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Genesis

Genesis

Who wrote it?

The author of Genesis is not clearly identified. Traditionally, the author has always been assumed to be Moses and there is no conclusive reason to deny his authorship of Genesis.

When(ish) was it written?

The book of Genesis doesn’t state when it was written. The date of authorship is likely between 1440 and 1400 BC, between the time Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and his death.

Why was it written?

The book of Genesis has sometimes been called the “seed-plot” of the entire Bible. Most of the major doctrines in the Bible are introduced in “seed” form in Genesis. Along with the fall of man, God’s promise of salvation or redemption is recorded (Genesis 3:15). The doctrines of creation, imputation of sin, justification, atonement, depravity, wrath, grace, sovereignty, responsibility, and many more are all addressed in this book of origins called Genesis.

  • Many of the great questions of life are answered in Genesis.
  • Where did I come from? (God created us – Genesis 1:1)
  • Why am I here? (we are here to have a relationship with God – Genesis 15:6)
  • Where am I going? (we have a destination after death – Genesis 25:8)

Genesis appeals to the scientist, the historian, the theologian, the student, the farmer, the traveler, and the man or woman of God. It is a fitting beginning for God’s story of His plan for mankind, the Bible.

Some Key Verses

[quote] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
– Genesis 1:1 [/quote]

[quote] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
– Genesis 3:15 [/quote]

[quote] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
– Genesis 12:2-3[/quote]

[quote] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
– Genesis 50:20 [/quote]

A Quick Summary

The book of Genesis can be divided into two sections: Primitive History and Patriarchal History.

Primitive History Records:

  • Creation (Genesis chapters 1-2)
  • The Fall of Man (Genesis chapters 3-5)
  • The Flood (Genesis chapters 6-9)
  • The Dispersion (Genesis chapters 10-11)

Patriarchal History Records:

  • Abraham (Genesis 12-25:8)
  • Isaac (Genesis 21:1-35-29)
  • Jacob (Genesis 25:21-50:14)
  • Joseph (Genesis 30:22-50:26)

God created a universe that was good and free from sin. God created humanity to have a personal relationship with Him. Adam and Eve sinned and thereby brought evil and death into the world. Evil increased steadily in the world until there was only one family in which God found anything good. God sent the Flood to wipe out evil, but delivered Noah and his family along with the animals in the Ark. After the Flood, humanity began again to multiply and spread throughout the world.

God chose Abraham, through whom He would create a chosen people and eventually the promised Messiah. The chosen line was passed on to Abraham’s son Isaac, and then to Isaac’s son Jacob. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, and his twelve sons became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. In His sovereignty, God had Jacob’s son Joseph sent to Egypt by the despicable actions of Joseph’s brothers. This act, intended for evil by the brothers, was intended for good by God and eventually resulted in Jacob and his family being saved from a devastating famine by Joseph, who had risen to great power in Egypt.

Foreshadowings

Many New Testament themes have their roots in Genesis. Jesus Christ is the Seed of the woman who will destroy Satan’s power (Genesis 3:15). As with Joseph, God’s plan for the good of mankind through the sacrifice of His Son was intended for good, even though those who crucified Jesus intended it for evil. Noah and his family are the first of many remnants pictured in the Bible. Despite overwhelming odds, difficult circumstances, and continually rebelling people, God always preserves a remnant of the faithful for Himself. The remaining Israelites returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. God preserved a remnant through all the persecutions described in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Seven thousand priests were hidden from the wrath of Jezebel. God promised that a remnant of Jews will one day embrace their true Messiah (Romans 11). The faith displayed by Abraham would be the gift of God and the basis of salvation for both Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11).

What Does This Mean?

The overriding theme of Genesis is God’s eternal existence and His creation of the world. There is no effort on the part of the author to defend the existence of God; he simply states that God is, always was, and always will be, almighty over all. In the same way, we have confidence in the truths of Genesis, despite the claims of those who would deny them. All people, regardless of culture, nationality or language, are accountable to the Creator. Because of sin introduced into the world at the Fall, we are separated from God. But through one small nation, Israel, God’s redemptive plan for mankind was revealed and made available to all.

God created the universe, the earth, and every living being. We can trust Him to handle the concerns in our lives. God can take a hopeless situation, like Abraham and Sarah being childless, and do amazing things if we will simply trust and obey. Terrible and unjust things may happen in our lives, as with Joseph, but God will always bring about a greater good if we have faith in Him and His sovereign plan. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Discussion Questions

  • Take a few minutes to review the Scripture from Genesis 1:1-2:3. What verses or ideas stand out to you from these passages? What questions do you have? What would you like to remember and apply to your life?
  • What is your experience with the Bible? Have you read any of it? What encourages you or intimidates you about the Scriptures?
  • Take some time to go through the Who, What, Why, When and How of the creation account (Genesis 1:1-2:3). What do we hold in a closed-hand and what is in our open-hand in what we believe at Riverview?
  • Read Genesis 1:27. How does the truth that we have been made in God’s image change how you view other people? Where do you see this truth believed and disbelieved in our world today?
  • Read Genesis 2:1-3. How is your rhythm of work and rest? Are you more of a workaholic or are you more of a lazy person? What steps can you take to make this a healthier rhythm in your life?
  • What are you hoping to get out of this series? Share your answers with one another and then spend some time praying for one another as a life group.