Pronouncement of a DestinyPronouncement of a Destiny

• Devotions – Gail Headlee

• Review Test

• Concept Review

• Review pictures # 1, # 2, # 3

• Picture # 4

Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1

Creation and Its ConceptsCreation and Its Concepts – OT-1 – OT-1

Hands lifting the earth out of hazy mist — God created the heavens and the earth.

Halo of white light circling the earth — God created all things good.

Fingers opened on the right hand — God relinquished the earth to humankind as a gift. 

White links attached to the arms and globe — God binds himself to his creation.

Creation and Its ConceptsCreation and Its Concepts – OT-1 – OT-1

Lettered banner flying on the earth — God claims ownership of all creation.

Figure grasping staff — Humanity, too, is owned by God.

Banner furling around figures — Fashioned and owned by God, humankind has freedom only within limits.

Halo of light behind figures’ heads — Male and female are fashioned in God’s image.

Creation and Its ConceptsCreation and Its Concepts – OT-1 – OT-1

Figures holding crowns — Fashioned in God’s image, people are the very crown of God’s creation and have been given four basic responsibilities toward the earth on which they dwell:

First jewel in crown —To replenish the earth

Second jewel in crown —To subdue the earth

Third jewel in crown —To till and keep the earth

Fourth jewel in crown — To have dominion over the earth

Divine Intentions – OT- 2

Divine IntentionsDivine Intentions – OT- 2 – OT- 2 Notes extended from

heavens — God ushered humankind into a domain where it might have harmony with all things.

Four fingers below note bar — The harmony which God coveted for humankind was fourfold in nature:

Raised arms of central figures — Harmony with God

Banner enfolding central figures — Harmony with self

Divine IntentionsDivine Intentions – OT- 2 – OT- 2 Clasped arms of central

figures — Harmony with others

Placid and peaceful lake scene — Harmony with nature

Central figures with faces lifted upward — Prevailing harmony was contingent upon obedience to God.

Halos behind central figures’ heads — Fashioned in the fullness of God’s image, male and female in Eden had the capacity for a perfect response to God’s will.

Disharmony – OT-3

DisharmonyDisharmony – OT-3 – OT-3 Broken note — The intent of

God that the inhabitants of the world should dwell in a domain where they would have harmony with all things is mutilated and maligned.

Figure facing away from outstretched hand — The Edenic account portrays that dilemma as the direct aftereffect of disobedience to God.

Outstretched arms of central figure — Discontent and unsatisfied with the limited freedom (Gen. 2:16-17) demanded by God, humanity (Gen. 5:1-2) revolts against God.

DisharmonyDisharmony – OT-3 – OT-3 Space between central figure

and outstretched hand — Disobedience and revolt issues in separation and estrangement from God.

Painful countenance on central figure’s face — Estrangement issues in disharmony with God.

Broken note penetrating flesh — Estrangement issues in disharmony with self.

Broken note striking second figure — Estrangement issues in disharmony with others.

DisharmonyDisharmony – OT-3 – OT-3 Broken note penetrating

earth — Estrangement issues in disharmony with nature.

Cracked earth and parched ground — Estrangement issues in the misuse of creation.

Yoke-like appearance of broken note — Disobedience, revolt, separation, and estrangement leaves God’s created ones carrying the burden of guilt and a “sense of guilt.”

DisharmonyDisharmony – OT-3 – OT-3 Large hand extended in

beckoning position — God does not abandon sinful people. A new promise is given.

Pronouncement of a Destiny-OT-4

Pronouncement of a DestinyPronouncement of a Destiny-OT-4-OT-4

THE DESTINY

“. . . I will bless you . . .”Shaft of light strikes prism.

“. . . so that you will be a blessing.”Light diffuses and passes through kneeling figure.

“. . . by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.”

Rays of light pass through kneeling figure and extend over the whole earth.

The Middle East During the The Middle East During the Third Millennium B. C.Third Millennium B. C.

The Style of the Genesis StoriesThe Style of the Genesis Stories

GodGod’’s Covenant With Abrahams Covenant With Abraham

• Genesis 17:3-8

• Exodus 19:3-6

• Jeremiah 31:31-34

• Luke 22:14-20

Four Elements of GodFour Elements of God’’s Covenant s Covenant With AbrahamWith Abraham

Command Three Promises

Separation Seed Land Blessing

From (-) People Place Purpose

Doing, Are, Have Nation Country Missionary

To (+) “Chosen Geo Destiny

Be, Do People” “Promis- Redemption of Humanity

ed Land”

Four Elements of GodFour Elements of God’’s Covenant s Covenant With Abraham (cont.)With Abraham (cont.)

• Direction is always from God to humanity• In some ways the significance is temporary, in others

permanent• As the biblical record unfolds, the movement of meaning

of emphasis is from the earthly or material (land and seed) to the spiritual or eternal

• Other covenants – are historical phases of the one covenant

• The concept of covenant is the key to the integration and interpretation of the Bible

• The three promises were intended to be a means to an end, not ends in themselves

Two Stages of the Fulfillment of Two Stages of the Fulfillment of GodGod’’s Covenants Covenant

• History of Israel as God’s chosen people

• The life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the history of the Christian Church with the gospel

Biblical CovenantsBiblical Covenants

• The covenant is an arrangement initiated by God, often solemnly ratified, which aims at becoming a mutual agreement when the divine commandment or promise is accepted by humans in the obedience of faith

• The initial direction of the covenant is from God to humanity

• The covenant concept reveals a God who is both capable of and desiring to enter into a person-to-person relationship with humans

• In the history of Israel, we see an on-going tension between the obligation to be faithful and the constant tendency to be unfaithful

• God remains faithful to His covenant

GodGod’’s Pronouncement of a Destinys Pronouncement of a Destiny

• Promise – I will bless you

• Obligation – So that you will be a blessing

• Mission – Through you all the families of the earth will be blessed

Characteristics of Spiritual LeadersCharacteristics of Spiritual Leaders

• Called by God

• Spiritually discerning

• Selfless

• Respond in faith

AbrahamAbraham’’s Qualities of Characters Qualities of Character

• Posture – knew his proper place

• Trust/faith – Believed God

• Hearing which led to action