The Drama of Scripture Scriptural Drama an overview

The Drama of Scripture

Scriptural Drama – an overview Act One: Establishes His Kingdom: Creation Act Two: Rebellion in the Kingdom: Fall Act Three: The King chooses Israel: Redemption Initiated Scene 1: A People for the King Scene 2: A Land for His People Act Four: The Coming of the King: Redemption Accomplished Act Five: Spreading the News of the King: The Church’s Mission Scene 1: The Church Begins Its Mission to the Nations Scene 2: Our Place in the Story: The Church Continues Its Mission to the Nations Act Six: The Return of the King: Redemption Completed

ACT ONE: GOD ESTABLISHES HIS KINGDOM – CREATION

Introductory Remarks… Genesis 1 -2 introduces us to foundational elements of the biblical story Genesis 1 -2 is about: (1) God; (2) Humanity; (3) Creation A straightforward reading of Genesis 1 -2 presents creation in six 24 hour days

A straightforward reading of Genesis 1 -2 presents creation in six 24 hour days Not every seriously dedicated Christian agrees with that… But, I venture to say that all who believe in the Bible as truth would agree with “intelligent design” Still, it’s the most uncomplicated way to understand the repeated “evening and morning” theme It’s also the most straightforward way to explain Exodus 20: 8 -11 and Romans 5: 12

Scene 1: God Creates an Ordered World Creation Ex Nihilo Creation Pattern A. B. 1. 2. 3. God Speaks It happens God pronounces it good

Scene 1: God Creates an Ordered World Forming Commands # Day Creation 1 (v 3) 1 Light 2 (v 6) 2 Sky 3 (v 9) 3 Land & seas Filling Commands # Day Creation 4 (v 11) 3 Vegetation 5 (v 14) 4 Sun, moon, stars 6 (v 20) 5 Birds, fish 7 (v 24) 6 Animals 8 (v 26) Humankind 7 God’s rest

Scene 1: God Creates an Ordered World “This is truly one of the points through which logic can barely wade, whereas faith can swim. ”

Scene 1: God Creates an Ordered World Creation Mandate (Gen 1: 26 -31) What does it mean created in God’s image? Reflect -- emphasizes that our nature `is to mirror that of God Represent -- emphasizes our task to represent Him and His truth Rule -- emphasizes stewardship and authority

What do you know about the common beliefs in the ancient world about origins? The most complete Mesopotamian account of creation was known as the Enuma Elish

Enuma Elish

Enuma Elish Describes a cosmic conflict between the leading deities of that region… The young and daring Marduk kills the monstrous Tiamat, mother goddess personifying the primeval ocean.

Tiamat Marduk

Enuma Elish The young and daring Marduk kills the monstrous Tiamat, mother goddess personifying the primeval ocean. Using Tiamat’s divided carcass, Marduk creates heaven and earth. From the blood of her co-conspirator, Marduk and his father create humankind to do the hard labor of the universe.

How does the account of the Enuma Elish compare to the Genesis account for beauty and grandeur?

Moses’ concerns were exclusively religious. His intent was to proclaim knowledge of the true God as he manifested himself in his creative works, to proclaim a right understanding of humankind, the world, and history that knowledge of the true God entails—and to proclaim the truth concerning these matters in the face of the false religious notions dominant throughout the world of his day. -John Stek

In the beginning God… Who is this God? In the Beginning by David Goodrich

Yahweh Elohim (Gen. 2: 4) Significance of names Yahweh: Israel’s Redeemer Elohim: World’s Creator

Genesis 1’s Teaching About… God Humankind World

Genesis One’s Teaching: God Eternal Distinct from creation Sovereign King over creation Powerful Personal

Genesis One’s Teaching: Humankind Creature Relationship with God Image Similar to God Different from God Male and female Rule over creation Reproduce and fill the earth

Genesis One’s Teaching: Humankind Male and Female – 2: 15 -23 Adam created from dust of the ground God breathed into him the breathe of life Eve – made from one of Adam’s ribs Why did God create her? Not good for man to be alone No suitable helper among the animals God’s established process for reproduction

Just as powerful earthly kings, to indicate their claim to dominion, erect an image of themselves in the provinces of their empire where they do not personally appear, so man is placed upon earth in God's image as God's sovereign emblem. He is really only God's representative, summoned to maintain and enforce God's claim to dominion over the earth. -G. Von Rad

A Biblical Understanding of Humanity The Lord God Fellow humans Self The World - work - politics - care of the environment, and so on

ACT TWO: REBELLION IN THE KINGDOM: FALL

A catastrophe has occurred. We are no longer in continuity with our good beginning. We have been separated from it by a disaster. We are also, of course, separated from our good end. We are, in other words, in the middle of a mess. -Eugene Peterson

Introductory Remarks Why is the world so messed up? • Our environment. . . • Our values and morality. . . Why am I so messed up? • My health problems. . . • My relational problems. . . • My continuing depravity. . . attitudes, thoughts, words, actions, etc.

