The Tale We’ve Fallen Into

Genesis and Exodus

By Paul GibsonUniversity of Louisville BCM

2013

“I’ve always felt life first as a story—and if there is a story there is a story teller.”

G.K Chesteron, Orthodoxy

Where we left off

Adam and Eve are standing on the outside of the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3.23)

“I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?”

Sam, The Lord of the Rings The post-Garden tale of humanity begins.

A Google Maps ApproachZoomed Out—Zooming In

Outlines

Characters

Themes

A Story to highlight themes

Key Characters in Genesis

Adam and EveNoahAbraham and Sarah HagarIssac and RebekahJacob and Rachel BilhahJoseph

Key Verses in Genesis• 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

• 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:3 (NIV)

• 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. Genesis 39:2 (NIV)

• 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Genesis 39:21 (NIV)

• 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Key Themes in Genesis

• God’s Pursuit of humanity• God’s use of sinful people

to fulfill his promise• Promise-Hopelessness-

Fulfillment• Life-Death-Resurrection• New Name

• Turning Away from God• Lying Spouse

• Distrusting Promise

The book of Genesis is God-Centric in that it is his pursuit of humanity that makes redemption possible.

Key Characters in Exodus

MosesAaronMiriamJoshuaPharaohJethroZipporah

Key Verses in Exodus• 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me

to you.'" Exodus 3:14 (NIV)

• 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this. Exodus 14:4 (NIV)

• 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, Exodus 16:6 (NIV)

• 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." Exodus 19:5-6 (NIV)

• 34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35

Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34-35 (NIV)

Key Themes in Exodus

• Deliverance—Knowing the Deliverer• Sojurn/Wilderness• Covenant• Presence

God’s passionate pursuit of humanity settles into the repeated pattern

of affliction, deliverance, wilderness, covenant, and presence.

The Story of Joseph• Promise-Life5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.

Genesis 37:5 (NIV)

• Hopelessness-Death-Wilderness19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave

treated me," he burned with anger. 20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, Genesis 39:19-20 (NIV)

• Fulfillment-Resurrection-Deliverance/Covenant/Presence20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now

being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

The Story of Joseph

• Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. Genesis 37:5 (NIV)

Promise

•When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, "This is how your slave treated me," he burned with anger. 20

Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, Genesis 39:19-20 (NIV)

Hopelessness • 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Fulfillment

“The Lord was with Him…”

2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. Genesis 39:2 (NIV)

21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Genesis 39:21 (NIV)

The story is still being written and God continues to be with his current cast of

characters; you and me!

Questions worth pondering…1. Does your current situation resemble the life/deliverance/promise,

death/wilderness/hopelessness, or resurrection/fulfillment/presence theme of Genesis and Exodus?

2. Fill in the blank by using your name and the proper pronoun…

21 the LORD was with ____________; he showed ________ kindness and granted ________ favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Genesis 39:21 (NIV)

3. Does it provide you any hope to know that the same God who was with Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, and the Children of Israel is the same God who is with you?

The Tale We’ve Fallen Into

“I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?”