Genesis 22: God tested Abraham; Sacrifice of Isaac.

1. Gen 22:1-19

1-1> God tested Abraham

            God examined Abraham’s heart (Jam 1:2-4,12-18)

            Abraham passed this test: proved his faith in God.

                        No faith in Ur (Gen 12)

Up and down faith in Egypt/Negev (Gen 12, 20)

Great faith in Mt Moriah (Gen 22)

            This is great hope for us

                        Our faith is up and down; not steady, but will be great like Abraham’s.

1-2> Sacrifice your only son (Gen 22:2,12,16)

Abraham’s only son; Isaac is the type of Jesus

            God will sacrifice His one and only Son Jesus later.

1-3> Abraham’s Obedience and Faith

            He believed God would provide substitute for Isaac (Gen 22:8)

He believed God would raise Isaac from the dead.

            Resurrection faith (Heb 11:17-19)

2. Gen 22:13

2-1> Idea of Substitutionary atonement

Ram for Isaac

It was fulfilled in the death of Jesus (Isa 53:4-6; Jn 1:29; 2 Cor 5:21)

2-2> Every time Abraham made a sacrifice for God.

            God responded by giving Abraham more.

            1. Abraham left his homeland; God gave him a new one.

            2. Abraham left his extended family; God gave him a much larger family.

            3. Abraham offered the best of the land to Lot; God gave him more land.

            4. Abraham gave up the King of Sodom's reward; God gave Ab more wealth.

            5. Ab gave up Ishmael; God made him the father of a multitude of Ab's posterity.

            6. Abraham was willing to give up Isaac;

                        God allowed him to live and through him gave Abraham numerous seed.

3. Gen 22:14.

Jehovah-Jireh: the LORD will provide.

 A symbolical name for Mt. Moriah:

God is God of Provision for salvation specifically.

God is God of Provision for our necessity generally.

4. Gen 22:20-24

Nahor’s sons: this is written to introduce the wife of Isaac: Rebekah

Through Milcah (wife):

            Uz, Buz, Kemuel (the father of Aram), Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, Bethuel

            Bethuel: Rebekah and Laban.

Through Reumah (concubine):

Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maacah.

Gen 23:1-20

Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah in Hebron to bury Sarah

            Family burial: Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Leah (Gen 25:9; 49:31; 50:13)

                        Rachel was buried elsewhere (Gen 35:19)

Genesis 24: Finding the wife of Isaac: Rebekah

Gen 24:1-66

1> Abraham’s faith/concern

Abraham wanted Isaac not to marry with Canaanites.

He sent his servant to his relatives to find a wife for Isaac.

                        He believed God will send his angel before his servant. (24:7)

            He knew that it is so important to have right wife for the promise of God.  

2> Servant

Man of Prayer: (Man of Faith) It shows servant’s faith in God.

                        His observance after prayer (24:21)

His thanksgiving and worship at answered prayer (24:26)

                        His acknowledgment of divine guidance (24:27)

            Man of faithfulness to Mission (24:33, 54)

3> Characters of Rebekah/Bride of Isaac 

            Hardworking as shepherdess

            Serving others generously and kindly

            Pure as virgin

                        These characters of Rebekah can be applicable to characters of believers.

4> The Bride of Isaac: the Bride of Jesus

            Isaac was a type of Jesus

            Rebekah was a type of Jesus’ bride:

                        the church; the believers.

            Finding a wife for Isaac is like finding a believer for Jesus.

                        Servants can be match-makers like Apostle Paul.

Genesis 25: The Death of Abraham

1. Gen 25:1-11: Abraham’s Death

(1) Abraham died at the age of 175.

            When Sarah died, Abraham was 137yrs old.            

            He lived 38 years after the death of Sarah.

            He married Keturah and she more him six sons.

            One of them became the father of Midianites.

                        Later, Moses marry a Midianite woman (Exo 2:16-21)

(2) Abraham’s another wife (Keturah)

Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. 

            Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan;

            Dedan: Asshurites, Letushites, Leummites. 

            Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, Eldaah.

2. Gen 25:12-18: Ishmael’s Sons

(1) Ishmael (137): Abraham’s son by Hagar.

            They made Arabia their home, known as Arabians.

            Abraham is the father of the present Arab world.

            Rivalry between Isaac and Ishmael

(2) 12 tribal rulers of Ishmael

1. Nebaioth

2. Kedar

3. Adbeel

            4. Mibsam

5. Mishma

6. Dumah

7. Massa

8. Hadad

9. Tema

10. Jetur

11. Naphish

12. Kedemah

Genesis 18: Abraham’s intercessory prayer.

1. Gen 18:1-15

1-1> Abraham’s hospitality

He served three visitors;

            The LORD and two angels (Gen 18:1,13, 19:1: Heb 13:2)

1-2> Sarah’s Response           

            Initially, She was skeptical.

            Later, she overcame her skepticism and came to believe the promise (Heb 11:11)   

2. Gen 18:17-19

2-1> God’s Plan with Abraham (V18)

            Abraham will become a great nation

            All nations on earth will be blessed through him.

2-2> God’s election (V19)

God has chosen Abraham: (choose in love)

2-3> Purpose of God’s sovereign election (V18,19)

            He and his whole family are to keep the way of the LORD

            They are to do what is right and just.

                        His people might be holy and righteous in his sight (Eph 1:4)

                        The doctrine of election will be extremely important topic.

                        We should study about this topic after finishing the whole bible.

2-4> Abraham’s responsibility (V19)

Abraham will direct his whole family to keep the way of the LORD. (V19)

3. Gen 18:20-33

Abraham Pleads for Sodom

Intercessory prayers.

            50à 45à 40à 30à 20à 10

            Even if there is none, please forgive them.

Justice of God’s judgment

            God wanted to spare the sinful majority for the sake of 10 righteous.

            The Righteous were saved in the punishment of God. (Josh 6:25; Ezek14:14)

Genesis 19. The Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah

1> Lot: Righteous man (2 Pet 2:6,7)

        Hospitality to strangers (19:1,2)

        Fighting with wickedness of people. (19:7)

2> God saved Lot and his family

            Because of His mercy (V16)

            Because of God’s covenantal commitment to Abraham (V29)

3> Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed.

            God’s judgment; God is just. God is holy.

            In His holiness, he cannot accept the wickedness forever.

4> Lot’s wife looked back.

            She just did not simply look back, But desired the things of the world.  

5> Lot’s descendants.

            Older daughter-Moab (Moabites)

            Younger daughter-Ben-Ammi (Ammonites)

                        They mistreated Israel

Genesis 20. Abraham the prophet prayed for Abimelech.

1> Abraham’s weakness in his faith (V2)

He has fear of men. (V11)

He has fear of death. (V11)

2> God’s protection for Abraham (V3-7)

God’s intervention protected Sarah and Abraham once again.

3> Abraham the prophet. (V7)

            God called Abraham his prophet.

            The prophet: one who talk to someone on behalf of God.

            Priest; one who talk to God on behalf of someone else

                        One who guide the sacrifice for God on behalf of someone and their sins

He prayed for Abimelech on behalf of God. (V17,18)

Genesis 21: the Birth of Isaac.

1. Gen 21: 1-8

Birth of Isaac.

            God’s faithfulness

            God fulfilled His promise to Abraham (Gen 12:2, 15:4,5, 17:7)

2. Gen 21:8-21

Sarah demanded the expulsion of Hagar/Ishmael

            It was not legal socially.

Abraham was concerned about it emotionally.

But, he got divine approval

            In NT, Apostle Paul interpreted this incident figuratively (Gal 4:21-31)

            Hagar (Mt Sinai) /Ishmael; covenant from Mt Sinai (Old covenant)

            Sarah (Jerusalem)/Isaac: New covenant from Jerusalem

                        Conclusion: We must get rid of the old covenant

3. Gen 21:22-34

3-1> Abraham made a treaty with Abimelech at Beersheba. (21:32)

            It was obvious to Abimelech that God was with Abraham. (21:22)

3-2> Tamarisk Tree (Heb: êshel) in Beersheba (21:33)

            Grows in the desert and was used as shelter for travelers, strangers.

Provides shade and comfort in the desert.

Symbolizes the life and the comfort.

                        Due to a lot of dews in the leaves.

                        Naturally has a lot of salt in the leaves

                                     and absorbed the water and develop dews.

                        When it evaporate, it decreases the temperature,

                                    This makes this tree good place to stay in day.

3-3> Everlasting God (El Olam)

We can see the progress of Abraham’s faith: spiritual growth.

            Before, he was afraid of men and afraid of his death. (Gen 20)

After experiencing his repeating failure and God’s continuous protection,

Now, he believed in God who is everlasting. 

He believed in God who provides life and comfort to him.

Genesis 15: God’s Covenant with Abram.

1. Gen 15:1

God is comforting Abram through protection and reward.

                        God is our protection.

God is our highest treasure; highest reward

2. Gen 15:2,3

Abram’ complaint:

Abram was 85yrs old and after 10 years’ obedience, he still had no child.

                        Abram said, his servant would be his heir.

                        this was the custom at that time. 

3. Gen 15:4-6

1> God’s promise:

            A son coming from your own body will be your heir.

            Look up at the heavens and count the stars if indeed you can count them.

            So shall your offspring be.

2> Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

This is the origin of the doctrine of Justification by Faith

            He trusted in God and hoped in a God’s promise.

                        Trust in God results in justification

                        Content of faith seem different in the OT.

                        But the object of faith is always God.           

4. Gen 15:7-21

1> The Content of God’s covenant with Abram.

            Your descendants will be strangers in a country.

            They will be enslaved and mistreated 400 years.

            In 4^th generation, your descendants will come back here.

            For the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.      

2> Characters of God’s Covenant with Abraham

Unilateral; dependent only on God: Only God passed between the pieces (15:17)

Different from God’s covenant with Adam: both are responsible.

3> Abrahamic covenant (Gen 15:18)

            Covenant promised as passed to Isaac and again passed to Jacob (Gen 26,35)

            The continuance of this covenant with Ab is a major theme in OT.

            There is a debate about the fulfillment of the this covenant.

                        Because obtaining the Promised Land was not fulfilled.

Genesis 16: Hagar and Ishmael.

Sarai misunderstood what God promised Abram ‘from your own body’

            She thought it was from Abram’s body.

            She did not think her body and Abram’s body are one.

            She thought using her servant; she could get an Abram’s son. (16:2)

It was a custom at that time when you have no child.

Worldly custom could make us to ignore God’s promises and disobey him.

            Hagar bore Abram a son Ishmael. (16:15)

Abram was 86 years old when he had a son Ishmael. (16:16)

Genesis 17: the Covenant of Circumcision.

1. Gen 17:1-3

1> God did not show up to Abram for 13years. Now, Abram was 99years old.

2> God’s rebuke; I am God Almighty.

            El Shaddai: God who keeps His promises/words 100%.

            Abram did not believe that God could keep His promises.

            God is telling Him that He keeps promises 100%

                        In Ch. 15, Abram Believed God for His promises.

                        But for 13years, He did not believe what God promised him.

3> Walk before me and be blameless.

            If you believe what I told you, walk before me as you believe.

            Live before me showing your faith.

2. Gen 17:4-8;

As for Me; this is what I will do.

God’s Covenant with Abraham (Abrahamic covenant; Gen 17:7)

3. Gen 17:9-14:

As for you; this is what you should do.

