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OldTestamentOverviewOldTestamentIntroduction
WelcometotheveryfirstclassoftheGraceEquippingInstitute
- Iamexcitedabouttheupcomingfewyears- Itrustthatyouareaswell
LetmestatemygoalsandplansforthisclassMyplansaretoteachthroughavarietyoftopicsoverthenextfewyears
- OldTestamentIntroduction- NewTestamentIntroduction- SystematicTheology- Churchhistory- Hermeneutics(howtostudytheBible)- Coverseveralbooksthathaveprovenverybeneficialtotheeldersandmembersofthis
church- Othervarioustopics
Iamstillintheprocessoflayingoutthe“bigpicture”ofschedule
- ButIhopethattheseclasseswillbenefitmanyoverthenextfewyearsIftheLordallows,itwouldbeneattooffermultipleclassesonSundayafternoons
- IalsowanttoinvolveotherteacherstocomealongsidemeWhatisexpectedofyou?
- Toshowupeagertolearn- Toparticipateasyoudesire- Toenjoylearning
Ifyoudesiretodigdeeperintothesetopics,talktomeindividually
- Icangiveyouhomeworkandassignmentstohelpyouunderstandmorethanwewillcoverinclass
Let’sprayandgetstarted
TheBibleisabookunlikeanyother
- Evenamongreligiousbooks,itstandsinaclassallbyitself
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TheBibleistheonlybookthatclaimstobethewrittenWordofGod,allthewhile“demonstratingitsdivineauthoritybymanyinfallibleproofs”1
- OtherreligiousbooksmayclaimtobeGod’sWord;however,theydonotcontainanyself-authenticatingproofssuchasfulfilledprophecy
Forthisafternoon,IplantogiveyouabigpictureviewoftheOldTestament
- IalsoplanondiscussingthebookofGenesisHowmuchoftheOTthatwecovereverymonthwillvary
- Mostmonths,wewillcoveratleasttwobooksoftheOT- Iwantthistobeatruesurveyclass
AswebeginouroverviewoftheOldTestament,realizethatthiswillnotbeanexhaustivestudy
- TherewillbemanyareasthatIwillnottakethetimetodiscussduringthisstudyo Customs–althoughwewilldiscusssomeofthenormalcustomsoftheday,this
studywillnotdiscusshowothersocietiesaffectedthepeopleofGodo Worldevents–thisisafascinatingpartofBiblestudywherebyweseethe
settingorbackgroundbywhichcertainbooksoftheBiblewerewrittenorBiblicalcharacterslived
o Canonicity–theprocessofhowcertainBiblebookswererecognizedtobepartoftheOldTestament.ThisstudywouldalsoincludethestudyofinspirationandtheinterplaybetweentheDivineandthehumanwriters.
OurgoalistoobtainanoverviewoftheOldTestamentbooks
- Nottogotooin-depthWhenyouthinkoftheOT,whatcomestoyourmind?
- (waitforfeedback)- Abraham- Moses- Prophets- Animalsacrifices- Variouscovenants- Law- Lotsofsin
TherearesomeprettyamazingthingsthathappenintheOT
- IhopetodiscusssomeofthesewithyouoverthenextfewmonthsLetmestartoffwithareallybasicquestion
- WhystudytheOldTestament?
1 Gleason L. Archer, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, 15.
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IcanthinkofatleasttwopurposesforstudyingtheOldTestament21. TostudythecharacterofGodasrevealedintheOldTestament
IntheNewTestament,wehavethebenefitofgreatclarity,andthebenefitofconsideringGodthissideofChrist
- WhereastheNewTestamentwaswritteninageneration,theOldTestamentspansthousandsofyears
AsweseeGod’scharactermanifestthroughhistoryintheOldTestament,thereisacertaindepthandrichnessthatwetakeaway
- TheNTismuchmorecrystal-clear- TheOTisabitmoregrainy
Listentothewordsof2Peter3:9
- “TheLordisnotslowaboutHispromise,assomecountslowness,butispatienttowardyou,notwishingforanytoperishbutforalltocometorepentance”
Asbelievers,wearehumbledbyGod’spatiencetowardus
- Patiencebeforeweweresaved- Patienceafterwehavebeensaved
ButthinkofGod’spatienceasevidencedintheOldTestament
- PatiencebeforetheFlood- PatiencewithSodomandGomorrahbeforetheirdestruction- PatiencewithKingDavid- PatiencewiththenationIsraelastheywantedaking- PatienceasthefirstgenerationofIsraelitesdiedoffinthewilderness- Patienceduringtheperiodoftimebetweenthetestaments
SomepeoplesaythattheGodoftheOTisdifferentfromtheGodoftheNT
- ButtheBibleshowsthesameGodinbothcovenants- Thesame,patient,graciousGod- ThisistheGodwhoweworshipeventhisafternoon!
IntheOldTestament,weseeGod’sdealingsoveramuchlargerspanoftimeandpeoplegroups
- ThereissucharichnessandabundanceofGod’smercythatweseetowardundeservingsinners
That’sourfirstpurposeinstudyingtheOT
- TostudythecharacterofGodasrevealedintheOT
2 This lesson references material from Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s core seminar on the Old Testament. http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/class-1-introduction-to-the-old-testament/
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ThereisasecondpurposeinstudyingtheOT
2. ToseewhattheOTteachesusaboutJesusYes,theOThasmuchtoteachusaboutJesusIftheGodoftheOTisdifferentthantheGodoftheNT,thenthisisamajorproblem
- TherearetwodifferentJesuspeopleintheBibleOfcourse,weknowthisnottobecase
- JesusisthesameinboththeOTandNT- GodisthesameinboththeOTandNT
“TheOTisaredemptivehistorythatlaysthefoundationuponwhichtheNTisbuilt”3
- IfyoureallywanttounderstandtheNT,youmustunderstandtheOTBookslikeHebrews,Revelation,andtheGospelsquoteoralludetotheOTquitefrequently
- Ifyoudon’thaveagoodgraspoftheOT,yourunderstandingoftheNTwillbelimitedForexample,considerthethemeofsacrificethatisdevelopedintheOT
- Hundredsandhundredsofyears- Multitudesofanimalsacrifices
ThiswasallgettingusreadyforJesus’sacrificeonthecross
- RememberthestatementbyJohntheBaptistinJohn1:29?- “BeholdtheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld”
Youwon’tunderstandthatstatementaboutJesusifyoudon’tunderstandthesignificanceofsacrifice,atonement,andsinfromtheOldTestamentTheOTisreferencedoralludedtomany,manytimesintheNT
- SomeofthesereferenceswereclearlyspeakingoftheChristwhowouldcometotheEarth
TheNewTestamentwritersclearlyexpectaworkingknowledgeoftheOldTestament
- Theydon’texplaineverydetail- Rather,theyexpectus,thereader,tobefamiliarwiththecontextofthepassagesto
whichtheyreferRememberwhenJesusiswalkingwiththedisciplesontheroadtoEmmausinLuke24?
- ListentowhatJesussays,“ThenbeginningwithMosesandwithalltheprophets,HeexplainedtothemthethingsconcerningHimselfinalltheScriptures”(emphasismine)
3 Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, 1.