Scene 1: Encounter with the Enemy -- (Gen. 3: 1 -7) The Serpent = ? “the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (Rev 12: 9; cf. 20: 2)

Scene 2: Consequences of the Rebellion Their eyes were opened They realized they were naked They made coverings for themselves They hid from the Lord in the trees They felt the need to blame shift

Descriptions of Sin Idolatry: placing anyone/anything before God Autonomy: making oneself source of right/wrong, good/bad, true/false Covenant rebellion: refusing allegiance to rightful King Relational selfishness: making yourself more important than others

Scene 2: Consequences of the Rebellion Judgment: Serpent Curses him to crawl along the ground Declares hostility between serpent & woman

Scene 2: Consequences of the Rebellion Judgment: Eve Childbirth pain way up Desire to usurp Adam Subject to domineering, sinful leadership of the husband

Scene 2: Consequences of the Rebellion Judgment: Adam Ground is cursed Work becomes difficult Subject to challenges to his leadership in the marriage

Scene 3: Eviction of the Rebels Judgment: Adam & Eve Expelled from garden Separation from God Loss of innocence Death

Scene 3: Eviction of the Rebels Promise The Serpent Crusher Genesis 3: 15 “protoevangelium” Central conflict Foreshadows the solution to the central problem in the Bible Rom 16: 20

Scene 3: Eviction of the Rebels Provision No immediate death Sacrifice for a covering

All spheres of life—marriage and family, work and worship, school and state, our play and art—bear the wounds of our rebellion. Sin is present everywhere— in pride of race, in arrogance of nations, in abuse of the weak and helpless, in disregard for water, air, and soil, in destruction of living creatures, in slavery, deceit, terror, and war, in worship of false gods, and frantic escape from reality. We have become victims of our own sin. -Contemporary Testimony, 17

Summary of Act 2 Humanity rebels against God, plunging creation into chaos.

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE: THE KING CHOOSES ISRAEL REDEMPTION INITIATED Scene 1: Before Israel

Genesis 4 -50: Prologue to Israel’s Story Universal period (4 -11) Ø The beginning of civilization Ø Three very important events Patriarchal period (12 -50)

Scene 1: Before Israel Genesis 4– 11: Universal Period Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) Ø The first vivid evidence of the mess we’re in Ø Unbelief, rebelliousness, jealousy, rage are expressed relationally Ø 4: 7 – “sin is crouching at the door; and it’s desire is for you, but you must master it. ”

Scene 1: Before Israel Genesis 4– 11: Universal Period Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) “And he died …” (Gen 5 8 times) repeated confirmation of God’s judgment promised

Scene 1: Before Israel Genesis 4– 11: Universal Period Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) A worldwide flood

Scene 1: Before Israel Genesis 4– 11: Universal Period Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) A worldwide flood A forced diaspora

Scene 2: Formation of a People Abrahamic Covenant A. 1. The Promise (Genesis 12: 1 -3)

Genesis 12: 1 -3 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. "

Scene 2: Formation of a People A. Abrahamic Covenant 3 main elements in God’s covenant with Abraham: 1. A personal relationship 2. Growth of a family into a nation 3. Land of their own

Scene 2: Formation of a People Abrahamic Covenant A. The Promise (Genesis 12: 1 -3) 1. b. Land/Dominion/Geography To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites -- Gen 15: 18 -21

Scene 2: Formation of a People Abrahamic Covenant A. The Promise (Genesis 12: 1 -3) 1. b. Line/Dynasty/Genealogy

Abraham’s Family Tree

Scene 2: Formation of a People Abrahamic Covenant A. The Provision 2. a. Isaac Promised Seed Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. -- Genesis 17: 19

Scene 2: Formation of a People The Patriarchs Tracing the Promise Jacob (Gen 28: 3 -4) God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!

