Act Three:

The King Chooses Israel

Redemption Initiated

Act Three:

The King Chooses Israel

Redemption Initiated

Scene One: A People for the King

Genesis: Prologue to Israel’s StoryGenesis: Prologue to Israel’s Story• Universal period (3-11)

• Patriarchal period (12-50)

• Universal period (3-11)

• Patriarchal period (12-50)

Genesis 3-11Genesis 3-11

• Theme?

• Unleashing of sin: origin, spread, effects

• God’s response: promise, judgment

• Theme?

• Unleashing of sin: origin, spread, effects

• God’s response: promise, judgment

Unleashing of Sin in Human Life(Gen. 4)Unleashing of Sin in Human Life(Gen. 4)

• Goodness of creation enjoyed: family, cultural development

• All polluted by sin: murder, misdirection of cultural activity

• Goodness of creation enjoyed: family, cultural development

• All polluted by sin: murder, misdirection of cultural activity

God’s Response: Faithful to PromiseGod’s Response: Faithful to Promise

• Line from Adam to Noah

• Godly line holding promise (Gen. 3:15)

• Line from Adam to Noah

• Godly line holding promise (Gen. 3:15)

God’s Response: Judgment (Gen. 6-9)God’s Response: Judgment (Gen. 6-9)

• Evil strangling human life

• Catastrophic flood

• Evil strangling human life

• Catastrophic flood

God’s Response:Faithfulness to PromiseGod’s Response:Faithfulness to Promise

• Noah and the Ark

• Noahic covenant

– New start with

Noah and creation

– God’s purpose remains

constant

• Noah and the Ark

• Noahic covenant

– New start with

Noah and creation

– God’s purpose remains

constant

Noah’s Ark by Edward Hicks

CovenantCovenant

• A bond

• In blood

• Sovereignly administered

• A bond

• In blood

• Sovereignly administered

Nations and RebellionNations and Rebellion

• Spread of nations

• Communal attempt at autonomy

• God’s judgment

• Spread of nations

• Communal attempt at autonomy

• God’s judgment

Abrahamic Covenant:Blessed to Be a BlessingAbrahamic Covenant:Blessed to Be a Blessing

• Universal to particular:

From all nations to one man

• Blessing on one man, one nation

• Channel of blessing to all world

• Universal to particular:

From all nations to one man

• Blessing on one man, one nation

• Channel of blessing to all world

Abrahamic Covenant:Blessed to Be a BlessingAbrahamic Covenant:Blessed to Be a Blessing

Theological Blueprint (cf. Gen. 18:18)Theological Blueprint (cf. Gen. 18:18)

• Bless Abraham: “I will make you a

great nation.”

• Bless all nations on earth

‘What we are being offered in these few verses is a theological blueprint for the redemptive history of the world.’

- W. Dumbrell

• Bless Abraham: “I will make you a

great nation.”

• Bless all nations on earth

‘What we are being offered in these few verses is a theological blueprint for the redemptive history of the world.’

- W. Dumbrell

Curse and BlessingCurse and Blessing

• 5-fold curse of Gen. 3-11

• 5-fold blessing of Gen. 12:2-3

• Through Abraham God will reverse the curse of sin

• 5-fold curse of Gen. 3-11

• 5-fold blessing of Gen. 12:2-3

• Through Abraham God will reverse the curse of sin

Abrahamic CovenantAbrahamic Covenant

• Gen. 12: Promise

• Gen. 15: Covenant established

• Gen. 17: Covenant confirmed

• Gen. 12: Promise

• Gen. 15: Covenant established

• Gen. 17: Covenant confirmed

Isaac, Jacob, JosephIsaac, Jacob, Joseph

• Promises of covenant repeated to each patriarch

• God’s work in sinful family

• El Shaddai remains faithful

• Promises of covenant repeated to each patriarch

• God’s work in sinful family

• El Shaddai remains faithful

Joseph Overseer of the Pharaoh's Granaries

by Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Exodus: Formation of a PeopleExodus: Formation of a People

