Part 1.
Look closely at the dialogue between the serpent and the woman (Gen. 3:1-3:7). Write approximately one page, double-spaced, in which you do the following:
Identify an enigma in the text (i.e. something you consider mysterious, obscure, ambiguous, confusing, or somehow demanding of interpretation).
Consider possible solution
part 2
The Garden story (Gen. 3) and the Cain and Abel story (Gen. 4) follow strikingly similar narrative patterns: warning, transgression, divine questioning, evasion or deflection, punishment, banishment, and an unexpected act of protection or care.
What do you consider to be the most intriguing differences between these narratives? What meanings can you draw out of a close consideration of these differences? 350words
Part 3
Genesis 12 presents an account of the origins of the nation of Israel.
In the Book of Ezekiel 16, there is a different origin story:
Ezekiel
16 Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem: Your origin and your
birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a
Hittite. 4 As for your birth, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor
were you washed with water to cleanse you, nor rubbed with salt, nor wrapped in
cloths. 5 No eye pitied you to do any of these things for you out of compassion for you,
but you were thrown out in the open field, for you were abhorred on the day you were
born.
6 I passed by you and saw you flailing about in your blood. As you lay in your blood, I
said to you, Live! 7 and grow up like a plant of the field. You grew up and became tall
and arrived at full womanhood; your breasts were formed, and your hair had grown, yet
you were naked and bare.
8 I passed by you again and looked on you; you were at the age for love. I spread the
edge of my cloak over you and covered your nakedness: I pledged myself to you and
entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord GOD, and you became mine. 9 Then I
bathed you with water and washed off the blood from you and anointed you with oil
Read these two accounts closely and in your discussion address the following:
- What are the most striking similarities and differences between the ways Genesis 12 and Ezekiel 16 portray Israels beginnings?
- What different ideas of election or being chosen by God emerge in these two texts?
- What effect do you think the fact that the Abraham story became central to Israel had on Israels understanding of itself?