Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: Wife of Lot

08/16/23 • 22 min

#BibleStudy #WifeofLot #PillarofSalt #Lot #Genesis #Sodom #Gomorrah #SodomandGomorrah #Bible #BrokenSearchingTrustedPowerful
The story of Lot’s wife is famous, retold countless times, important life lessons are drawn from the tragedies she experienced and the fateful decision she made in the last hour of her life. And even though we never learn her name, we only have a glimpse of who she was, there is still much we can find out.
We begin by watching two wealthy men, one elderly, one young and virile, looking out over the cities of the plain, located near what is today the Dead Sea in southernmost end of Israel. During the Middle Bronze Age, the approximate time Abraham would have arrived with all his flocks, herds, hundreds of servants and warriors, and his family, this is a fertile valley, with fresh running rivers and springs, a robust agriculture and rich forests.
Behind them is arid high country, scrub brush, rocky foothills. Below them is the lush Valley of Siddim, or salt, verdant pasturelands, and prosperous settlements. The elder speaks, “You choose, for the Lord has given it all.” The younger man purses his lips, weighing his options. Surely his uncle realizes what he is offering.
Lot’s eyes finally rest on Sodom, the jewel of the plain, its magnificent walls with their generous and well-fortified gates. Within it is a well-planned lattice of streets, fine homes, and palace and temple complex rivalling all the other cities, including Gomorrah. He slowly nods his head, realizing in his heart he has made a decision.
Arrayed around them, the shepherds and herdsmen of both men wait with anticipation. Lot raises his arm and points towards the sea with its cities, and gives a short nod in Sodom’s direction. “I choose the plain, uncle.” And the elder Abraham agrees, watching with regret and sorrow the son of his dead brother depart.
He turns back, his shoulders sagging a little. May God watch over that young one, he prays.
Each podcast is designed to offer background scholarship on the topic, including setting, culture, original language, and archaeology, as well as a theological study.
To see the YouTube presentation, click on "Wife of Lot"

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Each podcast is designed to offer background scholarship on the topic, including setting, culture, original language, and archaeology, as well as a theological study.
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Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: Hagar

#Hagar #BibleStudy #Ishmael #Genesis #Bible #BrokenSearchingTrustedPowerful
It is hard for many of us to understand what it means to be taken from our home, friends, and family against our will, to become enslaved, and to have no rights at all, not even over our own bodies.
But there surely was a time in your life, and in mine, when we felt trapped in some way, when we felt powerless, or isolated, unknown and uncared for. All of these elements go into Hagar’s story.
Ancient Jewish commentators add that Hagar was given to Sarah as her personal handmaid. She became a part of Abraham and Sarah’s household when they were sojourning in Egypt, as Pharaoh paid a handsome bride price for the privilege of marrying Sarah.
Some also contend she was a daughter of Pharaoh. However, it seems neither Sarah nor Abraham ever bothered to learn her name. Hagar’s name is actually a composite word in Hebrew. “Ha” means “the” in Hebrew, and “gar” means “resident alien.”
In the writing of Hagar’s story, the narrator wove in several harbingers of the Exodus to come. Pharaoh sent Abraham away, never wanting to see him again. Hagar was part of a great treasure given by Pharaoh and taken in the flight from Egypt. She was enslaved by foreigners, and when Sarah abused her, the same words are used as the description of the Hebrews’ enslavement in Egypt, four centuries later.
I Pregnancy, Genesis 16:1-6
II Prophecy, Genesis 16:7-15
III Parting of Ways, Genesis 21:8-14
IV Redemption, Genesis 21:15-21
V Epilogue
Several ancient Jewish theologians contended Hagar was actually the Keturah Abraham married when Sarah died, that Abraham sought her out, and by her had several more sons.
There is no way to know if this is true, the Bible does not say. But the implication is one of honor, for Hagar is remembered as a matriarch by Arabic peoples, and is much loved by many African American Christians as well, who see their own history in her story of enslavement, sexual abuse, and ultimate liberation. For God did take special interest in Hagar, gave her unique privileges, and freed her to live out the great destiny God had specially prepared for her and her son.
To see the YouTube presentation, click "Hagar"

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Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: Leah

#Leah #BibleStudy #Jacob #Rachel #Genesis #Bible #BrokenSearchingTrustedPowerful
Leah was married to a man who didn’t love her, who even felt he had been defrauded and manipulated into marrying her. No matter how many babies Leah had, she continued to live in the enveloping shadow of the woman her husband did love, and favored. Her situation left her despondent.
As Leah stood at the edge of the precipice, powerless, bereft, broken, and alone, with despair yawning below, she was presented with an inner choice. Would she allow despair's gravity to pull her in, or would she look up to find God at work even in this dark and awful place?
. . . . .
Jacob had arrived, unexpectedly and unannounced, a young, handsome, and penniless stranger—well actually, he knew he was family, but no one else did, at first.
Probably remembering the way his mother Rebekah had been discovered by his grandfather’s trusted servant, sensing he was near the family’s homestead, and certainly thirsty and hungry after his long journey, Jacob headed for the local well.
After talking with some local shepherds, Jacob knew his uncle Laban’s home was nearby . . . and then he saw Rachel. Love at first sight! He wept, he kissed her, and so our story begins.
To see the YouTube presentation, click on "Leah"