1. Thru the Bible in 24 Weeks

2. Introduction The Bible contains stories of the greatest..... evil, betrayals, revenge, deception The ultimate Prince of Deception The Bible contains stories of the greatest..... Good, highest achievements, The greatest courage and sacrifice The Greatest Sacrifice

3. Genesis Beginning of Beginnings

4. Genesis Purpose The purpose of Genesis is to begin the story of the Covenant. God created everything perfect but sin drew people away from God. The covenant, with Abraham, a chosen people, to use Israel to give people an accurate picture of who God - Yahweh was and what he was like. 2000BC – attributed to be written by Moses

5. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings Overview of 50 Chapters Chapters 1 - 11 – before Abraham Ch 1 -2: Creation Ch3: The fall of man Ch4: The first murder – Cain kills Abel Ch5: Genealogy of Noah Ch 6-9: The Flood Ch 10 – 11: Tower of Babel Ch 12- 20: Abraham’s Call from God Ch 21 - 26: Isaac, his son Ch 27 – 36: Jacob, Isaac’s son, and 12 Tribes Ch 37 – 50 Joseph

6. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings Chapter 1 - 2 Beresheet bara Elohim rt ha-Shaimayim et ha-eretz In the beginning, God created Heaven and Earth. Beresheet = Genesis. Bara = create from nothing. Elohim = one name for God (plural - trinity) God said “Let there be light... Land, vegetation, sun, moon, stars, sea, animals, birds, mankind Day 7: Sabbath (rest)

7. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings Chapter 3: Fall of Man Adam (per Psalms) – clothed with Light The woman tasted the fruit & gave to her husband Their eyes were opened... realized they were naked; sewed fig leaves together & made coverings. God cursed serpent, women thru child-bearing, and man through hard work of the ground Banished from the Garden of Eden

8. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings Ch 4 - 11: Fall – Tower of Babel Adam’s Sons, Cain (farmer) & Abel (shepherd) = MURDER then had other children - son, Seth. Genealogy of Noah. Adam – Seth - +7 – Noah Noah’s Ark 450 x 75 feet, 45 feet high Rained 40, lasted 150 days, in ark for 371 days God said go populate. King Nimrod – pagan rebellion Tower of Babel – languages confused. Babylon – city of man. Jerusalem – city of God

9. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings Ch 12 - 16 Ch12: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph God called Abraham from his home to another land God will make thee a great nation, curse him that curse thee, in thee all families will be blessed Abraham, wealthy, and nephew, Lot, chose Sodom Ch15: Covenant of Abraham: land from Egypt to Ephrates River. Estranged from land for 400 years. Ch16: Abraham took it upon himself to get an heir instead of waiting for God; Hagar, Egyptian handmaid, has son, Ishmael (Muslims).

10. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings Ch 17 - 22 Ch17: Abram to Abraham; Sarai to Sarah – Isaac. Confirmed covenant. Father of many nations, not just Jewish. Practice of circumcism instituted. Ch18 - 22: God confirmed Sarah, age 90, would have a son. Abraham bargained with God for Lot in Sodom and Gomorah – 40…30..10…only Lot. Angels in Lot. Homosexuals demanded delivery of visitors, Lot offered 2 virgin daughters. City destroyed. Abraham willing to give (offer) his only begotten son.

11. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings Ch 23 - 50 Sarah died. Abraham sent Eliezer to find Isaac a bride, Rebecca. Had twins, Esau & Jacob - TWO NATIONS. Jacob in the flesh. Names Israel – spirit! Esau, first born, sold birthright to Jacob, 2 nd twin, (cooked great porridge) then tricked father for blessing. Rebecca told Jacob run for his life – worked for Laban who tricked him – promised Rachel but gave Leah. Worked 7 more years – got Rachel. Had at least 12 sons = 12 Tribes of Israel. Brother, Esau – nation of Edom, enemy of Israel.

12. Genesis: The Beginnings of Beginnings 12 Tribes of Judah ******This could be an entire class of it’s own****** Pattern of younger child getting birth right Jacob had 2 wives (Rachel & Leah) Rachel bore 6 children: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Joseph, Benjamin Rachel’s handmaiden = Dan & Naphtali Leah’s handmaiden: Gad, Ashur, Issachar, Zebulon

13. Joseph – God working Remember – tricked his father for birthright? Sold into Egyptian slavery by his brothers Potifer’s wife tried to seduce him - called rape Potifer threw him in prison- interpreted dreams Interpreted Pharoh’s dream; prime minister Famine in family’s land – met brothers who sold him Family moves to Egypt – family becomes a nation Meant for Evil – God made for Good