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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Genesis – The Outline II. The Stories of the Patriarchs (11:27-50:26) A. What became of Terah 1. The making of the covenant with Abram (11:27-15:21)

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 13 Both Abram and Lot were very wealthy so the land could not sustain them both.

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 13 Abram graciously allows Lot to choose his portion and Lot chose what looked to be the best.

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 13 But, Abram is assured that the land will be given to him and to his descendants. (13:14-18)

Greater than Abraham? – Gen And, Lot chose a bad neighborhood! (14:1-12)

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:13-16 They picked on the wrong family, as they hoped in Yahweh! (“Terebinth tree” 12:6; 13:18; 14:13)!

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:17-24 Two very different kings; Two very different responses.

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:17-24 Abram’s response to Melchizedek is stunning and significant.

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:17-24 Genesis builds to one man; Abraham.

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:17-24 Abraham acknowledges that Melchizedek is greater than he is!

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:17-24 Yet, in a book that tells us “What became of…” each significant personage, Melchizedek vanishes.

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:17-24 Did we miss something?

Greater than Abraham? – Gen. 14:17-24 Nope! Psalm 110

Greater than Abraham? – Psalm 110:4 Greater than Aaron and Levi!

Greater than Abraham? – Psalm 110:4 The Priesthood of the Son of David, the Messiah, the King! Zech. 6:12-13

Greater than Abraham? – Psalm 110:4 The Priesthood of the Son of David, the Messiah, the King!

OT High Priest from Aaron/Levi – Heb. 5 A mediator between man and God Taken from among men (flawed) One who deals with our sins before God A person of compassion, one who can help One called by God

Melchizedek – Heb. 7 A real historical figure (Gen. 14:18-20) Met Abraham and blessed him after he delivered his nephew, Lot Someone to whom Abraham gave a 10th of his spoil (honored by Abraham!)

Melchizedek – Heb. 7 Both a King and a Priest “King of righteousness"/ “King of peace" (name) A type of Christ

Melchizedek – Heb. 7 Presented as: No parents v. 3 No birth or death (no record?) v. 3 One "made like the Son of God" (type of Christ) v. 3 One who remains a priest forever v. 3

Melchizedek – Heb. 7 So… Is this just how he is presented to us? Is he an actual historical figure (simply a man), (but how does he "remain a priest forever"?) Is this a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus? (but, v. 3 says he is "like the Son of God“)

Melchizedek – Heb. 7 And… Why do we care?

Melchizedek – Heb. 7 The key is that the priests of this order continue forever, without interruption! So…

Melchizedek – Heb. 7:25 Since Jesus is in that priesthood, He is always alive, always available, always able to completely deliver us at any time from any difficulty! Heb. 4:14-16

Melchizedek – Heb. 7:25 He knows how to successfully get us through life victorious to join Him in His eternal rule!

Melchizedek – Heb. 7:25 The key is not how bad you are but how capable He is!

Melchizedek – Heb. 7:25 And, one of the proofs is this seemingly goofy study!

What a Book! Abraham probably lived about 2,000 years B.C., David about 1,000 later.

What a Book! Genesis tells us about a man greater than Abraham and deliberately leaves us “hanging”.

What a Book! A thousand years later, David tells us his coming Son will be part of Melchizedek’s priesthood. WHAT???

What a Book! A thousand years later, the writer of Hebrews carefully explains what Genesis was all about (in great detail!) and what Psalms meant, pulling together events 2,000 apart without collaboration!

What a Book! PRAISE CHANCE!

What a Book! Two thousand years ago, someone who was a king and a priest, greater than Abraham, went out to meet him. And, we’re told about it.

What a Book! Three references, separated by 20 centuries, carefully planned, and all for one overriding purpose…

What a Book! So that you might know with certainty that Jesus can and will give you what you need to successfully navigate anything you face.

What a Book! He invites you to live faithfully to enjoy a greater eternity.

What a Book! And, He lives every day, every night, to stand ready to give you the grace to make it successfully.