Chapters 1-11 Disorder and darkness, God brings order and beauty out of it and then people. Adam = humans. They are to be reflections of His character and representative. He blesses them (key word in the book). Gives them a garden. Humans have a choice how they are going to build up this world. The stakes are high. Snake is made and is in rebellion with God. They choose autonomy, against God and the downward spiral starts immediately. Intimacy is gone. Between each other and with God. Wounded Victor = Jesus. Snake does get in a bite on Him. The curse starts on all of earth. Cain kills Abel. God warned Him. Lamech is first to have more than wife. The ‘sons of god.’ They build kingdoms of rebellion. But, God washes the whole world. Enter Noah. He fails, also, though. Gets drunk and naked. Downward spiral begins again. Now it is Babel. They have bricks. Want o make a great name for themselves. There is the core problem. A quick pattern has emerged a) God keeps giving us a chance and humans keep ruining it b) we live in a good world that we have made bad. We are the sole contributors to this world of broken relationships. Solution? a) the Wounded Victor and b) He will defeat evil at its source. How is God going to do this? That is where the hinge story comes in. 12:1-3 | Chapters 12-50 What is God going to do to rescue and redeem His world? Enter Abraham. God calls him. Tells him to go to Canaan. He promises to make him into a great nation. Babylon tried to make a great name for itself (Babel). Goes back to the original blessing He gave to Adam. Why?’ So that in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ Key! Ultimately, He wants Israel to be a ‘kingdom of priests’ to show other nations what God is like. Finally fulfilled in Messianic kingdom. Each generation of Abraham is marked by repeated failure. But God remains faithful to them and His promise. Bails them out. Makes a ‘covenant’ promise to him. Look up at the stars. Sign of the covenant is circumcision. Jacob story is similar in deceit. Laban then deceives Jacob. Jacob wrestles with God for a blessing. God passes Abraham’s blessing onto him. Joseph is ‘favored’ by father. Failure always met with Gods faithfulness. ‘You planned this for evil BUT, God… God is determined to bless His people despite their failure. Abraham => Judah (tribe of Israel’s royal leaders) => Jesus. Genesis ends with all of these promises and hopes left hanging |
KEY IDEAS
- God is your Creator, so have some creaturely respect
- You and I are made in the image of God. Live accordingly!
- God created you as a social being. Don’t try to go it alone in life.
- Sin brings alienation between humans and God, but confession of sin brings restoration.
- Sin brings about both spiritual death and physical death.
- People often make excuses when they sin.
- Walk with God each and every day.
- God is holy and responds in sudden judgment in the face of unrepentant sin.
- God’s favor falls on those who live His way.
- God rescues His own people before sending judgment upon the rebellious.
- God is a relentless promise keeper. You can take Him at His word.
- God uses flawed human beings in the outworking of His plan of salvation.
- Trusting God against all odds brings phenomenal blessing.
- Never forget: with God all things are possible.
- Good news: you are justified (declared righteous) by faith alone.
- Warning: sin can lead to the domino effect.
- Never forget: God has the amazing ability to bring good out of evil.
- Don’t hold grudges. Forgiveness is the better path.