Genesis 1:1

How you understand the Bible all begins with the first verse.  All else follows.  Properly understanding the first verse goes beyond simply interpreting it literally or mythologically/figuratively.    Note the following translations of verses one and two.  How are they different?  What do the differences imply?

KJV Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

NIV Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

NAU Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

NRS Genesis 1:1 In the beginning when God began to create the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God (1) swept over the face of the waters. {(1) Or [while the spirit of God] or [while a mighty wind] }

NLT Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created <1> the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface.

LXE Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth. 2 But the earth was unsightly and unfurnished, and darkness was over the deep, and the Spirit of God moved over the water.

Let’s look at the first verse grammatically.

“In the beginning . . .” What does this mean?  Beginning of what?  How do you know?  Where else have you seen this phrase/How is it used elsewhere in Scripture?  Take a look at John 1:1, and Colossians 1:15-17,  

This phrase begs the question, since it is the next word - what was before the beginning?  Where did God come from?  Take a look at Psalm 90:2, Psalm 93:2, & Proverbs 8:23 

“ . . . God . . .”  God is the first subject of the Bible.  He is the first “character” introduced.  Before man was, God is. This very fact out to point to our place in the grand scheme of things.  We ought to remember our place as His creatures.  His will should always be our will.

“ . . . created . . .”  is the first verb in Scripture. 

(a) This is a special word in Hebrew.  It is a “creating” verb expressing the origin of something great; as only God can bring about or do.  This word is always used of DIVINE activity and never of the “creative” endeavors of man. 

(b)The word (bara’) does not of itself preclude the use of existing material (see Isa 65:18b), but when no pre-existing material is mentioned in the context, none is to be implied.  This verse teaches that God made everything out of nothing.  See also Romans 4:17 and Hebrews 11:3.

What is the object of this creating?  “ . . . the heavens and the earth.”  Hebrew has no word for “universe.”  The literal Hebrew means “ . . . that which is above and that which is lower.”  This is the Hebrew way of saying “everything”.

            Write a good paraphrase of the first verse.

In the absolute beginning, when there was nothing except God, God created, as only He could do, out of nothing, everything.

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Verse 2 - The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

At the beginning of verse two, the heavens and the earth have been created.  Scripture turns it focus to the earth and puts aside heaven (for now).

The Hebrew word that the NIV translates as “formless” means without shape, unordered, untamed.  What are some of the words for “formless” the other translations use?

The KJV uses the word “void.”  How are some of the other translations rendered?  What does this connote in English?  The Hebrew word literally means empty, vacant, without inhabitants, desolate nothingness. 

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How is “darkness” used in other parts of Scripture?  What are some metaphorical uses?  (Hint: Contrast with light.)  This is another description of the “formless void.”

“The Deep” is the primeval ocean that is suppose to surround and underlie the earth (see Genesis 7:11).

“And the Spirit of God hovered over the waters.”  Deep and waters are synonymous.   What does this tell us about God and His creation?

Verse 3&4 - Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

“Then God said . . .”  This phrase shows how God work(ed)s - through His Word. 

See again Hebrews 11:3  and Psalm 33:9.

Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Psalm 33:9 “For He spoke, and it was; He commanded, and it stood fast.”

Through Whom was this creation called into being?

Colossians 1:16, 17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

I Corinthians 8:6   Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

The phrase “God said” appears ten times in this chapter.  How is this important?

“‘Light become!’ and light became.”  Everything that came into bing was caused by His Word and not by some other natural (or otherwise) processes.

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Light is one of the most unique substances in all of creation and one of the most necessary for life.  Can it be an accident without cause?

This verse supposes light apart from the sun.  Is this possible?  If so how?  Remember:  the sun was not created until the fourth day!

Notice: of the three “deficiencies” listed in verse two, one has been removed - darkness.

Verse 4

“And God saw the light; that it was good . . .”  Light not darkness is declared good.  Is this significant?

It is God who is truly good.  This is reflected in His work.  How does this relate to Romans 1:20?  See also Psalm 100:5.

Another major theme of Chapter one is one of separation.  God caused a division between light and darkness; not an untangling (like a knot).  Why is this significant to creation theology?

Separation in Chapter One:

Light   ? Darkness

Upper ? Lower

Water ? Dry Earth

Night  ? Day

Separation is also a theme late in scripture.  As God’s children we are separated from our sin by Christ, we are separated/set apart from non-believers by our baptisms, and we are separated/set aside/of the elect from eternity.