            What Abraham and his descendants should do was a circumcision.

            Abraham obeyed God and showed his trust in Him. (Gen 17:23-27)

4. Gen 17:15-16.

As for her; this is what she should do.

            Her name will be Sarah.

            I will give you a son by her.

            She will be the mother of nations.

            Kings of people will come from her.

            This is God’s promise for Sarah and Sarah need to trust God and His promises.

Genesis 12: God’s calling for Abram

1. Gen 12:1-3. God’s commands and promises

1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

(1) Commands: (12:1)

Leave your country, your people, and your father’s household

Go to the land I will show you.

(2) Promises: (12:2,3): Three categories

            1> Personal promises: Great Name:

                        I will bless you; I will make your name great.

            2> National promises: Great Nation.

                        I will make you into a great nation.

            3> Universal promises: Great Blessing

                        All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'

2. Gen 12:7

(1) Seed: Abraham's "seed" refers not only to Isaac but also to Messiah (Gal. 3:16).

            1> Isaac and all physical descendants of Abraham including Isaac.

            2> believing physical descendants of Abraham (Rom 9:6, 8; Gal 6:16)

            3> believing non-physical descendants of Abraham (Gal 3:6-9,29)

            4> Jesus Christ (Gal 3:16)

(2) Land: I will give this land to your offspring (12:7)

The promise about the land becomes clearer later. (Gen 12:1,7, 15:18)

3. Gen 12:6,7,8

Abram built an alter in Shechem, Bethel, Hebron (13:3)

            He called on the name of the LORD. It shows His faith in God.

            Abram’s life is to build an alter to the LORD in the land of idol worship place.

4. Gen 12:10-20

(1) Famine and Egypt

            Famine caused Abram to move to Egypt.

            Abram’s fear of death caused him to lie about his wife.

                        He did not seek God’s will and help.

                        His behavior showed his lack of faith in God.

(2) Abram’s failure.

            But God blessed Abram (Gen 12:16) and protected him (12:20)

                        Because of His promises (12:1-3)

            It is recorded as a warning for the people of Israel.

            It is recorded as a warning for NT believers. (1 Cor 10:11)

Genesis 13: Abram and Lot separate.

1. Gen 13:8-13

Conflict and Separation

Due to conflict between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen.

Abram decided to separate with Lot.

Lot’s choice:  based on material blessing, not on God’s promise.

Abram’s choice and God’s promise:

Abram’s choice: based on God’s promise.  

God encouraged him once again.

I will give this land to you and your offspring. (Gen13:15)

            Abram built an altar to the LORD at Hebron.

Genesis 14: Abram Rescues Lot.

1. Gen 14:1-12: World war in Abram’s time

2. Gen 14:13-16

Abram’s rescue mission.

            Abram had 318 trained men born in Abram’s house.

Possibly, he had around 1000 slaves in his house.

He was extremely wealthy at that time.  

Melchizedek: (King of Righteousness)

He was a king and a priest: a type of Jesus who is our prophet, priest and king

King of Salem (ancient name for Jerusalem: Psa 76:2)

            Priest of God Most High. (El Elyon)

            He blessed Abram for his victory and brought all the glory to God.

            Abram tithed to Melchizedek.

            Jesus Priest followed the line of Melchizedek. (Heb 7:1-3, Psa 110:4)

God is the Creator (Gen 1:1)  

                God is the Creator of heaven and earth. (Gen 14:19,22)

                God is the Creator who made us. (Gen 1:27, Deut 32:6)

God is eternal (Gen 1:1)      

                God is self-existing and self-sufficient. 

God is God of Sovereignty. (Gen 1:1)

                God is sovereign over everything; Life, death, salvation, victory, even hardship.

God is God Almighty. (Gen 1:1)

His word is powerful and accomplish whatever God intends. (Gen 1:7,9,11,15,24,30)

God is God of Light. (Gen 1:3)

God is light. There is no darkness at all. (1 Jn 1:5)

God is God of Order. (Gen 1:4,6,9,14,29)

God put order in the formless, chaotic condition of our lives.

