Theological Reflection on the stories of GENESIS

Reflection: What are the central themes contained in the stories of Genesis?

The Sacred Tools of Discernment indicated that the answer to this question may be obtained by reflecting on the primary influence of the tribe of Gad and the secondary influence of the tribe of Ephraim & Manassah; that is,  Warrior + Produce = Profit.

Betsa (beh’-tsah) in Hebrew means “gain by force” or “profit.”

The text associated with Profit (betsa) in the Hebrew Scriptures is the story about “Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers (see Gen 37:25-27).”

The story appears in the Changes section of the reflection cycle, which means that Outcome is still in process. The inference we can draw from this is that the end of the story regarding making a profit is still in process.

What profits us might be considered to be the prime directive of humanity. It is the intelligence underlying creation in its multiplication phase. Survival of the fittest is driven by the motivation to increase. Whether we can conclude that this was the prime motivation of the Tribes of Israel in their relationship with YHWH might be highly speculative. Nevertheless, it appears that the relationship the Hebrews had with YHWH was to gain Strength in battle and Abundance in life.

CHANGES
The text says, “Then Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.’ And his brothers agreed.”

OUTCOME
The outcome was that Joseph became a great man in Egypt and eventually prospered his brothers as well. Later, the situation changed again and began another episode in the ongoing saga.

TODAY’S WORLD
The saga continues in the Middle East…

References:
See Bibliography: Sacred Tools of Discernment by Jonn Lavinnder

Theological Reflection on the origin of the OLD TESTAMENT

Reflection: What do we need to know about the origin of the Hebrew Scriptures?

The Sacred Tools of Discernment indicated that the answer to this question may be obtained by reflecting on the primary influence of the tribe of Issachar and the secondary influence of the tribes of Ephraim & Manassah; that is, Work + Produce = Possess.

Yarash (yaw-rash') in Hebrew means “inherit” or “take possession.”

The text associated with Possess (Yarash) in the Hebrew Scriptures is the story of “The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah (see Gen 24:55-67).”

The story appears in the Examination section of the reflection cycle, which means that Changes and Outcome are still in process. The inference we can make from this is that the promises of YHWH in the Hebrew Scriptures are still in effect if we continue to be guided by them.

The Hebrew Scriptures were therefore about the inheritance given to the Twelve Tribes of Israel; and contains stories about their relationship with YHWH with respect to their ancestors and their inheritance in the form of promises of land and wealth. The text of the reflection refers to the lineage of Isaac and Rebecca, which indicates that the writings of the Hebrew Scriptures came from that source.

EXAMINATION

It so happens when the Tribes of Israel took possession of Canaan, the land acquired by the tribes of Issachar, Ephraim and Manassah were the larger portion of the Northern Kingdom on both sides of the Jordan.

The text says, “And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, ‘May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.”

CHANGES
Changes take place in our lives by reflecting on the stories of YHWH’s relationship with the Hebrew people and their heirs.

OUTCOME
The outcome is that the Hebrew Scriptures provide comfort to all the descendants of Isaac and Rebecca.

TODAY’S WORLD
The Old Testament remains the basis of three great monotheistic religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 

References:
See Bibliography: Sacred Tools of Discernment by Jonn Lavinnder

Introduction to the SACRED TOOLS OF DISCERNMENT

This blog uses the Sacred Lots of the Twelve Tribes, which are tools of discernment based on the Urim & Thummim. 

According to the book of Genesis the nation of Israel are descendants of twelve tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulum, Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh, and Benjamin. I have developed a system containing 144 characteristics based on the combined meaning of the names attributed to each of the Twelve Tribes.

The Hebrew Scriptures contain hidden meanings that inquiry and reflection can reveal. There are five themes that continually come to the surface through inquiry:

1. [YHWH] Worship of the One God.
   
   
2. [ISRAEL] Chosen people sanctified as a light to the nations.
   
   
3. [TANACH] Instruction on how to live and be protected from destructive forces.
   
   
4. [COVENANT] Promise of land.
   
   
5. [MESSIAH] Anointed ruler sent by YHWH.
   
   

These themes are repeated throughout the Hebrew Scriptures along with underlying themes regarding YHWH’s relationship to the Tribes of Israel and the constant cycle of creation, sin, judgment, repentance and redemption. This is reiterated in the structure of the text of the Hebrew Scriptures and the structure of the reflection method outlined in this blog:

1. [ACTION] The story — creation.
   
   
2. [REACTION] The people’s natural contrariness — sin.
   
   
3. [EXAMINATION] The circumstances surrounding the story and instruction regarding it — judgment.
   
   
4. [CHANGES]  Recognising a problem and trying to correct it — repentance.
   
   
5. [OUTCOME] The transformation that occurs — redemption

References:
See Bibliography: Sacred Tools of Discernment by Jonn Lavinnder