Continuing where NBBC Genesis 1-11 left off, this NBBC volume explores the stories of Israel's ancestors, from Abraham to Joseph. As with the first volume, emphasis is given to God's life-giving relationship with the world. Focusing on Abraham, his family, and God's covenant promises--promises of blessings, this volume identifies Abraham and his family as God's chosen mediators of blessings to the world. Important attention is given to these patriarchs as models of listening, obedience, and trust in response to God's promises. The writers of this NBBC--Alex Varughese and Christina Bohn--expertly engage the text and interpret its meaning to contemporary readers. Using literary, grammatical, and other scholarly tools, these writers locate this portion of Genesis soundly in the flow of salvation history, teasing out the key theological themes and nuances. The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century.EACH VOLUME FEATURES: Completely New Scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan tradition Convenient Introductory Material for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and more Clear Verse-by-Verse Explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the passage's original language