A couple of years ago I read a suggestion from one of my favorite authors, Scot McKnight, that really had an impact on how I read the Bible. He suggested that it is really helpful to read the book of Genesis with the promise to Abraham in Gen. 12 in mind, and that the entire book could be analyzed on the basis of that promise. He may have even suggested reading the entire Old Testament in this light, which would also make lots of sense.
In Gen. 12:1-3 God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation, that he would make his name great, that he would give him and his offspring land, and that he would be a blessing to all the families of the earth. Think of how these promises relate to today's reading from the OT (Gen. 38-40)-
-The tawdry story of Judah and Tamar is really a story about lineage, and illustrates the "great nation" aspect of the promise.
-The story of Joseph illustrates how Abraham's offspring would be a blessing to all nations, as everyone for whom Joseph works is blessed by the prosperity the Lord brings through Joseph.
-And of course, the Joseph narratives serve to explain how Abraham's offspring ended up in Egypt, a prelude to their inheriting the promised land.
The same principle can be applied to the New Testament as well, since it shows us the ultimate way in which Abraham's offspring blesses the world. And today's reading in Mark 15 is the capstone of that promise. Jesus, a descendant of Abraham through Tamar and Judah (Matt. 1:2-3), became a curse for us, "so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith" (Gal. 3:14).
Glad to see you doing more blogging! Some enlightening thoughts. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI agree but I believe the blessing of Abraham points to the inheritance we shall receive upon the lords return. Consider this, the lord's parables about the master going away for a long journey and returning to give more responsibility to his servants who were faithful and punishment to the unfaithful. Also we see in revelations the promises from Christ him self to those who overcome the challenges he pointed out . Also The scripture in the book of Hebrew that states and these died in faith not receiving the promise, This especially reveals that their promise land was to be a place that God created for them, an eternal inheritance. Many people look at the scriptures not literally ( and I'm not saying you are that many people). I have found that because of this many great world wide teachers distort the true message of the bible to reflect today without letting it reflect what it reflects. Rather it reflects old testament law or eternal riches.
ReplyDeleteI have written an E-book called Church: God's community vs Man's industry that any true studier can appreciate. Nothing but scripture and verse references in the book. It focus on the true Church that was about displaying love and preparing for the lords return vs the modern day church that focus on gaining more members and money. Please visit my web site and download the book at what ever price you choose.
God bless and I hope you visit my blog as well.
website www.preparingthewayofthelord.org
Bog http://dailychristians.blogspot.com
o yeah and I love Christianity without all the denominations and extra stuff too