Scattered Blessing

Author Richard Briggs
Publisher Grove £4.95
Format pbk
ISBN 9781788274920

Traditionally, scholars see a fundamental break between chapters 11 and 12 of Genesis. The earlier chapters are usually regarded as essentially ‘pre-history’, while chapter 12 begins the long narrative of the patriarchs, the founding fathers of Israel. In this original and intriguing book, Briggs argues that the ‘tower of Babel’ narrative of Genesis 11 is about a dispersed or scattered blessing not, as usually interpreted, a judgement on Babylon and its people. He argues that it relates closely to Genesis 12:1-9, which is also about journeying in search of blessing. He compares the linguistic analogy between the command to Abraham to ‘go’ in Genesis 12:1 with the great commission to the disciples in Matthew 28:19. From this analogy, he suggests that the mission to the nations was essentially drawn up in early Genesis. The passages in both chapters 11 and 12 envisage travel and the search for God’s blessing. This attractive notion requires a theological interpretation rather than historical-critical analysis. The penetrating questions at the end of each chapter will lead to interesting debates on mission and outreach. Recommended.

Reviewed by MALCOLM DAWSON

Old Testament Analysis