These are the headings for the first week of our “Big Picture” trip through the whole of the Old Testament.

A The beginning of God’s promises – Creation to the Patriarchs

1. Where it all began
1.1. Creation Genesis 1-2
1.2. God created Adam and Eve in his image Genesis 1:27-30

2. Where it all went wrong
2.1. Adam and Eve disobey God Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 3:1-13
2.2. The seed of hope Genesis 3:15
2.3. (Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1-17)

3. Noah and the Flood Genesis 6:1-9:17
3.1. God’s judgment on wickedness Genesis 6:11-13, 18, 22
3.2. But God remembered Noah! Genesis 8:1
3.3. (The Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9)

4. Abraham – Friend of God (James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8) (c.2000-1825 BC)
4.1. God calls Abraham and Abraham obeys God Genesis 12:1-5
4.2. (Abraham meets Melchizedek Genesis 14:18-20)
4.3. God’s promises to Abraham many descendants and his own land Genesis 15:1, 5-7
4.4. God “cuts the covenant” and swears his oath to Abraham Genesis 15:8-19
4.5. God makes a covenant with Abraham Genesis 17:1-8
4.6. Circumcision as the sign of the covenant Genesis 17:9-14
4.7. (God promises a son to Sarah Genesis 17:15-22)
4.8. (Abraham shows hospitality and intercedes for Sodom Genesis 18)
4.9. (God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 19)
4.10. Abraham and Sarah’s miracle baby Isaac is born Genesis 21:1-7
4.11. God test’s Abraham’s faith Genesis 22:1-14
4.12. God repeats his promises to Abraham Genesis 22:15-18
4.13. God blessed Abraham in every way Genesis 24:1; 25:5-7;
4.14. Abraham gives us an example of faith Hebrews 11:8-12
4.15. God kept all his promises to Noah and to Abraham and he will keep his promises to us

5. The Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the ancestors of the Israelites
5.1. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob Genesis 25:19-34
5.2. God repeats his promises to Isaac Genesis 26:2-5 (c.1900-1720 BC)
5.3. Jacob steals Esau’s blessing Genesis 27:1-41 (c.1800-1700 BC)
5.4. Stairway to heaven: God repeats his promises to Jacob Genesis 28:10-15
5.5. Jacob wrestles with God Genesis 32:22-32
5.6. The story of Joseph Genesis 37-50

God’s Covenants with His People
The word covenant appears 285 times in the Old Testament. A covenant is a solemn commitment, guaranteeing the promises or obligations of one or both of the parties in the covenant. God made wonderful promises to Abraham, to Moses and the Israelites and to David. These rest on God’s “steadfast love”, which is also translated as “covenant faithfulness”, “loving-kindness” or “loyalty”. God’s steadfast love is mentioned 248 times in the Old Testament with 100 times just in Psalms. God’s love never fails, even when the people are unfaithful to God. All those Old Testament promises are fulfilled in even more wonderful ways through Jesus who shares those amazing blessings with us, who put our trust in Him.