Author: Administrador

We are accustomed to talking about the “sacrifice of Isaac,” but this story could be called the “sacrifice of Ishmael.” The Isaac story is the topic for next week. This week, Ishmael is the focus and it is worth noting that his story in many ways mirrors (or foreshadows) the other. Abraham has two sons. … Continue reading “Genesis 21:8-21 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”

My husband has been very intentional about walking our daughter to school over the last few years. When we’re in a hurry and he uses the car instead, he feels as if he’s missed out on an important part of the day — the experience of a journey that proceeds step-by-step rather than block-by-block. Chatting … Continue reading “Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14 Commentary by Karla Suomala”

What I love about this passage is the way in which Abraham appeals to God’s better nature, as one does when one is trying to persuade someone with power to do the right thing. Abraham’s determination is quite striking, to say nothing of his skills in knowing how to approach someone in power to the … Continue reading “Genesis 18:20-32 Commentary by Jacqueline E. Lapsley”

Whenever we think about or talk about God, there is a wonderful tension between certainty and mystery. On the one hand we know God because we have God’s own revelation. We draw on the witness of scripture. We experience God at work in our own world and in our own lives. We use our reason … Continue reading “Genesis 18:20-32 Commentary by Sara Koenig”

This week’s first lesson moves the narrative from a divine encounter under the terebinths at Mamre to the road to Sodom. As the narrative makes this shift, keep in mind the Lord’s question to Abraham (and indirectly to Sarah and to all of us who might giggle at the ridiculous promises of the Lord), “Is … Continue reading “Genesis 18:20-32 Commentary by Samuel Giere”

Introduction The assigned story for this week in the narrative lectionary might be termed the Old Testament version of the Christmas story. Similar to the birth of Jesus, the story moves from announcement (or “annunciation”) to consummation — from promise to fulfillment. As Walter Brueggemann has commented, “In 21:1-18, we have the central fulfillment within … Continue reading “Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 Commentary by Rolf Jacobson”

In this week’s passage, God makes an appearance to Abraham by the “Oaks of Mamre,” located in the city of Hebron (cf. Genesis 13:18). This site is already significant as the place where Abraham built an altar after Lot’s departure. So it is not surprising when the Lord makes an appearance along with three men … Continue reading “Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 Commentary by Roger Nam”

Last week we read about the wonderful promises God made to Abram (Gen 12:1-3). A major theme in the stories of Genesis 12-50 is how God overcomes obstacles in order to keep these promises. Usually, Abraham is the obstacle that needs to be overcome: 1.In Genesis 12:10-20, Abraham and Sarah are on their way to … Continue reading “Genesis 18:1-15 [21:1-7] Commentary by Mark Throntveit”

This passage (Genesis 18:1-10) has literally become iconic: the fifteenth century Russian icon by Andrey Rublev that depicts the three visitors to Abraham as a type of the Holy Trinity appears as a now-familiar image everywhere from mouse pads to refrigerator magnets. Apart from its marketing potential, the icon helps us to remember that it … Continue reading “Genesis 18:1-10a Commentary by Jacqueline E. Lapsley”

When I was a child, one of my family’s common dinner prayers was, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let this food to us be blessed.” (My sisters and I liked its brevity and the sing-song nature of the rhyme.) I understood it to be essentially a dinner blessing, so it was not until … Continue reading “Genesis 18:1-10a Commentary by Sara Koenig”