Introduction to Biblical Theology - Dr. Thomas Schreiner - Lecture 04

Summary

The promise of offspring will be fulfilled through a king from the tribe of Judah.

• Genesis 38 and 49 reveal that the scepter will not depart from Judah.

• Despite Judah's past, he becomes the heir due to Reuben's exclusion and Simeon and Levi's sin.

Discussion on tribal mixing and exclusion from land allotment

• Levi's obedience rewarded with priesthood and place in land

• Simeon and Levi not excluded from Israel but no special allotment in land

The relationship between Adam and Christ is a covenant.

• The use of the word 'covenant' is not necessary for there to be a covenant.

• The seminal view only makes sense if you hold a covenant view.

Exodus is the language of redemption in the New Testament

• Pharaoh is the offspring of the serpent and wants to kill babies

• The Exodus is redemption and a pattern for what God does in Jesus Christ

God reveals himself as the covenant-keeping God

• God promises to free his people from Egypt through the covenant formula

• Moses' inadequacies and covenant transgression, but God shows his power and makes his name known through the plagues

God's sovereignty over evil and Pharaoh's heart

• God allowed evil leaders to continue in power for His purposes

• God hardened Pharaoh's heart, but Pharaoh is still accountable for his evil actions

Passover theme in biblical theology anticipates Christ's death

• Passover sacrifice fulfilled in the cross of Jesus Christ

• Mosaic Covenant not legalistic, but God's love for His chosen people

Israel's covenant is gracious but conditional

• Israel must keep covenant stipulations to enjoy fellowship with God

• The Ten Commandments reveal whether God is Lord in one's heart

Key Points

1. Joseph Narrative and Preservation in Egypt: The story of Joseph in Egypt is crucial for the preservation of the seed, which leads to the fulfillment of the promise of a king from the tribe of Judah.

2. Promise of Offspring and Kingship: There is an emphasis on the promise that offspring will be fulfilled through a king from Judah, as mentioned in Genesis.

3. Covenant Relationships: The relationship between Adam and Christ is described as covenantal, highlighting the importance of covenants in biblical theology.

4. God's Covenant-Keeping Nature: God is revealed as a covenant-keeping deity, emphasizing his reliability and faithfulness to his promises.

5. Exodus and Redemption: The Exodus is characterized as the language of redemption in the New Testament, suggesting its thematic significance for understanding salvation.

6. God's Sovereignty: There is an exploration of God's sovereignty over evil, specifically in relation to Pharaoh's hardened heart.

7. Passover and Christ's Death: The theme of Passover in biblical theology serves as an anticipation of Christ's death, indicating its foreshadowing role.

8. Nature of Israel's Covenant: The covenant with Israel is described as gracious yet conditional, suggesting a balance of divine grace and human responsibility.

9. Tribal Dynamics: There is a discussion about tribal mixing and exclusion from land allotments, which may refer to complexities in the division and inheritance of land among the tribes of Israel.

10. Covenant and Kingship in Genesis

    • Judah's Role: The promise of a king comes through Judah, not Joseph, highlighting the sovereignty of God in choosing the line of descent.

    • Exclusion of Reuben: Reuben is passed over due to moral failure; Judah becomes the unexpected heir despite his flaws.

11. Theme of Redemption in Exodus

    • Pharaoh as the Serpent's Offspring: Pharaoh represents evil, seeking to destroy Israel, God's son. The Exodus narrative illustrates the battle between good and evil.

    • Moses as Deliverer: Moses' leadership serves as a reminder that God uses the weak and humble for His purposes.

12. Covenant Understanding

    • Mosaic Covenant: Emphasized as a gracious yet conditional agreement. Israel is expected to obey God's law to maintain a relationship with Him.

    • God's Love: The Israelites are chosen out of God's love, not legalism. Deuteronomy 7 highlights this unconditional election.

13. Significance of the Ten Commandments

    • Supremacy of God: The First Commandment establishes the need for exclusive worship, affecting all other commandments.

    • Depth of the Law: Each commandment reveals deeper heart issues, showing that external actions stem from internal worship priorities.

