Gate I: Scripture
The Rule of the First Gate
Scripture sets the foundation. We tell the story from the canonical text and let the essential verses speak.
From Promise to Covenant
In the previous Journey, we followed the calling of Abraham and the promise God gave him:
“I will make of thee a great nation…”
— Genesis 12:2
But the promise did not remain only a promise.
God established a covenant.
A covenant that would pass through generations, form a people, and eventually become part of the story leading to Jesus Christ.
What began with one man would become a family.
And that family would become a nation.
1 — God Establishes His Covenant
In Genesis 15, God promises Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars.
“So shall thy seed be.”
— Genesis 15:5
Abraham believes God, and it is counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Then God confirms His promise through a physical covenant ceremony.
Animals are divided. Darkness falls. A smoking furnace and a burning lamp pass between the pieces. (Genesis 15:9–18)
God also reveals something remarkable: Abraham’s descendants will live as strangers in another land, suffer oppression, and afterward be brought out.
“And afterward shall they come out with great substance.”
— Genesis 15:14
Long before Moses is born, the Exodus is already present within the covenant story.
2 — The Sign of the Covenant
God appears again to Abraham:
“I am the Almighty God; walk before me…”
— Genesis 17:1
Abram becomes Abraham — father of many nations.
Sarai becomes Sarah.
Circumcision is given as the sign of the covenant. (Genesis 17:5–15)
But God also identifies the precise covenant line:
“Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him…”
— Genesis 17:19
3 — Isaac: The Son of Promise
Isaac is born exactly as God promised. (Genesis 21:1–3)
Then comes one of Genesis’ most powerful events. God tests Abraham:
“Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest…”
— Genesis 22:2
Isaac carries the wood and asks: “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
Abraham answers: “My son, God will provide himself a lamb…” (Genesis 22:7–8)
At the final moment God stops Abraham, and a ram is provided. (Genesis 22:11–13)
Abraham names the place: YHWH-jireh — The LORD will provide.
4 — Jacob Becomes Israel
Isaac has two sons: Esau and Jacob. Before they are born, God tells Rebekah: “Two nations are in thy womb…” (Genesis 25:23)
Years later, Jacob experiences a mysterious encounter during the night. He wrestles until daybreak and is told:
“Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel…”
— Genesis 32:28
This is a crucial turning point. Israel is first the name of a man. From that man comes a family. From that family come tribes. And from those tribes comes the nation of Israel.
5 — Joseph: Rejected and Preserved
Jacob has twelve sons. Joseph receives dreams suggesting his family will one day bow before him. His brothers become jealous, throw him into a pit, and sell him into slavery in Egypt. (Genesis 37)
Yet Scripture repeatedly tells us: “And the LORD was with Joseph…” (Genesis 39:2)
Joseph is falsely accused and imprisoned. But while in prison, he interprets dreams. Eventually Pharaoh himself has dreams, and Joseph is brought before him.
Joseph explains that seven years of abundance will be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh appoints him over Egypt. (Genesis 41:39–41)
The rejected brother… the slave… the prisoner… becomes ruler beneath Pharaoh.
6 — The Brothers Return
The famine reaches Canaan. Jacob sends his sons to Egypt for grain. They appear before Joseph and, without recognizing him… they bow before him. (Genesis 42:6)
Eventually Joseph reveals himself. His brothers are terrified, but Joseph sees something larger than their betrayal:
“God did send me before you to preserve life.”
— Genesis 45:5
Later he adds:
“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…”
— Genesis 50:20
7 — Israel Enters Egypt
Jacob and his household travel to Egypt. God tells Jacob:
“Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.”
— Genesis 46:3
Genesis ends with Joseph in Egypt. Before his death he says: “God will surely visit you…” (Genesis 50:24)
He asks that when God brings Israel out, his bones be carried with them. Genesis therefore ends with an unfinished promise.
The Covenant Has Not Died.
Next Gate
But Genesis is not the only ancient text preserving traditions surrounding Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. What else did ancient people believe was happening around the Covenant? What unseen forces were at work?