This is the fourth of 4 slide shows from a recent class I taught for the Church in Wales in September 2012. This slide show introduces narrative exegesis from the text of Genesis 27.

1. REL404 Exploring Faith
Session 4: Old Testament Exegesis
Dr Clint Heacock
www.preachersforum.org

2. Learning Outcomes
1. Gain facility interpreting an OT narrative
genre.
2. Articulate the various possible points of view
from the various characters within the
passage.
3. Relate the exegesis to Old Testament
theology.

3. Exploring Gen. 25 & 27
In this passage we need to be aware of
questions related to:
Literary and historical context
Points of view of various characters
Setting (both time and place)
Characterization (how the narrator portrays
each character)
Plot, setting, dialogue, action etc.

4. Context & Characters
Gen. 25.7-10: What’s the context?
Upon which child does the blessing fall?
(25.11).
Gen. 25.19-26: What does this prophecy
contribute to the narrative plot?
Related to OT theology, the blessing falls on
the younger and not the older son.
The question is: how will this actually
transpire?

5. As they grow up, how are the brothers
characterized by the narrator (Gen. 25.27-34)?
Is Jacob’s action in obtaining the birthright from
Esau consistent with this characterization (Gen.
25.19-34)?
Is Esau’s willingness to give up the birthright to
Jacob consistent with this characterization?

6. Esau

7. Jacob

8. Group Exercise
Break up into 4 groups and analyze the text of
Genesis 27.1-46.
Each group will represent 1 character and
argue as convincingly as possible from the
passage that character’s point of view.
The question is: with which character are we
the reader supposed to feel sympathy for?
Jacob? Esau? Isaac? Rebekah?

9. Reflection
How can we relate this passage to the wider
OT theology and themes we’ve studied so far?
How could you incorporate these multiple
points of view into a narrative-styled sermon?
Do these multiple views ‘open up’ the passage
for further discussion relating to interpretive
possibilities?