Scene 2: Formation of a People The Patriarchs Tracing the Promise Jacob’s 12 Sons Then Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come … Genesis 49: 1 -27

Jacob and his Descendants

Scene 2: Formation of a People The Patriarchs God’s Providential Care Human Unfaithfulness Divine Faithfulness “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen 50: 20)

Exodus: Formation of a People Introductory Remarks The exodus event is the defining act of salvation in the OT The exodus remains the defining event for the Jewish people to this day

Exodus: Formation of a People God Remembers His Covenant (Exod 1: 1 – 4: 17) Israel’s suffering (Exod 1: 8– 2: 25)

Exodus: Formation of a People God Remembers His Covenant (Exod 1: 1 – 4: 17) Israel’s deliverer (Exod 2: 1– 4: 31) Moses was from the tribe of Levi. . . Was saved by his mother hiding him, and being found, then raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter. . . Needed to flee due to murder. . . Was a shepherd for 40 years in Midian. . . Then called by God to lead his people out of Egypt. . . Was at first a reluctant leader. . . Then grew to be a great leader.

Exodus: Formation of a People God Remembers His Covenant (Exod 1: 1 – 4: 17) Israel’s God (Exod 2: 24– 4: 31) אהיה “I AM” Yahweh = “HE IS”

Exodus: Formation of a People God Delivers His People (Exod 4: 18– 15: 21) First Nine Plagues (Exod 7: 1– 10: 29) These plagues can be seen as repeated evidences that Israel’s God is superior to the Egyptian gods… And, therefore, the Pharaoh would be wise to let His people go!!

Exodus: Formation of a Nation By blood of a lamb. . . Passover & Unleavened Bread Exodus 12: 1 -28, 43 -50

Exodus: Formation of a Nation By mighty acts of judgment Victory Accomplished Exodus 14: 23 -28

Exodus: Formation of a Nation The first worship song recorded in the Bible Exodus 15

Exodus: Formation of a Nation Miraculous Provisions – Bitter water made sweet Exodus 15: 22 -26

Exodus: Formation of a Nation Miraculous Provisions -- Manna Exodus 16: 4 -5

Exodus: Formation of a Nation Miraculous Provisions -- Quail Exodus 16: 11 -15

Exodus: Formation of a Nation Miraculous Provisions – Water from the rock Exodus 17: 5 -7

Exodus: Formation of a Nation Miraculous Provisions – Trouncing the Amelakites Exodus 17: 8 -13

Israel is Bound to God in Covenant Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai (Ex. 19: 4) Remembrances You saw what I did to Egypt I carried you on eagle’s wings I brought you to myself (Implied – Ex. 3: 12 – “I will be with You”)

Mount Sinai (Ex. 19: 5 -6) Expectations My treasured possession

Deut 7: 7 -8 The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Mount Sinai (Ex. 19: 5 -6) Expectations My treasured possession A kingdom of priests A holy nation “if you will obey me fully and keep my covenant”

Sinai Covenant • Ex. 20: Ten Commandments – General stipulations – Israel’s relation to God (1 -4) – Israel’s relation to each other (6 -10)

Sinai Covenant Ex. 20 -23: 19 -- Detailed stipulations The interest of God in the details of His people’s experience is shown clearly in the instructions God gives to regulate and shape every aspect of their lives under His rule. ”

Sinai Covenant God consecrates his people (24: 3 -11) • The Book of the Covenant is sealed with blood – vv 4 b-7 • The people were marked by God -- vs. 8 • The LORD shared a fellowship meal with the leaders of the Israelites -- 11

Sinai Covenant God consecrates his people (24: 15 -18) • Following this, Moses went up the on the mountain and did not return until he had received instructions concerning the tabernacle and its furnishings. • It took 40 days and nights. . . and the people grew impatient!

Sinai Covenant Broken & Renewed (32: 1– 34: 35) Israel’s idolatry – Golden calf – – “they sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play” – God’s response – 32: 7 -10

Sinai Covenant Broken & Renewed (32: 1– 34: 35) Moses’ Intercession – “You must go with us” – “Show me your glory” – Name of the Lord – Moses’ shining face

God Prepares to Indwell Israel Instructions for Tabernacle (25 -31) Israel unworthy of God’s presence (32 -34) God indwells Israel on basis of love (35 -40)