Survey of Genesis Chapters 4-11

The Jesus of Old Testament History

Year 1, Lesson 2

Text: Genesis chapter 4-11

Objectives: (1) to be able to relate sin and its bearing on the relationship of Cain and Abel (2) be able to relate the main events of the story of Noah (3) be able to tell why God became interested in destroying mankind which he had made (continual, unrepented sin) (4) be able to relate the main events of the tower of Babel and the results thereof ; (5) be able to tell how Jesus "preached to the spirits in prison" in the days of Noah.

Time line: about 3000 B. C. according to archeologists; 2341 B. C. according to Ussher's timetable.

Map Study: for the resting of the ark, northern Turkish border of modern times.


Textual Study:

The first murder--Gen. Ch. 4. Between close relatives. In a sense, over religion--"over principle."

"Am I my brother's keeper?" The same question haunts us today in relation to the Great Commission.

The flood. Genesis 6-9.

The flood is a reminder that the God of love is also a God of justice. It's like Isaiah would say about 2000 years later--Isaiah 59: 1, 2. It is MAN who separates himself from God

The Lord is longsuffering and full of hope that man will repent (II Peter 3: 9). He is the One who authored the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15).

Question for discussion: How could it be that Jesus "went and preached unto the spirits in prison" in the days of Noah when it was maybe 3000 years before he was physically born? See I Peter 3: 18-21 for the full text.

The tower of Babel. Genesis 11: 1-9

This is a classic story of what happens when man relies on his own understanding and power instead of lookiing to God.

Jeremiah 10: 23--"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."

Proverbs 3: 5-7--"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."

Evaluative activities and/or discussion:

Turn to a neighbor and

Tell what bearing sin had on the relationship between Cain and Abel and between Cain and God.

Tell what the main events of the story of Noah were

Tell why God became interested in destroying man which he had made

Tell how Jesus "preached to the spirits in prison" in the time of Noah when it appears that he wasn't born until 3000 years later.


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