Genesis

Importance:

The Book of Genesis is in many respects the most important book in the Bible. It is of first importance because it answers… the fundamental questions of the human mind. It contains the first authoritative information given… concerning… questions of everlasting interest: the Being of God; the origin of the universe; the creation of man; the origin of the soul; the fact of revelation; the introduction of sin; the promise of salvation; the… division of the human race; [and] the purpose of the God’s chosen people… in this inspired volume of beginnings, we have the satisfactory explanation of all the sin, misery, and contradiction… in this world, and the reason [for God’s plan] of redemption.

The Book of Genesis is the seed in which the plant of God's Word is [contained]. It is the starting point of God's gradually unfold[ing] plan [for] the ages. Genesis is the [base] of the pillar of the Divine revelation. It is the root of the tree of the inspired Scriptures. It is the source of the stream of the holy writings of the Bible. If the base of the pillar is removed, the pillar falls. If the root of the tree is cut out, the tree will wither and die. If the fountain head of the stream is cut off, the stream will dry up. [R. A. Torrey : The Doctrinal Value of the First Chapters of Genesis]

“A. Every New Testament writer refers to the Genesis 1-11

B. Jesus Christ referred to each of the first seven chapters of Genesis.

C. All the New Testament books except 9 have references to Genesis 1-11

D. Every chapter in Genesis 1-11, except chapter 8, is directly referred to

somewhere in the New Testament.

E. Every New Testament writer apparently accepted these early chapters of Genesis as historically accurate.”

F. There are at least 68 references to Genesis 1-11 in the New Testament.

The New Testament, the need for Christ, the person of Christ, the work of Christ, and the sacrifice of Christ are meaningless when separated from Gen. 1-11.

Christ and the apostles treated the first 11 chapters of Genesis as history, and this history also includes of the history of the creation of the universe and of Adam and Eve, by a personal Creator.

In 1 John 3:12 Cain is recognized as a historical character, and in Hebrews 11, Abel, Enoch, and Noah are listed along with Abraham, and all that followed in the flow of human history.

Peter wrote: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). The apostle asserts that Christianity is not a fictitious story. It is not a myth, nor is it a falsehood. Rather, Christianity is an observation. Christianity is observable history, a history of the unfolding of the infinite, personal, living God working out His detail plan to redeem mankind in Jesus Christ.[Walt Brown, ‘In The Beginning, Compelling Evidence For Creation And The Flood]

Genesis is divine revelation. It is true. Its Author is God Himself and its benefactors are all those who believe His words and love Him in return.

Moses was the human author.

Old Testament - 4 Sections: Pentateuch, History, Poetry, Prophets

We are starting at the very beginning.

Title: Genesis - Origins (Greek) In the beginning (Hebrew)

In Genesis we see the origin of Creation, the universe, sun, moon, stars, planets, light, life, time, animals, and plants. We see the origin of man, woman, marriage, the family, law, sin, consequences, grace, Covenant, and promise. We see the origin of civilization, nations, and government.

We do not see the origin of God, His plan, His purpose, or His glory.

Storyline:

“In the beginning, God” - God is already there. Everything else comes from Him. He possesses being. He is self-existent. He is all-wise, all-powerful, and ever present. He is not bound by space or time. He is the Hero of the story. He is the focus of the story. He is the author of the story. It’s His Story.

“Created” - His mind is beyond anything we can fathom. His power and skill are indescribable. All creation testifies of His greatness.

Genesis was written in 2 Acts:

1: God and His Creation (1-11)

- Creation, God’s good world, and God’s image bearers

- Temptation, Human Sin, The Fall, The Curse, The Promise

- Cain murders Abel, Noah, The Global Flood, Babel

2: God and His Covenant People (12-50)

- Abraham - Chosen by God and called out to leave everything he knew and go to an unknown place where God promised to bless him, his offspring, and the entire world.

- Isaac - Child of promise

- Jacob - 12 sons - 12 tribes of Israel - Judah - Line of Christ

- Joseph -

Themes:

God creates by bringing order and beauty out of chaos and darkness. Humans are the divine image bearers. Human selfishness and sin lead to the fracturing of the divine-human relationship and the ruin of human relationships on all levels. God responds to human sin in two ways: He brings justice on rebellion and offers grace by promising future blessing for His world. God initiates his plan to rescue humanity through his covenant with the family of Abram God’s blessing to the nations through Abraham provides the foundational storyline for the rest of the Bible. The drama of Genesis 12-50 consists of the sin and folly of the family of Abraham and how they constantly put God’s promises into jeopardy.

Abraham - Endangers the promise of a large family by giving away his wife, twice! 12, 20 Sarah - Tries to force God’s hand to give them a child by having Abraham sleep with Hagar, her servant. 16, 21 Isaac - Gives away his wife Rebekah. 26 Jacob - Is a thief and a liar and gains the blessing by stealing. 25, 27 Joseph’s brothers - Try to kill him and sell him as a slave. 37 Abraham’s family is so dysfunctional that divine promises will only be fulfilled through God’s faithfulness, not theirs. God remains committed to this family and His promises. He constantly intervenes to rescue them.

God rescues Sarah and Rebekah from the folly of their husbands. God provides an heir for Abraham and Sarah. God protects Jacob despite his selfishness and deception. God transforms the evil of Joseph’s brothers into good. Theme verse of the entire book: Genesis 50:20 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. The pattern of how God works in the world begins in Genesis and continues through the Bible: He works through people of low status who are weak or marginalized.

