Theology notes continues

      Berit Covenant -  Dominant -  Relationship between God and Humanity.

Gifts/Tasks -  The weight of the Sinai Desert (I was there for six months which is detailed in my book: For Love of Country - Military Policewoman) is the task.  Sometimes you need to rest.  Even God did it (on the 7th day).  There is always an interplay of gift and task.  

Descendants and Land -  two big issues.  This is a way people are blessed.

Already in Genealogy - Sarah is barren.  

     How is the one reject, treated by God?  A whole theme here.  Why is one chosen?  You are not chosen for yourself.  You are chosen for others.  This theme is worth noticing.  There are not too many women who speak to God.  Sarah does.

Abraham promised third blessing.  Abrahamics promise is not only

for Israel but for all humanity.  These promises, are they not basic for survival?  There is a fear that if a tribe is not strong enough, it can be taken over.  A deep longing and value.  Wells are important.  That is where men find wives and Jesus speaks.  What is land if it is not a source for others (and other things as well).  Abraham is the descendants of three fathers - Kslam, Jews and Christians.

Sarah is barren.  Land is barren.  All they have is the promise.  God comes to Abraham in a dream - “Do not be afraid.  Your rewards will be very great.”  Abraham objects.  Noah was given a task to build an ark.

“Your ancestors shall be aliens in a land for 400 years.  As for yourself - this is the deep sleep or darkness…”  On that day, the Lord made a covenant, a berit.  Jeremiah 34.  Notice ritual.  Covenant usually had a ritual of what would if not.

Assignment:  God appears to Hagar two times to return to Sarah, “and  be obedient to her.