electionary

By faith Abram! Even if we imagine years are being counted differently - Abram's dad lived to 250 so 75 might be pretty sprightly yet - Abram is no young man when he sets out from Haran with his wife and his nephew and his slaves (sorry to say) along with a bunch of stuff he's collected over the years.

I am not putting much here, just a note for next time we cycle to this passage: a few weeks ago I bemoaned Paul's coming to the Corinthians without wisdom, knowing only Christ crucified - and below, I am going to talk about how we are back to the clever arguments that I so enjoy.  Ironic, then, to also be contemplating this passage at the same time, which explicitly decries worldly knowledge!

Honestly?  I don't like the first part of this passage.

It is a strange turn, God setting the mountains and the hills in judgement against his people.  And what is the case against them?  Moses.  Oh, and Aaron and Miriam, and Balaam.  What is the defense of the people?  Sacrifices?