Imago Dei
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A study series

Abraham

Sixteen studies across Genesis 11:27–25:18, walking through Abraham's whole life in order — the call out of Haran, the covenant cut in chapter fifteen that Paul builds Romans four on, Hagar and Ishmael, the binding of Isaac on Moriah, and the long, uneven road between a promise made at seventy-five and a promise kept at a hundred. Apostolic interpretation — Paul, Hebrews, James, Galatians — is brought in at the point the text earns it; later tradition is flagged clearly as tradition, not Scripture.

Start with part one
  1. 01The House of TerahA journey toward the promise that stalls before the call ever comes
  2. 02The Call — Lech LechaGo, for yourself — a promise that starts with one man and ends with everyone
  3. 03The Descent into EgyptThe Exodus, rehearsed four hundred years early through one man's fear
  4. 04Parting from LotA generosity that only makes sense if the whole land is already yours
  5. 05War of the Kings and MelchizedekBread and wine from a priest with no genealogy, centuries before Hebrews needs him
  6. 06The Covenant CutThe verse Paul builds Romans four on, and the God who walks alone between the pieces
  7. 07Hagar and El RoiThe first person to name God in the Bible is a discarded slave woman in the desert
  8. 08El Shaddai and the Covenant Cut into the BodyNew names, an absurd promise, and a father who falls on his face laughing
  9. 09Three Visitors and the Intercession for SodomFriend of God — a title earned by arguing God down over His own justice
  10. 10Sodom, Lot's Wife, and the CaveThe most shameful origin in the patriarchal narrative becomes a thread in Christ's own line
  11. 11Gerar — The Same Lie, TwiceJustification doesn't finish sanctification, even for the man called righteous by faith
  12. 12Isaac's Birth and Ishmael's ExpulsionThe doubting laughter of two chapters back, finally converted into a name
  13. 13The Akedah — The Binding of IsaacWhat God asked of Abraham and released him from, God did not release Himself from
  14. 14Sarah's Death and the Cave of MachpelahA century in the land, and the first piece of it he ever owns outright is a grave
  15. 15A Bride for IsaacThe longest chapter in Genesis, and the least dramatic — a servant's prayer answered at a well
  16. 16Keturah and the Death of AbrahamTwo sons, divided for decades, bury their father together