Day 9: An Immigrant, Circumcision, And A Covenant

Today we read Genesis 16 and 17, Job 5 and 6, and Proverbs 1:20-33. We have learned about Adam and Eve, Noah and his family, and now Abram and Sarai who became Abraham and Sarah. These were all families elected by God to be blessed and to be a blessing to all creation as God’s image bearers. These were all families who had faith but also struggled to keep the faith. We learn in this story today how hard it can be to wait on God’s timing and how hard it can be to lean into our relationship with God in suffering. We are introduced to Hagar, which in Hebrew means immigrant. We learn more about who God is as we learn about His covenant with Abraham and this sign of the convent, circumcision. 

We also learn from Job in this story because he reiterates how suffering is not always a sign of consequence and we are reminded that blessing is not a reward that is earned but a gift from a God that loves to give and share. We ultimately learn that there is a natural pattern to justice and fairness in the ordering of creation, but there is also exception that may go beyond our comprehension for God’s thoughts and ways are not our own and He is wisdom and we cannot compare our wisdom to His but ultimately make the choice to trust in His immutable character and have faith in His goodness and love for us, even if and when we cannot understand the “why.”

Note: This episode of Bible reading and commentary has adult scenarios that may not be appropriate for children. 

 

Resources:

 

Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Bible Project podcast, Abraham, the Immigrant, and Circumcision, God’s Family Episode 4, (66 minutes) 12/2020

https://bibleproject.com/podcast/abraham-immigrant-and-circumcision/ 

 

Dr. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Bible Project, visual commentary (6 minutes and 19 seconds)

https://bibleproject.com/podcast/abraham-immigrant-and-circumcision/ 

 

Fr. Mike Schimitz (Bible in a Year) Podcast (19 minutes)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/day-8-the-surrender-of-abraham-2023/id1539568321?i=1000593012966

 

Credits:

Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.