In the Beginning: Understanding the Blueprint of Our Faith Through Genesis August 27, 2023

Introduction

Good morning. Today, we embark on an exciting and enriching journey—a journey that takes us back to the very beginning, the foundational layers of our faith and existence. We’re starting a new sermon series on the Book of Genesis, a book that serves as the opening chapter of God's grand narrative and the blueprint for understanding the rest of the Scriptures.

You see, every great story has an engaging introduction, and what better place to start reading the story of our faith than at its very first page? For centuries, both Jews and Christians have turned to Genesis to understand the origins of the universe, the human condition, and God's covenantal relationship with His people. And just like any blueprint, the details matter. The lines, the measurements, the symbols—they all contribute to the final structure. In a similar way, understanding Genesis helps us understand the intricate designs and ultimate goals that God has for each of us.

But before we dive in, let me show you something that will help us grasp the importance of Genesis in our faith journey.

Object lesson

By the end of this series, my prayer is that the foundational truths we explore will not just inform you, but transform you. That as we examine the "toledots," the covenants, and the characters of this ancient text, you will find your own place in God's ongoing story.

So, are you ready to go back to the beginning? Are you ready to lay down the first pieces of your spiritual jigsaw puzzle? If so, then let's open our Bibles and our hearts as we delve into the Book of Genesis.

[Transition to the main body of the sermon]

Join me as we explore this incredible book, starting today with an overview and working our way through its rich and layered narratives in the weeks to come.

Authorship: The Master Architect

(Moses and the Documentary Hypothesis)

Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses

- Verses:

Exodus 17:14 ESV

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

Exodus 34:27 ESV

27 And the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”

Exodus 24:4 ESV

4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:9 ESV

9 Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel.

Modern theories: Documentary Hypothesis (JEDP)

The problems

Different Names for God (Yahweh, Elohim)

Doublets and Repetitions (e.g., two creation stories, two flood stories)

Contradictions and Anachronisms

The Documentary Hypothesis is a scholarly theory that suggests the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Hebrew Bible—was not authored by a single individual (traditionally believed to be Moses) but is instead a composite work derived from multiple sources. These sources are commonly identified as J (Yahwist), E (Elohist), D (Deuteronomic), and P (Priestly), each with its own unique style, terminology, and theological emphasis. According to the hypothesis, these distinct texts were eventually combined by a redactor or redactors into the form we have today. The theory aims to explain various inconsistencies, doublets, and contradictions within the Pentateuch, although it has faced criticisms and alternatives over the years.

The takeaway: Unity in message, whether one or multiple authors

II. Date and Timeline: When Was the Foundation Laid?

Genesis shows Moses as author

Therefore he would be writing this book as the Israelites enter the wilderness. Around 1446-1406 BC.

1 Kings 2:3 ESV

3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

2 Kings 14:6 ESV

6 But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.”

Daniel 9:11–13 ESV

11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.

Genesis covers a timeline from Creation to Joseph

- Verses:

Genesis 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

, Genesis 50:26

Genesis 50:26 ESV

26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

III. Title and Recipients: Who Needs This Blueprint?

The Hebrew and Greek origins of the title "Genesis

The title "Genesis" has its roots in both Hebrew and Greek traditions, reflecting the book's significance and wide-reaching influence in both Jewish and Christian contexts.

Hebrew Origin:

“Bereshit” “In the beginnning”

The original Hebrew title for the book is "Bereshit," which translates to "In the beginning." This term is the very first word of the text and sets the stage for everything that follows, emphasizing the book's focus on origins and beginnings.

Greek Origin:

γένεσις “geneseos” “Origin”

The term "Genesis" itself is derived from the Greek word "γένεσις" (geneseos), which means "origin" or "beginning." This term was used in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, to represent the key Hebrew term "toledot," which means "the generations of" or "the account of." The Septuagint was highly influential in the early Christian church, and its terminology has had a lasting impact on Christian tradition.

Both the Hebrew term "Bereshit" and the Greek term "Genesis" encapsulate the book's overarching themes of creation, lineage, and the origins of the world and humanity.

