I.

CHS 1 – E (2018) (LEC) – Reading and Interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures

II. Group 6
1. Garganian, Jon Patric A.
2. Gerochi, Ma. Dominique K.
3. La-as, James Michael A.
4. Limpahan, Edrie D.
5. Lood, Val S.

III. Genesis 12:1-18:33 (Abraham, Sarah)

IV. Discussions

 Who are the main characters of the story?

The main characters in this story are Abraham and Sarah. Since, most interactions in
the chapters revolve around Abraham and Sarah.

 What are the values exemplified by the main characters (fathers/mothers of the
faith) when they are confronted with problems or dilemma?

On the time of Lot’s capture in Chapter 14, Abraham has shown love for his nephew
(Lot) as he saved him from the shackles of his captors, and kept his faith by keeping
his promise to the lord. Even if Abraham did not yet have an heir, he still continued
to be faithful to God. On Chapter 18, Abraham expressed compassion for the people
of Sodom when he attempted to convince God to not destroy the city due to its
growing wickedness since he believed amidst the evilness of the city, they were
righteous people as well. Lastly, Sarah had faith in God as she was promised to bear
a child named “Isaac” as God’s blessing.

 Who is God being revealed in the story/stories? (a God who punishes; a God who
makes a covenant/promise with the people; a God who saves/rescues; etc.)
 In the Genesis 12:1-18:33, God was portrayed to be a God that makes a
covenant/promise with his people. This was signified when God told Abraham to
circumcise all men and boys in his family as a sign of the covenant between God and
his people. God is also seen as a God who punishes due to the fact that he inflicted
serious diseases on the Pharoah and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
Yet, God is a God who saves and rescues for the reason that despite the little number
of righteous people, God would still save the whole place for the sake of so little.

 In what way this (the character of God) was shown in the story?

On Chapter 18, God shows himself to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre. It appeared to
Abraham as three men stood in front of him. During this moment, Abraham
immediately bowed down as he knew it was the Lord who visited him. It was not
specified on the Bible on who these three men are except it simply stated it was the
Lord himself.

 In what way are we similarly situated right now to that of the problems/dilemmas
of the ancestors of Israel (with the particular story/passage assigned to your
group)?

The conflict between nations in the present world is similar to the kings that argue
and fight one another as seen in the bible (Chapter 14). Leaders of nations and
multiple global states are currently at war. Moreover, the inability to bear children
as referenced by Abraham and Sarah is also a problem on the modern world. It may
be a short passage and a small detail but the lies of Sarah towards God, in that she
will not be chastised is a common response for people who have done wrong yet
plead guilty and therefore are not dealt with properly.

 How can we respond to these situations having learned from the stories of the
fathers and mothers of the faith?
(PLACEHOLDER FOR GROUP INTERPRETATION)