Julie
In today's passage we learn that we are of the line of Abraham, or at least that is what I perceive based on the covenant that God made with him. This seems a bit simplistic, but this passage seemed pretty straightforward in God's promise to Abraham.
Two things about today's passage: 1) I don't understand why God changes people's names. I am sure that there is probably a reason behind it, but I have not been able to find an answer to that yet. (If I do I will return and edit). 2) Circumcision is one of those words in the Bible that has perplexed me. In this passage it makes perfect sense, but as we move through the Bible it is used in different contexts and the meaning changes just a bit, which I find interesting, because it begins to apply to all and not just the physical act for the line of Abraham. I wanted to mention this hear so that hopefully I could tie back in later.
Psalm 10 was explained as a lament for Psalm 9, as they seem to be discussed together. I think that this lament would apply all the time as those less fortunate are always taken advantage of. It could also be applied to those with enough money and/or power to do the same to anyone that they see as beneath them. I believe that this lament is something that we could ask about those that in power today. I wonder the same things about them that get mentioned in this Psalm.
Michelle
So what I get from today's passage is first that Abram/Abraham and Sari/Sarah will be given a son Isaac and that will be the beginning of his covenant with them. But then Abraham asks god to bless Ishmael as well, which he says he will be the father of twelve rulers and a great nation. I read something in a footnote of my bible that said something about the name changes and what people were named back then meant something, not like today, but that names had meaning behind them. Abraham for example says Father of many, Isaac means he laughs, and there have been others, mostly in connection to something that is related to God and what he has done for people. The other thing I read is the circumcision seems to be the sign that we are God's people and are a part of the covenant.
These psalms are confusing me for some reason. Yesterday's talked about I will give thanks to you Lord and then talks of his enemies receiving justice from God, then today's is asking why the Lord is standing so far away and hiding in times of trouble, then goes on to talk about all the awful things that the wicked to do others. I am not sure why but these are making my head spin. Maybe because I can't handle the things going on in the world right now as everything and everyone seems to be acting so badly. We are so far from what God has called us to do as a people. There is so much stupidity in the arguments and disagreements and action of those we call leaders and then the people following them as well. It's just too much for me. This psalm talks of all the evil things being done and what he could do to the wicked.
I guess we need to remember the covenant made and keep faith in God that all will turn out as it should be even though that's not what we see right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment