During Creation week, on Day 4, God began to fill the world he had formed on Days 1 to 3. The first act of filling was to provide government of the time and seasons. Leaders and political powers are represented throughout the Bible in the same way. They are ruling lights that oversee the lives of men. The fall of a political power is often described in apocalyptic imagery that mentions stars falling from heaven, sun darkening etc (Gen 37:9-11, Isa 13:9-13, Matt 24:29).

When this type of language and imagery is used in the New Testament there is no reason to expect a different intent. Unfortunately that hasn’t stopped a few ‘Chicken Little’s’ from getting all excited making sci-fi type doomsday predictions. What makes for entertaining escapism at the movies or bedtime stories doesn’t create good theology

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• Because he built it, he will fill it

John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of Methodism (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A stranger visiting a Methodist community in Britain asked an old Cornishman to explain the obvious morality and spirit of the villagers. He replied, “A man named Wesley passed this way.” And so must the church of Jesus Christ constantly remind the observing world that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. There is an irresistible contagion about the Christian. Above all others, the preacher—by word and ministry—must preach: Jesus is here! ~ Jones, G. C. 1986. 1000 illustrations for preaching and teaching (p. 303). Broadman Press: Nashville, TN

Drawing from my notes taken during my Bible College Old Testament History class way back last century I offer the following thoughts about the significance of the story of Joshua.

The occupation of Canaan is not representative of the believer entering Heaven. Canaan is inherited through testing that results in maturity and conquest leading to rest. Canaan is the picture of the believer’s present position and possession in Christ (Heb 3:1 – 4:16).

A Christian is not given a ticket that allows them to escape the singe of hell before they enjoy a free ride to heaven. Those who enter into covenant with God have received the Word of God, are called to obey it, or be rejected by it. The life of persevering faith will involve an active, intentional fight against sin as you strive towards holiness to appropriate what God offers you in Christ (1 Cor 10:1-14, Heb 12:14-17, 2 Pet 1:5-9, Phil 2:12-13, 1 Thes 5:24).

What should the Christian take away from the book of Joshua? We live and work from a position of victory, but we must not surrender to apathy and presumption (Rom 6:1-23).

They were first hand participants in the conflict between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. The serpent’s seed are tyrants of death and destruction, whereas the woman’s seed are faithful warrior priest-kings who lead their families to worship Yahweh.

When Joseph arrives he seemingly fulfils the Genesis 3:15 prophecy of the seed of woman who will bring salvation and undo Adam’s failure. As a prophet, he speaks God’s word to his brothers and suffers affliction and (a fake) death at their hands (Gen 37:26, 31-33, Acts 7:9). As a priest he serves Potiphar and resists the allure of the “daughters of men” (c.f. Gen 6:1-4 w/ 39:6-12). As a king, he brings God’s Word to the nation through diligent stewardship, marries a Gentile bride and gives an inheritance to his brothers (c.f. Gen 41:16 w/ Heb 2:10-18). [NB: The pattern of Word, Sacrament and Government.]

Following the pattern established during Creation week of Genesis 1, on Day 1 God spoke and kick started the universe, the story of Genesis is the kick-start of Israel – how it came to be and through whom. As the sun sets on this “Day 1” of the Bible story,  God has spoken, initiated his covenant and created his nation of priests, who are led by Joseph. He is a light and saviour to the nations as he manages the food distribution during a wide-spread famine.

The separation of light from dark is illustrated in the conflict, between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman, which reaches a climax as Joseph, seed of Abraham (c.f. Gal 3:16) defeats the serpent and effects a salvation of the known world. Not altogether like his anti-type, another bloke with a name starting with “J” (Heb 2:14, 1 John 3:8, Rev 12:4-5, 20:10).

Photograph of medieval canvas "Abraham and Melchisedek"

Abraham is chosen as a new priest as God works to overturn the curse and draw men back to himself. Abraham hears God’s Word, leaves his old life, and approaches God through faith. He is a first-fruits of those justified by faith (Gal 3:6-9). The inheritance of the promised land looks back to Eden and forward to an incorruptible inheritance. (Heb 11:8-16, 1 Pet 1:3-4)

The promise-curse of Genesis 3:15-16 is fulfilled through the miraculous births of Isaac, Esau & Jacob and Joseph to Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel. (Heb 11:11-12)

Abraham is a faithful priest who protects the land in the battle of the city-kings in Genesis 14. His defense and rescue of Lot is opposite to Adam’s protection of Eve. When Melchizedek arrives, they celebrate with “bread and wine” (Gen 14:18). Following this, God cuts a covenant with Abraham (Gen 15) reiterating his promise of salvation given to Adam and Eve (c.f. Gen 15:2-6 w/ 3:15). In Hebrews 7, Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, he brings the bread and wine of his body and blood (Matt 26:26-29), which are tokens of the new covenant.

Noah is the 10th generation from Adam (Gen 5, c.f. Deut 23:1-8). Through Noah, God expands his kingdom, commencing with speaking his law (Gen 9:1-7) and Noah planting a new garden (aka vineyard) in Genesis 9:20.

