Old Testament Survey I

Genesis
 Structure
These are the generations of occurs 11
times, beginning with the generations of the
heavens and earth in 2:4 (cf. 5:1; 6:9; 10:1;
11:10; 11:27; 25:12; 25:19; 36:1; 36:9; 37:2).
Another way to see the book:
1-11: Four key events:
Creation (1-2)
Fall (3-5)
Flood (6-9)
Babel (10-11)
12-50: Four key people:
Abraham (12-23)
Isaac (24-26)
Jacob (27-36)
Joseph (37-50)
Abrahams
Journeys
 Major Themes
Origins of the universe and of the nation of
Israel. Includes origin of:
Universe and Mankind
Marriage
Languages and nations
Sin
Worship and faith
The Sinfulness of Man
Adam and Eve
Cain
Generation of the Flood
Men at Babel and Sodom and Gomorrah
Character of God
His power in and over creation
His judgment against sin (flood, Babel, Sodom and
Gomorrah)
His grace and compassion in being willing to save
His sovereignty in directing events
 Major Themes
Abrahamic Covenant
Promises made in Gen 12
Covenant formalized in Gen 15
Sign of circumcision given in Gen 17
Covenant affirmed to Isaac in Gen 26,
then to Jacob in Gen 28
God begins to fulfill his covenant promises
by blessing Abraham personally, by
blessing others who bless Abraham and
his descendants, and by orchestrating
events to fulfill His covenant promises.
 Purpose Statement
The God who created the universe
has chosen to bless and redeem
sinful mankind through His covenant
relationship with Abraham and his
descendants.
 Interpretive Issues
Creation theories
Gap theory Proposes that God reconstructed the
earth after the judgment resulting from the fall of
Satan; takes was in Gen 1:2 to mean became.
Since there was a long period between vv. 1 and 2, can
still hold to 24 hour days in Genesis 1.
Poses the gap to reconcile Gen 1 with modern scientific
theory. No evidence for such a gap either in Genesis or
elsewhere in Scripture.
Day-age theory - Re-defines day as a day-
age. Claims to interpret Gen 1 literally! Denies
any interpretive value to Exod 20:8-11; 31:15-17
6 Day Creation
3 days of creating and separating:
Light from darkness
Waters above from waters below
Dry land from sea, vegetation
3 days of forming and filling
Lights in the expanse
Water creatures and birds
Land animals and man
 Interpretive Issues
The Extent of the Flood
Local, known world
Worldwide
Sons of God in Gen 6
Kings
Godly line of Seth
Angels
 Interpretive Issues
Until Shiloh Comes (49:8-10)
Personal name
A title
He to whom it belongs
Next Time: Exodus