Tony Parnell continued this weeks’ class with a “Variations On A Theme” statement. He elaborated upon the recurring patterns by labeling them:
1. Human Sin
2. Statement of Judgment of God
3. Theme of Grace
4. Judgment
Briefly showed first few repetitions/variations through the narratives regarding Adam/Eve, Cain, and Noah. Each time man gets further removed from God, has more rules and greater intervention by God.
Adam & Eve had one rule, were directly in the presence of God, were given coverings but were not destroyed.
Cain had a very direct warning, (Gen 4:6-7) if you do not master this sin, it is waiting to attack you, yet still committed premeditated murder, given mark to protect him while banished.
The people of Noah’s era had years of preaching and warning during construction of the ark to change from their murderous, evil ways, Noah and family were saved.
Charlie voiced a question that many have thought, regarding last weeks’ lesson – Why was the tree of knowledge of good and evil even in the garden in the first place? Kathy responded that God wanted man to obey/worship Him of his own free will and without choice/rules there is no free will.
We also got into a brief discussion on the Sons of god and daughters of men discussion that is mentioned in Genesis, Numbers and Jude.
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I needed to add a comment about the separation from God. From cast out of the garden, to still having discussions with God, to offerings, to calling upon the Lord.
ReplyDeleteIn just three generations man had gone from perfection, living in harmony with God with regular walks with Him in the garden to having to beseech and call upon Him without guarantee or assurance of being heard.
Tragic... yet theme of GRACE is always present in this narrative.
The theme of grace really shatters the "God was mean before Jesus" theory, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI take both warning and hope from the fact that Israel knew all this-- they knew from hearing these stories & memorizing them starting when they were born (pretty much!) that their sin would separate them from God and bring his judgement upon them. And yet, the wandered from him so easily to be "like the other nations". And so the pattern repeats itself throughout the OT of sin-judgement-grace-sin, etc.
Of course, we would never act like that now... Yeah. That's where the hope comes in-- God didn't give up on Israel, when he had so many chances (and reasons!) to do. It stands to reason that he won't give up on me, either.
Jeff gave better definitions of the steps, what we labeled as statement of judgment and judgment might better be labeled Judgment and Punishment.
ReplyDeleteI really do appreciate the comments. This is still very new to this class and getting into the habit of reading and commenting will take some time.
The separation from God is a major point, but the separation from the sin and the punishment is also a part of that. Almost immediately after disobeying both Eve and Cain received their punishment. The next major punishment phase came years and years after man had turned to violence.
When we studied John, Mark, Luke and Acts we spent time pointing out the numerous garden scenes. Jesus in the garden is a repeated motif. Something deep within us is supposed to strive to return to that peaceful presence with God, absence of fear and shame, walking comfortably with the Lord. That return is only possible through Jesus and the variations on a theme idea of study emphasizes that as the underlying message.
Susan's comment about God being "mean" has caused me to think quite a bit this week. God can't tolerate sin. He despises sin. But sin can't contaminate God, like Jesus touching the lepers - where Jesus did not become unclean because he touched them, instead they became clean - a reversal of the normal flow.
ReplyDeleteWhat really caused me to think is that God had ever reason to wipe out man. It might actually be easier to think he did eliminate man and started over. But that is not what the word says. Why would God consider Noah, a righteous man but still a feeble, faltering man, worthy of redemption?
The fact that this variation on a theme must play out is the only explanation I can see. Noah was saved by faith - enough faith to spend 120 years to build an ark in spite of what others said and the world showed (probably in spite of what his wife said).
Amazing Grace!
I think everyone with an open mind will appreciate Jeff's comments on the Flood and The Lord of The Ring Trilogy at:
ReplyDeletewww.hearingthestory.com
Anytime we can bring the Lord of the Rings to Bible class, it's a good thing! :)
ReplyDelete