The Ardent Dreams of a Destiny

1. The Ardent Dreams of a Destiny • Devotions – Anna Thomas • Brief Concept Review • Pictures 1, 2, 3 & 4 • Picture 5

2. Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1

3. Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1 • Hands lifting the earth out of hazy mist — God created the heavens and the earth. • Halo of white light circling the earth — God created all things good. • Fingers opened on the right hand — God relinquished the earth to humankind as a gift.  • White links attached to the arms and globe — God binds himself to his creation.

4. Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1 • Lettered banner flying on the earth — God claims ownership of all creation. • Figure grasping staff — Humanity, too, is owned by God. • Banner furling around figures — Fashioned and owned by God, humankind has freedom only within limits. • Halo of light behind figures’ heads — Male and female are fashioned in God’s image.

5. Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1 • Figures holding crowns — Fashioned in God’s image, people are the very crown of God’s creation and have been given four basic responsibilities toward the earth on which they dwell: • First jewel in crown —To replenish the earth • Second jewel in crown —Tosubdue the earth • Third jewel in crown —To till and keep the earth • Fourth jewel in crown —To have dominion over the earth

6. Divine Intentions – OT- 2

7. Divine Intentions – OT- 2 • Notes extended from heavens — God ushered humankind into a domain where it might have harmony with all things. • Four fingers below note bar — The harmony which God coveted for humankind was fourfold in nature: • Raised arms of central figures — Harmony with God • Banner enfolding central figures — Harmony with self

8. Divine Intentions – OT- 2 • Clasped arms of central figures — Harmony with others • Placid and peaceful lake scene — Harmony with nature • Central figures with faces lifted upward — Prevailing harmony was contingent upon obedience to God. • Halos behind central figures’ heads — Fashioned in the fullness of God’s image, male and female in Eden had the capacity for a perfect response to God’s will.

9. Disharmony – OT-3

10. Disharmony – OT-3 • Broken note — The intent of God that the inhabitants of the world should dwell in a domain where they would have harmony with all things is mutilated and maligned. • Figure facing away from outstretched hand — The Edenic account portrays that dilemma as the direct aftereffect of disobedience to God. • Outstretched arms of central figure — Discontent and unsatisfied with the limited freedom (Gen. 2:16-17) demanded by God, humanity (Gen. 5:1-2) revolts against God.

11. Disharmony – OT-3 • Space between central figure and outstretched hand — Disobedience and revolt issues in separation and estrangement from God. • Painful countenance on central figure’s face — Estrangement issues in disharmony with God. • Broken note penetrating flesh — Estrangement issues in disharmony with self. • Broken note striking second figure — Estrangement issues in disharmony with others.

12. Disharmony – OT-3 • Broken note penetrating earth — Estrangement issues in disharmony with nature. • Cracked earth and parched ground — Estrangement issues in the misuse of creation. • Yoke-like appearance of broken note — Disobedience, revolt, separation, and estrangement leaves God’s created ones carrying the burden of guilt and a “sense of guilt.”

13. Disharmony – OT-3 • Large hand extended in beckoning position — God does not abandon sinful people. A new promise is given.

14. Pronouncement of a Destiny-OT-4

15. Pronouncement of a Destiny-OT-4 THE DESTINY • “. . . I will bless you . . .”Shaft of light strikes prism. • “. . . so that you will be a blessing.”Light diffuses and passes through kneeling figure. • “. . . by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” Rays of light pass through kneeling figure and extend over the whole earth.

16. Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5

17. Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5 • Figure sitting on rock ledge (lower right) — Israel • Ring encircles figure — Israel is set apart by God to carry out a unique destiny upon the earth. • Figure surveys scenes in misty clouds — Israel contemplates some of the promises, disciplines, and circumstances which belong to its future.

18. Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5 • Land scene (lower left) — Covenant entails promise of a land. • Kingdom scene (middle left) — Covenant entails promise that seed of Abraham will multiply, and Israel will become a great kingdom. • Small figures encircled by ring (upper left) — Israel is called to maintain ethnic separation.

19. Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5 • Small figure separated from circled figures (upper left) — God brings about separation within families to ensure fulfillment of the destiny. • Circled figure and land scene (lower left) — Divine circumstances lead Israel to geographic separation. • Prism symbol — Land, kingdom, and separation concepts — all are understood to be means to an end which will permit Israel to become the blessing which it was called to be.

20. Deuteronomy 7:6-10

21. Promise of Land • Genesis 12:7 • Genesis 13:14-17 • Genesis 15:18-21 (boundaries identified)

22. Promise of Land (cont.) • Genesis 23:17-20 • Genesis 47:29-31 • Genesis 50:24-26

24. Promise of Seed • Genesis 15:5 • Genesis 16 – Hagar and Ishmael • Genesis 18 & 21 – Birth of Isaac

25. Command to be Separate • Ethnic Separation • Separation Within Family

26. Separation Within Families AbrahamLot 13:8-9 13:10-13 13:14-18 19:15-16 14:18-20 14:21-24 IsaacIshmael 15:2-5 16:7-12 17:19-21 17:18 24:1-6 21:15-21 JacobEsau 27:28-29 25:29-34 28:1-5 26:34 28:16-22 27:41 32:24-30 35:2-4

27. Command to be Separate (cont.) • Geographic Separation

28. Promise of Blessing