• Israel formed through suffering and a mighty

act of redemption (1-18)

• Israel bound to God in covenant (19-24)

• God comes to dwell among His people

(25-40)

• Israel formed through suffering and a mighty

act of redemption (1-18)

• Israel bound to God in covenant (19-24)

• God comes to dwell among His people

(25-40)

Israel Formed by aMighty Act of RedemptionIsrael Formed by aMighty Act of Redemption

• Growth of nation of Israel

• Bondage

• God raises up a mediator (Moses)

• Reveals himself as YHWH

• Growth of nation of Israel

• Bondage

• God raises up a mediator (Moses)

• Reveals himself as YHWH

RedemptionRedemption

• By mighty acts of judgment

– Against Egyptian gods (Ex. 12:12)

– Against Pharaoh

• By blood of lamb (Passover)

• Celebration of redemption (Ex. 15)

• By mighty acts of judgment

– Against Egyptian gods (Ex. 12:12)

– Against Pharaoh

• By blood of lamb (Passover)

• Celebration of redemption (Ex. 15)

Israel is Bound to God in CovenantIsrael is Bound to God in Covenant

• Mount Sinai• Mount Sinai

To Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:4)To Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:4)

• You saw what I did to Egypt

• I carried you on eagle’s wings

• I brought you to myself

• You saw what I did to Egypt

• I carried you on eagle’s wings

• I brought you to myself

Israel is Bound to God in CovenantIsrael is Bound to God in Covenant

• To Mount Sinai

• Call of covenant

• To Mount Sinai

• Call of covenant

Call of Covenant (Greater Party Calls the Lesser

Into Covenant)

Call of Covenant (Greater Party Calls the Lesser

Into Covenant)

• Treasured possession, priestly

kingdom, holy nation

• Election to privilege and service

• Display, showcase people

• For the sake of the nations

• Treasured possession, priestly

kingdom, holy nation

• Election to privilege and service

• Display, showcase people

• For the sake of the nations

‘The history of Israel from this point on is, in reality, merely a commentary upon the degree of fidelity (or lack thereof) with which they adhered to this Sinai-given vocation.’

W. Dumbrell

Israel is Bound to God in CovenantIsrael is Bound to God in Covenant

• To Mount Sinai

• Call of covenant

• Ancient Near Eastern background

for covenant

• To Mount Sinai

• Call of covenant

• Ancient Near Eastern background

for covenant

Ancient Near Eastern BackgroundAncient Near Eastern Background

• Ex. 19-24: Form of Covenant document

• Ancient Near Eastern covenants in Hittite

and Egyptian empires

• Ex. 19-24: Form of Covenant document

• Ancient Near Eastern covenants in Hittite

and Egyptian empires

CovenantCovenant

• God is Great King

• Israel subject people

• All of Israel’s life subject to God’s rule

• Rule of Law

• God is Great King

• Israel subject people

• All of Israel’s life subject to God’s rule

• Rule of Law

LawLaw

• God’s rule over all of life

• Return to creational intention

• Good news! Life to the full!

• Display to nations

• God’s rule over all of life

• Return to creational intention

• Good news! Life to the full!

• Display to nations

Details of LawDetails of Law

• Ex. 20: Ten Commandments

– General stipulations

– Israel’s relation to God (1-4)

– Israel’s relation to each other (6-10)

• Ex. 20-22: Detailed stipulations

• Ex. 20: Ten Commandments

– General stipulations

– Israel’s relation to God (1-4)

– Israel’s relation to each other (6-10)

• Ex. 20-22: Detailed stipulations

Israel is Bound to God in CovenantIsrael is Bound to God in Covenant

• To Mount Sinai

• Call of covenant

• Ancient Near Eastern background

• Covenant ceremony

• To Mount Sinai

• Call of covenant

• Ancient Near Eastern background

• Covenant ceremony

God Prepares to Indwell IsraelGod 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)

• Instructions for Tabernacle (25-31)