Verse 5

God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning; the first day.

“God called . . .”  The Hebrew idea of naming something (1) expresses the nature of the thing identified and (2) implies an asserted authority over the object.  What was Adam’s

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charge/commission from God in relation to the earth, plants and animals?

“ . . . day . . .”  This word in Hebrew (  yôm )is used in two senses (much like in English): (1) the light part of the day (daytime) over and against the night/darkness and (2) “day” as in the 24 hour period.

Some try to make day mean that which it was never intended to mean.  Some who try to reconcile  evolutionary science and creation make yôm synonymous with age, aeon, period.  What is the problem with this interpretation?

“So the evening and the morning; the first day.”  What does this mean?  Notice the pattern (which will be repeated in subsequent days: God created, darkness came and God ceased work, morning came and God began His work again.

Verses 6-8

Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

What is the “firmament?”  Whay are some synonyms that we can use to help explain this word?

            What was in place before the “firmament” was spoken into being?

What are some different ways we use the word “heaven(s)?”  How can it be interpreted here?

These three verses again highlight that God commands and it is fulfilled.

Verses   9-13

Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.  And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.  Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.  And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.  So the evening and the morning were the third day.

With these verses God continues to work at taking care of the remaining two deficiencies. 

How did God separate the water from the dry land?

Notice that the major geologic forms were put into place - not in geologic periods spanning years upon years, but in short order.

Does this separating of the waters from the dry land include or exclude lakes and rivers?  Why or why not?

“. . . seas . . .”  One of the geological theories is about Pangea - the super continent.  What is this?  Based on the text, does it have any truth?

Next came plants.  How quickly do you think you could drain a swamp and turn it into viable farmland?

We need to define the three categories of plants mentioned here.

grass = all the plants used to carpet the earth (grasses, moss, etc.)

herbs = that which is in between grass and trees.

trees = All the seed, cone, and fruit bearing trees and shrubs.

“ . . . according to its kind . . .”  Notice there are limitations placed upon God’s creation.  While we can mix related plants and get, for example, a tangelo, we cannot mix unrelated plants and get cormatoes.  Limits upon creation were declared by God to be good and must be respected.  What are some ways that limitations are being violated today?

Chapter 1:14-23

Recap:                        Day 1 - Heavens, earth, light separated from darkness and time (day and night)

                        Day 2 - Waters above and below separated (sky)

                        Day 3 - Waters separated (Seas, river systems, and lakes), dry land and vegetation.

At this point what is missing for the plants to survive?

But if there is no sun, whence the light?  See Revelation 22:5 for a clue:   There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

14 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so.

The Hebrew here means “luminaries”; literally “light bearers”. What is the stated purpose(s) of the heavenly luminaries?

There is a lot of detail in this section (vv. 14-19) that is not present in previous verses.   God is quite specific in spelling out specific purposes in the heavenly “luminaries”.  Why might this be so?

From this time on all light that the earth is to receive is through the luminaries.

16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Verses 16-18 are a detailed restatement of verses 14 and 15.  What purpose would this serve to repeat in more detail what has already been said?

20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living souls, and let flying creatures fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”

With the vegetation God said, “Let the earth bring forth . . .”  How is this verse different and what does it imply?

The Hebrew word nephesh means soul or living, breathing being.  This separates these creatures from all else that has been created up to this point. They are alive.  Biblically speaking plants are not alive because they lack nephesh. 

Later we will go into more detail about what separates man from animals, but can you guess what it is?

21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every flying creature according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Verse 21 is again a commentary, an expansion of, what preceded.

What are the great sea creatures?  Does this part of creation mean more than fish?  What other creatures are included in this part of creation?

What about the winged creatures?  Does this involve more than birds?  What other creatures would be included in this category?

22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

God does something new.  He blesses these unique creatures and gives them a command.  It is a blessing and a command for self-continuance.  But, in order to fulfill this,  did God create just two of every kind?  How do you know?

The Creation of Man

1:24-2:25

24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and wild beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 

Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth: Again God uses a mediate form of creation.  He called froth from the earth; the dust these creatures.

cattle: literally means beasts of burden; domestic animals - those animals closest to man.

creeping thing: literally means animals that move close to the earth (reptiles, land bugs, etc.)

wild beast of the earth: literally means free ranging beasts (lions and tigers and bears - Oh, my!)

according to its kind: Again this means speciation.  There are set categories of animals.

