Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 26-30

Luther's Works #5

by Martin Luther

Luther-s The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther-s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. In this volume (Genesis 26-30) Luther comments trenchantly and in a God-fearing manner on a somewhat complicated concatenation of events in the life of the patriarch Jacob. Esau has sold his birthright to Jacob for a mess of pottage. Issac aims to bestow a deathbed blessing on Esau. But in cahoots with Rebecca, Jacob cleverly succeeds in tricking Issac into giving him his brother-s blessing. The blessing is irrevocable. Jacob is sent away to the home of Laban, his uncle, -to take a wife from there.- On the way Jacob has a dream that the Lord tells him he will be given the land that he is traveling on. When Jacob arrives on his uncle-s land, he meets the beautiful Rachel and falls in love with her. Before Jacob can be wed, though, he must work for Laban for 7 years. After 7 years time, when Jacob was to then receive Rachel, Laban tricks him into serving for another 7 years to get Rachel. Luther discusses this involved account sagaciously and with due reverence. He does not deal in a flippant manner with matters pertaining to sex, for he realizes that the story of Jacob-s adventures and deeds has not been set forth in vain. He never fails to bear in mind that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.

Genres: Reference

412 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, theologian, university professor and church reformer whose ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization.

Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a spiritual priesthood. According to Luther, salvation was a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.

Luther's confrontation with Charles V at the Diet of Worms over freedom of conscience in 1521 and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being declared an outlaw of the state as he had been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the perceived unity of the medieval Church with the secular rulers of western Europe, the widespread acceptance of Luther's doctrines and popular vindication of his thinking on individual liberties were both phenomenal and unprecedented.

His translation of the Bible into the vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.

Much scholarly debate has concentrated on Luther's writings about the Jews. His statements that Jews' homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed were revived and used in propaganda by the Nazis in 1933–45. As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial.

Reviews

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 3 out of 5]

As mentioned in my reviews of the earlier Works, I find that Luther works too hard to "excuse" Abraham. Sadly, this does extend to the other Patriarchs (and Matriarchs). I find that he is argues far too strenuously in regards the actions of Rebecca and Jacob. It all most comes across as "the ends justifies the means" because these people are ultimately doing God's Will. Now I know Luther does not intend this - as he argues even more strenuously that his readers do not imitate them - that these events a "once off".

I also gather from his discussions, that Luther is reacting against pretty extreme views against the Patriarchs.

I just think he misses some great opportunities to highlight how even the Patriarchs are "not without sin", and that in spite of their shortcomings, God prevails - it saddens me even more because this is what Luther teaches elsewhere.

So whilst I found many passages difficult in this Work, Luther still has his rhetorical flair and whilst his anger at Papal excesses often bring a smile to my face, there are also the profound insights such as:

"Only let us not despair, but let us remain in faith. Then let the devil go his way and do what he cannot stop doing. We are in a spiritual calling. We have the Word, Baptism, and absolution. We are certain that God is with us and for us. I would rather be in hell with God present than in heaven with God absent. “For even though I walk in the midst of the shadow of death,” says David, “I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me” (cf. Ps. 23:4). And “if I descend into hell, Thou art there” (cf. Ps. 139:8). If I have Thy Word, I do not care about the fire of hell. On the other hand, I would not like to be even in heaven if Thou wert not with me. For where God is, there the kingdom of God is. Where the Word is, there Paradise and all things are."

Anyway on to the next Volume :)