Lenses

After hearing about what was discussed in class and reading over notes, the idea that stood out to me was the many different lenses we use to read the Bible. I recently made a commitment to read through the Bible in a year. After getting through Genesis I had questions. Why did Abraham and Isaac both tell people that their wives were their sisters? And why after lying did God threaten the people who were lied to? They were not aware that there was potential to greatly sin against God. How, when Lot was in the cave with his daughters were they able to get him drunk enough to do something like that? And how did it happen two nights in a row? Why was it “ok” for Jacob to steal Esau’s blessing in God’s eyes when it required deceiving his father? And why was it ok for men to have so many wives?

I asked my dad what he thought about my questions and his answer related to the lenses we use to read the Bible. I was reading Genesis with my modern day perspective and applying it to the cultural norms of this time. He reminded me that in Genesis there were different expectations, norms, and ways of living that when observed through my modern day lens would seem unjust and ridiculous. God does things His way for a reason. My goal should be to find the appropriate lens so I can understand Genesis and the rest of the Bible in context.