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Laterinthatsamechapter,listentothesewordsfromtheverylipsofJesusHimself- “’TheseareMywordswhichIspoketoyouwhileIwasstillwithyou,thatallthings
whicharewrittenaboutMeintheLawofMosesandtheProphetsandthePsalmsmustbefulfilled.’ThenHeopenedtheirmindstounderstandtheScriptures”
AtthebeginningofJesus’ministry,Hemadethisstatement,“DonotthinkthatIcametoabolishtheLawortheProphets;Ididnotcometoabolishbuttofulfill”(Mt5:17)
- Again,allofthisiscontingentupontheOTThesearetwoofthereasonswhywearestudyingtheOT
- ToseethecharacterofGodasrevealedintheOT- ToseewhattheOTteachesusaboutJesus
SoifyoucouldtryandsummarizetheentireOTinaphrase,whatwoulditbe?
- (waitforresponses)Oneansweristhis
- PromisesmadeGoddoesmakesomeremarkablepromises
- ImmediatelyaftertheFallofman,GodmakesanincrediblepromiseaboutthefutureMessiah
- ThroughouttheOTbooks,weseeGodmakepromisesThisleadsustosummarizetheNTinaphrase
- PromiseskeptTheGodoftheOTistheGodoftheNT
- TheGodwhomadethepromisesisthesameGodwhokeepsHispromises- OurGodisfaithful!
ThegreatestpromisethatGodevermadewasaboutHisSon,JesusChristAnyquestionssofar?Easyquestion;howmanybooksareintheOT?
- 39TheOTissometimestreatedundertwomajorheadings
- TheLaw- TheProphets
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Christsaid,“Therefore,howeveryouwantpeopletotreatyou,sotreatthem,forthisistheLawandtheProphets.”(Mt7:12)ThreetimesinLuke16,Christmadethispoint
- “TheLawandtheProphetswereproclaimeduntilJohn”(16:16)- “TheyhaveMosesandtheProphets;letthemhearthem”(16:29)- “IftheydonotlistentoMosesandtheProphets,neitherwilltheybepersuadedif
someonerisesfromthedead”(16:31)Anothermajorthemethatwewillneedtounderstandisthatofprogressiverevelation
- Cansomeonetryandexplainthatterm?Progressiverevelationisthegradualunfoldingofevents,doctrine,andteachingoveraperiodoftime
- Inotherwords,GoddidnotrevealeverythingatonceWehavealreadydiscussedthetopicofsacrifice
- DidGodfullydiscloseeverythingaboutsacrificetoAdamandEve?o (no)
- DidGodgivethemabookonatonement?o (no)
ButGoddidstartteachingaboutsacrifice
- GodHimselfkilledananimaltocoverthenakednessofAdamandEve- AbelinGenesis4broughtforwardananimalsacrifice- WhenAbrahamwasabouttoofferhisson,Isaac,Godprovidedasubstitute- OnandonwecouldgothroughtheOT
SolookforhintsoftheologythatismentionedintheOTbutwillbefurtherexplainedlaterintheNTRapidoverviewoftheOldTestamentWhatIwanttodooverthenextfewminutesistogiveyouaveryhighlevelviewoftheOldTestament
- Thiswillbelikeridinginanairplane- WearegoingtocoveraLOTofgroundveryquickly
Inthebeginning,itwasonlyGod
- Nocreation- Onlyeternal,perfectfellowshipbetweentheFather,Son,andSpirit
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Atsomepoint,Godcreatedtheheavensandtheearth- Hepopulatedthemwithcreatures,birds,andotherwildlife- Thisischapters1and2oftheBible
Theninchapter3,God’sfirsthumansdisobeyhimandthewholecosmosfallsintoruinasaconsequence
- GodrespondedbybanishingthemfromtheGardenofEden- ThiswasanactofmercyandgracefromGod;otherwise,theymayhaveeatenfromthe
treeoflifeandstayedintheirsin-affectedbodiesforeverThenarrativecontinueswiththingsgoingfrombadtoworse
- AndtheninGenesis12,Godbeginshisplanofredemption,callingAbrahamtobethefirstofhisnewpeople
- Godleadshim—andultimatelyhisfamily—tothepromisedlandofCanaan- Afteraseriesofprovidentialtwists,thesepeopleendupasslavesinEgypt,yettheyalso
quicklyreproducetobecomeagreatnationMosesthenbringsthenationoutofEgypt
- GodgivesIsraelthelaw,markingthemoffasHisspecialpeople- AndHegivesthemthelandHehaspromisedwherethisspecialpeopleistoliveand
displayGod’scharactertothenations- ButinsteadofdisplayingGod’scharacter,moralandpoliticalconfusionfollowsduring
theruleofleaderscalledjudgesAfterafewcenturies,thepeopleaskforandreceiveakinginthepersonofSaul
- DavidfollowsSaulaskingDavid’sreignbestrepresentsthemodelofakingdominwhichGod’schosenmanandGod’sWordruleoverhispeopleinhischosenplace
- ThekingdomreachesitspeakinthetimeofprosperityandthebuildingofthetemplebyDavid’sson,Solomon
- ButDavidsinswithBathshebaandUriah,causingrippleeffectsacrossthenationNotonlyisDavidsinful,buthisdescendantsaresinfulaswell
- ClearlythisisnotthefullnessofGod’splanThekingdomdividesintotwo
- Bothpartsofthenow-dividednationfallintoidolatry,untilGodfinallyallowsthenorthernhalftobeconqueredthroughtheAssyrianempire
- Alittleoveracenturylater,HeexilesthesouthernhalftoBabylon- Severalgenerationspassinexile,andthenthepeoplereturnandrebuildthetempleand
Jerusalem’swall- AndhereOldTestamenthistoryends,withthepeoplereducedtoapositionofutter
desperationanddependenceonGod
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Thisisthenarrativetakenupbythethirty-ninebooksoftheOldTestament- Ihaveobviouslyleftalotofdetailoutinthisquicksummary- ButIhopetodiscoversomeofthosetreasuresoverthecomingmonths
IfyoulookattheOTfromachronologicalperspective,youseethatitdoesNOTmatchthebookorderofourOTIfyoulookatthebooksintheordertheyappearinourBibles,hereisonewaytooutlinethem
- Law(5books)o (Genesis,Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers,andDeuteronomy)
- History(12books)o (Joshua,Judges,Ruth,1&2Samuel,1&2Kings,1&2Chronicles,Ezra,
Nehemiah,andEsther)- Poetry&Wisdom(5books)
o (Job,Psalms,Proverbs,Ecclesiastes,andSongofSolomon)- Prophecy(17books)
o MajorProphets(5)(Isaiah,Jeremiah,Lamentations,Ezekiel,andDaniel)o MinorProphets(12)(Hosea,Joel,Amos,Obadiah,Jonah,Micah,Nahum,
Habakkuk,Zephaniah,Haggai,Zechariah,andMalachi)NowIwanttogiveyouabriefoverviewofeachofthebooksNarrativeBooks(LawandHistory,acombined17books)
• Genesisdescribeshowtheworldandthefirsthumansweremade—theperfectionofthatunspoiledcreation,howsinenteredtheworld,andhowGodinitiatedhisplanofsalvationthroughAbraham.ButdespiteGod’sinstructionstoAbrahamtoliveinthepromisedland,GenesiscloseswiththispeopleinEgypt.
• ExodusfindsAbraham’sdescendantsasslavesinEgypt,andconstitutesGod’sgrandentryontothestageofworldhistoryasHeroutesthemostpowerfulnationonearthtobringHispeoplebacktotheirlandashisown.
• LeviticuspresentsadigestofGod’slawsgiventoHispeopleinthewilderness.HolinessisthethemeofLeviticus.
• NumbersmostlytellsthestoryofthepeoplejourneyingtowardthePromisedLand,theirrebellion,andGod’sperseveringfaithfulness.