Initial recipients: Israelites in the desert or on the plains of Moab

Exodus 25–40 (Tabernacle in a desert setting)

Universal recipients: All of humanity

Genesis 12:3 ESV

3 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.”

IV. Literary Features: The Design Elements

Toledot as a structural framework

The term "toledot" is a Hebrew word that recurs throughout the book of Genesis and serves as a significant structural and thematic element. The term is usually translated into English as "the generations of," "the account of," or "the history of." In the context of Genesis, each occurrence of "toledot" introduces a new section or episode, effectively segmenting the narrative into distinct units that focus on specific characters or events.

### Structural Framework:

The use of "toledot" divides the book of Genesis into several key sections, each focusing on a particular figure, family, or event. Here are some examples:

The key “Toledot’s” of Genesis

1. "This is the account of the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 2:4) — Introduction to the story of Adam and Eve.

2. "This is the book of the generations of Adam" (Genesis 5:1) — Introduction to the genealogy from Adam to Noah.

3. "These are the generations of Noah" (Genesis 6:9) — Introduction to the story of Noah and the Flood.

4. "Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah" (Genesis 10:1) — Introduction to the Table of Nations.

5. "These are the generations of Terah" (Genesis 11:27) — Introduction to the story of Abraham.

6. "These are the generations of Isaac" (Genesis 25:19) — Introduction to the story of Isaac and his sons.

7. "These are the generations of Jacob" (Genesis 37:2) — Introduction to the story of Joseph.

Why Toledots Matter

Each "toledot" section serves not just as a narrative divider but also as a thematic marker, emphasizing the key characters and events that contribute to the unfolding covenantal relationship between God and His people. For instance, the "toledot" of Abraham transitions the narrative from a universal focus (the entire human race in the earlier chapters) to a particular focus (the chosen lineage of Abraham).

Unity and Continuity:

The recurrent use of "toledot" also adds a sense of unity and continuity to the text. It emphasizes that each new episode is not an isolated story but a chapter in an ongoing narrative that stretches from creation to the formation of the Israelite nation.

In summary, the term "toledot" serves as a structural framework that organizes the complex narratives and genealogies in Genesis, while also underlining the book's thematic focus on lineage, covenant, and the unfolding relationship between God and His people.

V. Purpose: What Does This Blueprint Achieve?

Historical account and theological foundation

Genesis 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis answers the question of our beginning—Creation!

(Creation),

Genesis 3:15 (First prophecy of Christ)

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 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 Points to Christ!

The Abrahamic Covenant: A Promise for All

Genesis 12:1–3 ESV

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 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. 3 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.”

VI. Application: Living According to the Blueprint

Understanding our identity in light of Creation

- Verses: Genesis 1:26–27

Genesis 1:26–27 ESV

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

We are marvelously created in God’s image!

Living in a fallen world but holding onto the promise of redemption

- Verses: Genesis 3:15–19

Genesis 3:15–19 ESV

15 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.” 16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 12:3 ESV

3 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.”

Conclusion

As we come to the end of today's exploration into the Book of Genesis, let us remember that this is not just an ancient text but a living blueprint, carefully designed to guide us in our faith journey. From its authorship—whether by Moses or multiple contributors—to its carefully structured "toledot" sections, Genesis offers us a cohesive and profound understanding of who God is, what He desires for His creation, and how we fit into this grand design.

In Genesis, we find the corner pieces of our spiritual jigsaw puzzle. We learn about our divine origins, the complexities of human nature, and the eternal promises that God extends to us through covenants. And just like a blueprint is essential for constructing a stable and sturdy house, so is the Book of Genesis essential for constructing a stable and sturdy faith.

As you go forth this week, I challenge you to reflect on these foundational teachings. Consider your place in God's grand design and take comfort in the fact that, from "In the beginning" to the final "Amen," God has a purpose for you that is woven into the very fabric of creation itself.

May you find inspiration in its pages, strength in its promises, and above all, a deeper relationship with the God who stands at the very beginning of it all.

Let's pray together, asking God to illuminate our understanding and apply the timeless truths of Genesis to our lives today.

[Closing Prayer]

Amen.