God put spiritual order; God first and man second and environment third.

God is God of Fullness. (Gen 1:11,14,15,20,24)

God filled the empty earth with the beautiful creatures.

God fills our empty hearts with every spiritual blessing. (Eph 1:3)  

God is God of Diversity. (God of Art) (Gen 1:11,21,24)

God made all different kinds of things accordingly.

God is not uniformly. God is delicate, sensitive and diverse.

God is God of Relationship, Fellowship.

                God wants relationship with us. (Gen 1:26)

                God had close relationship with Adam and Eve.

God is God of Blessing. (Gen 1:28)

                God blessed Adam and Eve. (Gen 1:28)

                God always wants to bless us and is ready to bless us abundantly.

God is God of Provision. (Gen 1:29,30)

                God provided everything Adam; place to live, mission, food, suitable helper.

                God provides everything we need so that we can live for His glory.

God is God of Goodness. (Gen 1:31) (V3,10,12,18,21,25,31)

                God is good. God does good things and makes good things.

                Everything God intends is good. (Gen 50:20)

God is God who seeks His glory. (Gen 1:31)

                God made everything for his own glory. We are created for his glory.

Genesis 2.

God is God of the Sabbath. (Gen 2:3)

                God is the Lord of the Sabbath.

God is God of life. (Gen 2:7)

                God gives life to Adam, Eve and all the creatures in the world. 

God is God of Commandment. (Gen 2:16)

                God commanded Adam to obey His command.  

God is God of Freedom. (Gen 2:16)

                God gives us the true freedom.

God is God of the Final Authority. (Gen 2:17)

                God is the final authority of good and evil. (Gen 2:17)

                God is the final authority of life and death.

God is God of Truth. (Gen 2:17)

                God speaks truth, truth only.

God is God of Protection. (Gen 2:17)

God protects us from the evil.

God is God of Care. (Gen 2:18)

                He cares for Adam to made Eve; the suitable helper.

                He is a caring God who seeks our best. (Gen 2:18)

Genesis 3.

God is God of Sovereignty. (Gen 3:1-7)

                God allowed Satan to tempt to Eve under his sovereignty.

                God allowed Adam and Eve to choose under his sovereignty.

God is God of Justice. (Gen 3:11-13)

                God’s judgment is just, fair.

God is God of Judgment. (Gen 3:14, 16, 17-19)

                God judged the serpent, Eve and Adam according to their sins.

God is God of Covenant. (Gen 3:15, 17:2)

                God made covenant to save us from our sins from the beginning.

God is God of Love. (Gen 3:9,21)

                God comes to us first. (Gen 3:9)

                God covers our shamefulness. (Gen 3:21)

Genesis 4.

God is God of Help. (Gen 4:1)

                God is the one who helps us. (Gen 4)

God is God of Commandment. (Gen 4:6,7)  

                God commanded Cain to do right and to master sin.  

God is God of Judgment. (Gen 4:10-12)

                God judged Cain.

God is God of Protection. (Gen 4:15)

                God protected Cain from the possible murder.

God is God of Remnant. (Gen 4:25,26)

                God preserved the descendant of the faith.

                Remnant: Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Nahor, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

Genesis 5.

God is God of Remnant. (Gen 5:25)

                God preserved the descendant of the faith.

                Remnant: Seth, Enoch, Noah.

God is God of Comfort. (Gen 5:29)

                God comforts us in the painful labor.

Genesis 6.

God is God of Justice. (Gen 6:3)

                God is angry with the wickedness.

God is God of Compassion. (Gen 6:6)

                God is grieved for our wickedness.

God is God of Judgment. (Gen 6:7,13)

                God cannot allow the wickedness in his presence.