• Deuteronomypresentsthesecondgivingofthelaw(deutero=second,nomos=law).• JoshuadescribestheconquestofthePromisedLandsome400yearsafterGod’speople
left.• JudgesisthedepressingaccountoflifeinthePromisedLand:thepeoplecontinually
reverttolawlessness,andthetimeswerewellsummedupbythephrase,“InthosedaysIsraelhadnoking;everyonedidashesawfit.”(Judges21:25)
• Ruthisalittlestorysetduringthedaysofthejudges,preparingthewayforKingDavid.• 1and2Samuelareaboutthelastjudge,Samuel;a“false-start”king,Saul;andthefirst
realking,David.
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• 1and2KingsfollowDavid’sroyaldescendantsastheyleadthepeopleintoidolatry,andeventuallyintoannihilationfortheNortherntentribesandexilefortheSoutherntwotribes.
• 1and2Chroniclestellthatsamestory.Butinsteadofexplainingwhytheexilehappened—themessageofKings—theypointaheadtoGod’sfinalsalvation.
Thelastthreebooksofhistoryareabouttheexileandthereturnfromexile:(3)
• EzradescribesthereturnoftheJewsfromtheircaptivityandtherebuildingofthetemple
• NehemiahcontinuesthestorybydescribingtherebuildingofJerusalem’swalls,apartialfulfillmentofGod’spromisesofrestorationtoHispeople.
• Estheristhelastbookofhistory:astoryofGod’sprovidentialdeliveranceoftheJewishcommunityduringtheexile.
TheWritings(5books)ThemiddlebooksoftheOldTestamentarelargelycollectionsofwisdomliterature,devotionalpoems,andceremonialliteraturefromthetemple.
• JobisastoryaboutarighteousmanwhoistriedbyGod.• Psalmsarepoeticprayersofpraise,confession,andlamenttoGod.• ProverbspresentsthewisdomofSolomonandothersconcerningpracticallifeissues.• Ecclesiastes,againprobablybySolomon,recountsoneman’ssearchforthepathto
happinessandmeaninginthisworld.• SongofSongsisthecollectionoflovesongsbetweenabridegroomandhisbride.
TheProphets(17books)ThefinalcollectionofbooksintheOldTestamentistheProphets.
- TheseseventeenbookspresentGod’scommentaryonIsrael’shistory,particularlyIsrael’sdisobedience.
• IsaiahwasaprophetintheSouthernkingdom,called“Judah.”Thefirstthirty-ninechaptersarepropheciesleadinguptothecaptivity.Thelasttwenty-sevenchapterspointtoafuturerestorationandredemption.
• JeremiahprophesiedinJerusalemduringtheyearsthecitywasbesieged.Hecontinuedtoprophesyforsevenyearsafterthecityfellin586B.C.
• LamentationsisJeremiah’slamentoverthedestructionofJerusalem• EzekielprophesiedinBabylonduringthistimeaboutthecomingfallofJerusalemand
God’sultimaterestorationofHispeople.• Daniel,partprophecyandparthistory,chronicleshowGodshowedHimselftobethe
ruleroftheworldevenasHispeoplewereincaptivityinBabylon.• Hoseaprophesiedtothenorthernkingdom(calledIsrael)atthesametimeasIsaiah.
GodusedHosea’sadulterouswifeasalivingexampleofIsrael’sunfaithfulness.
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• JoelpreachedaboutthecomingjudgmentofGodonthesouthernkingdom—andGod’sblessingthatwouldfollowtheirrepentance.That’sreallytheoutlineformostoftheseprophets.
• Amos,anothercontemporaryofIsaiah,predictedthejudgmentandrestorationofthenorthernkingdom.
• ObadiahutteredhisveryshortprophecyofjudgmentagainstoneofJudah’sneighbors,Edom.
• Jonah,whencalledtoprophesytotheAssyriancityofNineveh,fledandwasswallowedbyagreatfish.Inthebellyofthefish,heprayed,repented,wasdelivered,andobeyed.
• MicahprophesiedatthesametimeasIsaiahandHosea.HespoketobothIsraelandJudah.
• Nahum,wholivedacenturyafterJonah,proclaimedthecomingjudgmentofGodonNineveh—andafuturedeliveranceforJudah.
• HabakkukaskedGodwhybadthingshappentogoodpeople,andgoodthingstobadpeople.God’sresponseisacalltofaithandtrustinhispromiseofrestoration.
• ZephaniahpromisedthatjudgmentwouldcomeonJudahashecalledthemtorepent.Thelastthreeprophetsprophesiedaftertheexile,asJerusalemwasbeingrebuilt.
• Haggaiproddedthepeopletogetonwithrebuildingthetemple.• ZechariahprophesiedtwomonthsafterHaggaiandpresentedaseriesofwilddreams
thatattackedthereligiouslethargyofthepeopleandforesawthemessianicage.• MalachialsoattackedreligiousapathyandpromisedacomingMessiah.Hewasthe
lastOldTestamentprophet.Well,that’stheOldTestamentfromendtoendAsyouhearthisquickoverview,whatstandsouttoyou?
- Whatrepeatedthemesemergeasyouheardmequicklyrecitethesummariesofthese39OTbooks?
- (waitfortheirresponses)ConsiderthesethreethemesthatemergeaswelookattheOT
- GodispassionateaboutHisholiness- Sinisseriousbecauseit’ssuchadeviationfromHisholiness- Atonementcouldbeaccomplishedwhenaninnocentonediesinplaceoftheguilty
TheOldTestamentteachesthatallpeoplearesinners4andthestorylineasawholequicklyleadstotheconclusionthatpeoplearenotabletodealwithsinthemselves
- AdamandEvesin;theycoverthemselveswithfigleaves- Fast-forwardandGodwipestheslatecleanandstartsoverwithNoahandhisfamily- Butheandhisdescendantssin- Godpicksonefamilytobless—buttheysintoo
4 1 Kings 8:46, Psalm 14:3, Proverbs 20:9, Eccles. 7:20
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- God’smiraculousrescueofIsraelfromEgyptisfollowedonlybygrumblingandrebellion,bytheverypeopleGodchosetorescue
- ArrivalinthePromisedLandfindsthingsgettingonlyworse;thebookofJudgessuggeststhattheproblemisthattheyhavenoking(althoughGodwastheirKing!)
- ButevenakingasgoodasDavidsins,andsubsequentkingsleadthechargetoidolatry- GodwarnsHispeopleandthendisciplinesthemthroughexile- Whentheyreturnfromexile,theygobacktotheirwickedways- Whatisneeded,wefind,isnotasecondchancebutanewheart- Wearesinful,andnosolutionforthatproblemisachievedintheOldTestament- Godmustdosomethingnew
That’sahugeproblem,becauseGod’spurposeforHispeoplewasforthemtolivelivestogetherthatproclaimedtheperfectionofHisholycharactertothenationsaroundthem
- AsEzekielputsit,thepeopleintendedtoproclaimGod’snameinsteadprofanedit- Whatistobedone?
Thisiswherereferencestoatonementaresignificant
- AnumberofimagesareusedtodescribeatonementintheOldTestament,butthemostprominentissacrifice
SinnerscouldseektorestoretheirrelationshipwithGodthroughsacrifice
- Abel’ssacrificeisthefirstdescribedexplicitlyinScripture- AndthenNoah’sshowsthatsacrificepleasesGod- Abraham’ssacrificeofaraminsteadofIsaacintroducedtheideaofsacrificeofa
substitute—andatthefirstPassover,asubstitutebywhichGod’swrathwasturnedaside
- AndthesacrificiallawsonLeviticusintroducedtheideanotjustofasubstitute,butofapenalsubstitute—asubstitutewhoborethepunishmentwedeserved
- Apenalsubstitutewhomadeatonement,asontheDayofAtonement,wherepunishmentwasnotmerelyserved,butrelationshipwithGodwasrestored
DoyouseehowtheOldTestamentgraduallybuildsupthisideaofsacrifice?
