Saturday, August 29, 2020

Seder 24: Gen 25-26---Comparing Abraham and Isaac

 Chapters 25-26 of Genesis present a number of parallels between the lives of Abraham and Isaac, inviting the reader to compare the two.  Some of the comparisons are:

  • Like Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah had fertility problems.  Unlike Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah did not resort to using a concubine.  
  • Like Abraham, Isaac had to deal with famine.  Unlike Abraham, Isaac did not seek refuge in Egypt.
  • Like Abraham, Isaac was wary of the people of surrounding cultures and did not trust them.  Like Abraham, Isaac claimed his wife was his sister because of this distrust.
  • Like Abraham, Isaac was blessed with great wealth.
  • As with Abraham, the leaders of Gerar were attracted to Isaac's wealth and sought a treaty with him.
  • Isaac, like Abraham, had to cope with disputes over wells and water rights.
  • Isaac, like Abraham, sought to have peace with those around him and distanced himself from conflict.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Seder 63---Different Names for the Ark

 The ark of the covenant goes by more than one name in the Bible.  It is  the ark of the covenant (e,g, Joshua 3:6, 14). the ark of the test...