How can this description of the six day be used to combat evolution?

26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 

Then God said, "Let Us . . .”  While this phrase does not speak specifically to the Trinity, it does point to the plurality of potentiality within God.

“man” This is plural and represents all of mankind.  It already presumes that man will be a creation that propagates and includes men and women in the work of “dominion.” 

"Let Us make man in Our image . . .”  What is the image of God?  What like-characteristics did man posses?

The divine image does not simply constitute itself in man’s original endowment of intelligence and will.  Man was made into a specific pattern and for a specific purpose.  God, Himself, is that pattern  The image of God was reflected in their lives in that they held a blissful knowledge of God, and they lived in perfect holiness of life and in perfect righteousness.  There was in man (as God) no evil and no sin in man.  He knew the will of God and was fully able to conform to it in thought, word and deed.  How is being created in the “image” of God of comfort?

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Be fruitful and multiply: Man was made to procreate.  What does this say about sex since this is the means by which this is done?

subdue it: Literally “rule over it”

have dominion over . . .: Literally “have mastery over”

Do these mean that we can do whatever we want with them?

29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30 "Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so.

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I have given you . . . : This shows both God’s providence and care for man and it also shows that God does not leave him without direction, but shows that He care for Him by giving everything man needs.  How has this been affected by the Fall?

Notice what the animals were given to eat.  What does this tell us?

31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

What does “good” thus exclude?

Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

This is actually a conclusion to chapter one.  God had firmly established His creation, the seven day week and the Sabbath.

all the host of them: All the creatures above and below had been created.  The creation account does not tell us on what day the angels were made, but this tells us that it was within the first six.  All else is speculation.

4a This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

This is actual a title for what comes next.  In chapter one, the author gives an account of creation.  This account is used to introduce us to the main character of the Bible: God.  Many things can be learned about the attributes of God by observing His work.  He is at the center of the rest of Scripture, but another character is introduced in more detail than in the first chapter.  Man is shown here, in chapter two, to be a special creation of God’s.  There are no contradictions between this account of man’s creation and the brief summary included in the creation account given in chapter one.  Any confusion is based on the Hebrew literary devices that are used and unfamiliar to English stylistic and literary devices.

4b In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

The author begins to recount creation with some addition information that helps the reader to better understand God’s role for man. 

of the field: Literally means “tillable ground.”  Later it will become clear that this section is dealing specifically with the plant of the Garden specifically created for man.

God had not caused it to rain on the earth . . . but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.  Where do we have the first mention of rain in Scripture?

 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Where, before, God had “called forth” (created mediately), He now created immediately.  This whole verse points to the fact that man was quite different from the other animals/creatures.  For them, “God called forth from the earth.” 

List the ways in which man is different from the animals.

8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

God made a very special place for his creation, man.  God provided for him food - fruit of all kinds.  He also created two special trees.  Why?  Perhaps, as God knew man needed instruction man in verses 29 & 30, he also was knew that man needed boundaries. 

10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

This description fixes the Garden of Eden in a particular spot.  The early readers of this book and those who had passed on the oral tradition would have known these places.  Does the Garden still exist today?

15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

Notice the purpose for which Adam was placed in the garden.  Was his existence to be one of sitting on his  bum and twiddling his thumbs?

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." 18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

It is here that God firmly established the boundaries of man’s existence.  God had given man instruction on what he was to eat.  He also gave him instruction on what not to eat.   What does this say about man and his condition today?

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18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

The word “good” here is not to be understood in terms of its opposite - “bad” or “evil.”  The idea is that man is incomplete.  Remember a major theme throughout creation has been the correction of deficiencies.  For Adam to be alone was one such deficiency.  Why would it not be good for Adam to be the sole human being?

19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

Firstly, to name something in this case was to have dominion over it in ancient thought.  Secondly, the animals were not brought in front of Adam so that he could choose a mate from them as some have proposed.  It was God’s way of showing him that he was incomplete and that God was going to give yet another gift.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

God “took one of his ribs . . .”  Woman is not made from inferior material. She is also uniquely made - no other creature was made in this manner. 

