ABRAHAM

MODULE 5: SESSION 22: Abraham’s Covenant with Abimelech

The biblical authors place these two episodes alongside each other, strongly linked with key words and themes, in order to highlight their differences. The family of God can act arrogantly about their chosen status, driving the nations away, or they can, through covenant, reconcile and live together in peace and blessing. The line of the chosen has a specific purpose that doesn’t have to do with whether they’re righteous or not it has to do with the promise of the snake-crusher. Comparing literary units with each other is the Bible’s way of being its own commentary, leading us to deeper layers of meaning.