Session 3: The Early World, Part 2
08/28/2017
Genesis 4-11
(Catechism: this part of the Bible uses figurative language)
In Pope JPII’s book Crossing the Threshold of Hope(p.228); failing to grasp the nature of God’s Fatherhoood. We should be leery of this.
Adam and Eve fell from grace; they preferred their way from God’s way. It destroyed the harmony between all; themselves, God and all creation.
v. 24 “God guards the tree of life” they lose access to the Garden; brings up the theme of EXILE; the result of disobedience. East of Eden (East is also symbolic of exile; in Hebrew “Shuv” to turn around, repent). This is repeated over and over in the Bible.
It continues to notion of concupiscence (our inclination to selfishness); turning in on self. The heart of the fall; the lack of trust in God. This is also part of the DNA of sin.
Will you follow His will and direction or go your own way?
Now that the earth is populated, there are two types of people:
a.)Those who go their own way
b.)Those who make an attempt to follow God (the Promise; 3;15)
In order to focus on the narrative, the author uses the literary tool called: “These are the generation of…” “Toledot” (a family line). There are ten (10) in Genesis.
Genesis focuses on the family lines of:
1.)Cain
2.)Seth (later Shem)
Chapters 4-5; fruitful and multiply. What kind of life, civilization and offspring.
4:1; Birth of Cain; was Eve thinking that this was the answer to 3:15?
God has no regard for Cain’s offering. Not sure why? No specifics were given. His sacrifice was contrary to the Will of God. In the NT there are a few hints (Romans 6:16-18, 1 John 3:11-12) imply that Cain did not give God his best. His heart was not right.
In verse 7; “If you would do well, you would be accepted.” Cain did not do well, it was sub-par. Cain was very angry, discouraged and God was giving him another chance.
He squanders his opportunity and murders his brother Abel (v. 15). God puts a mark on Cain so that other people who see it will not kill
The question arise: who are these other people that want to kill him? (5:4) Adam and Eve had other children although Genesis only speaks of Cain and Seth. Hebrew narratives never gives you all the details. It assumes the reader will make assumptions to move the plot forward.
v. 17-24; descendants of Cain who built cities, forged instruments and were also violent. v. 23 Lamuch “I have slain a man.” He is a polygamist and bragging about killing someone.
Then (v. 25) comes Seth (the 3rd son); v. 26; men started to call upon the Name of the Lord. Here we have the contrast between the line of Cain and Seth. (5:24) Enoch walked with God; v. 29; the first mention of Noah.
Right after the fall comes murder and wickedness grows exponentially. 5:29; comes relief. Now comes the genealogy of Seth; there is a problem with people living so long; there are more treasures to glean. There is a reason for these ages. Some are mysterious. The narrator emphasis is that they are not surprised or shocked at how long people live; there is a shock that people are dying due to sin. The unnatural thing is dying.
6:1-8; wickedness is increasing on the earth; the also seems to be problem that there is going to be a repetition (which continues through the Scriptures; inner marrying with unbelievers).
6:1-3; the daughters of men; v. 4 the “Nephilim” where the sons of God came into the daughter of men; 6:4-6; God was sorry that He made man and wanted to blot them out of His creation. There have been some wild guesses about the “Nephilim.” The best explanation is the writer is using an old story to show the progressive degradation before the flood and evils of inter marriage.
“Nephal” (“to fall”) this could be the “sons of God” (line of Seth) marrying the daughters of men from Cain, the mixing of the “good guys” with the “bad guys.”
The “Sons of God” the line of Seth marrying the line of Cain, ending up with the “fallen ones.” Problems of intermarriage continue.
Wickedness is increasing on the earth; He finds favor with one man (6:8) Noah; now God prepared Noah for the flood and gives specification for the Ark. To take his three sons, two (unclean) animal and seven (clean) animal; because they are going to be for sacrifice. Then a covenant is made when they come out of the Ark. You will begin to see “types” of things also speak of eternal in visible realities up ahead. The Ark is a type of Church to come. The Temple is a type of Christ to come.