“She shall be called Woman.”  This naming was not like that of the animals.  It is not a naming that was meant to show man’s dominion over woman.  Adam named her kind after himself.  This is a special thing of honor - similar to how a father would name his first born son after himself.

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

These verses are a return to the narrator.  They show that it is here that God gave the gift of marriage to mankind.  As to their nakedness, why was there no shame?

Genesis 3 – The Fall into Sin

            This is perhaps the most tragic chapter in all of Scripture.  We can see that man, left to himself, has completely forgotten this lamentable situation.  In his eyes, a man without God can and has forgotten or excused away his sin.  This knowledge is thus pure revelation and is vital to our understanding of what salvation is and means for mankind.

            Many have attempted to make this chapter into an allegory - a story that merely describes, in understandable terms, man’s sinfulness.  Many have tried to link this text, as they have the creation account, to Babylonian mythology.  But no such record or story exists or has been found in Babylonian lore.  What we have is a factual, historical account of man’s sad error and his estrangement from God.

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Is it really the case that God  said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

Did the serpent actually speak?

Was the serpent the devil?  If not, what was going on?

Why did the serpent single out the woman?

Notice the tone of the question.  It was carefully crafted to give the appearance that God has placed an unwelcome check or curb upon man.  Luther points out that immediately the tempter places God’s word in doubt.  Do we still see this tactic today?  Where in Scripture do we see a wonderful example of this?

Why would God allow His chief creature to be tempted?

2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;  3 "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' "

Why did Eve answer the serpent?

What small, but significant word is missing from Eve’s recitation of God’s command?  How does this affect or detract from the command?

Did God say “nor touch it?” 

How does Eve’s answer begin to show distrust toward God?

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Satan seems to say “Is it not absurd that man was given all the trees but one?   Why do you think this is?  Perhaps God is hiding something and I know what it is!”  Notice again that the attack centers on the denial of the truth of God Word and an attempt to turn God into a liar as Satan himself is.

What else does this attribute to God that is not truly part of His being or character?

Satan tells Eve that eating the fruit will cause them to “exist as gods” or “exit in the class of higher beings.”  Also that her eyes would be opened to things not now perceived.  But what does Satan fail to share about these new advantages?

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Sin had already entered into Eve’s heart.  What we see here is its definite expression.  Where does Jesus says sin begins?  See Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

The fruit looked pleasing.  Can we always trust appearances?

Notice the easy with which the man fell into sin.  What does this tell us about his guilt?

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

What do they both experience?

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

God?  Walking?  Is this strange?

What time of day was this?

Why did Adam and Eve hide at the sound of God?  What had replaced trust and communion with God?

9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

Man avoided God.  What did God do?

Did God really not know what had happened or where the two were?

10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

Was man’s answer about what caused his fear true?

What caused man’s fear?  Was it his nakedness or was it something else?

11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" 12 Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."

Man at this point is more ashamed that feeling guilty.  Notice God’s questions touch on both issues:  “You know you are naked - but why?  What caused this revelation?  God was moving man from shame to guilt.  Why is this so important?

Adam knew he was caught.  God’s second question told him so.  But instead of accepting guilt for his own actions what did he do? 

Woman, who was first seen by Adam as a great blessing from God is now seen as the “reason” for his guilt.  What does this point to about man’s new sinful nature?

13 And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

There is some truth to man’s assertion and blame of Eve.  But she take a cue from her husband and places the blame elsewhere.  This is the first game of “pass the buck.”

14 So the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life.

Satan, acting through the serpent, was already condemned and cast out of heaven.  o line of guilt inducing questioning was necessary.  God cuts to the chase and pronounces the curse.

Can we still see elements of the curse in snakes today?  If it were truly Satan speaking through the serpent, why was the serpent itself part of the curse?

15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall crush your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

This is considered to be the first Gospel given after the Fall.  Notice what the woman’s seed will do to the serpent and what the serpent in return.  Who are the devil’s seed?  How can this be related to Christ and His battle with the devil?  What does it say about the ultimate outcome?

The word “enmity” in Hebrew is always used between personages - never between a man and an animal or other inanimate object. 

God also says that He “will put” this enmity between these two creatures.  Why is this significant?

16 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your pain and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."

What are the three elements of the woman’s punishment? 

