2. Doubling: In Genesis 41:32, Joseph says, the doubling of Pharaohs dream means that the thing is fixed by God. Discuss the doubling devices of parallelism, refrain, and/or repetition as they are used in poetry, wisdom literature, and narratives that we have read thus far. When does the doubling create emphasis? When does it embellish or elaborate? When does it provide context? When does it complicate or even contradict? Discuss at least three passages or episodes. Be as specific as possible.
3. Family Ties: Compare and contrast relations within the families of the three patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What are the circumstances of the marriages that bring each family into existence? How do the terms of these marriages influence the “begetting” and raising of children? Where do sibling conflicts arise, how are they acted out, and how are they resolved, if at all? How does each family’s successive story contribute to the larger story of God’s plan for the larger Hebrew “family” and for the world? Be as specific as possible.
4. Covenant: Discuss each of the four major covenants that we have studied so far. With whom does the Deity make each covenant? In each case, what are the promise(s) and sign(s) of the covenant? What conditions are expected of the human partner(s) in return? What does each covenant reveal about Divine and human nature? Be as specific as possible.
