Module 2: Covenant Relationship Initiated (Genesis 1-11)

1. Preparing for the Journey

The need for the journey (Psalm 1:1-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12-16; Eph. 6:12-17)

The nature of the journey

1. “In the Text”

2. “Behind the Text”

3. “In Front of the Text”

The “Pentateuch,” “Five Books of Moses” and “Torah”

In the TextThe Forming of God’s People

From Eden to Canaan

“The rest of the story”

The structure of the book of Genesis “These are the generations of…”

Genesis 1-11 – Origins (Primeval history)

Genesis 12-50 – Promises (Patriarchal history)

Interpretation: The purpose of stories

2. Creation of the World (Genesis 1)

In the TextCreation in two movements (Gen. 1:1-2:3; Gen. 2:4-25)

Interpretation: Double accounts

Creation in seven daysDistinctions

Domains and Rulers

Humans

Sabbath

Yahweh Elohim

Behind the TextAncient Near Eastern (ANE) creation (and flood) stories

Mesopotamia:

Gilgamesh Epic

Atrahasis

Enuma Elish

Egyptian:

Hermopolis

Heliopolis

Memphite Theology

Interpretation: Comparing “extra-biblical” sources

In Front of the TextBiblical cosmology and competing worldviews

Religious worldviews

“Scientific” worldviews

Creation and God’s sovereignty

3. Sabbath

Behind the TextThe Divine King and his palace-temple (cf. 1 Kgs 8:27; Isa 66:1; Ps 78:69)

Gudea of Lagash

Royal “Rest” (reign)

In Front of the TextImplications of God’s kingship

Imitatio Dei and the Sabbath rest (Exod 20:11; cf Exod 16:23; 23:10-13)

4. Creation of God’s Image Bearers (Genesis 2)

In the TextRelationship

Image of God“Royal” image bearers in God’s garden temple (Gen 1:26-30; Ps 8)

“Priestly” image bearers in God’s garden sanctuary (Gen 2:15; Num 3:7-8) “Family” image bearers in God’s garden home (cf. Gen 5:1-3)

Behind the Text:Royal representatives of divine rulers

King lists

Kingship

Images Of gods (Isa 44:9-20) … Mis pi ritual

Of men

Divine sonship

Compare/contrast

In Front of the Text“Creation mandate”

Image ethics (Gen 9:6)

Interpretation: “Principle” ethics

Christ, the Son of God (John), Image of God (Col 1:15) and “Second Adam” (Rom 5:10ff)

Interpretation: “Typology”“An essential correspondence and anticipatory link between OT persons, places, events and institutions and NT ones.”

5. Rebellion and its Consequences (Genesis 3-5)

In the TextThreats to Paradise

Serpent: “Did God really say…?”

Temptations: “Good for food, pleasing to the eye…”

The “fall”: “Where are you? … Who told you?”

Necessary consequences: Judgement (“Curses”) Serpent (crawl, crush)

Woman (pain, ruled)

Man (toil)

Exile (Gen 3:24)

Serpent, Sin, Shame and Suffering

Unexpected consequences: GraceThe promise (Gen 3:15)

“Covering” (Gen 3:21)

The lines of Cain and Seth (Gen 4:17-24; 25-26)

Behind the TextSerpents and chaos

In Front of the TextRecognizing the sources of evil (Eph. 2:1-3)

Recognizing the consequences of evil

Recognizing God as the “Over-ruler”

Recognizing God’s redemptive disposition

6. The Flood and a New Creation (Genesis 6-10)

In the TextThe flood (Gen 6-9)

Conditions leading to the flood

Structure of the account (“chiasm”)

Interpretation: Reading “chunks”

Covenant with Noah (and the earth)

Covenant Pattern: Relationship>Rebellion>Reckoning>Restoration

New creation with a “new” Adam: Waters and dry land Garden – vineyard SinBird over the waters “be fruitful and multiply” ShameDry ground Food to eat CurseSwarming creatures “image of God” Promise7th day – 7th month

Interpretation: “Intertextuality” and “echoes”

“Rescued remnant” prototype

New creation and the family of nations

Behind the TextANE flood accounts

Prediluvian and postdiluvian king lists

Gilgamesh Epic

Atrahasis

Nation lists

In Front of the Text The covenant pattern today

Second chances

7. Babel and the Scattering of the Nations (Genesis 11)

In the TextBabel and the scattering of the nations (Gen 11:1-9)

Setting the stage for a new creation/nation: A chosen line (Gen 11:10-27)

Behind the Text Myths for regal-ritual cities

Ziggurats

In Front of the TextThe drama of rebellion

The drama of redemption

Scattering anticipates gathering (Acts 2)

Interpretation: Reading “canonically”

From Genesis to Revelation (reading canonically)

Creation of heaven and earth (Gen 1:1-2:4) Creation of new heaven and earth (Rev 21:1-5)

Eden sanctuary, river and Tree of Life New Jerusalem sanctuary, river and Tree of Life (Gen 2:4-17) (Rev 21:9-22:2)

“Marriage” of Adam and Eve Marriage of Christ and the Church (Gen 2:18-25) (Rev 19:5-9; 21:1-9)

Satan and the woman (Gen 3:1-13) Satan and the woman (Rev 12:1-17)

Death enters creation (Gen 3:14-19) Death destroyed (Rev 20:14-15)

Babylon built; judgment on nations Babylon destroyed; judgment on nations (Gen 10:10; 11:1-4) (Rev 14:6-20)

Redeemer promised (Gen 3:15) Redeemer reigns (Rev 20:1-6; 21:22-27; 22:3-5)