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Genesis

In: English and Literature

Submitted By iiMariee
Words 760
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1. What is the central theme of the Old Testament?
To do what’s right and follow the ways of the “all mighty” god.

1. The Old Testament divides into two parts. What are they?
The New Testament and the Old Testament.

2. Who are the three patriarchs? Why are they called this?
Isaac, Jacob and Abraham. They are used as significant markers by God in revelations and promises.

3. What is a covenant?
A binding contract, a legal agreement.

4. Explain the creation story from the Hebrew point-of view. Contrast to the Greek creation story.
The Hebrew’s believe that one man (God) created the whole earth. The Greeks believe several gods controlled different parts and things that happen (wind, rain, thunder) to the earth. With both story’s it seems the people just wanted to have something to blame as the cause for an affect. Maybe these are true stories or could simply be a way of explaining the unexplainable in their time periods.

5. How do the Hebrews’ account for evil being in the world?
Eating from a tree with knowledge of good and evil and then birthing and populating more people with this knowledge.

6. What is the six fold blessing promised to Abram if he left his country and his people and his father’s house and go to a land “I will show him”?
Make a great nation, be enriched, make his name great, bless those that bless him & curse those that curse him, Abram would be a blessing and all the families of the earth will be blessed by Abram.

7. Explain the story of Abram and Sarah and their two sons.
Sarah was barren and could have no children so they all went together to another land called Cannon and they lived there.

8. What is the significance of the near-sacrifice of Isaac?
It showed god the loyalty Abraham had for God which made God feel love for Abraham even more.

9. How did Isaac find a wife?
His father Abraham sent a loyal servant back to his relatives in Haran to find a wife for Isaac.

10. What is the problem between Esau and Jacob?
They were twins and both struggled and jostled inside Esau’s womb. And there father had favoritism towards Esau.

11. Why is there conflict in Jacob’s household? Give specifics.
Jacob felt threatened by Laban's change of nature. (Laban and his sons had pursued Jacob, and followed him to the hill country of Gilead.)

12. How do Jacob and Esau finally reconcile?
Jacob sends messengers to give Esau messages of peace and offerings of gifts to soften the anger Esau surely felt. They report back to Jacob, and tell him Esau is coming to him with four hundred men. Jacob immediately thinks it’s going to be war an prepares. "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept."

13. Identify: Cain Abel, Noah, Tower of Babel, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Laban, Leah, Rachel, Rebekah
• Cain and Abel- Two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain killed his brother Abel. No motive was really given as to why.
• Noah- A kind, noble man of gods that took him and his family unto his arch and made gods Covenant.
• Tower of Babel- They are one people and have one language, and nothing will be withheld from them which they purpose to do.
• Abraham- Faithful and a reminder of what it looks like to trust God with the most important things in our lives.
• Sarah- Sarah (Sarai) was the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac as described in the Hebrew.
• Isaac- The only son Abraham had with his wife Sarah, and was the father of Jacob and Esau.
• Jacob- Plain, quiet, cunning and peaceful man who was one of the sons of Isaac that flees from his brother’s anger and goes to Haran.
• Esau- A hairy, outdoorsman who lived for the hunt and enjoyed his game by eating his meat. His father Isaac favored his oldest, Esau.
• Laban- The son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah. Jacob worked for Laban and was taunted and tricked from money by his uncle.
• Leah- First wife of Jacobs and mother of ten of sons whose descendants became the Twelve Tribes of Israel, along with at least one daughter.
• Rachel- A prophet and the second wife of Jacobs (also sister of the first wife) and mother of two Joseph and Benjamin.
• Rebekah- Wife of Isaac who has his sons Jacob and Esau.

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