14. Typology and Christology

    • Passover Foreshadowing: The Passover lamb anticipates Christ's sacrifice, linking Old Testament redemption with New Testament theology.

    • God’s Sovereignty: God's control over history is demonstrated through Pharaoh’s hardened heart, illustrating the coexistence of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

15. Encouragement for Believers

    • Humility in Ministry: Emphasizes that feelings of inadequacy can lead to reliance on God, which is essential for effective ministry.

    • God's Power: Encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, even amidst evil leadership and difficult circumstances.

16. Covenant as a Narrative Context

    • Links between covenants (e.g., Noahic and Abrahamic) are explored, suggesting a continuity in God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture.

Article

The Covenant Narrative: Understanding the Foundations of Biblical Theology

In the rich tapestry of biblical theology, the narratives of Genesis and Exodus serve as foundational texts that reveal God's covenantal relationship with His people. This blog post aims to distill the key insights from a recent discussion on these themes, exploring the significance of the covenant, the role of key figures, and the overarching narrative of redemption.

The Joseph Narrative: Preservation of the Seed

The discussion begins with the Joseph narrative, which highlights the preservation of the seed of Israel during their time in Egypt. While Joseph's story is often viewed through the lens of personal triumph and forgiveness, it also serves a larger purpose: ensuring the survival of God's chosen people. The Israelites find themselves in Egypt, a place that, while initially a refuge, becomes a setting of oppression. This paradox underscores the tension between God's promises and the realities faced by His people.

A pivotal moment in this narrative is the emphasis on Judah, the tribe through which the promise of a king will be fulfilled. Genesis 49 proclaims, "The scepter will not depart from Judah," indicating that despite the moral failings of Judah, God's sovereignty prevails. This theme of divine selection amidst human failure is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, reminding us that God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways.

The Role of Covenants

The conversation shifts to the concept of covenants, particularly the covenant with Noah and its implications for understanding authority and governance. The speaker suggests that while there may not be a direct connection between the Noahic covenant and the promises made to Abraham, there is a broader narrative of God's authority being established through these covenants. This idea invites further exploration into how these covenants interrelate and contribute to the unfolding story of redemption.

The discussion also touches on the Mosaic covenant, which is often mischaracterized as merely legalistic. However, it is essential to recognize that this covenant was established after God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The Israelites were not simply given laws to follow; they were called to be a kingdom of priests, reflecting God's character to the world. This understanding shifts the perspective from viewing the law as a burden to seeing it as a means of relationship and blessing.

The Exodus: A Narrative of Redemption

As the conversation progresses to the book of Exodus, the theme of redemption takes center stage. The Exodus story is not just about physical liberation from slavery; it is a profound illustration of God's redemptive work. The plagues serve as a demonstration of God's power over Pharaoh, who is depicted as the offspring of the serpent, intent on destroying God's people. This battle of the seeds—between the serpent and the promised offspring—culminates in the Passover, which foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of humility in ministry, drawing parallels between Moses' inadequacies and God's use of the weak. Moses, despite his initial reluctance and feelings of inadequacy, becomes the deliverer of God's people. This serves as a powerful reminder that God often chooses the humble and the weak to accomplish His purposes, challenging the notion of intellectual arrogance that can sometimes pervade theological study.

The Sovereignty of God

A significant theme that emerges is the sovereignty of God in the face of human evil. The discussion highlights how God hardened Pharaoh's heart, yet Pharaoh remains accountable for his actions. This tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a complex but essential aspect of biblical theology. It invites readers to grapple with the mystery of God's ways while affirming His ultimate authority over all creation.

The speaker also draws attention to the significance of the Passover in the New Testament, where Christ is identified as our Passover lamb. This typological connection enriches our understanding of the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, illustrating how the themes of sacrifice and redemption are woven throughout Scripture.

The Ten Commandments: A Reflection of God's Supremacy

Finally, the discussion delves into the Ten Commandments, emphasizing their role in revealing God's supremacy in our lives. The commandments are not merely a set of rules; they reflect the heart of God and His desire for a relationship with His people. The first commandment, which calls for exclusive worship of God, sets the tone for understanding the depth of all the commandments. Each commandment reveals the underlying issue of idolatry—what we desire and prioritize above God.

