First Sunday of Lent Summary

Day 5: Abram’s Sure Covenant of Exodus

Promise of heirs – A strange vision – Meaning of the vision – Darkness and the passing of the torch – The sacrificial system – Anticipation of Exodus

Day 6: The Opening of the Wombs and the Blessing of the Gentiles in Gerar

Repeating themes in sacred history – Timeframe and geography – The deception of Abimelech – The threat on the woman – Accusation – Opening of the wombs – Conversion of Abimelech – Covenant with Abimelech – Birth of Isaac

Day 7: Hagar and Ishmael, the Forerunners in the Wilderness

Interwoven narratives and archetypes – Abram, Sarai, Hagar and a Fall scene – Hagar’s exodus from Sarai – Ishmael as the first Isaac – Ishmael’s exodus – Hagar and Ishmael in later biblical typology – Hagar/Ishmael and John the Baptist – Paul’s allegory in Galatians

Day 8: Following in the Footsteps of Abraham

A third sister-wife narrative – Isaac and Rebekah among the Philistines – Conflict over wells – Oath and covenant with Abimelech – Extension of the life of the covenant

Day 9: The Cunning Woman and the Righteous Serpent

The birth of Esau and Jacob – The Fall of Esau and the loss of his birthright – Jacob as the righteous serpent – Rebekah’s shrewd deception – Two goats and the Day of Atonement – The flight of Jacob

Day 10: The Faithless Father-in-Law and the Wrestling Wives

The vision at Bethel – The true tower to heaven – Meeting Rachel at the well – Jacob reduced to service – Laban’s deception of Jacob – Women giving birth and the start of the deliverance – Multiplication in captivity – Miraculous birth of the deliverer