God does not make the firstborn sons the vehicles of His promise, but rather the unexpected children. He chooses Abel, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph instead of Cain, Ishmael, Esau, and Reuben. God moves toward those who are rejected. Hagar and Ishmael, Leah the unloved wife, and Joseph the despised brother [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/genesis/#author-date]

Doctrines:

All major biblical doctrines are founded in Genesis.

The Nature of God

He is the supreme Creator. (Genesis 1-2) He is the sovereign King. (Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 9:1-7) He is the righteous Judge. (Genesis 3:14-24, Genesis 6-8) He is the merciful Savior. (Genesis 6-8)

The Nature of Man

Created in the image of God… (Genesis 1:26-27)

We are a unique reflection of God. We are utterly reliant upon God. We are ultimately responsible to God. Created for the purpose of God… (Genesis 1:26-30)

To enjoy a relationship with God To rule over all creation To reproduce God’s glory to the ends of the earth

The Nature of Creation

Fashioned by the Word of God (Genesis 1) Sustained by the power of God (Genesis 1) Evidence of the goodness of God (Genesis 1)

The Nature of Satan

The Nature of Sin

The core of sin…

Rejecting God’s Word: Whose voice will we listen to? (For example, Genesis 2:17 or Genesis 3:4) Spurning God’s authority: Who will rule our hearts? (Genesis 3:5-6) Denying God’s character: Who will we trust and obey? (Genesis 3:5-6) The conflict brought about by sin…

Conflict between man and God (Genesis 3:8-13)

Hiding, Guilt, Shame, Fear, Separation Conflict between man and woman (Genesis 3:16) Conflict between man and creation (Genesis 3:17-19) The consequences of sin…

Immediate spiritual death (Genesis 3:7-13) Eventual physical death (Genesis 5)

The Need for Redemption

Genesis 1-11 gives us glimpses of grace…

The promise of Christ (Genesis 3:15) The presence of a covenant (Genesis 6:18, Genesis 9:9-11) Genesis 1-11 leaves us holding onto hope…

Satan will be defeated. (Genesis 3:15) Sin will be destroyed. (Genesis 3:15) God’s creation will be restored. (Genesis 9:9-11) God’s people will be rescued. God seeks the guilty. (Genesis 3:8-9) God covers the shameful. (Genesis 3:21) God protects the fearful. (Genesis 4:13-16) God’s name will be praised. (Genesis 11:1-9)

The way of Redemption

Substitutionary Atonement Sacrifice of the innocent for the guilty

Christ Connection

Jesus is Creator

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Jesus is the Promised Deliverer

Genesis 3:15 Crushed the serpent’s head Heel was bruised Offspring of Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah.

Jesus is our High Priest

Melchizedek, king of Salem. Or, literally translated, King of Righteousness, king of peace (shalom). He entered the scene without beginning or end, just like Jesus. He seemed to be a man, but also something more, just like Jesus. He came with a meal of bread and wine, just like Jesus. He received an offering and offered a blessing, just like Jesus. He was symbolic of an everlasting priesthood that would never end, apart from the law of Moses—just like Jesus. This king of righteousness and prince of peace was a startling portrait of the Messiah who would come. Hebrews 7:17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus is our Sacrificial Lamb

God will provide for Himself a lamb Abraham was offering his son as a sacrifice and, centuries later, God offered His Son on the same mountain. Isaac was led up the mountain and bound, like a lamb to the slaughter. So was Jesus. A multitude of descendants would come through this son, but only after his father gave him up. Same with Jesus. Even though Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, he expected to receive him back by resurrection (Hebrews 11:19). Jesus was offered as a sacrifice and raised from the dead. In this story, God painted a startling preview of the cross nearly two millennia later. Not only does Isaac represent Jesus in this story, but so does the ram caught by his head in the thicket, a kind of crown of thorns. The lamb died for Abraham’s offspring. Jesus the offspring of Abraham, died for the sins of the world.

Jesus is the Beloved Son and Rejected Ruler

The parallels between Jesus and Joseph are amazing.

He is the object of his father’s special love. He had promises of divine exaltation. He was mocked by his family. He was sold for pieces of silver. He was stripped of his robe. He was delivered up to the Gentiles. He was falsely accused. He was faithful amid temptation. He was thrown into prison. He stood before rulers. His power was acknowledged by those in authority. He saves his rebellious brothers from death when they realize who he is. He is exalted after and through humiliation. He embraces God’s purpose even though it brings him intense physical harm. He is the instrument God uses at the hands of the Gentiles to bless his people. He welcomes Gentiles to be part of his family. He gives hungry people bread. People must bow their knee before him. [Erik Raymond: The Wonderful Similarities Between Joseph and Jesus - The Gospel Coalition]

Application:

1. Do you love God as your Creator and King?

2. Do you acknowledge your sinfulness?

3. Have you Submitted to God’s Plan of Salvation?

4. Are you living as God’s representative on earth?

Gospel:

1. God - Creator

2. Man - Image of God, Sin, Fall

3. Christ - Seed of the woman, Descendent of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah. Promised throughout the Old Testament, Born of a Virgin, God with us, lived a perfect, sinless life, died a sacrificial, atoning death, and rose from the grave.

4. Response - Lost: Believe the Gospel and live. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Saved: Thank God and walk in obedience to His will and word. Walk in step with the Spirit. Share this good news.