1. Origins of The People of God Genesis 12 – 50 By Chaplain Ron McCants

2. The Literary World: Promise and Journey in the Ancestor Legends

3. Promise Genesis 12:1 – 3 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.1 2 “I will make you into a great nation2 and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you,3 and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

4. Themes? Predominant overarching theme is the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-7; 15:1-21; 17:1-21; 18:17- 19; 22:15-18; 26:2-5, 23-25; 28:10-17; 25:9-12; 50:24). In ancient times people would often enter into what Scripture calls a covenant. A covenant (agreement, pact) is a legally binding obligation on the part of two or more parties (people, nations etc).

5. The Development of the Covenant The Need (Gen. 1:1-11:26) The Foundation (12:1-3) (Heb. 1:1-22) The Making (15:1-21) (cfv6 and Hab. 2:4; Rom 4; Gal 3:6-29) The Sign (17:1-14) The Purpose (18:17-19) The Blessing (22:15-18) The Reaffirmation (26:2-5, 23-25; 28:10-17; 35:9-12; 50:24)

6. Journey Abraham to Canaan Jacob to Paddan-aram and back Joseph (and the rest of his family) to Egypt Moses to Midian and back The Tribes of Israel out of Egypt Through the Wilderness to the border of Canaan Finally into the Promised Land (Canaan)

7. Abraham and Sarah How can the LORD make of Abram (father of many) a great nation when he is already seventy-five years old and his wife is unable to have children? Does Abraham trust the LORD to fulfill the promise? Does Sarah trust the LORD?

9. Jacob and Esau (Twins): Sons of Isaac and Rebeka

10. POLYGAMY

11. Joseph and his Brothers Genesis 37-50 The deity moves offstage with no indications of God’s direct role. Joseph is favored by father and despised by brothers. Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers or by God’s divine plan? Genesis 39:2 - 4 2 The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.234

12. The Historical World Exodus from Egypt - 13th Century B.C.E.

13. Ancestors Religion Monotheism (from Greek μόνος, monos, "single", and θεός, theos, "god") is the belief in the existence of one god or in the oneness of God.Greekμόνοςθεόςgod Monotheism is traditionally characteristic of Judaism, Christianity, Islam; while also being a recognizable component of numerous other religions. JudaismChristianityIslam

14. YHWH (Lord) and Elohim (God) El means “Father of the gods” God AlmightyEl Shaddai God Most HighEl Elyon God of SeeingEl Roi These are some examples of the characteristics of God.

15. CLASS ASSIGNMENT http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/vi deo/flv/generic.html?s=moyj06p7d8http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/vi deo/flv/generic.html?s=moyj06p7d8 (Bill Moyers interview with Karen Armstrong on Religion) Watch and listen to the video (27 minutes), then answer the questions on the handout. Turn in the handout to the teacher.