See Me! Hear Me! Divine/Human Relational Dialogue in Genesis

Fokkelman states, “The Bible does not contain one single instance of small talk.” This thesis examines relational dialogue between the Deity and human individuals in Genesis by separating the conversations from narrative through lines that most often inform biblical analysis. I am interested in snapshots of character developed in intimate conversations, when ‘face to face’ dialogue is allowed to take center stage. These conversations then become surprising and unexpected. In them the Deity talks with the first human to commit murder, not his regarded brother; recognizes a foreign slave as a unique and valued individual yet rebukes the chosen matriarch; potential heirs are dismissed and a legitimate successor only promised. All the while humans argue, cry, wrestle, laugh, express a limited worldview, while demanding a response from their Deity. These conversations challenge our opinion of a distant Deity and push the reader to redefine their understanding of the Divine/Human relationship.