- Thatdoesn’tdisappearwhenwecometotheNTInandofthemselves,Leviticalsacrificeswereneverthepoint
- Ironically,sacrificesweremostappropriatewhenthepersonofferingthesacrificerealizedthattheofferingwasnotsufficienttoatoneforsins
- Soyouhavethepsalmistsaying,“AgainstYou,Youonly,haveIsinned”(Ps.51:4)- SacrificeswerenotefficaciousexceptbyGod’sgrace
TheineffectivenatureofsacrificescanbeseenmostclearlythroughtheJewishDayofAtonement
- That’sadayonwhichaspecialsinofferingwasmadeforthewholenation- What’sstrikingisthatthisritualhadtoberepeatedannually
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Why?Becausethepeoplewereinastateofsin,andnoanimalsacrificecouldultimatelyremovetheirguilt
- Therewasnoperfectsacrifice- Iftherehadbeen,thepeoplecouldhavestoppedofferingthem(Heb10:1-3)
Instead,theseimperfectsacrificesemphasizedthefactthatGodisholy,thatsinseparatesusfromGod,andthatheprovidesawayofforgiveness
- SotheOldTestamentexploressomanydifferentpotentialsolutionstotheproblemofsin,butultimatelycomesupempty-handed
- That’sonereasonwhyitisbookendedwithGod’scurseThinkofGenesis3:becauseofsin,Godcursestheserpent,theman,andthewoman
- AnddoesanyoneknowthelastwordoftheOldTestament?- TurntothelastpageofMalachi
ReferringtothesecondElijah,whowouldbeJohntheBaptist:
- “Hewillturntheheartsofthefatherstotheirchildren,andtheheartsofthechildrentotheirfathers;orelseIwillcomeandstrikethelandwithacurse”(4:6)
“Curse”atthebeginningoftheOT
- StillunderthecurseattheendoftheOTThisbringsupaquestion
- InExodus34,theLorddescribeshimselftoMoses,saying“TheLORD,theLORD,thecompassionateandgraciousGod,slowtoanger,aboundinginloveandfaithfulness,maintaininglovetothousands,andforgivingwickedness,rebellionandsin.
- Yethedoesnotleavetheguiltyunpunished”(Ex34:6-7a).- Forgiving...yetnotleavingtheguiltyunpunished?- Howcanthatbe?Perhapsthereisstillhope?
TheStoryofthePromiseThereishope,anditisinanotherfocusweseeintheOldTestament:thestoryofpromise
- Yes,theOldTestamentendswherewestartedinGenesis3- Butitalsogivesusapromiseofhope
HowwillGodforgive,andyetnotleavetheguiltyunpunished?
- ItallcomesdowntoHispromiseAndthestoryofpromisebeginsinthemostunlikelyofplaces
- ItbeginsinthewordsofGod’scurse,immediatelyaftertheFall- AdamandEvehadchosentodisobeyGod,andsohebroughtuponthemthejust
punishmentfortheirsin
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Butintheverysentenceofcondemnation,Godmakesapromise:- “Iwillputenmitybetweenyouandthewoman,andbetweenyouroffspringandhers;
Hewillcrushyourhead,andyouwillstrikeHisheel”(Gen3:15).- GodpromisestocreatedivisionandoppositionbetweenHispeople,theseedofthe
woman,andSatan’speople,theseedoftheserpent- AndHepromisesthatonedayaSonwillbebornwhowilldefeatSatananddeliverHis
peoplefromtheirsin- Godinitiatesthatpromise,immediatelyaftersin!- AdamandEvehavedonenothingtomeritit,yetHemakesit
Noticethepromisehastwosides:
- Theseedoftheserpentwillstrikeattheseedofthewoman;yettheseedofthewomanwilltriumph
- ThestoryoftheOldTestamentisthestoryofthatpromisebeingplacedinjeopardyagainandagain—butagainstimpossibleodds,GodensuresthatHispromiseprevails
CainmurdersAbel—thelineofthewoman—butGodpreservesthatlinethroughSethHumanityiscapturedbysinanddeservingofGod’sjudgment,butGod’spromiseenduresandHepreservesNoahandhisfamily
- Then,toensureHispromiseofdeliveranceiskept,Godmakesanotherpromise—neveragaintodestroyallhumanitybyflood
Centuriespass;peoplegofrombadtoworse
- ButwithAbraham,Godpicksupthateternalpromiseandbeginstofleshitout- “IwillmakeyouintoagreatnationandIwillblessyou;Iwillmakeyournamegreat,and
youwillbeablessing...andallpeoplesonearthwillbeblessedthroughyou”(Gen12:2-3)
Agenerationlater,rivalrybetweenIsaac’stwosonsalmostdestroysJacob
- ButJacobisthechosenseed,andtheLordpreserveshim- Butonceagain,God’spromiseischallengedbyafaminethatthreatenstodestroythe
wholefamilyHowcanGod’spromiseprevailifthisfamilyofthepromiseperishes?
- Amazingly,GodusesJoseph’senslavement,imprisonment,andsufferingtosavehisfamily
- Hetakeswhathisbrothersmeantforevilandturnsitintosalvationanddeliverancenotjustforthechosenfamily,butforthesurroundingnationsaswell
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Again,theseedoftheserpentrearsitsheadasthedescendantsofJacobareenslavedinEgypt,andawholegenerationofboysisslaughteredatPharaoh’scommand
- Again,GodisfaithfulandremembersHiscovenantwithAbraham- HepreservesthelifeofMoses,andthenuseshimtodeliverHispeoplefromtheir
slaveryAtMountSinai,GodmakesacovenantwithIsrael,inmuchthesamewayHedidwithAdamandEvebeforethefall
- Ifthepeopleobey,theywillstayinthePromisedLand- Butiftheyrebel,Godwillcastthemout- Ofcourse,theirrebellionbeginsalmostimmediately- GodjudgesHispeople,butHeremainsfaithfultoHispromisetoAbrahamandtoAdam
Anewgeneration,ledbyJoshua,israisedup,andGodgivesthemthelandHehadpromisedtheirforefathers
- Againstallodds,theyconquertheCanaanites- Thoughthepeoplecontinuetorebel,andGodcontinuestopunishthem,Healsoraises
upjudges- ThesearesuccessorstoMosesandJoshuawhorescuethepeopleanddefeattheir
enemiesFinally,inanultimateactofrebellion,thenationofIsraelrejectsGodastheirKing,andasksforakinglikealltheothernations(1Samuel8)
- Inmercy,Godanointsakingafterhisownheart,David,whowillbelikeasontohim- ButtheserpenteventriestochasedownanddestroyDavidfromwithinIsraelitself—
firstthroughSaulandlaterthroughDavid’ssonAbsalomYetGod,whoisgraciousandfaithful,makesyetanotherpromisetoDavid
- Thisisapromisethat’sreallyjustanextensionofHispromisetoAbrahamandthatgivesfurthershapetothepromiseofGenesis3
- GodpromisesDavidthathewillalwayshaveasontoruleonhisthrone,andthatsonwillruleinrighteousness(2Sam.7:11-16)
- ThepromisedseedofGenesis3and15isinfacttobeakingwhowilldeliverHispeopleAtfirstitappearsthatsonisSolomon
- Butit’snotSolomonprovesunfaithful,andjudgmentfollows
- Divisioncomesfirst- Thekingsinthenorthareprogressivelymorewicked,untilGodsendsthenorthern
kingdomintoanexile- Inthesouththereareperiodicrenewals,buttherenewalsarenevercomplete,andthey
neverlast- Finally,GodsendsJudahintoexile,anditseemsthatHispromisehasfailed
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Buteveninthecontextofjudgmentandexile,GodrevealsthatHehasnotforgottenandHehasnotfailed
- Theprophetsaregivenamessageofhope,thatGodwillmakeanewcovenantwithHispeople(Jer.31:31-34)
- Afterseventyyearsinexile,JudahreturnstothePromisedLand- Thewallsarerestoredandthetempleisrebuilt—butGodnevercomesbacktodwellin
thattemple- Thenewcovenanthasnotyetarrived- WhenwillGodfinallykeepHispromise?
