an overview of Genesis 1 11 Genesis as an Introduction to the Bible Creation Narratives and The Fall Notice the Pluralnarratives Adams Family not the Addams Family Noah and the Flood ID: 736418
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Slide1
In the Beginning
Bringing the Book of Genesis to Light(an overview of Genesis 1 – 11)Slide2
Genesis as an Introduction to the Bible Creation Narratives and The Fall
Notice the Plural—narratives Adam’s Family (not the Addams Family)Noah and the FloodThe Tower of Babel
OverviewSlide3
Not the first book of the Bible by accident
Introduces biblical vocabulary and overarching themesSets the stage for the full purview of the BibleGenesis 1-11 deals with all people, not just Jews/IsraelGod dealt with all people; all people turned away from Him; thus, all people are in need of redemption “In the Beginning…” (ἐν ἀρχῇ
)
ἀρχῇ
(“arch”) means first as in basis, not
necessarily first in chronological timeShows the story in Genesis is not necessarily to be viewed as a scientific/historical text, but as a basis to understand/interpret lifeOften juxtaposed to the general Babylonian understanding
Genesis as Intro to the BibleSlide4
Two Accounts of CreationGenesis 1:1 – Genesis 2:3
Genesis 2:4 – end of Genesis 2Genesis as compilation of earlier, separate sourcesDiffering, Irreconcilable (from literal perspective) Accounts First account is the one with which we are most familiar and is most often cited by “literalists”Second account is the famous “Fall of Mankind”
Notable differences, most especially the order of creation (man first vs. man last;
Elohim
vs.
Yahweh)Creation NarrativesSlide5
Creation of Heavens and EarthEarth was
tohu wa vohu (without form and void)Nothing was functionalNotice God does not explicitly create two of the human/biblical enemies: darkness and water
Creation of Light
God immediately begins conquering human enemies
Light named first; given priority
“One day,” not “the first day”: definitive of a dayEvening first, then morningLiturgical tradition
Death, then Resurrection
Notice no sun yet even though there is light
Creation Narrative: Genesis 1 – 2:3Slide6
Creation of Earth and SeasOn third day God now conquers the second enemy: seas
“Mother Earth” is put under God’s jurisdictionNotice, again, still no sun despite vegetationCreation of “Two Great Lights”Sun and Moon not mentioned by nameReferred to as “larger lantern” and “smaller lantern”
Placed as essentially equal to the stars; placed after light and after vegetation
They were deities in Babylonian pantheon
Set in place by God like a star on top of a Christmas tree
Three times the passage mentions they are simply a reference, not deitiesCreation Narrative: Genesis 1 – 2:3Slide7
Creation of AnimalsSea animals on 5
th dayLand animals on 6th dayThey co-habit the earth with usBlessed by God with humans, not separately like sea animals
Blessing is clearly related to ability to produce offspring
Creation Narrative: Genesis 1 – 2:3Slide8
Creation of HumanityIn the image and after the likeness of God
In ancient Near East, Kings alone considered to be the image of GodMeans we are to behave like GodOur task is to make God’s presence known in this worldGiven dominion over sea and land animalsJust as kings have dominion over a city
God is the model—i.e. stewardship not lordship
“Male and female He created them”
Anti-individualism
SabbathCreation Narrative: Genesis 1 – 2:3Slide9
Creation of Adam (i.e. “man”)Occurs at the
beginning of this second storyOnly the male was made at the beginningFormed from dust, but given the breath of GodThe Garden of EdenPlanted by God and given to Adam
Consistent problem: humanity thinks it owns/controls what God gives as a gift
First commandment issued by God
Not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil
Shows primary problem with humanity is conceitDeath (i.e. shortened life) is punishment
Creation Narrative: Genesis 2:3 – 2:25Slide10
Creation of AnimalsGod formed them same as Adam, but without breathing His own breath into them
God brought animals to Adam to nameNone was found as a comparable helperCreation of Eve (i.e. “woman”)Eve was “built,” not “made”Adam presumptuously considers woman to be a product of him and not of God
Adam unilaterally names Eve
Interdependence of male/female
Creation Narrative: Genesis 2:3 – 2:25Slide11
Woman tempted by serpentSin is two-fold
Disobeying God’s commandmentAttempting to be as knowledgeable as GodProblem happens after Adam eatsHe was the one to whom the command was givenGod does not immediately cause deathFirst act of God’s forgivenessThe primary punishment is by adding difficulty to the previous blessings
The Fall of Humanity: Genesis 3Slide12
Eve said she “acquired” CainCain’s name comes from same root as property
Abel means “breath” or “vanity” (i.e. passing)Names are often functional in the BibleCain kills AbelDifference in offering (Abel offers “firstfruit”)God sets a mark on Cain so Cain will not be killed by others; vengeance belongs to God alone
Cain
builds a city
Contrary to God’s commandment to spread out on the earth
Adam’s Family: Genesis 4Slide13
7th Generation –
Lamech introducedSeems to be a play on “king” (malak)Lamech lives like kings (multiple wives, arrogant view of himself)Thus far, negative view of humanity; but a different option is now presented
Introduction of Seth
Seth is Abel’s “replacement”
His name means “appointed” or “posited”
The geneaology continues through SethEnosh, his son, means “human being”
After
Enosh
“men began to call on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26); through him comes Noah
Adam’s Family: Genesis 4Slide14
Immediately before Noah“
Now it came to pass…that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose” (Genesis 6:1-2).“And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not
strive
with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years
.’ There
were giants on the earth in those days” (Genesis 6:3-4).“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great…and
that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And
the
Lord
was sorry that He had made man on the
earth” (Genesis 6:5-6).
Noah: Genesis 6 – 9 Slide15
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).
Introduction of one man as savior of allAnd notice that at no time is that man YOUNoah is said to be “blameless” (legal terminology)Noah is said to be “culticly pure” (like the sacrificial lamb must be pure)
Notice Noah has only one wife
Noah: Genesis 6 – 9 Slide16
Two accounts merged into one“P” or Priestly account
“J” or Yahweh accountPriestly AccountRefers to God as Elohim (more universal name)Merged accounts open and close with P accountIn these accounts, God commands and Noah does
Yahweh Account
Refers to God as
Yahweh
(more restrictive name)References “clean” and “unclean” animals Indicates notion that rituality pre-dates the text itself
The Flood Stories – Two AccountsSlide17
Preview of God’s Final JudgmentNearly total destruction
Both man and beast pay for humanity’s sinThe Flood is a passing eventContained within one person’s lifetimeGod’s punishment in this life is meant for instruction, not destruction
The Flood Stories – General ThemesSlide18
God’s Covenant One-way, unconditional covenant
Man has no control over the rainbowMade with all humanity, not specifically with Jews“Baptism of the earth” Like a new creation After the first year, during the first month, on the first day the earth was finally dry and habitable again
New opportunity for
humanity
via the faith of NoahThe Flood Stories – General ThemesSlide19
Three Sons: Shem, Ham, JaphethNoah’s “family tree” is established in such a way in Genesis 10 as to show the entire (known) inhabited world to be populated from Noah and his sons
Indicates God’s concern is with all humanity, not only Abraham’s descendants, on whom the biblical story will begin focusing in Genesis 11 and 12The covenant made with Noah, and the blessing that comes through the faith of Noah, is open to all humanity
Noah’s Sons: Genesis 10Slide20
People of the earth are united in one languageThey wish to “make a name” for themselves
Contrary to God’s command, they do not want to be scatteredLike Adam, who wanted to have knowledge like God, they tried to “reach to the heavens”The text, like the rest of the Bible, is anti-imperialisticBabel is likely a reference to or play on the Babylonian EmpireTheir punishment is to be scattered and for the language to be confused
Tower of Babel: Genesis 11Slide21
Genesis itself serves as an intro to the BibleThe (hi)story of Israel is told within the purview of all creation/all humanity
The stories are meant to inform our views of our relationship with God and each otherHumanity’s primary job is to represent GodGod is shown as supreme; humanity constantly turns from His ways; humanity in need of redemption
Conclusions/Important ThemesSlide22
God does not like human selfish ambition (buildings, acquisitions)God wants us to
behave like Him, but does not want us to try to be HimWe should not attempt to usurp God’s positionThe way to God is through faith and trusting in His appointments
Conclusions/Important Themes