Introduction to the Bible: some notes II

Some further thoughts on discussions we had last night.

1. If you want something really good to read, D. Clines' The Theme of the Pentateuch is pretty good, though a little pricey I notice.
His basic thesis is this:

The theme of the Pentateuch is the partial fulfilment—which implies also the partial non-fulfilment—of the promise to or blessing of the patriarchs. The promise or blessing is both the divine initiative in a world where human initiatives always lead to disaster, and a re-affirmation of the primal divine intentions for man.

This is a pretty good summary. Notice how, as we suggested last night, the first five books of the bible propel us forward into the future. They suggest that more is to come: though there is a partial fulfilment, there is still much of what God has promised left outstanding.

2. We talked a bit about 'covenants': Noah, Abraham, Moses/Israel, David, (Jeremiah). Could you also call the Garden of Eden a 'covenant' arrangement? Certainly, the structure of a covenant is there, with an act of sheer grace - creation - followed by a stipulation which is really a designation of the freedom of Adam and Eve to carry out their task within the parameters that God sets and under his protection. What do you think? An old teacher of mine, Bill Dumbrell, in his excellent book Covenant and Creation reckons that this is a covenant pure and simple. (You might also see his truly excellent book The Faith of Israel, which gives a great summary of every OT book. )

3. The question was raised: 'since the human situation appears to degenerate so quickly after Noah's time, what does the flood achieve?'

It's a fair enough question. First of all, I would say that the little story about the angelic love affairs with human women suggests an almost demonic condition of the pre-flood world. This infection of the lineage of humanity was broken by the flood. So, in that sense it could be argued that the flood provided a decisive break but also a continuity of God's plan. (NB - is this what is meant by the 'spirits in prison' in 1 Peter 3:8? Could be!)

Secondly, the NT sees the flood as a great demonstration of the pattern and scope of God's judgement on the earth AND his plan of salvation - see 2 Peter 2 for example:

5if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others ...9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.