Redeemer Equips: OT Survey I

Session 1: From Creation to the Patriarchs

The Theme: The Foundation of Friendship and the Promise of Restoration

I. Introduction to Covenant Theology (10 Minutes)

Definition: A covenant is a "bond in blood sovereignly administered." It is how a holy God enters into a relationship with His creatures.

The "Covenant of Works" vs. "Covenant of Grace": * Briefly explain that in Reformed thought, Adam was in a Covenant of Works in Eden (life for obedience).

After the Fall, all subsequent covenants are administrations of the one Covenant of Grace.

II. The Adamic Covenant: The Fall and the First Promise (15 Minutes)

The Context: Genesis 1–3.

The Breach: Adam, as the federal head (representative) of humanity, fails the test of obedience.

The Protoevangelium (Gen 3:15): The first mention of the Gospel. God promises that the "seed of the woman" will crush the serpent’s head.

Key Point: Every future covenant is simply a further unfolding of this first promise.

III. The Noahic Covenant: Preservation for Redemption (15 Minutes)

The Context: Genesis 6–9. The world is overwhelmed by sin.

The Nature: A "Common Grace" covenant. God promises to preserve the natural order (seasons, day/night) despite human depravity.

Reformed Insight: Why preserve the world? To provide a "stable stage" upon which the drama of redemption (the coming of Christ) can take place.

IV. The Abrahamic Covenant: The Family of Faith (20 Minutes)

The Context: Genesis 12, 15, and 17.

The Promises: Land, Seed, and Blessing to the nations.

The Ratification (Gen 15): The "smoking firepot" passing through the halved animals.

Reformed Insight: God alone passes through the pieces. He takes the penalty of the covenant upon Himself, guaranteeing its success by His own character.

The Sign: Circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that comes by faith (Rom 4:11).