Genesis Overview

Introduction:

Who: Moses wrote Genesis. The audience is the next generation of Israelites

What: Primitive History and Patriarchal History. You will see creation, sin, God’s redemptive plan, and Israel as God’s chosen people.

When: Written during Moses’ time in the wilderness

Why should I care: We should care about Genesis because it reveals who God is, why the world is broken today, and why redemption is necessary, all before God ever delivers Israel in Exodus. Genesis provides the promise, purpose, and pattern of redemption that makes Exodus—and ultimately the gospel of Jesus Christ—understandable and meaningful.

Walk Through The Text

Genesis 1–11: First Four Events

Creation (Genesis 1–2)

Read Genesis 1:1

Creation of the world

Humanity is made in God’s image

Adam/Eve

God SPOKE and life was created. How easily we forget how powerful God is. That same God wants a relationship with us.

This is what God intended from the beginning

Takeaway: Don’t ever forget YOU are made in God’s image

The Fall of Man (Genesis 3–5)

Read Genesis 3:1-7

Sin enters through deception:

The serpent lies.

Adam and Eve rebel.

Fellowship with God is broken.

Yet God had mercy and provided from Adam/Eve, and He would for all who accept His son as Lord and Savior, Jesus!

Read Genesis 3:21

Sin multiplies quickly:

Cain murders Abel.

Violence and corruption spread.

Takeaway: This sets up a pattern we will see throughout the Bible: Sin grows when God is ignored. There are consequences to our sin when it’s unchecked and not repented of.

The Flood (Genesis 6–9)

Read Genesis 6:5-8

Wickedness of mankind (see the pattern from Genesis and throughout the Bible)

Noah found favor w/God

Ark/Flood

God judges sin—but preserves life.

Takeaway: God had mercy on man-kind and preserved life through Noah and his family.

Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)

Read Genesis 11:1-9

Humanity seeks independence from God:

God scatters the nations and their languages

Takeaway: Read Proverbs 16:18 - We are nothing with out God.

Genesis 12-50: The Four Patriarchs

Abraham (Genesis 12–25)

Read Genesis 12:2-3

Covenant: God chooses Abram and promises land, offspring, and blessing

Abraham and Sarah

Isaac (Abraham/Sarah) and Ishmael (Abraham/Hagar (Sarah)s handmaid)

Ishmael first through handmaid Hagar (Sarah’s idea)

Isaac second as promised by God w/Sarah (in her old age)

Takeaway: God provided Abraham with Himself. HE is all we need.

Isaac (Genesis 21–28, 35) (covenant promise continues)

Read Genesis 22:1-13

A symbol of the coming Jesus, who would be God’s only begotten Son that would be the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Read Genesis 26:3-4

Covenant renewed

Isaac and Rebekah

Jacob and Esau

Jacob (The favorite of Rebekah)

Esau (The favorite of Isaac)

Jacob tricked Esau for the birthright and received Isaac's blessing

Takeaway: Isaac had a heart surrendered to God’s will, even when it sometimes didn’t make sense.

Jacob (Genesis 25–37, 42–  43, 45–  49)

Genesis 28:15

Jacob’s life is marked by struggle:

Deceived by Laban (Leah/Rachel’s dad)

Worked 14 years for Rachel

Married Leah first through deception

Then comes a turning point

Genesis 32 Covers:

Jacob wrestles with God.

His name is changed to Israel—“one who struggles with God.”

From him come twelve sons—the twelve tribes of Israel.

Takeaway: At Jacob’s lowest point, he had his greatest encounter with God. Sometimes in our own lives, we need the low points to be able to look up to the Lord.

Joseph (Genesis 37–50)

Read Genesis 50:20

Joseph is:

Favored

Betrayed

Sold into slavery

Imprisoned

But God is at work.

Joseph rises to second-in-command in Egypt.

Through a famine:

God preserves life

Seventy descendants of Jacob move to Egypt

Genesis ends not in freedom, but in Egypt.

Takeaway: Joseph’s faithfulness and obedience to the Lord was on full display, even more-so in his biggest trials and tribulations. Do we respond the same way when life happens?

Intro to Exodus:

The transition into Exodus:

Genesis begins in a garden. Genesis ends in Egypt.

Genesis explains why redemption is needed. Exodus will show us how God redeems.

Introduction:

Who: Moses wrote Exodus. The audience is the next generation of Israelites

What: Exodus reveals God’s redemptive plan as He delivers Israel from slavery and chooses to dwell among them as His covenant people.

When: Written during Moses’ time in the wilderness with the Israelites

Where: Egypt, the wilderness, Mt. Sinai

Why should I care: We should care about reading Exodus because it shows how God keeps the promises He made in Genesis—by powerfully redeeming His people from bondage and dwelling with them. Exodus reveals that the God who promises salvation is also the God who acts, delivering His people so they might know Him, worship Him, and live as His redeemed people.