How do I work through a passage sermonically? Summary R the text. C the text’s literary boundaries. D the burden of the text. W a sermon exposing the text for a particular audience. Getting Started My Approach Method: O I A (Observation) (Interpretation) (Application) Sequence: Me + The Text Me + The Text + Reference Works Me + The Text + Sermon Writing Week: Tues, Wed, Thurs, etc. (15 hrs, avg.) Prior Knowledge e.g. 36:1-37:1, “Esau’s Descendants,” i.e. a genealogy Related Presuppositions All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) What’s included in a particular text is included by God on purpose. What a text says and how it says it contributes to its meaning. No two texts may carry the same weight or degree of significance, even if both texts as Scripture are God-breathed and profitable. Contextual Considerations Where am I at in relation to where I’ve been and where am I going? Are there any other passages in the same book that may be similar? e.g. other genealogies in the book of Genesis toledoth (Heb. “generations”) = 2:4; 5:1 [of Adam]; 6:9 [of Noah]; 10:1; 11:10 [of Shem]; 11:27; 25:12-13; 25:19 [of Isaac]; 36:1; 36:9; 37:2 [of Jacob]) Genesis 25:8 “Abraham…died in a good old age…Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him…” Genesis 25:12 “These are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son…” Genesis 25:19 “These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son…” Clarifying the Text’s Boundaries Observations (read the text…): All of Genesis 36 is clearly about Esau and his descendants. A toledoth (“generations”) occurs in 36:1, 9, and 37:2. The first two occurrences both have to do with Esau; the last one with Jacob. The first occurrence ends the reference, “Esau settled in the hill country of Seir” (v. 8); the verse right before the last occurrence includes the reference, “Jacob lived (or settled) in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan” (37:1). 36:1-8 seem to go together, while 36:9-43 seem to go together, while 37:1 both stands on its own and seems to serve as a bridge between 36:8 and 37:2. 36:9-43 seems to make use of a sort of pattern, with the phrase “these are the…” (vv. 10, 15, 19, 20, 21, 29, 31, 40, 43) serving as either the start or conclusion to a new sub-unit. Conclusions (consulting reference works to compare their findings): The text’s literary boundaries are 36:1-37:1 The text’s internal sub-units are 36:1-8, 36:9-43, 37:1; the further sub-units of 36:9-43 are vv. 9-19, vv. 20-30, vv. 31-39, vv. 40-43 Determining the Text’s Burden Overview Read the text, making observations along the way. e.g. Which observations matter, which ones do not? And, why? Ask questions, though some (many) may not be answered (or important). e.g. Why include a genealogy of Esau? Why include a toledoth in v. 9, also? Remember: who was this text written to, what was the context this text was written within? e.g. Moses wrote this text prior to the children of Israel entering Canaan… Make judicious use of time—remember my objective and related limitations. e.g. In Esau’s genealogy, how important are all of the names included? Observations (working through the text, sub-unit by sub-unit): 36:1-8 36:9-43 36:9-19 36:20-30 36:31-39 36:40-43 37:1 Conclusions (consulting reference works to compare their findings): This genealogy provides historical triangulation, tracing Esau and his descendants, along with their movements and development as a nation. It provides further evidence of God’s word being fulfilled, graciously even to those outside of the Covenant (and its land). It provides another demonstration of the responsibility every person has in responding to God, His word, and those around them, along with the significance of the relationships that people pursue. It provides a reminder that the world may be quite successful (quite quickly, too!), while God’s people may seem to endure waiting on the Lord’s timing. “This chapter is complicated and difficult, both in its exegesis and in its exposition. In the first place, the structure is difficult…Not only is the organization difficult, the purpose of this chapter has been the subject of much debate.” (Allen, p. 585) “Esau moved to Seir with his sons and then, with his grandsons, controlled the land, conquering the Horites…The passage shows Esau over tribes, kings, and districts. Here was the political structure of the nation. No one could doubt that Esau was flourishing: he dwelt with the fatness of the earth, he lived by the sword, and he shook off the yoke of his brother from his neck.” (p. 587) “In contrast to the expanding, powerful Esau, Jacob was dwelling in the land of the sojournings of his father. He had no kings, no full tribes, and no lands to govern…The promised spiritual blessing demands patience in faith, and emphasizes that waiting while others prosper is a test of faithfulness and perseverance.” (p. 588) Writing a Sermon on the Text Develop a homiletical outline. 36:1-8 Esau has many sons by many wives, and moves away from the land of Canaan, the land of the Covenant. 36:9-43 Esau’s sons have many children, who become significant clan leaders, while intermarrying with the inhabitants of the land and becoming politically significant in the land. 37:1 Jacob stays in the land of Canaan, and is subject to a similar sojourning existence as Isaac and Abraham. Detail the primary narrative arc or thesis statement. Esau moves from the land of Canaan and quickly becomes a mighty nation, and God keeps His word regarding him (cf. 25:23; 27:39-40). Decide what to include and what not to include. Mention the surface dilemma of the various passages related to Esau’s wives, but avoid dogmatic conclusions; similarly, the timing of Esau’s departure from the land of Canaan. Avoid getting bogged down or distracted by either the history of the kings of Edom, or all other references to Edom, Edomites, Esau, or Idumea in the rest of the Bible (cf. Ex 15:15; Num 20:14-22; Deut 2:1-22; 1 Sam 14:47; 2 Sam 8:11-14; Is 63:1-6; Jer 49:7-22; Ez 25:12-14; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:6-11; Obad 1:1-21; Mal 1:1-5). Draw out careful yet reasonable implications for the text’s readers. What do we see about Esau? “He went into a land away from his brother…” What do we see about God’s word? “Two nations…shall be divided…” What do we see about Jacob? “Jacob lived in the land of…sojournings…” For the children of Israel, (1) Edom was their brother and neighbor, and (2) Esau was successful apart from the Covenant…