What is meant by, “I will greatly multiply your pain and your conception?”  She who had expected to find forbidden joy in the eating of the fruit will now find pain and sorrow.

What is meant by, “Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you?”  She who had desired to strike out on her own apart from man and then include man in her sin is now bound to him for her needs; even to the point that he will control her.  Is this, however, canceled in Christ?

17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.

Man’s punishment is related to insubordination and work.  Whereas man had tended the garden and God caused it to give up its fruit easily, man would now have to work harder to obtain it “in toil” and the ground will resist. 

18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.

Notice the switch in food source.  Man was given fruit, but now the grains are included - in direct conflict with the animals.  What, however, was man still not given to eat at this point?

19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."

Man shall work all the days of his life.  And at the end, what is his reward? 

The penalties given for their sin are given not only to Adam and Eve, but are for the rest of humanity.   As the first man and woman sinned, their offspring would follow suit.

20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Adam does hear and understand that even in the midst of this punishment there is hope.  He understands that they will still have offspring and name’s Eve appropriately.  With God there is always promise while we are still living.

21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

How did God get the animal skins?  This was the first death in God’s creation.  It is significant because these animals served as a sacrifice to “cover” the symbol of Adam and Eve’s sin - their nakedness.  How does this relate to what will ultimately happen in Christ?

22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever" -- 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Why did God do this?

Genesis Chapter 4 – Sinful Mankind Multiplies

            Chapter Four begins man’s journey under the curse of sin.  Man, in contrast to the accepted anthropological/archaeological patterns, started as a highly intelligent and capable being.  He was quite given to creativity.  This intelligence, when coupled with his new sinful nature, had also given him a propensity toward mischief and evil.  Corrupted man quickly degenerated into envy, jealousy, and even murder as seen by this chapter of the Bible.  The first sin did not begin a slow slide toward evil in the heart of man; rather it was a complete corruption of everything God had created and intended.

Genesis 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD."

Now Adam knew Eve his wife: This part of verse one shows us important facts.  Adam understood a significant reason behind God’s creation of the woman – for childbearing.  Secondly, Adam understands an oft forgotten aspect of marriage – that it was created to be between one man and one woman and Adam recognized Eve as his wife. 

she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man from (with the help of) the LORD.":  Cain’s name is derived form the Hebrew word “to get, to acquire”.  Names from the beginning were used to signify something.  Eve also attributes this to the hand of God.  God promised that Eve and the women who followed her would have children. What does this tell us about children?

What does Eve’s response show in regard to how Adam and Eve are given to God’s Word?  Is their trust?

2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Here the story advances rather quickly.  It is a given in Hebrew that Adam is the father of Abel and he was born sometime later.  His name means “vapor or vanity.”  How would that be appropriate?

Notice the occupations the two have.  How are these two jobs significant to the needs of the early people?  What were the sheep used for?

3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Where did the need for sacrifices originate?  Is there a command given by God?  Notice that neither sacrifice is made for a specific sin.  It is more of the idea of a “tribute/offering.”

What is the most obvious difference between the two sacrifices?  Does this have anything to do with the fact that God “likes blood, not fruit?”

This is a case of formalism (giving because it was expected) vs. giving the best one has.  Why would God respect one gift and not the other?  What does this tell us about our giving to the Lord today?  Was it the actual gift that was pleasing to God or was it the heart of the giver? (Think of the parable of the Widows Mite.)

Notice Cain’s reaction.  Instead of heeding God’s disapproval and seeking to correct it, what did Cain do?

6 So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you (it strives to get at you), but you should rule over it."

In v. 6, what is the purpose behind God’s questions to Cain?  What are they designed to arouse in him?  In the offering given, who was truly the injured party?  Cain or God?

            What is God doing in v. 7?  For what purpose are these sentences given?

            What is Cain’s reply to the warning and advice?

8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

At this point Greek, Latin, and Samaritan translations insert the topic of Cain and Abel’s conversation by saying, “Cain said to Abel, ‘Let us go out into the field.’” Is it important to know what they were talking about?

If we allow the insertion to stand, it really does not conflict with the Hebrew sense of the verse.  Cain feigned friendship and took Abel out away form the others.  What does this show about the murder and Cain’s intent?

The second generation of man had already slid to the level of fratricide.   Is there anything  man won’t do?

9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

God has gotten into a real habit of asking questions of His creatures.  Again, does He ask them for purposes of information?

