Set 2: Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are considered the "Patriarchs" or founders of faith because of their role in God's establishment of His covenant with the people of Israel. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all trace their historical roots back to the Patriarchs. Many times in the Bible, God is referred to as "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" as a way to remind people of His covenantal promises to them. Jesus also refers to God this way in Matthew 22 and strongly connects Himself with God the Father in that chapter.

It is important to remember that even as the Patriarchs of faith, these men were not perfect. As the Big Picture unfolds, you will find that God uses faith-filled broken people throughout His plan of salvation. The promises of God produce hope in the lives of broken people, back then and still today.

READ

• September 18        The Call of Abraham – Genesis 12:1-20 || LISTEN
• September 19        God's Covenant with Abraham – Genesis 15:1-21 || LISTEN
• September 20        Isaac's Birth & "Sacrifice" – Genesis 21:1 - 22:19 || LISTEN
• September 21        Jacob & Esau Compete – Genesis 27:1-28:22 || LISTEN
• September 22        Jacob & Esau Reconcile – Genesis 32:1 - 33:20 || LISTEN
  
  

Review
Message from Sunday, September 17th

DISCOVER
Oral Tradition: The stories in this part of Genesis were passed down by oral tradition. While today we consider hearing more prone to fault than written words, a very high value of ancient oral traditions is precise memorization. Songs, proverbs, poems, and other devices were sometimes used to aid in memorization.
Sacrificial System: In order to have a right relationship with God, our sins require atonement (complete pardoning of sin). The sacrificial system was a way to show sacrifice and repentance for sins, and the extent of the sacrificial system is detailed more heavily in other books of the Bible such as Leviticus. However, it plays an important role in both the story of Isaac as well as the daily lives of the children of Israel. The sacrificial system was rendered finished in Christianity after Jesus' death and resurrection, which was the full atonement for the sins of the world.
Important Locations: 
Ur in Chaldea - modern southern Iraq
Canaan/The Promised Land - the modern states of Israel, Jorden, Lebanon and the Western part of Syria, some scholars include Gaza and the West Bank
Mount Moriah - known today in Jerusalem as the Temple Mount, currently the site of the Muslim mosque "The Dome of the Rock"
Beersheba - southern Israel, northern edge of Negev desert
Penuel/Jabbok River - east of the Jordan river in modern day Jordan


NEXT STEPS

1. Who do you consider a faith role-model in your life? In what ways or situations have they helped to guide you?
2. Where do you see a need for forgiveness and reconciliation in your relationships?
3. What did you learn about the character of God in these stories?
4. What does this Biblical account invite you to do, think, or believe after reading it?

PRAY
Heavenly Father, as we read these stories, remind us that the the promises you made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are promises that extend to all who believe in Your name. Help us to be faithful in trusting you no matter what we are going through. By the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, your Son, you have opened grace, peace, and eternal life to Your children. Give us Your Holy Spirit that we may always believe this. Help us also to extend grace and forgiveness to those around us. Amen.

You can engage these readings and devotional times individually or as a group. If you want to send an email to Family of Christ with your thoughts and questions, you are invited to click the link below.