Genesis 24:52-26:16
The ongoing saga of finding Isaac a wife from among his father’s people. This being set apart and their exclusivity of association is probably the one thing most anti-Semites would point to for their hatred of Jews if they are honest. It is a purity issue for the Jews but it takes forms that lead outsiders to think, “Well, aren’t they special?” and hate them for it.
Torah.org has extensive commentary about the mission to which Abraham and Sarah dedicated their lives.
Early in the Book of Genesis, we read about Sarah and Abraham, who have devoted their lives to spreading novel, monotheistic ideas to a world steeped in idol worship.
I suppose this may be what they had in mind although in the Genesis texts themselves, the mission that God gives them is to be faithful. I am not entirely convinced that Abraham and Sarah had this worldwide ministry in front of them when they were just starting out. My impression is that it was a huge leap of faith and that the daily struggle of remaining true to that was more consuming than what the Canaanites would get from witnessing their lifestyle, which included some incredible wealth given to Abraham as a way to get him to take his “sister” and go away, so this may be another source of anti-Semitism, as well.
I think the “light to the nations” part of the blessing came LONG after the initial drama had reached a more obvious conclusion, once the threats to the covenant had passed and become history. I suspect it is easier to see this evangelical zeal to the patriarch’s mission from the perspective of many generations down the road.
Matthew 8:18-34
After much healing and teaching, Jesus hops into a boat and crosses the sea to the region of the Gedarenes which in Mark’s gospel are the Gerasenes. I intend to go look for the reason for this discrepancy* in a moment. He encounters the furious storm which he calms with a word and then two demon possessed men meet him on the other side. They are still coming from the tombs, so that bit of nastiness is the same as in Mark’s account.
* It would seem to be an error of geography, according to the link above. Gerasa is about 50 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee and therefore “far too far” for Jesus to reach immediately upon leaving the boat. Gerada is right there on the other side and so scholars suggest that Mark simply messed up with is town names. Or not. It could just be a slap at Rome. Heh.
