Genesis: It is not just the first book of the Bible – it is the foundation stone on which the remainder of Biblical revelation rests. The Hebrew name, Bereshith, is also the first three words of the Bible; it means ‘in the beginning.’ This says it all.
Genesis is indispensable. Without it, we would not know the following fundamental issues:
- God as Creator of the world and universe;
- The beginning of history and the world;
- The beginning of humanity;
- Introduction of sin and death into the world;
- The beginning of God’s plan of redemption starts in Genesis 3:15;
- Genesis is the foundation of all Biblical revelation; the Bible is the house, and Revelation is the roof.
A Book of Firsts
Just in the first four chapters, we learn about the first mention or origin of the following (this is a partial list):
- God (1:1);
- Heaven and the creation of space (1:1);
- Earth, the creation of matter (1:1);
- Seas (1:10);
- Starts (1:16)
- Male and female (1:27);
- Marriage and wife (2:24);
- Sin (3:6);
- Judgment and more (3:14)
- First Messianic prophecy (3:15);
- Tree of Life (3:22, 24);
- Paradise lost (3:24);
- Sexual relatio (4:1);
- Pregnancy (4:1);
- Birth (4:1);
- Murder (4:8);
- Prayer (4:26).
Genesis in Summary
Genesis is remarkable in every way. It devotes 11 chapters to the beginning of the world, including how sin and death entered into God’s good creation. Then, the last 39 chapters are devoted to one man, Abraham, and his family, Isaac (son), Jacob (grandson), and Joseph (great-grandson). Almighty God becomes known as the ‘God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’ (a phrase used 5 times in the New Testament: Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37; Acts 3:13; 7:32). The remainder of the Bible, all the way to the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation, looks at God’s dealings with this family and how it was used to bless the world.
After the early history of the world is recited, Genesis focuses on Abram of Mesopotamia. Though he came from a heathen place and family, Abram responded to the call of God to leave his country and kindred behind and to proceed to the place He called him. Abram wisely obeyed God and became famous for two things: 1) His faith (15:6); and 2) His friendship with God (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23).
Then God does something remarkable: He makes an unconditional covenant with the renamed Abraham, promising to give him 1) The land of Canaan; 2) Unlimited seed (descendants); and 3) That through him and his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Thus Abram, whose name means ‘exalted father,’ becomes ‘Abraham,’ ‘father of many nations.’ The purpose of the covenant was not favouritism towards Abraham but redemption for the world.
All three patriarchs learn invaluable lessons of faith. Though they held on to the promise of many descendants, Abraham’s wife, Sarah was barren; Isaac’s wife Rebecca was barren and Jacob’s favourite wife Rachel was likewise barren. Their faith under fire passed the tests and their wives conceived and gave birth.
Of the 3 patriarchs, Jacob was clearly the most colourful of the clan. He hoodwinked his brother Esau twice, fled for his life as a penniless bachelor to Uncle Laban up north in Padan Aram. Jacob married two wives and their handmaidens, sired 12 sons, and returned to Canaan as a rich man.
The story of Joseph dominates the last quarter of Genesis. The son of Rachel and favoured by Jacob, he has dreams of supreme leadership. But like the other patriarchs, his vision will be tested by adversity. Betrayed by his brothers, and sold into slavery in Egypt, after years of captivity, he catapulted from prison to palace in one day. He became prime minister of Egypt, saved the nation and his family from starvation, and brought his father and brothers to Egypt, where the family went from a large family to a great nation in 400 years.
Though highly regarded for centuries, some modern scholars have called the book ‘mythology’ and ‘unhistorical.’ The creation narrative, the flood of Noah, and even the existence of Abraham have been heavily questioned or rejected. Born-again, Bible-believing Christians must remember that Jesus, Who always takes a high view of Scripture, accepted Genesis at face value. Christ spoke of creation, Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4-6), the flood of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39), and the Patriarchs (Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:28) as historical events or historical figures. Jesus has credibility in this area, especially because He rose from the dead (Romans 1:4).
Outline of Genesis
- Four Events
- Creation (1-2)
- The Fall of Humanity (3-5)
- The Flood (6-9)
- Table of Nations (10-11)
- Four Patriarchs
- Abraham (12-25)
- Isaac (26)
- Jacob (27-36)
- Joseph (37-50)
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Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained |
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Cursed World (Genesis) |
Eternal State (Revelation) |
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Cursed ground (3:17) |
No more curse (22:3) |
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Daily Sorrow (3:17) |
No more sorrow (21:4) |
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Thorns and thistles (3:18) |
No more pain (21:4) |
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Sweat on the face (3:19) |
Tears wiped away (21:4) |
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Eating herbs of the field (3:18) |
Twelve manner of fruits (22:2) |
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Returning to the dust (3:19) |
No more death (21:4) |
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Evil continually (6:5) |
Nothing that defiles (21:27) |
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Coats of skins (3:21) |
Fine linen, white & clean (19:14) |
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Satan opposing (3:15) |
Satan banished (20:10) |
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Kept from the Tree of Life (3:24) |
Access to the Tree of Life (22:14) |
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Banished from the Garden (3:23) |
Free entry to the city (22:14) |
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Redeemer promised (3:15) |
Redemption accomplished (5:9,10) |
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