Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

So, God needs some dead animals. This is later considered a bad thing, but we're only 15 chapters into the first book, so it's cool. God has yet to be named by his chosen people. That will fall to Hagar in the next chapter. First, what's with all the splitting of animals? Splitting of a sacrificial animal was a traditional way of sealing a covenant between two tribes. It symbolizes how they will all end up if they don't honor their agreement. That's usually done between two groups of people, so getting a promise like this from God is pretty awesome. The tradition was normally to have the two parties walk between these split sacrifices, but that doesn't happen. God holds out until Abram falls asleep. So God is making a deal here, but also seems to be saying he's the one who will uphold it.

As for the birds that aren't split. I don't know. You can find lots of speculation on that but it always looks like people chasing symbolism and making it whatever they want it to be.

Cedric Lundy from the Watershed church in Charlotte NC has an interesting look at Hagar. She was a servant, an Egyptian, that is; an outsider. She was used as a surrogate mother because Sarai couldn't conceive (yet). This creates a bit of friction and she fleas to the wilderness, essentially a suicide move due to her status. But an angel of the Lord finds her and convinces her to return. She names God "the God who sees me". It's a small step away from the theme of patriarchy that defines most of the Bible. Stories like this are usually overlooked and the Lectionary does not include it. Hagar trusted the angel because she believed it watched over her, Cedric asks, are we watching over people like Hagar?

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Paul continues with his explanation of who and what Christ is. The interpretation here of "join in imitating me" is a bit odd, others use "following my example" or "pattern your lives after mine". It's inclusive language, trying not to set himself up as a leader, but instead as one of the tribe and of course they are all following the actual lead of Christ. For Paul, good means heavenly things, which are rarely described in detail. Bad means earthly things, like enjoying food.

Luke 13:31-35

The transfiguration was covered on Transfiguration Sunday a couple weeks ago. Not sure why it's repeated here.

Unlike Mark which was featured last summer, Luke portrays a very confident Jesus who knows why he has to die and the circumstances of his coming death. To fulfill the prophecy he needs to die in Jerusalem and at the hand of the authorities. With these words, the Luke author puts Jesus in the line of prophets that were opposed in their time; Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Amos. As the representatives of God, they have tried to bring their people together. This time, he leaves instructions to accept the prophet, and that will bring you to Him.