He was a second Adam (not the last!) but…

“Genesis 2 presents creation as a cosmic temple, a holy dwelling place of God. The charge to Adam to fill the earth and subdue it (Gen. 1:28) is a priestly charge to expand the borders of Eden so that God’s habitable dwelling will be the whole earth. Thus the glory of Yahweh will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Num. 14:21; Isa. 6:3; 11:9; Hab. 2:14). The language used to describe Adam’s “working and keeping” the garden (Gen. 2:15) is used elsewhere in the Pentateuch to describe the priests’ “working and keeping” the tabernacle [e.g. Num 18:7~ AG]. And this language is used for no other purpose.”

~ ‘God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment – A Biblical Theology’ by James M. Hamilton, Jr. p.73

The fall into sin, told in Genesis 3, shows us what happens when God’s Word is not received. Instead of producing maturity, experiencing conquest and resting in satisfaction we are undone, unmade and destroyed.

Consider the events as they unfold in Genesis 2-3. Note the forming & filling pattern. Although in this instance the progress (or regress!) pivots on the testing of Adam and follows the ‘banquet‘ chiasm.

Forming

Creation
Adam is created in the image of God and given God’s Word / Law. Gen 2:16-17

Division
Adam is divided (blood is shed, his rib removed) and Eve is made. Gen 2:20-21

Ascension
They are brought together in a covenant of marriage. Gen 2:22-25

Filling

Testing
Adam, as high priest guardian & protector of Eve & Eden is tested. Gen 3:1-6

Maturity (or immaturity)
Adam seizes the fruit (takes things into his own hands, literally) and tries to cover his disobedience with fig leaves. Gen 3:7

Conquest (or defeat)
God uncovers Adam’s sin & covers it with blood of an innocent animal. He is outside the angelic veil and no longer in the promised land. Gen 3:8-13, 21-24

Future

Glorification / Rest (or pain / suffering)
Adam’s failed dominion is inherited by his offspring. Gen 5:3

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Where did we go wrong?

Is the world around us a mistake or an accident? If God made the world and everything in it, did Adam and Eve somehow upset everything and cause God to revert to “Plan B”?

The kingdom of God on earth started in Eden with the days of creation in Genesis 1. God sets the universe in motion and provides a template of forming and filling used during the entire Bible story.

The first stage of the 7 day pattern relates to new life. It starts with God speaking and his Word gives life. The way we receive faith and start our spiritual life is through God’s Word. (Rom 10:17, 1 Pet 1:23)

The seven day creation consists of 3 days of forming parallel to 3 days of filling*. In the same way you would build shelves in your house. First you erect the frame and then you fill the shelves with your belongings. The belongings don’t replace the shelves, they fill them. The New Testament did not replace the Old Testament, it filled it. (Matt 5:17-19, Heb 3:1-6)

The final day of Creation is a day of Rest, it anticipates our future and the rest that God desires to give us. (Matt 11:28-30, Heb 4:9-11)

Forming (by dividing)

Day 1 – Light & Dark

Day 2 – Firmament – Divided Waters (Sky & Sea)

Day 3 – Land & Sea, Grain & Fruit plants

Filling (with multitudes)

Day 4 – Sun, Moon & Stars

Day 5 – Swarms of Birds & Fish

Day 6 – Land Animals & Man

Future

Day 7 – Stop, Rest, Hallow & Enjoy

Note:
(*Bull, Bible Matrix, pp.46-47)

Welcome to the Feast

In the Bible, we are guests at God’s banquet. A modern reader struggles to make sense of this story written so differently to our modern texts and popular novels. The structure of the Bible story is based upon Israel’s festival calendar (detailed in Leviticus 23). Consider the pattern or process you might follow when hosting a dinner party. Our to-do list is arranged to illustrate its parallel structure:

A. You send your invitations

B. You cover the table with a cloth

C. You lay out place settings & cutlery

D. The guests are seated

C1. The food and wine is served

B1. The feast is consumed

A1. You recline, full & satisfied with an digestif

The invitation (A) anticipates the satisfied diners at the end of the party (A1).
The table cloth (B) dedicates the table for the dinner (B1).
The placement of the cutlery (C) is matched with it’s use to eat the food (C1).
At the center of this event, the guests (D) are seated. Will they partake of the meal? Will they enjoy the party? It’s a simplistic example, but hopefully you see a parallel cycle of forward movement.

The Bible story is similar. God has given us an invitation, he has prepared life for us, he has called us to himself, he has given us his Word. Will we receive it? Will we make it a part of ourselves? When we do, we have “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (c.f. 2 Peter 1:11).

From the beginning of the Bible God has purposely laid the table for us so that we can read, follow the pattern and enjoy feasting on his Word.

The pattern starts in Genesis 1, continues through the Old Testament, and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The exact details of the pattern will vary using different motifs, allusions and imagery, but the goal of the process is the same.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. … And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. ~ 1 John 5:13, 20

The formating of the PDF’s is clean, clear and crisp. A great resource for any Bible College or ministry student and experienced pastor alike.

Lectures to my Students Vol 1 (.pdf)

Lectures to my Students Vol 2 (.pdf)

Lectures to my Students Vol 3 (.pdf)

Lectures to My Students Vol 4 (.pdf)

HT: On the Wing & Reformation Theology