Introductory Course for the Re/formation Institute
Written by Rev. Calvin Fox 5-05
This is not a book. It is a syllabus- an outline of Lectures. Much material is added by the Teacher during class. The Bible Translation used is the English Standard Version, unless otherwise noted.
These studies are based primarily on the Biblical Book of Genesis. This is not an exposition of Genesis. It is a look at the beginning of major Biblical Themes upon which to build a World View to guide daily living. It is the required Foundation Course of the Re/Formation Institute.
Two Factors influence our interpretation of Genesis-
1. Large context- There are fifty chapters in Genesis. The account of the original creation takes only two; but, all the chapters are needed to tell the whole story of Genesis and "beginnings". Genesis is also the first book of a set- The Pentateuch (5 Books). Genesis must be understood in relation to all five.
2. Original purpose- Genesis was originally written for the use of the Twelve Tribes after entering Canaan [probably in final form by the time of Samuel and the beginning of the monarchy with Saul]. What purpose would the Pentateuch serve then? See Joshua 1:1-9 The answer: encouragement and guidance, most of all by God's promise in v.5 + 9- "I will be with you". This is repeated in Exodus 3:12): "I will be with you".
Who is the one who will be with Moses and Israel (and, by extension, with us)? God. How do we know who God is? We know who God is by revelation- God reveals himself by His works and His names.
In Scripture, the "Name" equals the person See Ps 9:2, Ps 18:49, Ps 20:1, Ps 22:22
Malachi 1:11-My Name [i.e.- I] will be great among the nations,.In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my Name [i.e.- to Me], because my Name [i.e.- I] will be great among the nations," says the Lord Almighty.
There are many variations of the Name of God. Each is important in itself for what it reveals about God, but the most important of these names is "Jehovah".
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am has sent me'
"I am" is a translation of the- Hebrew letters "yhwh". This is known as the tetragrammaton. YHWH is the verb "to be" in the present tense. When vowels are added YHWH can become "Yahweh". Over time, that became spelled as Jehovah. This is the proper, formal Name of God. It is translated as LORD in English Bibles [with caps] Lower case "Lord" (as in Malachi 1:11 above) is a translation of the Hebrew word "Adonai". Jehovah or Yahweh or "God" is the "I am [present tense]" or "I am who I am" or "I am the one who is" or "I am being [i.e.-life]".
Yahweh [Jehovah] or "LORD" is the Creator in Gen 2:4 This identifies "God", the Creator, in Genesis 1:1 as the LORD, but the word used for "God" in Genesis 1:1 is a Hebrew word, el (or elohim, which is plural) It is also translated in English as "God" and reveals God, Jehovah, as all power and strength. He is the Almighty, which is another Hebrew name for God, el shaddai. God, the LORD, the Almighty Creator, is the source and giver of Life. See Isaiah 42:5, Acts 17:24-25
It is primarily as Jehovah that God reveals himself to Israel: Jehovah is the Covenant name of God, the Name that indicates who He is to Israel, their relationship.
Exodus 3:13-18 God said to Moses, "say to the Israelites, [same as v.6]-`the Lord, the God of your fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you.' This [i.e.- Jehovah, "I am"], is my Name forever, the Name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation."
Jehovah is the One who will be with the Israelites. How does knowing His Name encourage Moses and, later, the Israelites in Canaan? and us today? In four ways, at least-
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We are related to our God by Covenant. God has made promises to be with us.
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Inasmuch as our covenant God is Jehovah, the I am, He can be ever present with us.
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Inasmuch as our covenant God is Jehovah, the Almighty Creator, nothing is impossible for Him.
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Therefore, He is able to keep His Covenant promises and will be with us.
All this truth, revealed in the name, "Jehovah", gives comfort and encouragement to the People of God.
Genesis is the beginning, the Prologue, of a marvelous Story. It tells how God created heavens and earth for the use of mankind and how God created mankind [Adam and his descendants] to worship and serve him -Acts 17:24-27. They were to cultivate and care for the world God had made. But Mankind (all people and nations) rebel. They want to live an autonomous life, free from their Maker.
Therefore, God created one special Nation, Israel, to lead the other nations back to Himself and on to obedience. But, Israel, too, rebels. The Mission of Israel is then applied to Christ. See Isaiah 49:6 Then it applied to the Apostles. See Acts 13:47, also 26:17-18 Finally, by extension, the Church (in Christ, as His Body) takes up Israel's mission. See Isaiah 42:5-9 and 1 Peter 2:9 et al.
This grand Narrative begins in Genesis and this is the beginning of our study of that fascinating Book.