The Old Testament: Genesis

1. The Old Testament:Genesis

2. Genesis: Creation • Light • Firmament • Earth • Day & Night—time periods; • Living creatures • Man • Sabbath

3. Genesis: Eden • Geography: the Fertile Crescent • God’s rule on the two trees: --knowledge & life • Man’s taxonomy of creatures • God’s creation of Eve

4. Genesis 3: the Serpent • The serpent’s temptation • Eve and Adam’s fall • Man’s knowledge of being nakedness • Adam’s answer to God • God’s punishment on man and the serpent

5. Genesis 4: the first murder • Cain and Abel • Cain as tiller of the ground • Abel as a keeper of sheep • God in favor of Abel • Cain’s murder of Abel and his subsequent exile

6. Genesis 6-9: The Flood • Man’s wickedness • God’s punishment: the destruction of world • God’s graces for Noah: the ark • the covenant: the bow • multiplication of man again

7. Genesis: The Origin of Languages • One unified language • Man’s power desire • Babel tower: (babble) • Language diversities --(communication barrier)

8. Genesis: Abraham & Sarah • Originally named Abram & Sarai • Origin in Mesopotamia • Father relocated at Haran though bound for Canaan at first. • God appeared to Abram and promised him the land of Canaan. • Abram moved to Canaan with Lot.

9. Genesis: Abraham & Sarah • Abram built an alter to worship God. • Abram moved to Egypt due to famine. • Abram’s trick for security • Pharaoh’s punishment by God • Abram went back to Canaan with wealth • Abram separated with Lot. • Abram rescued Lot.

10. Genesis: Abraham & Sarah • The king of Sodom’s offer & Abram’s rejection • God’s appeared to Abram & Abram’s request: the covenant • Hagar & Ishmael • God’s covenant of circumcision: renamed Abraham & Sarah • Abraham & Sarah’s disbelief in God’s power

11. Genesis: Abraham & Sarah • The three visitors to Abraham in the Terebinths of Mamre • Abraham’s hospitality & piety • God’s promise again and His interrogation of Sarah • God told Abraham His plan for Sodom & Gomorrah

12. Genesis: Abraham & Sarah • Abraham’s pleads with God: 504540302010 • Lot’s hospitality & piety • Sodom people’s viciousness • Lot’s willingness of self-sacrifice for the visitors’ sake • God’s attempt to save Lot & his family • The disbelief of Lot’s sons-in-law

13. Genesis: Abraham & Sarah • The disbelief of Lot’s sons-in-laws • The flee of Lot and his wife and two daughters • The fragility of faith in Lot’s wife

14. Genesis: Abraham & Isaac • God’s test of Abraham • Abraham’s total obedience & faith • Isaac’s question & Abraham’s reply • The angel appeared to Abraham. • The replacement of ram as sacrifice • God’s confirmation of his covenant again

15. Jacob & Esau • Rebekah’s barrenness & Isaac’s request of God • the twin brothers’ distinction in both appearance & vocation • A hunter vs. a tent dweller • Jacob’s slyness & Esau’s weak will • Isaac’s final request & Rebekah’s partiality • Isaac’s doubt of Jacob

16. Jacob & Esau • Jacob’s stealth of Esau’s birth right

17. Jacob & Esau • Question: Can you see any reason of the parent’s respective partiality? • Question: Do you think Jacob was an admirable person? • Question: Why God chose Jacob as the one to pass down God’s blessings for the Israelites?

18. The Story of Jacob • Rebekah’s excuse & Jacob’s flee to Laban • Issac’s restraint and Esau’s rebellion • Jacob met Rachel. • Rachel’s father’s trick • Leah’s pregnancy vs. Rachel’s barrenness • The two sisters’ competition in acquiring the husband’s favor—the two maidservants and the mandrake plants

19. The Story of Joseph • Joseph as his father’s favorite son • Joseph’s dream of binding sheaves • Joseph’s dream of sun, moon and stars bowing to him • His brothers’ plot against him: Reuben’s mercy at the last minute, “Shed no blood.” • Joseph sold to the caravan bound for Egypt

20. The Story of Joseph • Joseph brought down to Potiphar, courtier of Pharaoh • his prosperity thereon • the courtier’s wife’s desire for Joseph and the latter’s rejection of the temptation • Joseph put into jail • Joseph’s popularity in the jail

21. The Story of Joseph • A Question: why God did not rid Joseph of these troubles?

22. The Story of Joseph • The cupbearer’s and the baker’s dream • Joseph’s interpretations of them • The cupbearer’s oblivion of Joseph • The pharaoh’s dreams two years later • The cupbearer’s belated recollection of Joseph

23. The Story of Joseph • Joseph’s interpretation of the Pharaoh’s dream • Joseph was assigned the highest official in Pharaoh’s court at age 30. • Joseph’s brothers’ arrival at Egypt in quest for food due to famine • Joseph’s feigned ignorance and his request of meeting Benjamin

24. The Story of Joseph • Joseph put back his brothers’ silver into their sacks. • The brothers’ report of Joseph’s demand • Jacob’s refusal of sending Benjamin off • Jacob’s change of mind due to shortage of food • Joseph’s trick on his brothers • The family recognition

25. The Story of Joseph • Joseph’s interpretation of his encounters

26. Job • Job--Innocent, upright, God-fearing with tremendous wealth • The Accuser’s bet with God • The disasters befallen on Job • Job’s persistence in piety • The second deal between the Accuser and God • Job’s wife’s curse

27. Job • The three friends’ visit • Job’s regret of his birth • The friends’ distrust of Job & Job’s answer • Job’s challenge of God • God’s answer

28. Job • Question: How does the story of Job differ from that of Joseph in the idea of God’s relation to man?