Well,thisistheexpectationwearelivinginwhen,afterfourhundredyearsofsilence,GodspeaksandtheNewTestamentbeginsConclusionSodoyouseehowthesepiecesallfittogether?
- Ontheonehand,theOldTestamentisastorythatmovessideways,neverprogressing- Solutionaftersolutiontooursinissuggestedandtried,onlytoresultinfailure- SobytheendofMalachiwearenobetteroffthanwewereinGenesis3,exceptthatwe
knowforafactthatwecannotsaveourselvesButonanotherlevel,theOldTestamentisastoryofforwardmotionbecauseit’sthestoryofpromise
- GodgraduallyrevealsmoreandmoreofHisperfectplantoredeemapeopleforHimself- Andasthatpromisestakesshape,hopeisbornoutofthedespairofsinandthestageis
setforJesusChrist- HewouldliveastheperfectIsrael,anddieasoursubstitute,theperfectPassoverlamb- ThroughHisdeathonourbehalfandHisresurrectionfromthedead,Hewouldreconcile
ustoGodAsPaulputsitinRomans3,“HewouldbejustandthejustifieroftheonewhofaithinJesus”(Romans3:26).
- Justandtheonewhojustifiessinners?- Forgivingandtheonewhodoesnotleavetheguiltyunpunished?- ThepromisesGodmadethroughallthosecenturiesfindtheiranswerinJesus—the
answertotheriddleoftheOldTestament- ThatisthemessageoftheHebrewScriptures
Anyquestions?
- Let’stakea5minutebreak- WewilldiscussGenesisoncewereturn
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GenesisWiththebackgroundoftheOTinourminds,wewanttostartlookingatthebookofGenesisGenesisisthebookofbeginnings
- Asamatteroffact,theveryfirstwordoftheHebrewBibleis ית בראש - “Inthebeginning”
ThebookofGenesisassumesGod’seternality
- WhichassumesGod’sexistenceGodisthemaincharacterinthebookofGenesis
- NotAbraham- NotJoseph
TherearedifferentwaystooutlinethebookofGenesis
- 1-11 Primevalhistory- 12-50 Patriarchalhistory
Isay“primeval”becausethefirst11chaptersdealwiththefirsteventsofthecreatedworld
- Creation(1-2)- Fall(3-5)- Flood(6-9)- Nations(10-11)
Iusetheterm“patriarchal”becauseofthefocusonthefourgreatmenwhoareheadsoffamilies
- Abraham(12:1-25:8)- Isaac(21:1-35:29)- Jacob(25:21-50:14)- Joseph(30:22-50:26)
HowmanyofyouwereherewhilePaulpreachedthroughthebookofGenesis?
- October2011–April2014IpreachedthroughGenesiswhileIwasapastorinHouston
- Itisafascinatingbook!AsyoureadthroughGenesis,thereisaphrasethatisrepeatedseveraltimes
- Thephraseis,“thesearetherecordsofthegenerationsof…”- Thephrasemaybeslightlydifferent,dependingontheEnglishversionoftheBiblethat
youareusing
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ThephraseisatranslationoftheHebrewwordtoledot- Itisusedofthefollowingindividuals
o Adam(5:1-6:8)o Noah(6:9-9:29)o SonsofNoah(10:1-11:9)o Shem(11:10-26)o Terah(11:27-25:11)o Ishmael(25:12-18)o Isaac(25:19-35:29)o Esau(36:1-37:1)o Jacob(37:2-50:26)5
Itistheauthor’swayoftracingacertainlineagethroughoutthebookofGenesis
- ThechosenlineagethroughwhomtheMessiahwouldcomeTheauthordoesn’ttraceeverysinglepersoninGenesis
- Thebookwouldbemassive!SowhowrotethebookofMoses?
- (waitforananswer)FromaDivineperspective,theHolySpiritistheauthorofallScripture
- Fromahumanperspective,MoseswastheinstrumentthroughwhomtheHolySpiritusedtopenthesewords
TheoverwhelmingevidencethroughouttheScripturesisthatMosesis,indeed,theauthorofthePentateuch
- BoththeOT6andtheNT7attesttoaMosaicauthorshipThegreatestwitnesstotheMosaicauthorshipisChristHimself!
- “haveyounotreadinthebookofMoses,inthepassageabouttheburningbush,howGodspoketohim,saying,‘IAMTHEGODOFABRAHAM,ANDTHEGODOFISAAC,andtheGodofJacob’?”(Mk12:26)
- “DidnotMosesgiveyoutheLaw,andyetnoneofyoucarriesouttheLaw?WhydoyouseektokillMe?”(John7:19)
JesusknewwhowrotetheLaw,anditwasMoses!
5 Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, 6. 6 Ibid., 6 (Exodus 17:14; Leviticus 1:1-2; Numbers 33:2; Deuteronomy 1:1; Joshua 1:7; 8:31; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 14:6; Ezra 6:18; Nehemiah 13:1; Daniel 9:11-13; Malachi 4:4). 7 Ibid., 6 (Mathew 8:4; Mark 12:26; Luke 16:29; 24:27, 44; John 5:46; 7:22; Acts 15:1; 26:22; Romans 10:19; 1 Corinthians 9:9; 2 Corinthians 3:15).
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MoseswasuniquelyqualifiedtowritetheTorah- AsStephenproclaimed,“MoseswaseducatedinallthelearningoftheEgyptians,and
hewasamanofpowerinwordsanddeeds”(Acts7:22)- GodhadprovidentiallyanduniquelypreparedMosessothathecouldrecordthesevital
truthswithalevelofcredibilityandveracityMostscholarsbelievethatMoseswrotethebookofGenesisaround1445-1405B.C.8
- PerhapstheonlyOTbookthatwaswrittenearlierthanGenesisisthebookofJob- Notfromachronologicalstandpoint,butfromtheperspectiveofdateofwriting
Ofcourse,MoseswasbornfaraftertheeventsofthebookofGenesis
- Moseswasn’ttherewhenGodcreatedeverything!- GodrevealedtheseeventsandMosesrecordedthem
WhatweseeinGenesisisGodbeginningtosaveapeopleforHisownglory
- HecallsapeopletobeHisown(byHisowninitiative)- Heisfaithfultothatpeople,despitetheirsinfulness
SomuchtimeiscoveredinthebookofGenesis
- Anyguesses?Inthefirst11chaptersofGenesis,nearly2000yearsiscovered
- Allofthatin1/5ofthelengthofthebook!Theother4/5ofGenesiscoverslessthan300years9Granted,GodneverdesignedthebookofGenesis,ortheBibleforthatmatter,tobeacompletehistoryoftheworld
- ButwheretheWordofGodteachessomething,itwillnevercontradictwithscientificevidence
- Notice,Isaidscientificevidence,nothypothesesandtheoriesAneatwayoflookingatGenesisisthatitrecordsthefirstofeverything,exceptthebeginningofGod
- Godiseternal,andhasalwaysbeen- Hehasnobeginningandnoend
8 MacArthur, 7. 9 Wilkinson and Boa, 7.
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ButsomanythingshavetheirbeginninginGenesis- Creation- Man- Sabbath- Marriage- Sin- Sacrifice- Salvation- Family- Civilization- Government- Israel10
IfyouwalkawayfromthislessonthinkingthatGenesisisonlyagoodhistoricalbook,youhavemissedthepoint
- Itishistory- Butitisfarmorethanthat
I. Creation(1-2)
LookattheopeningverseofGenesiswithme
- (readGenesis1:1)ClearlyGodistheprimarysubject
- NotjustofGenesis1:1- ButoftheentireBible
Inthisopeningchapter,weseeseveralprimarycharacteristicsofGod
- Eternal(nobeginning,noend;noexplanationofwhereGodcamefrom)- Self-sufficient(Hedoesn’tneedcreation;Hedoesn’tneedus;Heissufficientinandof
Himself)- Sovereign(whatHedeterminestohappenwillhappen!Hehasthepowerandauthority
overallcreation)- Good(7xinGenesis1GodsawHiscreationanddeemedit“good”becauseitreflected
Hisownnature)
10 Ibid., 7.
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ThebookofGenesisisvitaltotheChristianmindsetbecauseofthecreationaccount- Idon’tintendtogetintoadeepdiscussiononcreationhere- Ijustwanttohitsomeofthehighlights
GodcreatedtheEarthin6literal24-hourperiodsoftime
- ThisisthenaturalreadingofthetextAnotheramazingfactaboutthecreationaccountisthatGodcreatedeverythingoutofnothing!
- Thisiscalledexnihilo- Creationoutofnothing!- Hespokeanditcametobe
ThecrownofGod’screationwasmankind
- HecreatedmaninHisownimage- HedesignedmantobringHimglory
Let’sreadGenesis1:26-28together
- Noothercreationissaidtobemade“inOurimage”(1:26)- Everyothercreationwasmade“aftertheirkind”(1:12,21,24,25)
ManwascreatedtobelikeGodandrepresentGod11
- EvenaftertheFlood,wereadthatmanwasstill“intheimageofGod”(Gen9:6)MankindhasadistinctrelationshiptoGod
- WearemadeinHisimage- WearemadeinHisverylikeness
Unlikeanyotheranimal,mankindcanhaveapersonalrelationshipwithGod
- Thisisanamazingprivilegethatweshouldn’ttakelightlyorforgrantedPartoftheimageofGodisman’sresponsibilityandauthorityoverthecreation
- MankindistoruleovercreationChapter2involvesare-tellingofthecreationaccount
- Itspecifiesmoredetailsaboutthecreationofman- Unlikechapter1,chapter2tellshowthewomanwasfashionedoutofaribfromAdam
Inthisplaceofperfectpeaceandrest,AdamandEvefellowshippedwithGodTherewasonlyonerestrictionforAdamandEve
- Theycouldnoteatfromthetree“oftheknowledgeofgoodandevil”(2:17)- Iftheydid,Godsaid,“youwillsurelydie”
11 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 442.
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Godhadallowedthemtoeatfromeveryothertree- ButAdamandEveweretoshowtheirlovethroughobedience- Specifically,obedienceinnoteatingfromthattree
GodalonehadtherightandprerogativetodeterminewhatwasrightandwrongSofar,sogood!
- God’sperfectplanforgender,marriage,work,physicalcreation,government,relationshipwithGodandrelationshipwithoneanotherisPERFECT
- Butthatisabouttochangeinchapter3
II. Fall(3-5)Chapter3introducesusto“theserpent”(3:1)
- ThisisnoneotherthanSatanLet’sreadGenesis3:1-5
- (readtheseversesoutloud)HisveryfirstwordshereinGenesisareintheformofaquestion
- “Indeed,hasGodsaid,‘Youshallnoteatfromanytreeofthegarden?’”- HeischallengingtheveryrestrictionthatGodhadplacedonAdamandEve
Furthermore,theserpentopencontradictstherealityoftheirdeathuponeatingthefruitofthetree
- Inverse4,hesays,“Yousurelywillnotdie!”- Inverse5,hetellsEve,“youreyeswillbeopened,andyouwillbelikeGod,knowing
goodandevil”GodonlyhadtherighttotellAdamandEvewhatwasgoodandright
- HereisSatanclaimingthatGoddoesNOTknowwhatwasgoodandright- Furthermore,Satanclaimstoknowwhatisgoodandright
EvechoosestobelieveSatanoverGod
- Sheeatsfromthefruitoftheforbiddentree- ThenshegivesthefruittoAdam,whoeats
Immediately,theireyeswereopen(3:7)
- Theywereawareoftheirnakedness,whichtheyattemptedtocoverupGodimmediatelycomestothem(Heknowswhathappened)
- AdamandEvehidefromHim- Theystartthe“blamegame”
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LookatGenesis3:12-13- AdamblamesEveandGod,“thewomanwhomYougavetobewithme”- Eveblamestheserpent
Godthenprovidestheconsequencesofthissin
- Fortheserpent- ForEve- ForAdam
Theserpentiscursed(3:14)
- HeisalsopromisedcontinualhostilitywiththeseedofthewomanLookwithmeat3:15,“AndIwillputenmitybetweenyouandthewoman,andbetweenyourseedandherseed;Heshallbruiseyouonthehead,andyoushallbruisehimontheheel”
- Thisisamonumentalverse,fullofsignificanceThisisthefirstmentionoftheGospel
- ThefirsthintthatGodwouldconqueroverSatan,sin,andtheeffectsoftheFallLet’spauseforasecondandpraiseGodforHisgrace
- Hecouldhaveendedthestoryrighthere- Hecouldhaveexecutedimmediatejusticeandhumanitywouldhaveceasedtobe
ButwhatweseeisGod’sgrace,mercy,andcompassion
- GodpromisesthatHewillultimatelydealwithsinanditsconsequencesNoticethetwoseeds
- “yourseed”–theoffspringofSatan- “herseed”–theoffspringofEve(singular“seed”)
Noticetheresultofthisstruggle
- “Heshallbruiseyouonthehead,andyoushallbruisehimontheheel”Satanwould“bruise”theheeloftheseedofthewoman
- Buttheseedofthewomanwould“bruise”Satanonthehead- Theheadisamoreseriousinjurythantheheel
ThisisaprophecyofthecomingvictoryofChristonthecross
- ThisiswhereJesuscrushedtheheadoftheserpentNoticethatallofthis
- Waspromisedimmediatelyaftersin- WasinitiatedbyGodHimself,theveryOnewhohadbeensinnedagainst
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Sohumanityimmediatelybeginstoaskthequestion,“Whoisthisseedofthewomanwhowillconquer?”
- Satanwasonthealertaswell- YoubetterbelievethathewasconstantlylookingforthiscomingConqueror–and
woulddoanythingpossibletothwartHismissionInGenesis4,weseeCainandAbel
- Thesearebrothers,offspringofAdamandEve- CainkillsAbel
AdamandEvehaveanotherson,Seth,inGenesis4
- Offspringcontinuetobeborn- Buteachofthoseoffspringisavilesinner,indesperateneedofGod’sgrace
Genesis5isagenealogy
- SomeofyoumayskipoversuchsectionsButdon’tskipovertheseverses
- TheyremindusofGod’spromiseandfaithfulness- Theyremindusofsin’seffects
Therepeatedreferenceto“andhedied”remindsusthatsin’scurseisstillactive
- TheonlyexceptiontothiswasEnoch,who“walkedwithGod;andhewasnot,forGodtookhim”(5:24)
III. Flood(6-9)Genesis6highlightstheutterdepravityofmankindatthetime
- LookatGenesis6:5-8- (Readtheseversesoutloud)
Thingshaveprogressedfrombadtoworse
- God’sjusticeisgoingtobemanifestedonceagainGodpromisestosendaworldwide,cataclysmicfloodontheEarth
- ButHewarnsNoahtobuildanarktoprotectanimalsandasmallnumberofhumansInthespiteofsuchadevastatingactofDivinejustice,Godstillshowsgreatgrace
- HesparesNoahandhisfamily- FromthelineageofNoahandhisfamilywouldcometheChosenOne
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Godevensetsasymbolinthesky,arainbow,asaperpetualreminderofHispromisenevertodestroytheEarthwithaflood
- Everytimeyouseearainbow,thinkofGod’spromise- RemindyourselfofGod’sfaithfulness
SoonafterNoahleavestheArk,weseehissinfulnessasheisdrunkandnaked
- YetanotherreminderofthesinfulnessofmankindTurnwithmeto2Peter3
- TheapostlePeterlinkstheageinwhichhelivedwiththeageofNoah- Inbothages,peopleweredoubtingvariousaspectsofGod’scharacter
Let’sread2Peter3:1-7
- PeteriswarninghisgenerationtorememberthegenerationofNoah- Judgmentiscoming,sorepent!
IV. HumanityaftertheFlood(10-11)Genesis10isanothergenealogy
- Lotsofpeopledie- TheChosenOnehasn’tbeenbornyet
Genesis11isthefamiliarchapterdealingwithBabel
- WherethepeopleoftheEarthwantedtomakeanameforthemselves- Thepeopleattemptedtobuildatowerthatreachedtotheveryheavens
WhydidGodcreatehumanity?
- ForthemtoreflectHisglory- ForthemtomakeHisnameknownthroughouttheEarth
Inresponsetothis,Godthwartstheirplans
- Differentlanguagesaregiventohumanity- Itwasdefinitelyawaytokeeppeoplefromcommunicatingwithoneanother!
Thisisafastrecapofthefirst11chaptersofGenesis
- Creation(1-2)- Fall(3-5)- Flood(6-9)- Nations(10-11)
Wewouldmissmuchifwedidn’thavetheseearlychapters
- TherestoftheBibleliterallyrestsontheseinitialchapters
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TheygiveusapictureofGod’sjusticefollowedbyHisgrace- ThisdispelsthemyththatGodisonlyaGodofwrathintheOT
NowwewanttoswitchgearsandlookatthefourprimaryindividualsGodwoulduseinGenesis12-50
- Abraham(12:1-25:8)- Isaac(21:1-35:29)- Jacob(25:21-50:14)- Joseph(30:22-50:26)
Wewillbecoveringthesechaptersinlessdetail
- IammerelyhittingafewofthemajorhighlightsfromeachofthesesectionsThese39chaptersofGenesisgiveusaglimpseintothelifeofAbrahamandhislineage
- ThisisthepersonwhomGodwouldchoosetofatherthenationIsrael- ThroughAbraham,Godwouldblesstheentireworld
I. Abraham(12:1-25:8)WeareintroducedtoAbraminthelastpartofGenesis11
- HisfatherisTerah,accordingtoverse27- TheyarefromthelandofUroftheChaldeans,accordingtoverse28- Abram’swifewasnamedSaraiandshewasbarren,withoutchild{thisisveryimportant,
aswewillseeinafewminutes}WerecallthatAbramisborninanareacalledUroftheChaldeans
- HewasaGentileSoGoddoessomethingamazing
- HetakesaGentileandmakeshimintothefirstJew!Let’sreadGenesis12:1-3
- (readthistogether)NoticethemultiplepromisesofGodtoAbram
- “{go}tothelandwhichIwillshowyou”- “Iwillmakeyouagreatnation”- “Iwillblessyou”- “(Iwill)makeyournamegreat”- “Iwillblessthosewhoblessyou”- “theonewhocursesyouIwillcurse”- “inyouallthefamiliesoftheearthwillbeblessed”
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Thethreemainpromisescanbesummarizedbythreewords- Land- Seed- Blessing
AdamandEvewerebanishedfromtheGardenofEden
- ButhereGodispromisingalandforAbramandhisdescendantsAbramwanderedaroundtherestofhislife,awaitingthefulfillmentofthispromise
- Athisdeath,theonlyplotoflandthatheownedwasthegraveplotforhiswifeTheseedreferstoAbram’soffspring
- Remember,Saraiisbarrenatthistime- Abramis75yearsold(12:4)- Godwoulddosomethingremarkableingivinghimchildren
ItwouldbethroughAbraham’slineagethattheChosenOnewouldcome
- ThatpromisethatwasmadebackinGenesis3:15Let’sfast-forwardtoGenesis15
- Let’sread15:1-6GodpromisesthatAbramwouldhavedescendantslikethestarsoftheheavens(15:5)
- NoticethatAbramrespondsinbelief(15:6),despitetheoldstateofhisbodyandthebodyofhiswife
ForGodtocountAbram’sfaithas“righteousness”(15:6)isremarkable,especiallyconsideringhowsinfulheandhisoffspringwillbe
- TheNTwillreferencethisverseonthreedifferentoccasionsasapromisetoanyonewhobelieves,justlikeAbraham(Rom4:3:Gal3:6;James2:23)
KeepinmindthefollowingaboutAbram’sdeclaredrighteousstate
- TherewasnoLawforhimtofollow- Hewasnotcircumcised
Abramwasjustifiedonthebasisoffaith–andfaithalone
- Thatsameprincipleappliestousaswell!GodalsopromisesaworldwideblessingtoAbram
- Throughthisoneman,Godwouldbringaboutablessingtoeverynation- NotjustfortheJews,butalsofortheGentiles
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Let’sturnbrieflytoGalatians3:6-8- “EvensoAbrahamBELIEVEDGOD,ANDITWASRECKONEDTOHIMASRIGHTEOUSNESS.
7Therefore,besurethatitisthosewhoareoffaithwhoaresonsofAbraham.8TheScripture,foreseeingthatGodwouldjustifytheGentilesbyfaith,preachedthegospelbeforehandtoAbraham,saying,‘ALLTHENATIONSWILLBEBLESSEDINYOU.””
Lookatverse8andtellme
- Thesubjectoftheverse(“theScripture”)- Theverb(“preached”)- Thedirectobject(“theGospel”)
Thisworldwideblessing,accordingtotheapostlePaul,includedthefuturepromiseofGentilescomingtoknowandunderstandtheGospel!
- Remember,thefirstJewwasactuallyaGentileBackinGenesis15,GodentersintoacovenantwithAbram
- Animalswerekilledandcutinhalf- Imagineawalkwayorseparationbetweentheanimals
Thisisstrangetous,butitwasacommonwayofenteringintoasolemncovenantorcommitmentwithanotherperson
- Youweresignifyingthatifonepartyfailedinhiscovenantalresponsibilities,thenhewouldbecomelikethoseanimals
- Dead!Noticeafewthingsbriefly
- 15:12–Abramisinadeepsleep- 15:17–Godalonewalksthroughtheanimals
ThissignifiesthatGod,andGodalone,obligatedHimselftofulfillthesecovenantpromises
- AbramwouldbethebeneficiaryWhatanamazingpromiseanddemonstrationofGod’sgrace!
- OnewouldthinkthatAbramandSaraiwouldneverdoubtGod’sgoodness,right?InGenesis16,wefindSaraitellingAbramtohavechildrenthroughhermaid,Hagar
- InsteadofrelyingonthepromisesofGod,hegoesintoHagarandsheconceivesIshmael13yearsafterIshmaelisborn12,GodappearstoAbramagainandchangesAbram’snametoAbraham
- “exaltedfather”to“fatherofamultitude”
12 Abram is 75 when he leaves Haran (12:4), 86 when Ishmael is born (16:16), 99 when God institutes circumcision (17:1), and 100 when Isaac is born (17:17).
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Thistime,Abrahamdoesn’trespondwithimmediatebelief- Rather,herespondsinlaughter(17:17)- Inchapter18,Sarahrespondsinlaughter(18:12,15)
II. Isaac(21:1-35:29)Isaacisborninchapter21
- DoesanyoneknowthemeaningofthenameIsaac?- “Helaughs”
WhatafittingreminderoftheirresponsetothepromiseofGod
- Godwasfaithful,inspiteoftheirunbeliefIsaacmarriesRebekahinchapter24
- ShegivesbirthtoJacobandEsauIsaacisnotthefirstbornchildofAbrahamandSarah,buthewouldbetheonethroughwhomthepromisesofGodwouldbecarriedon
- Esauwasthefirstborn,buthiswasn’tthechosenlineageThisisthedoctrineofelectionthatweseethroughoutScripture
- GodchoosesindividualsforHispurposesInthecaseofJacobandEsau,bothweresinful
- YetGodhadchosenJacobbeforetheywereevenborn,accordingtoRomans9:10-12GodappearstoIsaacinchapter26toreaffirmthepromisesHemadetoAbraham(26:3-5,24)
- AsGodwaswithAbraham,soHewillbewithIsaac
III. Jacob(25:21-50:14)Jacobhasatwinbrother,Esau
- TheywillbeatoddswithoneanotheratvariousstagesoftheirlivesWiththehelpofhismother,JacobdeceiveshisownfatherinGenesis27
- IsaacwantedEsautogoouthunting,killananimal,andprepareasavorydishforhim- Ofcourse,Rebekahhearsthisandputsadifferentplanintoaction
Esauwasahairyman,soJacobhadtoputadisguiseontofoolhisfather
- Remember,Isaac’seyesightwasverypooratthistimeofhislife(27:1)
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RebekahfixedamealforIsaacwhileJacobgotintocostume- EventhoughIsaacwassuspiciousforanumberofreasons(howquickthemealwas
prepared,Jacob’svoicedidn’tsoundlikeEsau,etc.),IsaactookthebaitIsaacendsupblessingJacobinsteadofEsau
- WhenEsaureturnedfromthefield,hediscoveredthathewastoolate- Hisfathertoldhimthatheandhisdescendantswouldservehisbrother
EsauvowedtokillJacobbecauseofthisact
- Onceagain,MommaRebekahoverheardthisandtoldherson,Jacob,togoawayfromthatland
InGenesis29,JacobmeetsthefamilyofLaban
- HefallsinlovewithRachel- HeservedLaban7yearsfortheprivilegeofmarryingRachel
Butonthemorningafterhisweddingnight,heawoketofindoutthatLabanhadgivenhimLeah(Rachel’ssister)!
- HeendsupmarryingbothsistersJealousyandenvyconsumedthesetwosisters
- TheyhaveJacobmarrytheirtwomaids- Manychildrenarebornasaresultofthesefourwomen
GodiscertainlygrowingthenationofIsrael
- Abraham’slineageisbecomingmoreandmorelikethestarsofheavenJacobleavesCanaan,onlytobepursuedbyLaban
- OnthewaybacktoCanaan,JacobhastodealwithEsau(32:1-33:17)- HewrestledwithGodatnight(32:24-32)- Hisdaughterisrapedandhissonsexecutevengeanceonthepeopleoftheland(34:1-
31)InGenesis35,GodrenamesJacobtoIsraelIsraelwouldn’tdieuntilGenesis50
- ButthecameraswitchesfromJacobtoJoseph
IV. Joseph(30:22-50:26)ThelifeofJosephisfairlywellknown
- Hislifeisaseriesofupsanddowns- ButGodwaswithhimallthewhile
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Josephhasaseriesofdreamsthatheconveystohisfamily
- ThathisfamilywouldbowdowntohimOfcourse,thisdoesn’tsetwellwithhisbrothers
- Theythrowhimintoapit- Thentheysellhimtosometraderswhoarepassingby- TheytelltheirfatherthatawildanimalkilledJoseph
WhileinEgypt,JosephisworkingforPotiphar,anofficerofPharaoh
- HewaswellrespectedinthathouseButPotiphar’swifemademultipleadvancesatJoseph,buthecontinuallyturnedherdown
- Oneday,sheforcedherselfonhim,andhefled- ShetoldeveryonethatJosephhadbeentheoneinitiatingtheadvances
Josephisimprisoned(39:19)
- ButtheLordwaswithJoseph(39:21)Whileinprison,hebecameresponsiblefortheinmates
- HewasleftinchargeOnenight,theformerbakerandcupbearerforPharaohhadadream
- JosephwastheretointerpretbothdreamsAndthingsturnedoutexactlyasJosephsaid
- Thecupbearerwasrestoredtooffice- Thebakerwaskilled
ItwastwoYEARSlaterthatthecupbearerrememberedJoseph
- Pharaohhadadream,butnoonecouldinterpretit- ThecupbearertoldPharaohthatJosephwouldhelphim
Josephinterpretsthedreamrightly
- PharaohelevatesJosephas2ndincommandofEgyptPreparationsaremadeasagreatfaminewascoming
- PeopletraveledfarandwidetobuygrainfromEgypt,duetoJoseph’splanningPartofthegroupthattraveledtoEgyptwasJoseph’sownfamily
- Ofcourse,herecognizedthem- Buttheydidn’trecognizehim
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Throughaseriesofinteractions,Josephfindsoutthathisfatherisstillalive- Theyarereunited- JosephhasthemmovetoEgyptsotheywouldhavefoodtoeat
AfterthedeathofJacob,Josephdoesn’tholdagrudgeagainsthisbrothers
- Hesaidthesefamouswords,“Donotbeafraid,foramIinGod’splace?20Asforyou,youmeantevilagainstme,butGodmeantitforgoodinordertobringaboutthispresentresult,topreservemanypeoplealive.”(50:19-20)
ThereisaproblemaswecometotheendofGenesis
- Israelisnolongerinthepromisedland!- Didn’tGodpromisealandtoAbram?
GettingthepeopleofIsraeloutofEgyptwillbethestoryofExodus,whichwilldiscussnexttimeGenesisisthebookofbeginnings
- ItisafascinatingplotofGod’sdealingswithHispeopleGod’sgraceandkindnessareclearlyondisplay
- ButsoisHisjusticeandrighteousnessGod’spromisesarebeingmade
- ButtheirfulfillmentwillbeinthefutureIhavethrownalotatyouthisafternoon
- ThereissomuchthatIskippedoverRightnow,IwouldencourageyoutowritedownonethingthatyouwanttogobackandstudysomemoreinGenesis
- Writethatdown- Thengobacksometimeoverthenextfewweeksandstudyitsomemore
WewillbestudyingExodusandLeviticusnextmonth
- IhopeyouwillbewithusaswecontinuetomarchourwaythroughtheOldTestamentIfyouhaveanyquestions,pleasedon’thesitatetoreachouttome!
