GENESIS BOOK OVERVIEW
OLD TESTAMENT LAW: FROM THE BEGINNING
God created a perfect world, free from sin and death. In His image, God created man and woman to rule the earth. Instead of trusting God’s goodness, Adam and Eve doubted God’s Word, and sin entered the world. Eventually, sin was so rampant that God chose to wipe out humanity from the earth. Noah, a faithful man, found favor with God and was spared from the flood.
In Genesis 12, the narrative shifts from Noah and his family to Abraham and his family. God chose Abraham to create a great nation and bring blessing to all people. Abraham trusted God and was given a son named Isaac. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac but spared him after recognizing Abraham’s obedience.
Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him the birthright and blessing typically given to the firstborn. Jacob’s name was eventually changed to Israel, and his twelve sons became the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob's favorite son, Joseph, was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery. Through his ability to interpret dreams, Joseph became an influential leader in Egypt. When Israel faced a famine, Joseph provided for his brothers and forgave them.
MAIN IDEAS: GOD AS CREATOR, SUSTAINER, + REDEEMER
God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were all present during creation. (Genesis 1:26)
God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. (Genesis 9:11, 17:3-8)
God will provide a sacrificial lamb to atone for the sins of humanity. (Genesis 22:8)
What others intend for evil, God will use for good. (Genesis 50:20)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: THE EXILE FROM EDEN
When God sent Adam and Eve out of Eden, it appeared to be a punishment and separation from God. Although there were consequences to Adam and Eve’s sin, God still cared for and loved His creation.
God’s protection went further than a simple covering. When God banished Adam and Eve from Eden, he protected them. God did not want Adam and Eve to eat from the other tree - the Tree of Life - and stay in their fallen, sinful state forever. When He sent them out from the garden of Eden, He was protecting them from spending eternity in sin. Even in His correction of Adam and Eve, God’s kindness was on display.
Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, giving them an awareness of the good and evil in the world. This allowed them to be like God, choosing what was right and wrong. Because of this new discovery, they became aware of their nakedness and felt shame. God provided coverings for them and still desired to be near them.
JESUS IN GENESIS: THE CROSS WAS ALWAYS GOD‘S PLAN
God cursed the serpent, saying “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall crush your head and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). This verse is the very first prophecy of Jesus, spoken by God Himself.
God knows that the serpent and the sin in the world will bruise our heels, but Jesus will ultimately come and defeat sin and death! We will suffer a bruise to the heel, but the enemy will suffer a strike to the head. The battle is already won—the cross was the plan from the beginning!
