Only the beginning, only just the start… Creation Creation of man The Fall The Flood The Tower of Babel Genesis 1-11 The story of the lives of four men Genesis 12-50

The purpose of the Bible To explain God’s attempt to establish His kingdom on earth.

Genesis – the Purpose To explain Israel’s beginning and purpose in the establishment of God’s rule on earth.

Genesis – The Structure Genesis is divided by markers in different sections, each highlighted by a certain Hebrew word.

Genesis – The Structure This word can be translated with the phrase, “What became of…”

Genesis – The Structure – 2:4-4:26 We have looked at what became of The heavens and the earth Adam Noah the Sons of Noah and specifically Shem, who brought us to… Terah and now Abram.

Genesis – The Structure – 6:9-8:22 The author has led us to understand both how and why Israel was a necessity and why they had to be a separate people in a separate land.

Genesis – The Structure – 6:9-8:22 The necessity of Israel and their unique place in the program of God makes Scripture understandable.

Genesis – The Structure – 6:9-8:22 Failure to see Israel’s unique standing has caused many confused and confusing interpretations of the Bible.

Genesis – The Outline I. Early Events (1:1-11:26) A. Creation of the Heavens and the Earth (1:1-2:3) B. What became of the heavens and the earth (2:4-4:26) C. What became of Adam (5:1-6:8) D. What became of Noah (6:9-9:29) E. What became of the Sons of Noah (10:1-11:9) F. What became of Shem (11:10-26)

Genesis – The Outline II. The Stories of the Patriarchs (11:27-50:26) A. What became of Terah 1. The making of the covenant with Abram (11:27-15:21) 2. The provision of the promised seed for Abraham whose faith was developed by testing (16:1-22:19)

Genesis 17:1-8 – Abram to Abraham “I am God almighty. I can do anything!”

Genesis 17:1-8 – Abram to Abraham Abraham = “exalted father”, “father of a multitude/nations”

Genesis 17:1-8 – Abram to Abraham Abram = “exalted father”. Abraham = “father of a multitude/nations”

Genesis 17:1-8 – Abram to Abraham The first sign = a new name…at 99! And, every time they called him that, he remembered!

Genesis 17:1-8 – Abram to Abraham Abram = “exalted father”. Abraham = “father of a multitude/nations”

Genesis 17:9-14 – Circumcision This second sign told them… 1)They must set aside fleshly impurities, especially in marriage. 2)Human nature is unable to bring about the promised seed. Be loyal to family and dependent upon the Lord!

Genesis 17:9-14 – Circumcision Scripture views this as a symbol of separation, purity, and loyalty while unbelief reflects an “uncircumcised heart”. (Dt. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; Jer. 9;26; Ez. 44:7-9)

Genesis 17:15-22 – Sarah’s Name Change Sarah = “Princess”

Genesis 17:15-22 – Sarah’s Name Change Apparently, it wasn’t only Sarah who found it difficult to believe.

Genesis 17:15-22 – Sarah’s Name Change Nevertheless, when confronted with God’s promise, as amazing as it initially seemed to Abraham, he thought it was God was able to do what He said and Abraham embraced it as true. Romans 4:19-22

Genesis 17:15-22 – Sarah’s Name Change “Isaac” = “He laughs” A powerful reminder when his son would be born of Abraham’s initial reaction to God’s promise.

Genesis 17:15-22 – Sarah’s Name Change The specifics of the promises here would be most encouraging and strengthening, as they should be with us.

Genesis 17:23-27 – The Covenant Instituted Abraham acted in faith immediately and the impact on those around him would be significant.

Genesis 18:1-8 – Guess Who is Coming to Dinner Abraham’s gracious reaction was in stark contrast to the later greeting they received in Sodom.

Genesis 18:1-8 – Guess Who is Coming to Dinner Hospitality is never easy or convenient, yet it is powerful and fast becoming a lost art. Heb. 13:1-2

Genesis 18:1-8 – Guess Who is Coming to Dinner Eating is frequently used for intimate fellowship throughout the Bible.

Genesis 18:8-18 – Sarah’s Response to the Promise Sarah is often criticized for her laughter at the promise, yet it is similar to Abraham’s response.

Genesis 18:8-18 – Sarah’s Response to the Promise When Sarah lied about laughing, the Lord reveals that He knew what had happened in her heart, probably to both rebuke and encourage her.

Genesis 18:8-18 – Sarah’s Response to the Promise Like Abraham, in spite of her initial and somewhat understandable reaction, Sarah believed that nothing was too hard (lit. “marvelous”) for the Lord to perform. Heb. 11:11-12

Genesis 18:8-18 – Sarah’s Response to the Promise Our initial reactions often neither characterize nor change the reality of what we ultimately believe to be true.

Genesis 18:8-18 – Sarah’s Response to the Promise This whole account is a call to believe that God can do the impossible. “…God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…” Rom. 4:17-18

Gen. 18:16-32 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Basic Issue: God is able to do whatever He wants, but is He just when He does it?

Gen. 18:16-32 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Two elements to the story: 1)Since God would bless the world through Abraham, God thought He should know about he should know about this city which would first be removed in judgment before they could receive it (v ).

Gen. 18:16-32 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Two elements to the story: 2) Abraham was to teach his descendants about the justice of God from this that they might enjoy His blessing (v. 19).

Gen. 18:20-21 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom The “outcry” seems to have come from others feeling the oppressive weight of the sin.

Gen. 18:20-21 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom When the severity of sin bears down on us, we can go to God for justice. Luke 18:1-8

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom One of the great qualities of Abraham, and a great privilege for us, is intercession for others, just as Moses, Samuel, Daniel, and later Paul, and of course, our Lord Jesus for us.

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Each of them believed prayer matters. 1 Sam. 12:23; Col. 1:3-14; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; James 4:2-3; 5:16b-20

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom How much are we willing to do to intercede for others?

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom If whatever beliefs you hold lead you away from intercessory prayer, your beliefs are wrong.

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Notice a great truth about God: The Judge of all the earth will always do what is right.

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom God was willing to save an entire city for just ten righteous people!

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Abraham’s prayer was that the cities would be saved for the sack of the righteous.

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Abraham’s prayer was based upon the righteous nature of God and in asking, Abraham was pesistant, humble, and respectful toward God.

Gen. 18:22-25 – The Coming Judgment of Sodom Each election becomes increasingly vital, on a human level. Are you praying? What are you praying for? Pray!