Survey of Genesis

Introduction:

1. We Will us the follow as a temple for a survey of the Old Testament.

A. Theme

B. Purpose

C. Background

D. Author

E. Date

F. Unique Features

G. God’s Character as shown in the book.

H. Key People

I. Application of Bible Events

Body:

1. Themes of the book of Genesis

A. Genesis is the book of beginnings.

1. The heavens and the earth (the universe Gen. 1:1-10).

2. The animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms (Gen. 1:11-25).

3. The human family (Gen. 1:26-31, 2:18-25).

4. Sin (Gen. 3:1-13)

5. The condemnation for sin (Gen. 3:14-24).

6. The unfolding of the scheme of redemption (Gen. 3:15).

7. Sacrifices (Gen. 4:1-5)

8. The Hebrew people (Gen. 29:31-30:24)

B. The Election of a nation (Gen. 17:1-8).

Genesis 17:1–8 NKJV

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

1. God renews his promise to Isaac (Gen. 26:23-25).

Genesis 26:23–25 NKJV

23 Then he went up from there to Beersheba. 24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” 25 So he built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.

2. God renewed his promise to Jacob (Gen. 28:10-15).

Genesis 28:10–15 NKJV

10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

3. God renews his promise through Joseph (Gen. 50:20-24).

Genesis 50:20–24 NKJV

20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 22 So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. 23 Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph’s knees. 24 And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

2. The Purpose of the Book of Genesis.

A. To reveal the origin and purpose of the universe, life and humanity.

B. To show the personal, relational, covenant-making nature of God.

C. To give a brief survey of divine history from the beginning until Israel enter Egypt.

D. To begin to reveal the nature of God as Creator, Preserver, and Lawgiver.

E. To begin revealing Jesus the Messiah.

3. Background of the Book of Genesis.

A. Genesis has three distinct and sequential geographical settings.

1. Mesopotamia (chapters 1-11).

A. From creation to right before Abram leaves for Canaan .

2. The Promised Land (Chapters 12-36).

A. From Abram departing for Canaan to Joseph being sold into captivity.

3. Egypt (Chapters 37-50).

A. From Joseph being sold into captivity to Joseph saving his people from the famine and entering Egypt.

B. It seems that most scholarship seem to agree that Isreal first heard Genesis sometime prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land.

1. This means its background is the time frame of the wilderness wondering.