God is God of Grace. (Gen 6:8)

                God showed his grace to Noah.

God is God of Covenant. (Gen 6:18)

                God made covenant with Noah.

                God made covenant to save us from our sins.

Genesis 7.

God is God of Judgment. (Gen 7:21-23)

                God completely judged the people in the time of Noah for their sins. (Gen 6-9)

                God’s judgment is serious, complete, and universal.

God is God of Salvation. (Gen 7:23)

                God saved Noah. 

Genesis 8.

God is God of Grace (Gen 8:1)

                God remembers Noah and all the animals in the ark

Genesis 9.

God is God of Blessing.

                God blessed Noah and his sons. (Gen 9:1)

God is God of Covenant. (Gen 9:9)

                God made a covenant with Noah.

God is God of Love. (Gen 3:9,21)

                God covered Noah’s shamefulness.

Genesis 10.

God is God of sovereignty. (Gen 10:32)

                God is sovereign over people, nations and places to live. (Acts 17:26) 

Genesis 11.

God is God of Judgment. (Gen 11:8,9)

                God judged the people who disobeyed Him and built the tower of Babel.

God is God of Remnant. (Gen 11:27-32)

                God preserved the descendant of the faith.

                Remnant: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

Summary of Genesis

Genesis 1-11 (Creation Era)

Gen 1-2: Creation

                In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth in order to display his glory.

                Adam and Eve the crown of his creation were made in the image of God.

                They were made to worship God and to enjoy loving fellowship with Him and each other.

                God gave them a special place to live in (Garden of Eden).

                He blessed them to be fruitful and increase in number and fill the entire world.

                He also gave them his command so that they can live joyfully with Him under His perfect rule.       

Gen 3-5: Fall

                However, they chose to set themselves up as equal with God by disobeying his commands.

God punished them accordingly, but he already showed his plan to save the sinners by the seed of woman.

As generations continue, the sin in the hearts of mankind goes from bad to worse.  

Gen 6-9: Flood

                Due to their wickedness, God had to judge the whole earth through the flood.

Gen 10-11: Tower of Babel

                But, the wickedness of men against God continued as it showed in the tower of Babel.

Genesis 12-50. (Patriarch Era)

God began to unfold his redemptive plan (Save the entire world through the seed of woman) through three generations; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

Gen 12-23: Abraham

God chose Abram and made a covenant with him in order to bless the entire world through his seed. God promised seed, blessing and land repeatedly.  

Gen 24-36: Isaac

God continuously made covenant with Isaac.

Gen 37-50: Jacob.

God also made covenant with Jacob. God sent Joseph into Egypt to save His people from the famine. And God finally made people of Israel through Jacob in the land of Egypt.   

Big picture in Pentateuch

God’s covenant with Abram consisted seed, blessing and land.

Genesis (12-50) focuses on the promise of seed.

Exodus and Leviticus focus more with the promise of blessing.

Numbers and Deuteronomy focus on the promise of land.

Genesis Ch. 10: Nations descended from Noah

1. Gen 10:1-32

The Account of Noah’s sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth: à Total 70 nations.

(1) Japheth: (Gen 10:2-5)

14 nations settled in Europe and in Asia Minor.

Gomer, Magog, Madai (Medes), Javan, Tubal, Meshech, Tiras

Gomer : Ashkenaz (Scythians), Riphath and Togarmah

                                Javan (the Greeks) : Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim (Cyprus) and the Rodanim.

(2) Ham: (Gen 10: 6-20)

30 nations settled in North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean coast, and Arabia.

Cush, Mizraim [Egypt], Put (Libya) and Canaan.

Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteca. (Nimrod?)

Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

Kingdom of Nimrod:

Babylon, Erech, Akkad and Calneh, in Shinar.

Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah and Resen,

Mizraim [Egypt]: Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, Pathrusites, Casluhites (Philistines)

Caphtorites.

