gomorrah being sacked and it people taken prisoner. Note that by this time Lot was living in Sodom. He went from look towards Sodom to living in it.

The historical nature of these events is supported by the list of specific kings and nations involved. A writer of fiction would not likely go to all this trouble, Further more a story handed down only by word of mouth would probably not retain such details even if it were base on a real event. This is consistent with this account being based on a written account of the events passed down from Abraham and eventually to Moses.

Genesis 13: 14-18

In Genesis 13: 14-18 God promises the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendents specifically the Jews. This why support of the nation of Israel right to the land needs to be supported. These verses also indicate that Abraham’s descendents would be huge in number and to day that is certainly the truth despite multiple efforts exterminate the Jews they survive because of God’s protection.

Genesis 13: 12-13

Genesis 13: 12-13 shows that while Abraham dwelt in Canaan where God wanted him. Lot turned is gaze on the city of Sodom which verse 13 says the men there of were exceedingly wicked.

Genesis 13: 5-11

Genesis 13: 5-11is the point where the flocks of Abraham and Lot got so big that they had separate from each other. Now being the elder of the two Abraham could have chosen where to go but he graciously let Lot choose. Lot chose the best land available rather than letting his uncle Abraham have it.

Genesis 13:1-4

In Genesis 13:1-4 Abraham left Egypt with his entire house hold and possessions he returned to Beth-el back to the altar he had built earlier. This is a case of him returning to God’s will.