Both Of These Questions Should Be Answered On The Basis Of T

Both Of These Questions Should Be Answered On The Basis Of The Biblica

Both of these questions should be answered on the basis of the biblical text as far as we have read so far. I ask that you not do research. But do not make things up. Make sure you can prove anything you say with a biblical text, the more specific the better. Please make your answers brief: 1-2 sentences for no. 1, and a few for no. 2.

1. Abraham is the first biblical figure to believe (or, trust) in God (Gen 15:6). The question is why. In Genesis 15:6, it is because Abraham believed God's promise, and this belief was credited to him as righteousness, indicating that his trust in God's word was the basis for God's recognition of his faith.

2. In Genesis 17, God makes a covenant with Abraham, which is the second covenant in the text, and it is commemorated by the sign of circumcision. Circumcision is an appropriate sign of this covenant because it symbolizes the physical and spiritual mark of the covenant relationship between God and Abraham's descendants, setting them apart as God's chosen people and signifying their commitment to God's promises.

Paper For Above instruction

In examining the biblical narrative to understand why Abraham is considered the first figure to believe in God and the significance of circumcision as a covenant sign, it is essential to interpret these events within their textual context. The Book of Genesis offers vital insights into Abraham's faith development and God's covenantal relationship with him, highlighting key theological themes relevant to each question.

Regarding Abraham's trust in God, Genesis 15:6 states, "And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." This verse indicates that Abraham's belief was rooted in a trusting acceptance of God's promises rather than mere intellectual acknowledgment. Despite the potential for doubt, Abraham actively trusted God's promise of land and descendants, which aligns with the biblical understanding that faith entails reliance on God's word as sufficient. Although some commentaries suggest that Abraham’s faith might have involved a degree of trust in God’s promises, Genesis 15:8 reveals Abraham’s questioning attitude: "And he said, ‘Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?’" This question suggests that Abraham’s initial trust was not blind but was anchored in a relational dialogue with God, ultimately leading to a trusting recognition of God's covenantal promises. Thus, Abraham’s faith was characterized by a trust in God's character and promises, making him the first biblical figure to embody faith in this sense.

The second question concerns the covenant made with Abraham in Genesis 17 and the significance of circumcision as its sign. Genesis 17:10-11 states, "This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you." Circumcision, in this context, serves as a tangible, physical sign of the covenant, symbolizing the individual's participation in the covenant relationship with God. It marks the covenantal relationship between God and Abraham's descendants, signifying their dedication and separation for God's purposes. The act of circumcision is appropriate because it involves the most intimate and permanent part of the body, indicating the lifelong commitment of the people to uphold the covenant. It also functions as a communal identifier that sets the Israelites apart from other peoples, emphasizing their unique relationship with God as His chosen people. The sign's physicality reinforces the seriousness and permanence of the covenant, making circumcision an apt and meaningful symbol of divine promise and human commitment.

References

• The Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson.
• Brueggemann, W. (1982). Genesis. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Westminster John Knox Press.
• Fretheim, T. (2005). The Suffering of God. Fortress Press.
• Levenson, J. (2006). The New Jewish Publication Society Torah Commentary: Genesis. Jewish Publication Society.
• Waltke, B. K., & Yu, M. (2007). An Introduction to Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns.
• Westminster Bible Companion. (2009). Interpretation. Westminster John Knox Press.
• Young, E. J. (1995). An Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans.
• Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1–17. Eerdmans.
• Nevins, L. (2007). Old Testament Theology: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox Press.
• Ross, A. P. (2001). Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis. Baker Academic.