As already discussed many times in this podcast, Abraham's story in the book of Genesis is anything but linear. For every move in obedience to God, there is a countermove in disobedience. We will see this play out for the final time in the Abraham cycle before his full character actualization in chapter 22. What is the point of all this? Precisely to constantly bore into the ears of the Israelites that they are not special in relation to the Gentiles and that Abraham was once himself a gentile and acted outside the bounds of the Mosaic Law. What made him righteous? His trust in God's promise and his change of behavior. This isn't about blood. Let us be attentive. Intro and outro music Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved.