Session 02 Old Testament Overview Genesis chapters 1-11 Based on material from: Capitol Hill Baptist Church 525 A Street, NE Washington, DC 20002
Transcript of Session 02 Old Testament Overview - Genesis 1-11
1. Old Testament Core Seminar Class 2 Genesis 1-11 Old
Testament Overview 1
2. Introduction 2 Did you ever dissect a seed? As Christians,
we marvel at the ingenuity of our creator in putting all that is
needed for that entire plant there in the seed. Over the next 2
weeks we will use this approach to look at Genesis. What are some
of the big Bible themes in Genesis? Why not just jump into NT and
study the finished plan? Shows how in-control God is, that all the
strands of creation and redemption are here at the beginning Helps
us understand Gods intent for what he has done Shows things very
simply, so we can understand whats most important Because of all
this, Genesis 1-11 are referenced again and again through the Bible
Heres a look inside a cell at the atomic level.
3. 3
4. 4 Historically, the context for Genesis is hundreds of years
after the last events described in the book. This portion of the
Bible was written by Moses Revealed to him at some time during his
time as a prophet to the nation of Israel. Some claim Moses did not
write the first Pentateuch. As Genesis was being written, God was
doing something special: creating a people of his own by which he
would reveal Himself to the world. And this book provides
background for them Telling them where they came from Informing
them of the problem God is solving through them, sin It lays out
how He will solve it.
5. 5 As we study OT well look for the redemptive-historical
context. Where this book fits into the larger story of the whole
Bible Gods work in history to redeem, to rescue, to save a people.
It is important where a book fits in the redemption story. Well
look at Where we are on that story line What has God been up to
What has he accomplished in his plan so far The first 11 chapters
are at the very beginning of history with no need for redemption
until chapter 3. There well see our first parents plunge us into
sin and ruin, but God begins his plan, to save sinners out of that
ruin.
6. Theme and Outline 6 The theme: God reveals his character
through the world he has created. I. Genesis 1:1-2:3 The Telling of
the Seven Days of Creation II. Genesis 2:4-4:26 The Dawn of
Humanity: 2 Seeds III. Genesis 5:1-6:8 The Descendants of Adam and
Their Sin IV. Genesis 6:9-9:29 The Punishment for Sin: Un-Creating
the Universe . . . and Grace: Re- Creating the Universe V. Genesis
10:1-11:9 Humanity after the Flood: Still Sinful VI. Genesis
11:10-26 The Seed of the Woman Continues On
7. 7 The story of Genesis 1-11 unfolds: There exists an eternal
and self-sufficient God, by verbal fiat creates the universe and
all that is in it, to display his glory. His crown creation is
mankind, the only creature created in Gods image displays Gods
glory and enjoys fellowship God. Mankinds first parents choose to
set themselves up as equals with God, disobeying him and incurring
the just wrath of God. Expelled from fellowship with God, they do
not receive the complete wrath they deserve. God begins to lay out
His play of redemption. As generations continue, mankind goes from
bad to worse. Partial judgment of the world does not end sin. And
so rebellion against God continues. Genesis isnt just historical
background, it is the foundation for the rest of the Bible.
8. Genesis 1:1-25 There exists an eternal and self-sufficient
God, by verbal fiat creates the universe and all that is in it, to
display his glory. 8 Read Genesis 1:1-5 First point is Who? It is
about God and tells a lot about who He is, His derivation, and who
we are. Our first question for any Bible study is What does this
passage teach us about God? So what do we learn here? God is
eternal no one made god. God is self-sufficient. God is good. God
is sovereign.
9. 9 God is Sovereign *: 1. a monarch; a king, queen, or other
supreme ruler. 2. a person who has supreme power or authority. 3. a
group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority. 4.
a gold coin of the United Kingdom, equal to one pound sterling:
went out of circulation after 1914. adjective 5. belonging to or
characteristic of a sovereign or sovereign authority; royal. 6.
having supreme rank, power, or authority. 7. supreme; preeminent;
indisputable: a sovereign right. 8. greatest in degree; utmost or
extreme. 9. being above all others in character, importance,
excellence, etc. *
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Sovereign
10. Genesis 1:26-2:17 His crown creation is mankind, the only
creature created in Gods image displays Gods glory and enjoys
fellowship God and each other. 10 Read Genesis 1:26-28 Human beings
are presented as the crowning act. His last creation stood in
special relationship to him. Verse 26 created in the image of God.
Rest after their kind. Gods image has reason, intelligence, memory,
ethical norms, the capacity to love and have relationship with
others, the ability to speak and communicate ideas, and so forth.
And the ability to have a personal relationship with God. And we
have distinct roles and responsibilities! To take care of these
attributes of God and show His glory to the world.
