Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People ? Evil Intent Jealousy & hatred Seduction & accusation Selfish forgetfulness Reversal of Fortunes Up…down…up… Lord of Egypt Lord of brothers God’s Intent Key verse: Gen 50:20 Self-fulfilling dreams Tamah & Judah? (Gen 38) Beyond Evil Intent Jesus’ birth & death Compatibilism Christian life
Twin Rivalry Inheritance Firstborn…or miss out! Jacob vs. Esau The story The genealogies The inheritance God’s dream to Abraham God’s choice & action Untruths & undeserved Wrestled with God = “Israel” Beyond Twin Rivalry Edom vs. Israel Finding THE One Firstborn son? “Jacob I loved, Esau I hated” For just a bowl of soup?
“Dream Bigger” Jobs Our jobs? Abraham’s Dream To & through Abraham Turning point Abraham’s lifetime Land Nation Blessings & curses All nations After Abraham Jesus Beyond Our Wildest Dreams! ? Abraham’s wealth & blessing Abraham your father? Living someone else’s dream
Intro: blessing? 1. The promise land offspring blessing nations 2. The connections land offspring blessing nations 3. The response faith in the promise jeopardising the promise keeping the promise 4. The fulfilment land offspring blessing nations
Intro: unity 1. United nations many nations from Noah structure and pattern 2. United against God united with technology significance and security God’s judgement – confusion 3. United by God can humanity ever be restored? the reversal of Babel’s curse racism and gospel unity significance and security unity and the future
Intro: big clean up 1. Don’t we need another flood? Deja vu all over again Naked shame Prophecy and history 2. Wasn’t the flood about New Creation? Promises despite sin Dominion? Provisions for sin The purpose of the flood? 3. Is that a rash promise? Covenant and sign Judgement? 4. A New Creation Promised by…
Intro: where is justice when you need it? biblical context historical context 1. Reasons for the flood other flood stories to blot out wickedness to save Noah 2. The hero of the story other flood stories Noah? God 3. A new beginning 4. Living righteously in a hostile world 1 Peter 3:20-22 Hebrews 11:1-2 7…
Intro: Freedom 1. A dead end with Cain Cain and Abel crime and punishment Cain’s descendants really free? 2. A new beginning in Seth positive signs genealogy tip #1: connecting genealogy tip #2: pattern breaks 3. Searching for a saviour where do the genealogies take us? blood that speaks a better word living your freedom
Intro: Why isn’t life always beautiful? 1. Creation: the opportunity to enjoy God’s best 2. Sin: God, that’s not your best the serpent and God’s word the knowledge of good and evil moral autonomy 3. Does it get any better? alienation judgement 4. Can we hope for God’s best again? glimmers of hope the serpent…
Intro: The debate 1. The Foundation (Genesis 2:18-25) 2. Marriage and Unity (Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:1-12) 3. Sex and Unity (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) 4. Marriage models a bigger Unity (Ephesians 5:22-33) 5. Love your neighbour