This is the second “cross-examination” in Scripture.   Notice the difference between Adam and Eve during their questioning versus Cain.   How are they different?

Cain, also different from his parents, doesn’t point fingers.  He outright lies.  Cain’s return question to God is one (in the Hebrew) that assumes “no” for an answer. 

10 And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.

God gets more pointed in His questioning.  He gave Cain an opportunity to confess and he refused to do so.  God’s question (in the Hebrew) has the connotation of, “What horrible thing have you done?”

Does blood have a voice?  How are we to understand this phrase then?   Compare with God’s words to Noah in Genesis 9:5,6.   Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.

11 "So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 "When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."

The serpent and the earth have been cursed up to this time.  Mankind simply had to live under that curse.  But now, God has placed a curse on a person directly.  Is this, however, a curse of damnation?

Do you notice a parallel to Cain’s punishment and what we discussed concerning Adam and Eve’s punishment?  God’s response is proportionate.  What are the proportionate aspects of Cain’s punishment?  Where was the blood spilt?  How is this included in the curse?

How was Cain’s wanderings (life on the lamb) to be used by God as a symbol to others?

13 And Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear! 14 "Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me."

Cain recognizes the severity of this punishment, bu is Cain’s response to God’s punishment one of repentance? 

Cain did not have fear in killing Abel, but is now fearful of falling to the same fate.  But look again to the words of Genesis 9:5,6.

            Who does Cain fear?

15 And the LORD said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD (gave) a mark (to) Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

Anyone who would kill Cain would receive a punishment seven time more severe than that of Cain.  How severe would that be? 

            What was this mark placed upon Cain? 

Given Genesis 9:6, how is it that Cain was to be spared?

16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Cain in accordance with his penalty for murder left the presence of God and got to his wanderings.  The land of Nod has never been identified. 

17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son -- Enoch.18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech. 19 Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. 20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. 22 And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. 23 Then Lamech said to his wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me. 24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold."

Here Genesis brings about a division in the family tree of Adam and Eve.  There are those decedents who were righteous and unrighteous.  In the genealogy of Christ, after Adam, who is His next of kin?

How are we to view Cain’s attempt at building a city in light of his punishment?

Notice where bigamy originated – among those estranged from God.

What cultural and/or scientific advancements took place under these decedents of Cain?  Is it strange to you that they would “advance” faster than those who were close to God?

25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, "For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed."26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.

Verse 26 is seen as the beginning of public rather than strictly personal/individual worship of God.

Genesis Chapter 5 – Genealogy of Noah

            While not spending a great deal of time on a chapter dedicated to Noah’s family tree might make it seem unimportant, these are still the words of God and no less important.  The genealogy does help establish the amount of time that went by in the different parts of the Genesis account.  It also helps to establish the fact that the earth and mankind are not billions, millions, or even hundreds of thousands of years old.  Even the most liberal calculations based on the Scripture and science/archeology put the earth at less than 12,000 years old.  A more likely age is still in the six to eight thousand year range with closer to six thousand being the traditional and most likely age.

Genesis Chapter 6 –  Noah and the Flood

Introduction

In this section about Noah three elements are presented: (1) Noah’s piety, (2) Noah’s preservation, and (3) an account of God’s covenant and Noah as the father of a new people.  What does each element teach us about God and faith?

9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

Among all of his contemporaries Moses was seen as righteous.  Amid a world that encouraged him to relinquish his piety and faith in God, Noah stood firm.  Any parallels to today?

In what way did Noah remain in faith?  Why was he able to remain in faith?

10 And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

How old was Noah when these boys were born? 

            Could Noah have had other children?  If so why are these three mentioned and saved?

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

What a contrast to Noah.  Before God Noah was righteous.  Before God the world was wicked and corrupt.  What does this say about sin in the world?

“Filled with violence” has the connotation of “violating the rights of others.”  What does this say about our sinful nature?

13 And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

God has finally said, “That’s it!  I am wiping them out!”  Can you think of another Bible story when God also reached this point?

Notice God has declared the destruction of man and his habitation.  It is complete.

14 " Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15 "And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.

God has not yet made know the means of this coming destruction.  All Noah knows is that He is to make a BIG boat.  We are not completely positive what “gopher” wood is.

“Rooms” can be translated as “cells” or “nests.”