• Israel unworthy of God’s presence (32-34)

• God indwells Israel on basis of love (35-40)

Leviticus: Living with a Holy GodLeviticus: Living with a Holy God

• Repairing the broken covenant

• Sacrifices and offerings

• Ceremonial law

• Feasts

• Repairing the broken covenant

• Sacrifices and offerings

• Ceremonial law

• Feasts

Numbers: Journeying to the LandNumbers: Journeying to the Land

• Signs of emerging greatness

• God’s testing– Provision

– Leadership

– Protection

• Israel’s disobedience and unbelief

• God’s judgment and faithfulness

• Signs of emerging greatness

• God’s testing– Provision

– Leadership

– Protection

• Israel’s disobedience and unbelief

• God’s judgment and faithfulness

Deuteronomy: On the Borders of the LandDeuteronomy: On the Borders of the Land

• Sermon One: God’s faithfulness to Israel (1:6-4:40)

• Sermon Two: God’s covenant law(4:44-28)

• Sermon Three: Options for future (29-30)

• Sermon One: God’s faithfulness to Israel (1:6-4:40)

• Sermon Two: God’s covenant law(4:44-28)

• Sermon Three: Options for future (29-30)

Covenant StructureCovenant Structure

God (King)

WORDPromiseCommandWarning

unbelief

disobey

faith

obey LifeProsperityBlessing

DeathDestruction

Curse

Act Three:

The King Chooses Israel

Redemption Initiated

Act Three:

The King Chooses Israel

Redemption Initiated

Scene Two: A Land for His People

Start Here April 29th, 2007

Joshua: The Gift of the LandJoshua: The Gift of the Land

• The Lord leads Israel to the land (1-5:12)

• The Lord gives Israel the land (5:13-12)

• The Lord leads Israel to the land (1-5:12)

• The Lord gives Israel the land (5:13-12)

Joshua: The Gift of the LandJoshua: The Gift of the Land

• The Lord leads Israel to the land (1-5:12)

• The Lord gives Israel the land (5:13-12)

• The Lord allocates the land (13-22)

• The Lord leads Israel to the land (1-5:12)

• The Lord gives Israel the land (5:13-12)

• The Lord allocates the land (13-22)

Joshua: The Gift of the LandJoshua: The Gift of the Land

• The Lord leads Israel to the land (1-5:12)

• The Lord gives Israel the land (5:13-12)

• The Lord allocates the land (13-22)

• The Lord renews the covenant (23,24)

• The Lord leads Israel to the land (1-5:12)

• The Lord gives Israel the land (5:13-12)

• The Lord allocates the land (13-22)

• The Lord renews the covenant (23,24)

The Land: The Lord’s Gift (Josh. 21:43-45)The Land: The Lord’s Gift (Josh. 21:43-45)

• Conquest: Lord’s work

• The Lord leads Israel into the land (Josh. 3,4)

• The Lord comes as commander (5:13-15)

• The Lord brings down Jericho (6)

• The Lord gives victory (9-12)

• Conquest: Lord’s work

• The Lord leads Israel into the land (Josh. 3,4)

• The Lord comes as commander (5:13-15)

• The Lord brings down Jericho (6)

• The Lord gives victory (9-12)

Covenant StructureCovenant Structure

God (King)

WORDPromiseCommandWarning

unbelief

disobey

faith

obey LifeProsperityBlessing

DeathDestruction

Curse

Covenant Options on LandCovenant Options on Land

• Jericho: Blessing on faith/obedience

• Ai: Curse on unbelief/disobedience

• Mt. Ebal (Josh. 8:30-35)

• Shechem (24)

• Jericho: Blessing on faith/obedience

• Ai: Curse on unbelief/disobedience

• Mt. Ebal (Josh. 8:30-35)

• Shechem (24)

‘Holy War’‘Holy War’

• Why complete destruction?

• Judgment on wicked nations (Gen. 15:16)

• Danger of idolatry

• God’s redemptive beachhead

• Why complete destruction?

