Welcome to Day 2549 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2549 – Old Testament Orientation – The Grand Narrative of the Old Testament   Putnam Church Message – 01/12/2024 Sermon Series: Old Testament Orientation Message 2: The Grand Narrative of the Old Testament Last week, we started a new series called Old Testament Orientation. We answered the question, “What is the Old Testament?” We explored how it is ultimately linked to the New Testament and that The entire Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus. This week, we are continuing our series and exploring ‘The Grand Narrative of the Old Testament.’ Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, we gather here today to explore the beauty and depth of Your story revealed in the Old Testament. Open our minds and hearts to see Your hand at work, weaving redemption and hope through every page. May we learn to trust You more deeply and understand our place in Your grand narrative. Guide us now by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Introduction The Old Testament isn’t just a collection of ancient laws, prophecies, and genealogies. It is a grand narrative—a sweeping story of God’s work among humanity, beginning with creation and pointing forward to ultimate redemption. For the ancient Israelites, this story was not just history; it was their identity, faith, and hope. The difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament is that the Old Testament is the story primarily of Israel. Starting with Genesis 12 all the way through the Old Testament, the story is focused on Israel. After the world implodes in Genesis 1-11, God decides to preserve a remnant so He can get what He desires, and what he desires is a human family. So, out of the chaos and depravity, he calls Abram, changes his name to Abraham, and starts over the Edenic (Garden of Eden) plan. God says, “I want a human family. That is why I created humanity. Things have gone terribly, but I am not giving up. I am going to take this one guy and his wife who cannot have children, and I am going to supernaturally create a people from them, and that is how I am going to keep the plan alive to eventually bring all nations back to me.” The nations dispersed at Babbel were reunited when Jesus Christ began God’s kingdom on earth, and Pentecost was bringing together all nations under Christ. Today, we’ll walk through the grand narrative of the Old Testament from an ancient Israelite’s perspective. We must take on the mindset of an ancient Israelite. (Bulletin) We’ll focus on:

1. God as Creator and Sustainer
2. God’s Covenant with His People
3. The Consequences of Disobedience
4. The Hope of Redemption

Let’s immerse ourselves in the story and see how it speaks to our lives today.

1. God as Creator and Sustainer

The story begins with God’s act of creation. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” For the Israelites, this was not just an explanation of origins but a proclamation of God’s authority over all creation. From a Divine Council worldview, this narrative also introduces the unseen realm, where God presides over a council of divine beings who...