1. Compare the story of creation in Genesis 1 with that found in Enuma Elish. What does the story of creation in Genesis 1 tell us about the biblical view of the universe and humankind’s place in it?
2. What does the story of the Garden of Eden tell us about human nature and the human situation? In answering this question be sure to explain what is the “knowledge of good and evil” that can be gained from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden and why Adam and Eve eat the fruit from this tree.
3. What does the story of Cain and Abel tell us about the way that God wants us to approach Him?
4. Is God justified in punishing Cain and all humankind besides Noah and his family for sin and wickedness when he had not, to this point, set out any laws or commandments for human beings to follow? Why, after the flood, does God then explicitly set out such laws in making a covenant with Noah?
5. Why does God promise to never “again destroy every living creature as I have done (Genesis 8:21)” after the flood? How is God’s promise connected with his recognition of the nature of human beings and the covenant he makes with Noah?
6. God promises that if the Israelites obey his commands the will receive a “land of milk and honey” and become “a priestly kingdom and holy nation.” How does God go about keeping his part of this covenant?
7. What is distinctive about the Biblical commandments and law given at Mt. Sinai as compared to other law of its time?
8. Why did the Israelites build the Golden Calf? How did God and Moses try to insure that the Israelites would be capable of fulfilling their role in God’s plans when they entered the Promised Land?