• Judgment on wicked nations (Gen. 15:16)

• Danger of idolatry

• God’s redemptive beachhead

Judges: Failure to be Display PeopleJudges: Failure to be Display People

• Israel fails to take land (Judges 1)

• Covenant court case (2:1-5)

• Judgment pronounced: Cycles (2:11-23)

• Israel fails to take land (Judges 1)

• Covenant court case (2:1-5)

• Judgment pronounced: Cycles (2:11-23)

Start Here May 13, 2007

Cycles of JudgmentCycles of Judgmentdistress

oppressioncries out

angerdeliverer

rest sin

Judges: Failure to be Display PeopleJudges: Failure to be Display People

• Israel fails to take land (Judges 1)

• Covenant court case (2:1-5)

• Judgment pronounced: Cycles(2:11-23)

• Cycles elaborated historically (3-16)

• Corruption illustrated (17-21)

• Israel fails to take land (Judges 1)

• Covenant court case (2:1-5)

• Judgment pronounced: Cycles(2:11-23)

• Cycles elaborated historically (3-16)

• Corruption illustrated (17-21)

• The need for a king

• God’s kind of king

• Saul rules unfaithfully

• David rules faithfully

• The need for a king

• God’s kind of king

• Saul rules unfaithfully

• David rules faithfully

Samuel: Israel Becomes a KingdomSamuel: Israel Becomes a Kingdom

A Faithful King…A Faithful King…

• Establishes temple life of Israel

• Defeats Israel’s enemies

• Enforces obedience to rule of law

• Establishes temple life of Israel

• Defeats Israel’s enemies

• Enforces obedience to rule of law

Davidic CovenantDavidic Covenant

• Kingship grafted on to Abrahamic covenant

• David’s failure

• Hope for a future descendant of David

• Kingship grafted on to Abrahamic covenant

• David’s failure

• Hope for a future descendant of David

Kings: Covenant Failure Kings: Covenant Failure

• Solomon begins his rule wisely

• Solomon establishes the temple in Zion

• The kingdom is rent in two

• Solomon begins his rule wisely

• Solomon establishes the temple in Zion

• The kingdom is rent in two

Kings: Covenant FailureKings: Covenant Failure

• Solomon begins his rule wisely

• Solomon establishes the temple in Zion

• The kingdom is rent in two

• Elijah and Elisha confront an unfaithful Israel

• Israel’s slide into disaster and exile

• Solomon begins his rule wisely

• Solomon establishes the temple in Zion

• The kingdom is rent in two

• Elijah and Elisha confront an unfaithful Israel

• Israel’s slide into disaster and exile

Why Did This Happen?Why Did This Happen?• Covenant rebellion and God’s judgment

• Led by unfaithful kings

• Rejected prophets

• Covenant rebellion and God’s judgment

• Led by unfaithful kings

• Rejected prophets

God’s JudgmentGod’s Judgment• Israel deported by Assyria (722 BC)

• Judah exiled by Babylon (586 BC)

• The End?

• Note of hope: Jehoiachin released

• Israel deported by Assyria (722 BC)

• Judah exiled by Babylon (586 BC)

• The End?

• Note of hope: Jehoiachin released

Prophetic Hope for FutureProphetic Hope for Future

• God’s purpose will prevail

• New covenant, kingdom

• Through a Messiah

• Israel gathered and purified

• Nations drawn to Israel

• God’s purpose will prevail

• New covenant, kingdom

• Through a Messiah

• Israel gathered and purified

• Nations drawn to Israel

Ezra and Nehemiah:Israel Returns to the LandEzra and Nehemiah:Israel Returns to the Land

• 539 BC: Cyrus allows Israel to return

• Zerubbabel rebuilds temple

• Ezra reforms people

• Nehemiah rebuilds city walls

• 539 BC: Cyrus allows Israel to return

• Zerubbabel rebuilds temple

• Ezra reforms people

• Nehemiah rebuilds city walls

End of Act ThreeEnd of Act Three