Genesis, the book of beginnings, is foundational to the rest of the Bible and to our lives as believers.
The first section of the book presents four major events: the creation of the universe, the rebellion of our first parents, God's judgment through a worldwide flood, and man's continued sinfulness at Babel.
The second, and larger section of Genesis primarily tells the stories of four men and God's dealings with, through, and sometimes in spite of them. These colorful men are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
Throughout Genesis we see a mighty God who seeks to bless his creation and his people.
What does it say?
Genesis is the book of beginnings. In these pages we are introduced to the dawning of the universe. God the Creator speaks into existence the celestial bodies, the order and beauty of vegetable and animal life, and as the pinnacle of his handiwork, human life. We see the beginnings of sin, judgment, redemption, and worship. We also witness the birthing of God's chosen people, the nation of Israel.
The first 11 chapters of Genesis reveal four major events: 1) Creation, 2) the Fall, 3) the Flood, and 4) the rebellion at Babel. From these events we discover God's remarkable design for history and for our lives. We also see the roots and fruits of the human race's rebellion against God's design. The remainder of the book (chs. 12-50) focuses on the lives of four men: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. We begin to discern that God is pursuing the redemption of his people through sacrifice and faith.
Faces & Places
Genesis is loaded with fascinating characters and intriguing places. First among the colorful individuals are Adam and Eve, whose choice to rebel plunged all their descendants into a fierce battle with sin. Their children, Cain and Abel, provide us with a dramatic interplay between pleasing God and incurring his wrath. Noah and his family survived God's judgment of a worldwide flood. Beginning with chapter 12, God selected a man named Abram (later changed to Abraham) from whom he would birth a nation. When they were well past the age for bearing children, Abraham and his wife, Sarai (later changed to Sarah), finally bear a son whom they name Isaac. Isaac and his wife Rebekah have twin sons, Esau and Jacob, with the younger (Jacob) receiving the birthright and blessing. Jacob (whose name is changed to Israel), fathers twelve sons who eventually become the twelve tribes of the new nation. Next to last of those sons is Joseph, who is sold into Egypt as a slave.
These are merely the most prominent people and places. Others that add considerably to the drama include Enoch, Lamech, Lot, a mysterious man named Melchizedek, Hagar, Ishmael, the crafty uncle Laban, Rebekah, Rachel, a courageous woman named Tamar, and Potiphar and his wife.
The places within Genesis are no less captivating. They range from the pristine Garden of Eden to the wicked and cursed towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Also significant is Babel, the city of rebellion and confusion, out of which Babylon emerges. From Abraham on, our attention is focused on the Promised Land, also known as the land of Canaan. The region of Moriah is where Abraham nearly sacrificed his only son. Paddan Aram is the location where Jacob goes to find a wife and stays for twenty years. Jacob met God at two significant spots: Bethel, the "house of God," and the Jabbok river. Egypt plays a prominent role especially toward the end, as the descendants of Israel find a new home there.
Key Verses & Themes
Creation:
Genesis 1 describes God's activity in creating the world. He hovers, speaks, names, forms, fills, delights in, and sanctifies his creation.
The Fall:
Genesis 3 records Adam and Eve's disobedience against God. Tempted by the serpent to doubt God's goodness, they violate God's command.
Covenant:
Genesis records a couple of significant covenants that God made with his people. The first is with Noah in Genesis 9. The second, in chapter 15, is made with Abraham. The covenant with Abraham is repeated to Isaac and Jacob.
Blessing:
Genesis 12:3 "I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
So what?
Every book of the Bible ultimately ought to evoke a sense of worship. In Genesis we are introduced to a God who delights in his own creation, especially in the creation of a man and a woman, yet he is a God who reacts violently when there is rebellion. Yet while he is absolutely sovereign and holy, he is also eager to extend mercy. This mercy is more than merely shurugging off evil. It is mercy in which God actually seeks to enrich sinful but broken people.
In addition to describing some of God's attributes, Genesis also makes it clear that God has a purpose in all that he does and he invites men and women to join him in that plan. A question for the reader is: "Am I walking with God in his purpose or am I stubbornly resisting his agenda?"
We also see in Genesis that God can be trusted. He is a faithful, promise-keeping God. In the face of horrible odds, Abraham believed that God would provide a son . . . and laughter broke out as a child named Isaac was born. Joseph trusted God in the midst of horrendous abuse, and eventually, under God's hand, witnessed a phenomenal orchestration of events. God's Book is full of promises to his children. Am I resting in what God has said today?