11. 11 Man is called to have dominion over the various parts of
the creation Mans job was to make the rest of creation like the
garden of Eden This is a spiritual reality as much as it is an
organizational one. Man acts as a king over, and a priest for,
creation. This goal of mans calling is best expressed in Habakkuk:
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the
LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (2:14)
12. Mans Classification
13. Gods Classification 13 Living Creatures Cattle
(domesticated) Creeping Things Beats (un- domesticated) Sea
Creatures Land Creatures Flying Creatures Plants Grass External
Seeds Internal Seeds
14. 14 Dominionism movements/theology Dominionism is the
alleged movement of a small group of politically active Christians
in the United States working toward either a nation governed by
Christians or one governed by a conservative Christian
understanding of biblical law. Wise Use movements/theology Wise Use
proponents describes human use of the environment as "stewardship
of the land, the water and the air" for the benefit of human
beings. The wise use movement arose from opposition to the
environmental movement, and critics see it as anti-
environmentalist.
15. 15 Genesis 1-2 is critical as a foundation to the rest of
the Bible. It describes what the rest of the Bible is getting back
to. Not until Revelation 21 is this fellowship restored, with Gods
perfect people again in Gods place under Gods rule. Genesis 1 and 2
shows us Gods perfect plan for gender, for marriage, for work, for
the physical creation, for government, for our relationship with
God and with each other. Genesis 1-2 is our past, our future, and
our goal in between. It is our past: it really happened. It is our
future: Gods heavenly kingdom we will restore all. As our goal in
between: we seek to follow the pattern of perfection he laid out in
the garden. Genesis 1 and 2 reveal a lot about God and mankind but
a lot is missing! Gods justice, patience, holiness, mercy and so
much more!
16. 16 Chapter 2 contains a second telling of the account of
creation. It presents clear picture of the peace and harmony of
this created order. Verses 15-17 contains the command about the
tree. Who is the command give to? Why this person? God creates
marriage in verses 18-25, and these two created beings have perfect
harmony of thought, emotion, love, communication, cooperation,
understanding, trust, and peace. Was the tree a magical tree? With
the power to transfer them from bliss to awareness of good and
evil? Was it a cruel tease Gods way of tempting them to do
evil?
17. 17 It was a symbol, in full sight, to remind them that,
although they are given great privilege and many freedoms
(including the freedom to eat of every other tree as much as their
hearts desire), they are not God. They are not the final authority
in the universe; They dont determine what is good and what is evil;
They are still under the authority of God Almighty. God is saying
to Adam and Eve, I alone have the right to determine what is good
and what is evil, what is right and what is wrong in my universe.
God is Sovereign! What all does this imply?
18. Genesis 3:1-24 Mankinds first parents choose to set
themselves up as equals with God, disobeying him and incurring the
just wrath of God. 18 Read 3:1-5. Satan I am like God. I know whats
good and whats evil. Both Adam and Eve fall for this lie. And the
result They realize they did wrong and hide from God. How does God
deal with them all? They are all cursed. But there is grace. Adam
and Eve are not destroyed on the spot and He gives hope for
redemption. Verses 15 enmity: typically mutual hatred or ill will.
1. Satan woman = they are enemies. Alternative: we and Satan are
friends and together enemies of God! We belong to God! 2. Satan
seed womans seed there will be two groups those who follow God and
those who follow Satan. 3. He will crush your head and you will
strike his heal speaking of the one who will deliver the fatal blow
to Satan and be wounded.
19. Genesis 4 As generations continue, mankind goes from bad to
worse. 19 The rest of the Bible is an outworking of Genesis 3:15.
Satan is always trying to destroy Gods image bearer. Cain kills
Abel. Has the serpent won? Is the Godly line ended? No. They have
another son to carry on the line. Genesis 5 Lists the Godly line
from Adam through Seth. The theme continues Gods faithfulness to
His promises. The curse continues and then he died is oft
repeated.
20. Genesis 6:1-9:17 Even partial judgment of the world does
not end the world of sin 20 In chapter 6 mankind descends further
into depravity and evil. And in verse 7, God announces his
judgment: essentially reversing the creative acts of chapters 1 and
2. The flood. Again, Gods wrath is mixed with mercy, He will not
fail to deliver his promised Seed. The flood narrative, the
un-creating and the re-creating, is a picture of a future, greater,
cataclysmic undoing and redoing of the universe, not by water this
time, but by fire. The flood was a real historical event. The next
time will be a far more terrible judgment, and the re- creation
will be a return to paradise. At that time sin will be eradicated
for good.
21. Genesis 10-11 And so the rebellion against God continues.
21 Though creation is re-made, the problem of sin remains. Noah
sins, then the entire human race. In chapter 11, humanity wants a
name for themselves. They were told Be fruitful and multiply, and
fill the earth (9:1) Instead they gather to build a temple to
heaven. And once again we see mankind ignoring Gods right to rule.
God stops their plans, confuses their languages, and sends them out
to fill the earth.
22. Conclusion 22 Histories building blocks: Chapters 1 and 2
we saw Gods perfect design, the reality of our past and future, and
our guide for the present. Chapters 3-11, the primary building
block being laid is the nature of our sin. Starting in Genesis 12,
God turns his focus to a special people. We see here what happens
sinful man disobeys a holy God. There are consequences for a
sinners actions. But there is also a patient and gracious response
from a loving God. Redemptive-history has begun. He is keeping the
promise which He made the woman.