In conclusion, the narratives of Genesis and Exodus provide a profound framework for understanding God's covenantal relationship with humanity. They invite us to reflect on our own lives, recognizing that God's sovereignty, grace, and redemptive purposes are at work even in our weaknesses and failures. As we engage with these texts, we are reminded of the overarching story of redemption that culminates in Christ, encouraging us to live as a kingdom of priests, reflecting God's character to the world.

This exploration of biblical theology not only enriches our understanding of Scripture but also challenges us to embrace our role in God's unfolding narrative, trusting in His promises and sovereignty as we navigate the complexities of life.

Study Guide: Key Themes and Concepts from the Joseph and Exodus Narratives

Joseph Narrative

• Preservation of the Seed: The narrative emphasizes the preservation of the lineage of Israel during their time in Egypt.

• Judah's Role:

  • Judah, from the tribe of Judah, is highlighted as the means through which the promise of a king will be fulfilled (Genesis 38, 49).

  • The prophecy states, "The scepter will not depart from Judah until he whose right it is comes."

• Exclusion of Reuben:

  • Reuben is excluded due to his sin (incest with Jacob's concubine).

  • Judah, despite his failings, is chosen as the next in line.

Covenant Themes

• Covenant with Noah:

  • The Noahic covenant is seen as a precursor to later covenants, but its direct connection to the Abrahamic covenant is debated.

• Authority and Dominion:

  • Genesis 1-2 discusses humanity's dominion over creation, which is a form of governance.

  • The Noahic covenant also includes elements of governance.

Exodus Narrative

• Fulfillment of Promises: The birth of many Israelites in Egypt signifies the fulfillment of God's promises.

• Pharaoh as the Serpent's Offspring:

  • Pharaoh's actions (killing babies) reflect the ongoing battle between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman.

• Redemption through Exodus:

  • The Exodus is a key redemptive event, paralleling the New Testament's themes of salvation.

  • Moses serves as a humble deliverer, emphasizing that God uses the weak.

God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

• Pharaoh's Hardening of Heart:

  • God hardens Pharaoh's heart, but Pharaoh is still responsible for his actions.

  • This duality of divine sovereignty and human accountability is a recurring theme.

The Passover

• Typology of Christ:

  • The Passover lamb foreshadows Christ's sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7).

  • The Last Supper is rooted in the Passover tradition.

Mosaic Covenant

• Nature of the Covenant:

  • The Mosaic Covenant is not merely legalistic; it is rooted in God's love and election of Israel (Deuteronomy 7).

  • Israel is called to be a kingdom of priests and a blessing to the world.

• Covenant Stipulations:

  • The Israelites agree to follow God's laws after being delivered from Egypt.

  • The Ten Commandments reflect God's supremacy and the depth of worship.

The Ten Commandments

• Supremacy of God:

  • The first commandment emphasizes exclusive worship of God.

  • The tenth commandment (coveting) reveals the heart's desires and priorities.

• Interconnectedness of Commandments:

  • All commandments stem from the first, indicating that true obedience is rooted in recognizing God as Lord.

Key Takeaways

• God's Sovereignty: God is in control of history and uses even evil leaders to fulfill His purposes.

• Human Weakness: God often chooses the weak and humble to accomplish His plans.

• Covenantal Relationships: Understanding the nature of covenants is crucial for grasping biblical theology.

Discussion Questions

1. How does the narrative of Joseph illustrate God's providence in preserving His people?

2. In what ways does the Exodus serve as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's work?

3. Discuss the implications of God's sovereignty in the hardening of Pharaoh's heart.

4. How do the Ten Commandments reflect the relationship between God and His people?

This study guide condenses the essential themes and concepts from the provided transcript, making it easier for students to review and prepare for discussions or exams.

Dr. Tom Schreiner is an Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to joining Southern, he taught New Testament at Azusa Pacific University. He also taught at Bethel Theological Seminary for 11 years. Schreiner is a Pauline scholar who has written extensively on this subject. He is married to Diane and they have four children. Schreiner is a member of Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.