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Notes for Genesis–Exodus–Prophetic Passages: Creation, Covenants, Callings, and Messianic Expectation

The Account of Creation (Genesis 1)

  • God created the heavens and the earth in six days (1:1-31):

    • Day 1: Light and darkness.

    • Day 2: Sky, separating waters above and below.

    • Day 3: Dry ground (land, seas) and vegetation.

    • Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars.

    • Day 5: Sea creatures and birds.

    • Day 6: Land animals and humans, made in God’s image.

  • God declared His creation "very good" (1:31).

The Old Testament: Covenant, Kingdom, Exile, Messiah

  • Key patterns established: covenant relationship, promises (descendants, land), faith, redemption, and messianic prophecies.

Abram’s Call and Covenant Promises (Genesis 12:1-7)

  • God called Abram to leave his home for a promised land (12:1).

  • Promises: great nation, blessed, famous, a blessing to others, bless those who bless him, curse those who curse him, and all families blessed through him (12:2-3).

  • Abram obeyed, arriving in Canaan where God promised the land to his descendants (12:4-7).

The Covenant Promise to Abram (Genesis 15)

  • God promised Abram a biological heir and countless descendants, like the stars (15:1-5).

  • Abram believed God, and it was counted as righteousness (15:6).

  • God established the covenant through a ritual, promising descendants the land from Egypt to the Euphrates, after 400 years of oppression (15:7-21).

The Mark of the Covenant and Abram’s Name Change (Genesis 17)

  • God changed Abram's name to Abraham ("father of a multitude") and Sarai's to Sarah, promising them countless descendants and kings (17:1-6, 15-16).

  • The everlasting covenant involved God being their God forever and giving them the land of Canaan (17:7-8).

  • Circumcision was established as the sign of the covenant for all males on the eighth day (17:9-14).

  • God confirmed that Sarah would bear Isaac, the covenantal heir (17:17-19).

The Birth of Isaac (Genesis 21)

  • Sarah bore Isaac to Abraham in his old age, fulfilling God’s promise (21:1-3).

Moses: The Burning Bush and the Call (Exodus 3)

  • God appeared to Moses in a burning bush at Sinai, identifying Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (3:1-6).

  • God commissioned Moses to rescue His oppressed people from Egypt and lead them to a land "flowing with milk and honey" (3:7-10).

  • God assured Moses of His presence ("I AM WHO I AM"/Yahweh) and gave him instruction to gather the elders and confront Pharaoh (3:11-18).

  • God forewarned Pharaoh's resistance but promised miracles and that the Israelites would depart with wealth (3:19-22).

Signs of the Lord’s Power (Exodus 4:1-9)

  • God gave Moses three signs to convince Israel: his staff turning into a snake, his hand becoming leprous and then restored, and Nile water turning to blood on dry ground (4:1-9).

Messianic Prophecies: Isaiah 53 (The Suffering Servant)

  • Prophecy of a suffering servant who bears the griefs and sorrows, is pierced for rebellion, crushed for sins, and whose wounds bring healing (53:1-12).

  • The servant, though innocent, is led to death, fulfilling God’s plan of salvation through His redemptive suffering for the sins of many.

Good News for the Oppressed: Isaiah 61

  • The Spirit of the Lord anoints the speaker (often interpreted as the Messiah) to bring good news to the poor, comfort the brokenhearted, and proclaim release for captives (61:1-2).

  • Proclaims restoration and justice for Israel, giving beauty for ashes, joy for mourning (61:3-4).

  • Outcomes include foreigners serving Israel, double honor, everlasting joy, and an everlasting covenant, ensuring their descendants’ honor among nations (61:5-9).

  • The speaker rejoices in salvation and righteousness, likening Israel to a bride and groom, as God demonstrates justice to the nations (61:10-11).