This is the second week of a study that will “unfold” the story of the Bible for you as we read fourteen of the 73 books in the Bible. If you’re just getting started with us, I’d encourage you to have a look at my page outlining our study, where you can read the plan of what we’re doing as well as print off a checklist for the daily readings.
This week, we begin the second period in our study, focusing on the Patriarchs. This period covers about 400 years of history, beginning in 2200 BC and ending about 1800 BC. This period will examine several key biblical figures who are at the head of a tribe, family, or clan, each of whom plays a key role in Israel’s history. In the chapters we’ll be reading this week, we’ll see how God makes three promises Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 12: to give him land, to make his name great, and to bring a universal blessing to everyone. For his part, Abram is asked to trust God – which sounds easy yet is something any of us can find difficult once we’re asked to actually do it.
The patriarchs were the first bearers of God’s promise to future generations. Genesis 12-50 narrates a series of linked promise episodes that trace the beginnings of the plan of salvation in human history… the patriarchs are more than the genealogical fathers of Israel, they are the spiritual fathers of all who believe (Hebrews 4:1-28).Scott Hahn, Catholic Bible Dictionary