Canaan: Sidon, the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites,

 Zemarites, Hamathites.

(3) Shem: (Gen 10: 21-31)

26 nations settled in Mesopotamia and Arabia.

Elam (Persia), Asshur (Assyria), Arphaxad, Lud, Aram.

Aram (Syria): Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshech.

Arphaxad: Shelah

Shelah: Eber.

Eber: Peleg, Joktan.

Joktan: Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal,

Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. 

2. Gen 10:25

Confusion of languages happened at the time of Peleg. (Gen 10:25)

                101 years after the flood

                326 years before the call of Abraham (Gen 11:26)

3. Gen 10:32.

                We can see that God is sovereign over people, nations and places to live (Acts 17:26)

Genesis Ch. 11: Tower of Babel.

1. Gen 11:1-4.

(1) Problems with people who made Tower of Babel.

                People decided to be against God. (V4)

                                1. Against God’s direction; (Rebellion)

Decided to stay one place ignoring God’s command: fill the earth (Gen 9:1)

                                2. They decided to be equal with God. (Pride) 

                                People built the tower of Babel to reach to the heaven.

                                                In order to be safe even if there is flood.

3. They decided to live for their own name (Self-glory) (V4)

                Although we are made to live for the glory of God.

(2) The meaning of ‘Babel’

                To Jews: Confused in Hebrew.

                To Babylonian: The Gate of God in Babylonian language.

2. Gen 11:10-32

The Descendants of Adam: Seth

3. Gen 11:27-32

(1) Terah:

Had 3 sons; Abram, Nahor and Haran.

                Business man; selling idols in Ur.

Most likely idol worshiper: Moon gods (Nanna and Sin) (Josh. 24:2).

                Left Ur in order to go to the land of Canaan (V 31)

But stayed in Haran and died there. (V31,32)

(2) Haran:

Had three children: Lot, Milcah, and Iscah.

Died early in Ur. (V28)

(3) Nahor: His wife is Milcah who is Haran’s daughter.

Decided to stay in Haran.

(4) Abram: (Sarai) 75yr;

1. When he was 75yrs old, he set out from Haran to Canaan.

                At that time,

1. Terah was dead at the age of 205. (Act 7:4)

If Abraham was born when Terah was 130 yrs old.

                                                But this contradicts to what Abraham said. (Gen 17:17)

2. Terah was not dead (145 yrs).     

                If Abraham was born when Terah was 70yrs old. (Gen 11:26)

2. When he left from Haran, he knew where to go; Canaan.

But he did not know where God will give him as his inheritance. (Heb 11:8)

Genesis Ch 7-9. Noah and the Flood.

1. Gen 7:11,12

The source of water in flood

                1> All the springs of the great deep burst forth

                2> The floodgates of the heavens were opened.

                3> Rain fell the earth forty days and forty nights.

2. Gen 7:17-24

God’s judgment on the world.

(1) His judgment is complete. (Gen 7:21-23)

Triple emphasis of complete judgment of God

(2) His judgment is universal. (Gen 7:19)

There are four God’s universal judgment in the Bible.

1> God’s judgment On Adam.

2> God’s judgment On flood.

3> God’s judgment On the Cross

4> God’s judgment On the Final judgment.

                Will be like the judgment on Flood. (Mat 24:37-39)

(3) There is God’s Grace/Salvation in His judgment. (Gen 7:23)

                                Seed of Woman

                                Noah’s family

                                Believers (Remnant)

3. Gen 8:20

Noah built an altar to the LORD.

            First thing Noah did after the flood.

Whatever we do, we worship God from beginning to the end.

4. Gen 9:9-17

(1) Covenant God made with Noah

Sign of the covenant; rainbow

(2) There are six covenants in the Bible.

