Patriarchs (2000-1800 BC)
The patriarchs are found in Genesis 12-50, which tells the story of how Yahweh chose one family to begin unfolding his plan of redemption. With each member of the family, Yahweh will teach them more about who He is and turn them into the people He wants them to be. The word patriarch literally means “ruling father.” The following are the four ruling fathers Yahweh used to begin the growth of the nation of Israel before they would go into slavery for four hundred years.
- The Redemption of Humanity and Creation—The Abrahamic Covenant, which Yahweh established with Abraham and his descendants, became the foundation to the plan of redemption Yahweh provided through His Son at the cross. It was through the nation of Israel, descended from Abraham, that Yahweh brings Jesus Christ. This is where it all begins.
- The Kingdoms of Yahweh and Satan—Through the Abrahamic Covenant and the great nation it promised, Yahweh would begin to restore His kingdom through the nation of Israel. Satan, however, seeks to threaten this covenant, first through the obstacles that he places in Abraham’s life, then by leading Jacob astray to follow his own desires and, ultimately, idols. Finally, he seeks to corrupt Jacob’s sons and incites their desire to kill Joseph, the only righteous one.
- The Foreshadowing of Jesus Christ—It is through the promise of the world being blessed through Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant that Yahweh would bring about the world being blessed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Isaac becomes an important type of the Father and His sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
