Genesis Overview

Good Morning

People say that revenge is a dish best served cold. They also say that revenge is sweet. So basically, revenge is ice cream!

Don’t forget we have the gospel sing this Friday and then Men’s breakfast on Saturday morning.

No one wanted to give their testimony so we are going to jump into Genesis. Today we are going to do an overview of the book and next week we will start the deep dive into each verse.

Pray

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Title

The English title, Genesis, comes from the Greek translation (Septuagint, LXX) meaning “origins”; whereas, the Hebrew title is derived from the Bible’s very first word, translated “in the beginning.” Genesis serves to introduce the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the OT) and the entire Bible. The influence of Genesis in Scripture is demonstrated by its being quoted over 35 times in the NT and hundreds of allusions appearing in both Testaments. The story line of salvation which begins in

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Author and Date

While 1) the author does not identify himself in Genesis and 2) Genesis ends almost 3 centuries before Moses was born, both the OT (

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Background and Setting

The initial setting for Genesis is eternity past. God then, by willful act and divine Word, spoke all creation into existence, furnished it, and finally breathed life into a lump of dirt which He fashioned in His image to become Adam. God made mankind the crowning point of His creation, i.e., His companions who would enjoy fellowship with Him and bring glory to His name.

The historical background for the early events in Genesis is clearly Mesopotamian. While it is difficult to pinpoint precisely the historical moment for which this book was written, Israel first heard Genesis sometime prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land (ca. 1405 B.C.).

Genesis has 3 distinct, sequential geographical settings: 1) Mesopotamia (chaps. 1–11); 2) the Promised Land (chaps. 12–36); and 3) Egypt (chaps. 37–50). The time frames of these 3 segments are: 1) Creation to ca. 2090 B.C.; 2) 2090–1897 B.C.; and 3) 1897–1804 B.C. Genesis covers more time than the remaining books of the Bible combined.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Historical and Theological Themes

In this book of beginnings, God revealed Himself and a worldview to Israel which contrasted, at times sharply, with the worldview of Israel’s neighbors. The author made no attempt to defend the existence of God or to present a systematic discussion of His person and works. Rather, Israel’s God distinguished Himself clearly from the alleged gods of her neighbors. Theological foundations are revealed which include God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, man, sin, redemption, covenant, promise, Satan and angels, kingdom, revelation, Israel, judgment, and blessing.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Historical and Theological Themes

Genesis 1–11

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Historical and Theological Themes

Because they were preparing to enter Canaan and dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of their homes and properties, God revealed their enemies’ background. In addition, they needed to understand the actual basis of the war they were about to declare in light of the immorality of killing, consistent with the other 4 books that Moses was writing (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Ultimately, the Jewish nation would understand a selected portion of preceding world history and the inaugural background of Israel as a basis by which they would live in their new beginnings under Joshua’s leadership in the land which had previously been promised to their original patriarchal forefather, Abraham.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Historical and Theological Themes

Genesis 12:1–3

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Historical and Theological Themes

On a larger scale,

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Historical and Theological Themes

One final theme of both theological and historical significance sets Genesis apart from other books of Scripture, in that the first book of Scripture corresponds closely with the final book. In the book of Revelation, the paradise which was lost in Genesis will be regained. The apostle John clearly presented the events recorded in his book as future resolutions to the problems which began as a result of the curse in

Genesis is the story of our spiritual family. To know who we are, we must know not only from where we came but also from whom we came. Genesis provides us necessary insight. The story of Adam and Eve is the story of us all. Abraham, the man of faith, is the spiritual grandfather of every Christ follower. The accounts of his life, as well as those of his descendants, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, and the twelve tribes, reveal much about what God is like and how He works to create a people for Himself.

Genesis is all about a promise. The story of redemption begins in Genesis as God creates and humanity rebels. But the fall does not thwart God’s plans. He promises to bring about an “offspring,” a seed who will conquer sin and death. This promise becomes the plumb line of Genesis, indeed of all Scripture.

Although a book full of human failure, Genesis is also one full of God’s faithfulness. it is a book full of our pain, but it is also one full of God’s providence. God’s work is done to preserve the line of the promised see who will redeem His people. Noah, for instance, is preserved from the flood and the death of all living things on earth. Abraham is called from the nations. Joseph saves his family from a famine in Canaan. In all of this, God is working to accomplish His plan to redeem His people through His Son.

Genesis is not a story about perfect people. Abraham is an epitome of faith but a cowardly husband. Jacob is a deceitful trickster. Joseph at least in his teen years is arrogant. The story of God’s redemption is one of God working through sinful people. He bestows blessing because of grace, not because it is deserved. Throughout Genesis, God is continually at work through and in spite of the sinfulness of our spiritual ancestors. Just as He is at work today just like back then. Using sinful people to accomplish His will.

The genealogies of Genesis, which highlight human faith but more so the faithfulness of God, point to His promise to multiply His people. Even the story of Lot’s incestuous relationship with his daughters gives rise to the people of Moab, from whom would come Ruth, the great-grandmother of King David and ancestress of Jesus. The key to Genesis is the story of redemption. Creation. Fall. Promised Messiah. Hopeful expectation.

Believers should find in Genesis both hope and warning. We can be hopeful because in the book we see the faithfulness of God toward His Son and people. We are warned about the danger of besetting sin. Nevertheless, we have a Father and elder Brother who are faithful to us even amid our sin.

The story of Genesis provides both the record of our shared beginning and the sign identifying where believers are headed. Humanity started in a garden walking with God. Redeemed humanity will end in a kingdom as coheirs with Jesus. Genesis does not just give us believers a picture of our past but a preview of our future. A glimpse into a coming kingdom. The book sets the stage for the entirety of Scripture to show us how God is faithful to His promise and preserves a kingdom for His Messiah!

I am excited to dig into the beginnings! I hope you are as well!

Let’s pray.