The flood: rains for 40 days and 40 nights (the # for testing and trial); when it subsides Noah comes out. The language that is used about the flood hints about recreation (7:10); “waters came upon the earth” back to creation. 8:1; “the winds blew over the earth.”
Where was the flood? Just in the Mesopotamian area or over all the earth? Could be both.
The Second Covenant with man is with Noah (from one holy couple to one holy family).
Results:
1.)9:2 the fear of man is upon the beasts and birds
2.)9:5-6 first mention of capital punishment
3.)9:13 the sign of the covenant (e.g. Sabbath, rainbow, circumcision, etc.)
God acted as a destroyer and afterwards; he hangs up His bow, formerly a weapon which God places in the skies.
9:18-28; another fall; when Noah comes out of the Ark; the tiller of the soil; (with his children Shem, Ham and Japeth) he became DRUNK and naked; v. 22; “Ham saw the nakedness of his father”and told his two brothers; they covered the nakedness of their father; “cursed be Canaan” (the son of Ham). What is going on? Why was he cursed? What does “uncover your father’s nakedness” mean something more? (Leviticus 18:18-22; 20:17; they speak about “to uncover your father’s nakedness” meaning to have an incestuous relationship). Rabbis taught that Ham was guilty of incest and his brothers wanted NOTHING to do with this. But even if it is not the case, he took advantage of his father’s behavior. Ham’s actions are opposed to those of Shem and Japeth.
This was so serious that is brought a curse on Ham that he became a “slave of slaves.”
v. 26; “Blessed by the Lord my God be Shem.”
Chapter 10: simple explanation of the Table of Nations; how they repopulated the earth; a simple telling how Shem (the blessed one) stays in the Middle East (Mesopotamia; Iraq) Japeth he went North and spread East and West. Ham was in Canaan (North of Africa).
It also mentions in v.25 that “the earth was divided.” The Narrator wants us to focus on the line of Shem.
Chapter 11 concludes the Early World; the Tower of Babel; “one language and few words.” “Let us make a name for ourselves” (v. 4). “The Lord came down” to see the city and tower. Like a father looking down (condescending) upon his children. “Let us confuse their language.”
They are one people and have one language “this is the beginning of what they will do.” God recognizes that because they speak the same language, they will be capable of doing more. The lessons are: a lot of evil can come out of this and on the positive side, a lot can get done. From this point on, they will scatter.
This type of tower (“Ziggarut”a great step pyramid); maybe it was built in response to the recent flood. We are going to build out way to heaven ourselves. “Let us make a name for ourselves.” Remember, the promise is made through the line of Shem (meaning “name”); Baruch HasShem (blessed the Name) because the Jews would not use the Name of God. To build a name is to build a dynasty. The reason for this is that prior to the genealogy before the Tower of Babel does not end. One says they will seek the Lord and the other say, they will speak for themselves (just like the Garden of Eden).
Next Session (Genesis 12-26): with God saying something to Abram (Ch. 12) “I will make your name great!” God’s response is that He will make the name great. It will be one of the first three promises that will be fulfilled. Next session we will deal with Abram and his great effect on the world.
This concludes the primal world:
1.)It is figurative
2.)Speaking of primordial realities
3.)We did have original parents
4.)They did have original justice
5.)There was an enemy who caused them to fall
6.)By losing their trust in the Fatherhood of God
7.)And grasped the natural creation (good) rather than the best, which is God
8.)Left them in a fallen state
9.)Where Death enters in
10.)The intellect is darkened
11.)The will is weakened
12.)State of Concupisence
13.)The shock of the narrative is that they are dying now (not the length of their lives)
14.)But remember Genesis 3:15: God has a plan, He has a revelation by His words and deeds
15.)Our response is faith (by words and deeds) in line with how God reveals Himself to us
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