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 Text
The 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 Text
Creation in two movements (Gen. 1:1-2:3; Gen. 2:4-25)
Interpretation: Double accounts
Creation in seven days
Distinctions
Domains and Rulers
Humans
Sabbath
Yahweh Elohim
Behind the Text
Ancient 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 Text
Biblical cosmology and competing worldviews
Religious worldviews
“Scientific” worldviews
Creation and God’s sovereignty
3. Sabbath
Behind the Text
The 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 Text
Implications 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 Text
Relationship
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 Text
Threats 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: Grace
The promise (Gen 3:15)
“Covering” (Gen 3:21)
The lines of Cain and Seth (Gen 4:17-24; 25-26)
Behind the Text
Serpents and chaos
In Front of the Text
Recognizing 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 Text
The 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
Bird over the waters
Dry ground
Swarming creatures
7th day – 7th month
Garden – vineyard
“be fruitful and multiply”
Food to eat
“image of God”
Interpretation: “Intertextuality” and “echoes”
“Rescued remnant” prototype
New creation and the family of nations
Behind the Text
ANE flood accounts
Prediluvian and postdiluvian king lists
Gilgamesh Epic
Atrahasis
Nation lists
In Front of the Text
The covenant pattern today
Second chances
Sin
Shame
Curse
Promise
7. Babel and the Scattering of the Nations (Genesis 11)
In the Text
Babel 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 Text
The 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
(Gen 2:4-17)
New Jerusalem sanctuary, river and Tree of Life
(Rev 21:9-22:2)
“Marriage” of Adam and Eve
(Gen 2:18-25)
Marriage of Christ and the Church
(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
(Gen 10:10; 11:1-4)
Babylon destroyed; judgment on nations
(Rev 14:6-20)
Redeemer promised (Gen 3:15)
Redeemer reigns (Rev 20:1-6; 21:22-27; 22:3-5)