June 12, 2009

Readings:
Genesis 24 and 25
Matthew 9

Genesis:
Abraham's last wishes involved getting Isaac married off to a woman who was NOT a Canaanite. He also made it very clear that he didn't want Isaac to go back, to leave the promised land Abraham had worked so hard to acquire. Remember, God is a God of real estate.

What I noticed for the first time was that Rebekah was given a choice about the marriage. That seems quite remarkable to me. Some women, even today, don't have a say in who they will marry. And Rebekah's brother, Laban, will come back in a few chapters when Rebekah's son, Jacob, needs to find a wife.

Please notice that Abraham remarries after Sarah dies and his other children are named here. But "Abraham gave all he had to Isaac." (25:5)

Interestingly, when Abraham dies, both of his sons are there to bury him. And Ishmael's descendants are listed.

This Sunday, I'll be preaching on the end of chapter 25, so please share your thoughts on the story of Jacob and Esau.

Matthew 9:
Jesus is so busy healing, preaching, and exorcising in this section that it makes me tired just to read along! While Jesus is willing to heal everyone that asks for it, note that it is the crowd on whom he has compassion because they were "harrassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (9:36).

He's willing to eat with tax collectors, avowed sinners, and to touch people who were untouchable. In that culture, touch was strictly controlled. Uncleanness could be passed on by touch. Yet, when Jesus touches someone, it is Holy-ness that is contagious. He subverts the established order of "cleanness".