This vessel was not designed for sailing.  It was nothing more than a big box  made to float.  That’s all.  It was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall. 

16 "You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.”

This window was to be near the top and go all the way around the ark.  This took care of ventilation.  Three decks were made.

What does a project of this enormity say about the intelligence and abilities of man before the flood?

17 "And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.

It is only after the instructions that God tells Noah why he is given this task.

What creatures are to die?  All air breathing creatures.

18 "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark -- you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

Noah is assured that he and his family will live to see the making of this covenant.  How do we today have a similar promise?

19 "And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 "Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive.

Life would be preserved to start anew.  Does the command to take two of every kind conflict with the latter command to take seven of each clean beast?

21 "And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them."

Noah is given the task of keeping the animals alive and appropriately he is given the task of gathering the necessary food.

22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

Given his character, should we have expected anything less from Noah?

Genesis Chapter 7

1 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”

Noah is commanded by to board the ark.  Again God cites Noah’s righteousness (his faith) as the reason he and his household were spared the coming torrent. 

Noah and his sons are the last of Seth’s line.  All others in the world are destroyed for their wickedness.  There are truly only two kinds of people in this world.  Who are they or how are they described?

2 “You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth.”

God here gives Noah final instructions.  But what about the ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ animals? How did this distinction come about?  Why seven (an odd number) of the clean animals?

4 "For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made."

God is putting a time limit here.  Seven days was all Noah had to complete his task.  God is in complete control. 

God also spells out the extend of the ‘cleansing’ He is going to perform.  Is forty days a significant number Scripturally?  Where else do you find it?

5 And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him.

This verse reports the complete obedience to which Noah adhered to the Lord’s commands. Can we be like this when we know our time is short?

6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood waters were on the earth.7 So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.  8 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, 9 two by two they came into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.

Noah was 600 years old.  So since his 500^th birthday he had three sons, they grew up, got married, and they built an ark of tremendous proportions, stocked it with food and supplies.  thought your last hundred years were tough?!?!?!

The Bible haters sarcastic question, “How did Noah go throughout the world to gather all those animals?” is simply answered.  He did not.  God sent them to Noah.  “They came” into the ark as God directed them.  He is, after all, the Lord of all creation.

10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

God does what He says.  The seven days have passed and what He proclaimed comes to be.  Note also that the exact day is fixed for the flood.  It is an event fixed in history.  It is not a myth derived from other local flood legends and stories - like the Gilgamish epic from Babylon.

What do you remember from our discussion of where the waters came?   Remember the rain  (waters from the windows of heaven) would not have appeared too strange.  But the waters from the deep would have been frightening given their association with earthquakes and volcanoes. 

12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.

Again we have the forty days and nights.  Could anything survive this onslaught of water?

13 On the very same day Noah and Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark -- 14 they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.

Why the repetition of what we already know? 

17 Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.

The ark did as it was supposed to.  It floated (good for Noah and the animals) as the earth was covered in water (bad for everyone and everything else). 

18 The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.

Two things to notice: (1) The waters did their thing.  The large amounts of water and the great force by which they worked are easily responsible for the massive geological structures we see today. But (2) not even these mighty waters could overcome God’s protection of Noah and the inhabitants of the ark.

Everything was covered – even the highest mountains.  The destruction was complete.  How does this compare with God’s judgement at the end of time?

Mount Ararat, perhaps the tallest peak known to the ancients is 16,916 feet high.  This is a flood depth of about three miles based on today’s topography. 

21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. 23 So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.  24 And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.

Total destruction, total destruction, total destruction.  The waters did not begin to subside for 150 days.

Genesis Chapter 8

8:1 And God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. 2 Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky.  3a The water receded markedly from the earth.

“...God remembered Noah...”  Could God have forgotten Him?

What do these verses say about God’s concern for all His creatures?

How did the waters recede? By whose hand (natural or supernatural)?

3b At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, 4 and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.

Notice where the ark came to rest.  Was it on Mount Ararat itself?

5 The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible. 6 After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark

The repetition of the “waters receding” in meant to be in direct contrast to the repetition of the waters rising.  These expression are designed to help us grasp the rapidity of the decrease.

Why in the world did Noah wait forty days before he even opened the window?

7 and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth.8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. 9 But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. 10 He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. 11 When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. 12 He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.

