Abram marries Sarai, and Nahor marries Milcah, daughter of Haran (who was also the father of Milcah and Iscah). The marriage of Nahor to his niece reflects the close-kin marriage patterns of the ancient Near East, which were common before the Levitical prohibitions of Exodus and Leviticus. Sarai — whose name will become Sarah in Genesis 17:15 — is introduced before her most defining characteristic is mentioned in the next verse: her barrenness. The covenant promise of Genesis 12:2 ('I will make you into a great nation') will be given to a man married to a barren woman. God's promises consistently come to people whose circumstances make them seem impossible. Romans 4:19 notes that Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered the deadness of Sarah's womb but was fully persuaded that God could do what he promised. The application: the person God calls is often the person whose circumstances most clearly require a miracle for the calling to be fulfilled.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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