From Beginning to Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of ScriptureSample

Read Genesis 3.

In the first eleven chapters of Genesis, we see the beauty of God’s creation quickly disrupted. Once sin was introduced into the world, it spread, causing death and depravity that culminated in worldwide rebellion against God. Those who were designed to live in community with God, building His kingdom, decided they wanted to build a kingdom for themselves. But in epic fashion, God responded by scattering the nations throughout the earth (Gen. 11:1-9).

In Genesis 3:15, God made a promise to restore His kingdom. He promised that one day the head of the serpent, which represents Satan and sin itself, would be crushed and permanently eradicated from the world. One day, all that is broken would be made whole. But by the end of Genesis 11, the corruption of the kingdom had not been remedied. Sin still existed, and humanity was living in rebellion, fully opposed to God.

As we read through Scripture, we are going to keep asking the same question—How would God keep His promise?

Read Genesis 12:1-3.

In these three verses, God made a promise to Abraham about Abraham’s future. If Abraham would obediently follow after God, God would give him three things—land, people, and blessing. Through Abraham, God would restore His kingdom, establishing a place for His people under His rule and blessing.

God called Abraham out for a special purpose and made a series of promises that combined to form one large promise called a covenant. God’s covenant with Abraham unfolds in Genesis 12; 15; 17.

Many of the promises God made in Scripture were not immediately fulfilled. While God showed His people in advance how He would rescue them, His plan of redemption unfolded over generations. The people of God had to patiently wait and trust that God would make good on His promises.

Read Genesis 15:1-6 and Genesis 17:1-8.

The final part of God’s covenant with Abraham included a promise of blessing. The blessing God gave Abraham was twofold, for Abraham both received blessing from God and brought blessing to the entire world.

Today we saw how God chose Abraham and his descendants to be His people. In His sovereignty, He singled out this one man and his family to serve as the conduit through which He would redeem humanity and restore His kingdom. They were God’s people, under His rule and blessing, on their way to a place God set apart for them.1 God’s kingdom restoration plan had been set in motion!

1. Graeme Goldsworthy, The Goldsworthy Trilogy (Milton Keynes, England: Paternoster, 2000), 54; Vaughan Roberts, God’s Big Picture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 22.