SHEEP IN THE WORD MINISTRIES Rev. Robert C. Lewis Glendale Baptist Church Houston, Texas quicknotes.org 2002

GENESIS 1 – 11 God’s Blessing and Cursing

Adam and Noah there are two parallel sections in Genesis 1 – 11: before the flood and after the flood

ten generations divide Adam from Noah and ten generations divide Noah from Abraham ten generations divide Adam from Noah and ten generations divide Noah from Abraham

the world begins again with a fresh start in the second section the world begins again with a fresh start in the second section

STRIKING SIMILARITIES IN THE TWO SECTIONS (1) water covers the earth, subsides, and dry land appears (Genesis 1:9–10; 8:1–13)

(2) the animal kingdom begins multiplying and filling the earth (Genesis 1:20–22, 24–25; 8:17–19)

(3) days and seasons are set by God (Genesis 1:14; 8:22)

(4) animals are commanded to “ be fruitful and multiply on the earth ” (Genesis 1:22; 8:17)

(5) man is commanded to “ be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28; 9:1, 7)

(6) man is given dominion over the animal kingdom (Genesis 1:28; 9:2)

(7) food is provided for man (Genesis 1:29 – 30; 9:3)

(8) man spreads out and builds cities (Genesis 4:16 – 17; 10:10 – 12)

Blessing and Cursing God ’ s blessing and cursing are the main theological concepts in Genesis 1 – 11 God ’ s blessing and cursing are the main theological concepts in Genesis 1 – 11

Blessing blessing brings children (“be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” Genesis 1:22, 28), fellowship with God (3:8; 5:22–24; 6:9), and life

the genealogies of Genesis 5 and 10 are the fulfillment of this blessing the genealogies of Genesis 5 and 10 are the fulfillment of this blessing

Cursing cursing brings expulsion (Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:22 – 24; Cain, 4:11 – 14, 16; flood, 6:7; Babel, 11:8 – 9), separation from God (Adam, 3:8, 24; Cain, 4:14, 16), and death (flood, 7:4, 21 – 23) cursing brings expulsion (Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:22 – 24; Cain, 4:11 – 14, 16; flood, 6:7; Babel, 11:8 – 9), separation from God (Adam, 3:8, 24; Cain, 4:14, 16), and death (flood, 7:4, 21 – 23)

Principles (1) life or death depends on whether man receives from God a blessing or a curse

(2) without God’s blessing men and animals are not able to flourish

(3) it is man who partially determines whether the world will receive a blessing or a curse

Human Failure chapters 1–11 end in human failure: chapters 1–11 end in human failure: sin, judgment, expulsion, dispersion, homelessness, and death

notable righteous exceptions were Abel, Enoch, and Noah notable righteous exceptions were Abel, Enoch, and Noah

Reversal God ’ s promise to give land to Abraham is a reversal of the pattern of expulsion, dispersion, and homelessness in Genesis 1 – 11 God ’ s promise to give land to Abraham is a reversal of the pattern of expulsion, dispersion, and homelessness in Genesis 1 – 11

Cursing to Blessing God’s cursing (crime and punishment) is mentioned five times in Genesis 1–11 (3:14, 17; 4:11; 5:29; 9:25) God’s cursing (crime and punishment) is mentioned five times in Genesis 1–11 (3:14, 17; 4:11; 5:29; 9:25)

God’s blessing is mentioned five times in Genesis 12:2–3 (82 times in the patriarchal narratives) God’s blessing is mentioned five times in Genesis 12:2–3 (82 times in the patriarchal narratives)

Turning Point Abraham’s obedience was a turning point in human history, when God turned from cursing the world for sin to blessing the world through faith Abraham’s obedience was a turning point in human history, when God turned from cursing the world for sin to blessing the world through faith

the problem of cursing in Genesis 1– 11 is solved by the blessing of 12:1–3 the problem of cursing in Genesis 1– 11 is solved by the blessing of 12:1–3

chapters 1–11 show why all the families of the earth need to be blessed chapters 1–11 show why all the families of the earth need to be blessed

Context of the Abrahamic Covenant the blessings of Genesis 12 must be read in the light of the failure of mankind in Genesis 11 (the scattering at the Tower of Babel) the blessings of Genesis 12 must be read in the light of the failure of mankind in Genesis 11 (the scattering at the Tower of Babel)

a blessing is given after each judgment (ultimate victory over Satan, Genesis 3:15; rest and the Noahic Covenant after the flood, 5:29, 8:21, 9:8–17; a permanent homeland after a worldwide scattering, 13:15) a blessing is given after each judgment (ultimate victory over Satan, Genesis 3:15; rest and the Noahic Covenant after the flood, 5:29, 8:21, 9:8–17; a permanent homeland after a worldwide scattering, 13:15)

everything the people of Babel tried to accomplish through rebellion was given to Abraham through faith and obedience: everything the people of Babel tried to accomplish through rebellion was given to Abraham through faith and obedience:

(1) the people sought fame at Babel, but received none ( “ let us make for ourselves a name ” Genesis 11:4); God promised to give Abraham a great name ( “ make your name great ” Genesis 12:2)

(2) the people sought to make a great nation at Babel, but were scattered (Genesis 11:4, 6); God promised to make Abraham into a great nation ( “ I will make you a great nation ” Genesis 12:2)

(3) the people sought to build a city at Babel (Genesis 11:4 – 5, 8); God built a city for Abraham (Hebrews 11:10, 16)

(4) the people sought to build a tower in the city “ whose top will reach into heaven ” to God (Genesis 11:4); Abraham will live in a city built in heaven by God (Hebrews 11:10, 16)

SHEEP IN THE WORD MINISTRIES Rev. Robert C. Lewis Glendale Baptist Church Houston, Texas quicknotes.org 2002