8: Buried in a Genealogy

In this episode of The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Elle Grover Fricks delve into the genealogy of Abraham in Genesis 11 to explore why God chose him. They discuss the significance of women in genealogies, the cultural context of Nahor marrying his niece, and the Midrashic interpretation that Yiska and Sarai are the same person. The hosts analyze the Hebrew grammar and cultural norms of the time to understand Abraham's benevolent acts, particularly his choice to marry the barren Sarai, highlighting his willingness to prioritize compassion and righteousness over personal legacy, contrasting him with other figures in the biblical narrative and emphasizing the possibility for followers of God to trust the story and act with love and justice.