Torrey Gazette is the combined work of everyday Christians blogging on books, family, art, and theology. So pull up a seat and join us. Family Table rules apply. Shouting is totally acceptable.
All in Theology
21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” - Isaiah 59:21 (ESV)
The inclusion of this story prompts many questions. Why is the Lord kind to this Egyptian woman and child? The future relationship between Abraham’s seed and Egypt must impact the importance of the story.
Circumcision is equated with the healing of a man's body. This is a blessing and a gift. It is deliverance as is fitting for the Sabbath. It i the fulfillment of the year of Jubilee (Luke 4:18).
Sarai’s jealousy of Hagar, a gentile, and is a fascinating foreshadow of the Jewish response to the teaching ministry of Paul (Acts 13:45-50; 28:24-28; etc.).
I am a Calvinist. I have a card and everything to prove it. But the misappropriation of texts like John 12:32 has to stop if we are going to be faithful to Biblical and valid historical interpretation.
So long answer short, I believe the reasons is to demonstrate the destructive behavior associated with the practice but also to show that God is capable of working through it.
In a similar fashion, this is Abram trying to fulfill God’s promises through law. Despite God’s promise, Abram and Sarah decided to fulfill it in their own strength and way against the counsel of God. This is a recapitulation of the fall of Adam and Eve. It also predicates Israel’s rejection of the gospel to seek righteousness through the law (Rom 9:30-33).
Ecumenical endeavors are generally scoffed at and rightly so. But tonight I'll successfully pray an ecumenical prayer. And it will be a successful ecumenical endeavor.
Even if only within me.
Christian faith in this way is tied to Christian prayer. Christian prayer is "cry[ing] to him day and night."
