What follows are just a few thoughts I had while sitting in Sunday school this week.
Gospel Doctrine
Lesson: Rebekah
Reading: Genesis 24–29
1 Isaac
In what follows I talk about Isaac and others as if they are characters. This is not to suggest that that they aren't historical. I approach it this way because I assume the author of Genesis has considerable flexibility in what he/she includes in the narrative. Furthermore, I assume the author is faithful and accurate in revealing the truth about Isaac via the way he/she write about Isaac in the narratives.
1.1 Passive
Start thinking about Isaac as portrayed by the author of Genesis. What comes to mind first? Almost certainly his role in the ``Binding.'' Isaac is notable in the ``Binding'' not for what he does but what he doesn't do. Well, he pretty much does nothing. Isaac is notable for being passive.
Isaac continues to be passive in other pericopes as well. For example, Isaac is incredibly passive in his own betrothal scene. So much so that he doesn't show up. Why is this important? First, the author uses his inaction to teach us about the nature and character of Isaac. The author wants us, as an audience, to understand Isaac. As such his inaction and passiveness are key. Second, the author uses Isaac's inaction to reveal Rebekah's character. While Isaac does nothing, Rebekah is engaged in Herculean camel watering. While Isaac does nothing, Rebekah fulfills the promises of God. While Isaac does nothing, Rebekah travels great distances and engages in her own exodus to be with Isaac.
1.2 Physical
Isaac isn't always passive. Still, his character is starkly different than Abraham, Rebekah, or Jacob. Isaac is physical and concerned with the temporal. Physical appetite is important. Notice the difference between Isaac's encounter with Abimelech and Abraham's encounter with Abimelech. In Abraham's encounter the truth of his relationship with his wife is revealed by God to Abimelech. The revelation in Isaac's version is quite different. Isaac reveals his relationship to Abimelech because he can't keep his hands off his wife. The contrast continues in the rest of the story. Abraham receives rewards and gifts from Abimelech. The gifts are the direct result of divine intervention and represent direct divine favor. Isaac also prospers but not through obvious divine help. He prospers because of hard work and physical labor.
Isaac's physicality continues in the story of Esau and Jacob. Isaac prefers Esau because Esau enhances his life in a tangible and physical way: good food. Ironically, of course, it is Isaac's physicality that in the end fails him.
1.3 Implications
Isaac serves as stark contrast to the greatness of characters like Abraham and Rebekah. I think the contrast with Rebekah is particularly important. One of the themes of the Old Testament is that God is always faithful to his covenant with Israel. The contrast of Isaac and Rebekah drives this home. Faced with a passive and ``physically inclined'' patriach the Lord ensures the continuation of the covenant through Rebekah. Another theme of the Old Testament is that the weak and lowly ultimately fulfill God's plan. Isaac does not despite his obvious insider and non- weak and lowly status. Instead Rebekah, a woman (low social status in the time period) and a foreigner (in a sense), ensures continuation of the covenant and the survival of Israel.
Gospel Doctrine
Lesson: Rebekah
Reading: Genesis 24–29
1 Isaac
In what follows I talk about Isaac and others as if they are characters. This is not to suggest that that they aren't historical. I approach it this way because I assume the author of Genesis has considerable flexibility in what he/she includes in the narrative. Furthermore, I assume the author is faithful and accurate in revealing the truth about Isaac via the way he/she write about Isaac in the narratives.
1.1 Passive
Start thinking about Isaac as portrayed by the author of Genesis. What comes to mind first? Almost certainly his role in the ``Binding.'' Isaac is notable in the ``Binding'' not for what he does but what he doesn't do. Well, he pretty much does nothing. Isaac is notable for being passive.
Isaac continues to be passive in other pericopes as well. For example, Isaac is incredibly passive in his own betrothal scene. So much so that he doesn't show up. Why is this important? First, the author uses his inaction to teach us about the nature and character of Isaac. The author wants us, as an audience, to understand Isaac. As such his inaction and passiveness are key. Second, the author uses Isaac's inaction to reveal Rebekah's character. While Isaac does nothing, Rebekah is engaged in Herculean camel watering. While Isaac does nothing, Rebekah fulfills the promises of God. While Isaac does nothing, Rebekah travels great distances and engages in her own exodus to be with Isaac.
1.2 Physical
Isaac isn't always passive. Still, his character is starkly different than Abraham, Rebekah, or Jacob. Isaac is physical and concerned with the temporal. Physical appetite is important. Notice the difference between Isaac's encounter with Abimelech and Abraham's encounter with Abimelech. In Abraham's encounter the truth of his relationship with his wife is revealed by God to Abimelech. The revelation in Isaac's version is quite different. Isaac reveals his relationship to Abimelech because he can't keep his hands off his wife. The contrast continues in the rest of the story. Abraham receives rewards and gifts from Abimelech. The gifts are the direct result of divine intervention and represent direct divine favor. Isaac also prospers but not through obvious divine help. He prospers because of hard work and physical labor.
Isaac's physicality continues in the story of Esau and Jacob. Isaac prefers Esau because Esau enhances his life in a tangible and physical way: good food. Ironically, of course, it is Isaac's physicality that in the end fails him.
1.3 Implications
Isaac serves as stark contrast to the greatness of characters like Abraham and Rebekah. I think the contrast with Rebekah is particularly important. One of the themes of the Old Testament is that God is always faithful to his covenant with Israel. The contrast of Isaac and Rebekah drives this home. Faced with a passive and ``physically inclined'' patriach the Lord ensures the continuation of the covenant through Rebekah. Another theme of the Old Testament is that the weak and lowly ultimately fulfill God's plan. Isaac does not despite his obvious insider and non- weak and lowly status. Instead Rebekah, a woman (low social status in the time period) and a foreigner (in a sense), ensures continuation of the covenant and the survival of Israel.