The Book of Genesis

Purpose of The Book of Genesis:
To teach Israel that leaving Egypt and possessing Canaan was God’s design. To motivate ancient Israel and us to abandon that which enslaves and seek the destiny that God has intended.

Major Characters of The Book of Genesis:
God, Adam, Eve, Serpent, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

Summary of The Book of Genesis:
Genesis is the story of the creation, of human disobedience and its tragic consequences, and of God’s choosing Abraham and his offspring - the beginning of the story of redemption. The book of Genesis is the recording of two significant histories. The primeval history (chapters 1-11) poetically describes the earliest chapters of humanity: creation, the fall, the spread of sin and judgment, and the introduction of salvation by the grace of God. The second history (chapters 12-50) records the growth of God’s people and presents their faithfulness and failures. This history ends with God’s people residing in Egypt at the time of Joseph.

Genesis begins the biblical story with God as Creator, human beings as created in God’s image but fallen, and God’s response through a redemptive creation of a chosen people-and doing so through all kinds of circumstances and despite their faults. The Genesis narratives go to great lengths to show that God alone would ultimately fulfill his covenant promises.

Author and Dates of The Book of Genesis:
Moses wrote the book of Genesis while Israel was enslaved in Egypt - either 1446 B.C. or 1290 B.C.

Outline of The Book of Genesis:

1. The primeval history (ch. 1-11)
• creation (ch. 1-2)
• fall of humanity (ch. 3)
• covenant with Adam
• flood (ch. 6-10)
• covenant with Noah
• tower of Babel (ch. 11)
2. The patriarchal history (ch. 12-36)
• promise to Abraham (ch. 12)
• covenant with Abraham (ch. 15)
• circumcision (ch. 17)
3. Joseph and the migration to Egypt (ch. 37-50)
• Joseph’s success in Egypt (ch. 39)
• Jacob’s death and blessing (ch. 49)

Themes of The Book of Genesis:
Salvation - God entering into relationship with individuals and people.
Sin – What went wrong (and is wrong) with us and the universe.
Divine Grace – God shows unmerited favor and kindness toward sinners.
Faith – What it takes to get to the promise land.
Deliverance – God takes care of (delivers) his people.
Sovereignty – God is in complete control despite the apparent power of the opposition.