3.0 Israel Looks at the Beginnings

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(Last revised: 9/18/01)
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3.1 The Beginnings
1. Describe the meaning of the statement "The primary purpose of Genesis is theological."
3.1.1 The Primeval History
1. Describe how "primeval history" differs from other types of history.
3.1.2 Enuma Elish
1. Define the contents and background of the Enuma Elish.
3.1.3 The Israelite Understanding of Creation
1. Compare the biblical story of creation in 1:1-2:4a to the Enuma Elish.
3.1.4 Genesis 1:1-2:4a

1. Summarize how the biblical story of creation differs from other such stories in the ancient world.
3.1.5 Genesis 2:4b-2:25

1. Compare the images of God in 1:1-2a to those in 2:4b-3:25, reflecting on how the show Israel's understanding on God.
2. Define the meaning of "anthropomorphic language."
3.1.6 The Fall (Gen. 3:1-24)

1. Describe the role of hubris in the story of the Fall.
3.1.7 Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-26)

1. Compare the interpretations of the murder of Abel by Cain in Gen. 4:1-26 to those in Heb. 11:4, 1 John. 4:12, and Jude 11.
3.1.8 Adam's Descendants
3.1.9 Flood Stories and the Flood (Gen. 5:32-9:19)

3.1.9.1 The Gilgamesh Epic
1. Define the contents and background of the Gilgamesh Epic.
3.1.9.2 The Atrahasis Epic
1. Define the contents and background of the Atrahasis Epic.
3.1.9.3 The Flood (Gen. 5:32-8:22)

1. Describe the theological importance of the flood story.
3.1.9.4 The Covenant (Gen. 9:1-17)

1. Describe the content and background of the covenant with Noah.
3.1.10 The Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9)

1. Describe the "lessons" of the Tower of Babel as an etiology.
3.1.11 The Summary (Gen. 1-11)
1. Using Bible dictionaries, describe the literary role and importance of genealogies in Genesis 1-11.
3.2 The Patriarchs
1. Define the term "patriarch."
3.2.1 Introduction
3.2.1.1 The Time
3.2.1.2 Their Lifestyle
1. Describe the lifestyle of the patriarchs.
3.2.2 Abraham, the First of the "First" Fathers
1. Compare and contrast the covenant accounts in Gen. 13:14-17, 15:17-21, and 17:1-21.
3.2.2.1 From Ur to Egypt (Gen. 12)

3.2.2.2 Conflict and Covenant (Gen. 13-16)

1. Explain the differences in the Abraham narrative in Gen. 14 from other accounts of Abraham's life.
2. Summarize the pattern of conflict between Sarah and Hagar in the Abraham narratives.
3.2.2.3 The covenant and Circumcision (Gen. 17)

1. Using a Bible concordance (printed or internet), trace the word 'circumcision' and 'circumcise' in their use and meaning in both the Old and New Testaments.
3.2.2.4 The Promise of New Life and the Forebodings of Doom (Gen. 18-19)

3.2.2.5 Isaac and Ishmael (Gen. 21)

1. Using a Bible dictionary, describe the legacy of both Isaac and Ishmael down through the centuries into our world today.
3.2.2.6 The Test (Gen. 22)

1. Summarize the three possible interpretations of Abraham's attempt to sacrifice his son Isaac. Include a description of the action described in Gen. 22.
3.2.2.7 Sarah's Death and Burial (Gen. 23)

3.2.2.8 A Wife for Isaac (Gen. 24:1-25:18)

1. Contrast the way Isaac sought a wife to the usual way a man in American society seeks a wife.
3.2.3 Isaac, the Hyphen between Abraham and Jacob
1. Describe the literary role of the stories about Isaac in the patriarchal narratives.
3.2.4 Jacob, the Supplanter
1. Explain why the biblical narrative emphasizes the deceptive ways of Jacob in these narratives.
3.2.4.1 Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25:19-34; 27:1-45)

1. Relate the concepts of 'blessing' and 'curse' to the story of Jacob and Esau.
3.2.4.2 Buying the Birthright (Gen. 25:29-34)

1. Define the term 'birthright' as used in this story.
3.2.4.3 Stealing the Blessing (Gen. 27:1-45)

3.2.4.4 Jacob on the Run (Gen. 27:46-28:22)

3.2.4.5 Jacob and Laban: An Amateur versus a professional (Gen. 29:1-30)

1. Contrast the patterns of courtship and marriage in this ancient setting to those in modern American culture.
3.2.4.6 Jacob and Laban: The Tables are Turned (Gen 30:1-31:55)

3.2.4.7 Jacob and Esau: A Man Faces His Past (Gen. 32:1-33:20)

3.2.4.8 Trouble at Shechem (Gen. 34)

3.2.4.9 Back to Bethel and Two Genealogies (Gen. 35-36)

3.2.5 Joseph: From Patriarch's Son to Prime Minister
1. Explain why the stories about Joseph differ from other patriarchal stories.
3.2.5.1 A Fancy Coat and Angry Brothers (Gen. 37:1-36)

3.2.5.2 Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38)

3.2.5.3 Joseph Loses Another Cloak and Lands in Jail (Gen. 39:1-20)

3.2.5.4 Joseph, the Prisoner and Interpreter of Dreams (Gen. 39:21-41:36)

3.2.5.5 Joseph and His Brothers Again (Gen. 42-45)

1. Summarize the reason Genesis 45 gives for Joseph's experiences.
3.2.5.6 The Family in Egypt (Gen. 46-50)

1. Summarize the basis for associating Joseph with the Hyksos rulers of Egypt.
3.2.6 Summary on the Patriarchs