What must have the suspense in the ark been like?  Do we ever grow weary waiting on God?

Noah understood the behavior of birds well.  If there is no place other than the ark to roost, they would return.  If they did not, the waters would have abated enough to all the other occupants to exit . . . soon!

Notice how the dove returned.  Compare that to the raven.

Why is the olive leaf significant to the level of recession?

13 By the first day of the first month of Noah's six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. 14 By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry.

The covering of the ark was its roof.

Noah and his family were confined to the ark one year and ten days. 

15 Then God said to Noah, 16 "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 17 Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you-- the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground-- so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it."

Notice Noah’s adherence to the will of God.  He entered the ark when tod to do so and he left the ark in the same manner.  They were also “to be fruitful and increase.”

It appears the animals were to be brought out of the ark in a certain order by Noah.  Why?

18 So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. 19 All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds-- everything that moves on the earth-- came out of the ark, one kind after another.

And so they came out.

20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.

What kind of offering is this?

21 The LORD smelled the soothing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.”

We have a God of promises.  When God makes His final judgement upon mankind, how will the earth be destroyed?

Is any human being, in his natural state innocent before God?

22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Along with the promise above is the promise that until the earth is destroyed by fire on the last day, order and normalcy will endure.

Genesis Chapter 9

Genesis 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.

We all like to know the rest of the story.  This chapter supplies the needed facts and some basic ordinances given by God.  The flood did alter the way of things.

When God blesses He not only wishes well, but imparts good.  “Multiplying” is both a gift and duty.

Where is man to go?

2 The fear and terror of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands.

Why would God do this?

This, according to the Hebrew does not include domesticated animals.

3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. 4 "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.

Did people eat meat before the Flood?

Notice there is no distinction between clean and unclean in this statement of permission.  But there is one prohibition given. - no blood.  Why?

5 As for your lifeblood, I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. 6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

God say here, “And while we are speaking of blood . . . .”

It is God who gives life and it is only God who can outline the requirement that a life be taken.  What does this verse say about capital punishment?

Luther also saw this verse as the establishment of government; man receives power over other men’s lives for the basic welfare of those under him.

7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."  8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you-- the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you-- every living creature on earth.11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

Pete and repeat.  Must be important.

12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

But now for something totally different God establishes how we are to know and remember His promise.

14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Who gives rain:  Some mumbo-jumbo rain dance to a false god or our God of all providence and mercy?

Genesis Chapter 10 – The Descendants of Noah

    Here we have listed the descendants of Noah.  This genealogy, like the first, helps to establish a rough time frame for the amount of time that has pasted between two parts of the Genesis account.  While the listing of these tribes means little to most of us today they would have been more readily known to the people to whom these accounts were first given.  Remember, simply because they may not seem important to us does not mean they were or are unimportant.

Genesis 11:1-9 – The Tower of Babel

            The person(s) telling these stories that we have studies up to this point has highlighted major events in human history: Creation, sin and its effects, and the flood.  In explaining the current state of the world with its many and diverse languages and dialects, the story of the tower at Babel becomes important.  It also explains the many tribes, nations, ethnicities and even races we see today.

Genesis 11:1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.  2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.

            This event occurs about 100-150 years after the flood.  A Lutheran theologian calculated that the population of the world may have been as high as 30,000 people.  Given the speed with which we can reproduce this is not unreasonable.  Part of the developing problem in these verses is that the people were commanded by God to fill the earth.  They refused to do this and instead settled in the land of Shinar.

Given the command that God had given to Noah and his decedents after they exited the ark, what problem do you see with the people settling the plain and setting up a city?

3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.”  They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar.  4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

What is at the center of their desire to make for themselves a city and “in particular” a tower?

5 But the LORD came down to see (interposed upon) the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.

            Uh-oh!!  Daddy’s coming!!!  The work had progressed to a point and God said, “Enough!”  Once again mankind had, in short time, become self-reliant and defiant to God. 

6 And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.   7 "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech."

Is what God proposes here to man’s detriment or benefit?  What has the language barrier caused in world history?  List some pros and cons of God’s plan and explain.

What does, “let us . . . .” mean?

As the world becomes more globalized, is language still a barrier?

Where in the New Testament do we see a temporary undoing of the Tower of Babel?

8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

What was the original language that Noah’s descendants spoke?