The Old Testament Categories: The Pentateuch, Law (5 books of Mosses); Declared the need for a Saviour for liberation from bondage · The story of human; the fall of man and the divine promise of Salvation. The Historical Books; the history of God's work with His people in the new land: (a) The period prior to kings (b) Era of judges (c) Era of the kings (d) Division and captivity The Books of Wisdom: Provide us practical understanding of faith and how to live with God. The Books of Prophecy: Appearance of prophets in a spiritually dark period, urging people to repent and ascertaining the need for the coming of Christ

Old Testament Time-line Adam & Creation: 4000 BC Noah & Flood: 2500 BC Abraham: 2000 BC Moses: 1850 BC King David: 1000 BC Division, Captivities, Prophets , Return & Ending with St John the Baptist . 0 BC

The Holy Book of Genesis The Outline of the Book of Genesis The first division, chapters 1-11 The creation (chapters 1-2): The Man Fall (chapters 3-5): done last week The flood (chapters 6-9) Today’s The confusion of languages of the tower of Babel The last division, chapters 12-50 Can be remembered by its four main characters Abraham (12:1-25:18) Isaac (25:19-26:35) Jacob (27-36) Joseph (37-50).

A Severe Mercy (3:22-24) If Adam and Eve had eaten of the tree of life they would have lived forever in sin (Verse 22). This is why, God sent them out of the garden & guarded the tree of life (Verse 23). God was merciful and gracious in putting Adam and Eve out of the garden. He kept them from eternal punishment (death). Faith/Hope: Promise of Salvation: We got to trust that God will redeem us in the fullness of time.

The Fruit of the Fall (Genesis 4:1 -26) Adam and Eve bore two children Cain and Abel. Cain was a tiller of the soil. Abel was a keeper of flocks. They both offered to God from their labour's: Cain offered from the fruit of the ground (men’s way). Abel offered from his flock and of their fat portions (Shedding of blood: God’s way). Therefore, God had a regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. (Genesis 4:3-5). Cain got jealous and killed his brother: God asked Cain, ‘Where is your brother?’………………. ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ (Genesis 4:9). God cursed Cain!

The Fruit of the Fall (Genesis 4:1 -26) Adam and Eve bore two children Cain and Abel. Cain was a tiller of the soil. Abel was a keeper of flocks. They both offered to God from their labour's: Cain offered from the fruit of the ground (his way). Abel offered from his flock and of their fat portions (Shedding of blood: God’s way) Therefore, God had a regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. (Genesis 4:3-5). Cain got jealous and killed his brother: God asked Cain, ‘Where is your brother?’………………. ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ (Genesis 4:9). God cursed Cain Eve gave birth to Seth, and Seth had a son called Enosh.

The Fruit of the Fall (Genesis 5) Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord (4:25-26). Seth, means “appointed.” he was the seed through whom the Saviour would be born. In the midst of a perverse and evil generation there was a believing remnant that trusted in God and hoped for His salvation. The Men of chapter 5. Men of faith (Enosh, 5:18, 21-24; Lamech (Noah’s father), 5:28-31). They knew that sin was the root of their troubles and struggle. They looked forward for God’s Redemption that God will provide through their offspring of this Godly seed.

God’s Children and Men’s Daughters (Ch.: 6) The ‘sons of God’ of the Seth line. The ‘daughters of men’ are the daughters of the ungodly Cain. The unholy union (God’s men + Men’s daughters) will produce ungodly and violent men. The separation between the godly and ungodly was a must as it threatened the godly seed through whom the Messiah will come. Read Ch. 6:5-8 ……every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart……….. This breakdown was the cause of the flood which destroyed the ungodly world and preserved righteous Noah and his family, through whom the promise of Genesis 3:15 would be fulfilled. Nowadays, the battle between God’s sons & Satan followers.

The Flood (Genesis 6:9 -8:22) Preparation, reasons for the flood. The order to enter the ark. The obedience of Noah to the divine instructions. Flood – Destruction of Mankind Ark – Saving Noah’s family Fulfilment of divine purpose for Creation and promise of Salvation in Genesis 3:15

The Flood “Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:11,12). The Preservation of Man and Animals (7:6-8:19). The ark rested on the mountain of Ararat. Noah’s sacrificial offering renews God’s ultimate and final Salvation

The Flood “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37-39 The above is only wrong if done without God, thinking we can sin as we please The age of Grace will end, so let us respond rightly to God’s grace

The Flood The Wrath of God: The Salvation of God is restrictive: While God’s wrath is slow, it is certain God doesn’t delight in judgement and doesn’t dwell upon it The offer of Salvation will at some point be withdrawn The Salvation of God is restrictive: God provided only one way for Noah – the Ark with one door Likewise is our salvation: “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” John 14:6

The Noahic Covenant ­ (Genesis 8:20­-9:17) “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living things as I have done” (Genesis 8:21) God had planned to save men long before Noah’s days – Refer to Ephesians 1:4; 3:11; II Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 1:9) Not a full restoration: Righteous Noah (6:9) will soon be found naked and drunk (9:21) – man’s nature is sinful A full restoration would need a new man

The Noahic Covenant ­ Differences with the new beginning: God called original creation “good” unlike with Noah Adam was given power over the Earth unlike with Noah Humans were vegetarian before Noah, now could eat flesh Still cannot eat animal’s blood (it’s life) – God owns it Life belongs to God – not only animals’ lives and others, but our own Suicide is taking our life into our own hands when it belongs to God Similarly for Abortion

Characteristics of the Noahic Covenant ­ The Noahic Covenant was initiated and dictated by God The Noahic Covenant was made with Noah and all successive generations It is a Universal Covenant – Including “all flesh”, man and animals (Genesis 9:9,10) It is an unconditional covenant: Unlike the Mosaic Covenant – God’s prosperity and blessing for Israel only if they kept the law, otherwise would be expelled God gave regularity of seasons and wouldn’t destroy the Earth by flood again no matter what

Characteristics of the Noahic Covenant ­ It was God’s promise to never again destroy the earth by flood It’s sign is the rainbow: “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud;15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” Genesis 9:13-15

Nakedness of Noah and Cursing of Canaan ­ Noah planted a vineyard after the flood, producing wine Although he was said to be a “righteous man, blameless in his time” (6:9), he became drunk Moses emphasised Ham’s sin, not Noah’s drunkenness “And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.” Shem and Japheth went in to cover Noah without looking, while Ham didn’t care, only judging his father’s sin Ham’s youngest son Canaan was cursed because of this, and Shem’s God is blessed for it

Nakedness of Noah and Cursing of Canaan ­ “May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant.” Genesis 9:27 Why did God curse Canaan instead of Ham? Noah’s words were not only a blessing and a curse, but a prophecy Noah foresaw that Ham’s moral flows would show in Canaan and his offspring The Canaanites are therefore cursed because of their own sin, not Ham’s sin.