Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy)
Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all worldly desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, both thinking and doing all things pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the Light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give the glory, together with Your Father, without beginning, and Your All Holy, Good, and Life- Creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. (2 Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 1:18; 2 Peter 2:11)
Review.
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Our worldview (our language, symbols, and stories) is very different from those of the prophets, scribes, and their immediate audience; mirror-imaging can lead to incorrect understandings of the Bible, God, and His plan for us.
Read the rest of Genesis, Chapters Five – Nine. (selective, pausing for questions and comments)
Major points:
- Genesis 4:1-15. Cain and Able.
- Why the impulse to sacrifice?
- Why did God reject Cain’s sacrifice (textual; theological; moral). (See Hebrews 11:4)
- Note that God often choses younger sons over elder ones (Isaac & Ishmael; Jacob & Esau; Joseph, David & their older brothers).
- Genesis 4:16-24. Cain’s exile.
- Where did all these people come from?
- Genesis 5:1-5. Descendants of Adam and Eve.
- Note the bookend on Genesis One.
- What is up with all the really long lives?
- Genesis 5:24. Enoch.
- Enoch. The man, the myth, the legend (see Hebrews 11:5).
- Genesis 6. The consequence of the fall(s)
- Nephilim? Sons of God? Daughters of Men? (See Numbers 13:30-33)
- Why is God doing this? Why does He use water?
- Why were Noah et al spared? (See Hebrews 11:7)
- Genesis 8:22-9:12. The new covenant.
- Why does Noah offer a sacrifice? What does God say about man’s “imagination”
- The new covenant. How is it different from the old?
- Genesis 9:18-28. Drunk and dishonored.
- What happens to Noah? What is “his nakedness”? (See Leviticus 18:7-8)
- Why does Noah curse Canaan (vs. Ham)
- Genesis 11:1-9. The Tower of Babel.
- What was the sin?
- What was the punishment?
- The plan of redemption? (See Deuteronomy 32:7-9; Galatians 3:19-26)
Questions?
Next Week: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
