Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 14
Genesis 15
Psalm 11

Comments:

I am reading through the Bible in a new translation this year, the Common English Bible. It’s good to read in different translations because we can benefit from the insights of the latest scholarship. Also, we can become so familiar with the words and phrasings of our own Bible, that when we read familiar sayings or stories in new and different ways, we can be stretched and see the scriptures in a new light. What translation do you use? Many use the King James because its available. But they become bogged down in a language not written for the 21st century. The New International Version (NIV) is a popular Bible and one I recommend. I’ll let you know if I like the Common English Bible (CEB) or not.

One reason this is on my mind is because in today’s reading God is referred to as El Elyon (chapter 14 verses 17-19.) At first I was not clear about the meaning. I know “El” refers to God. So I looked it up in the New Revised Standard (NRSV) which is what we use in worship at Albright. It’s translation “God Most High” and the footnote indicates that the Hebrew (the language the Old Testament was written in) is El Elyon. I can totally understand why people become so bogged down in the details of reading and understanding scripture!

Chapter 14 begins with a lot of foreign sounding names! We cannot become discouraged. The important thing in this story is that a war is declared and Lot, Abram’s nephew ends up being captured. Abram rescues him. After this battle, Abram refuses any reward, but he does give Melchizedek the king of Salem a tenth of everything.

In chapter 15 we are reminded that although God has promised Abram to bless him and his descendants, Abram has no children, no heir. Abram tells God that the head of his household will be his heir. But God tells Abram he will have a biological child. Abram trusts God.

As part of some mysterious ceremony which is perplexing to us, Abram makes a sacrifice. There is foreshadowing of tough times to come. And again, God talks about covenant. God is going to give this land to Abram and his descendants.