1> Covenant with Noah (Noahic Covenant: Gen 9:9-17)

2> Covenant with Abraham (Abrahamic covenant; Gen 17:7)

3> Covenant with Israel (Mosaic covenant: Exo 19)

4> Covenant with Priest (priestly covenant: num 25:10-13)

5> Covenant with David (2 Sam 23:5)

            6> New Covenant (Jer 32:40)

(3) In the perspective of covenant

                We can see the first commandment as covenant of God with Adam. (Gen 2:26,27)

5. Gen 9:20

20. Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.

It could simply mean he became a farmer.

But based on following event, Noah who was once a spiritual man became a man of the soil.

6. Gen 9:22-27

            Since God blessed Noah’s sons (Gen 9:1),

Ham’s son, Canaan was cursed by Noah. (Gen 9:25)

Genesis Ch. 6. Noah and the Flood

1. Gen 6:1-2

1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.

1-1> Who are the sons of God?

            a. Descendants of Seth; (traditionally Christian interpretation)

b. Angels (Job 1:6; Early Jewish interpretation)

c. Kings at that time. (AD 2 century by Rabbis)

d. b+c

1-2>  Who are the daughters of men?

           Could be Descendants of Cain or just daughters of men in general.

2. Nephilim (Gen 6:4)

Giant like mighty men

They were born through the sons of God and daughters of men

            Destroyed by the flood but later showed in Canaan: the descendants of Anak (Num 13:33)

3. Gen 6:5,11,12

5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.

3-1> We can see that the wickedness of men grow more and more after Adam’s fall.

The world was filled with sin.

            In Ch 4, Cain killed his brother.

In Ch 4, Lamech killed multiple people without feeling guilty rather he was full of pride.

            In Ch 6. People were violent and their thoughts are evil all the time even from childhood (8:21)

3-2> The wickedness of men is still progressing.

                It will get worse and worse.

4. Gen 6:8,9

4-1> Grace/Favor

Noah found the favor in the eyes of God.

            Noah found the grace of God.

                     Noah did not earn God’s grace by his work.

                     God’s grace is unmerited.

                     God saved Noah and his family by His grace

4-2> Righteous/blameless among the people of his time

Noah was not sinless but a sinner before God. (Gen 9:20-23)

            Noah became righteous by faith (Heb 11:7)

                      Noah was relatively/morally righteous and blameless in his generation.

4-3> Walked with God

Signifies the intimate relationship with God.

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. (6:22, 7:5)

5. Gen 6:11-22.

(1) Noah built the ark.

Noah built the ark by faith in holy fear. (Heb 11:7)

Noah was a preacher of righteousness. (2 Pet 2:5)

            He preached the message of judgment of God, but nobody listened.

Obviously, he must had been ridiculed by people

(2) In NT perspective.

The ark is also a symbol of our salvation in Jesus.

The door is a symbol of Jesus. (Mat 7:7, Jn 10:7)

Noah’s family, and the animals all passed through the door of the ark (Gen 7:13 ).

For salvation, like Noah, we must pass through the door,  which symbolize Jesus.

6. Time line of Noah (modified from 1997 Thomas Nelson)

500 year; Noah had three sons; Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Gen 6:10,14)

                 God commanded him to make an ark. (Gen 6:14)

600 year, 2^nd month, 10^th day: Noah entered the ark. (Gen 7:4,7,10)

600 year, 2^nd month, 17^th day: flood started (Gen 7:11)

*For 150days including 40days of rain; the water flooded the earth. (Gen 7:24)

600 year, 7^th month, 17^th day: the ark rested on Ararat. (Gen 8:3,4)

600 year, 10^th month, 1^st day: the water receded and the top of the mountains became visible. (Gen 8:5)

600 year, 11^th month 10^th day; Noah sent out a raven. (Gen 8:6)

601 year, 1^st month, 1^st day; the water had dried up. (Gen 8:13)

601 year, 2^nd month, 27^th day; Noah came out of the ark (Gen 8:14,18)

                * Calendar system of Moses: unknown; but it appears that one month equal 30days.