Lesson 1: Introduction

Genesis is the title given to the first book of the Bible, a latin term meaning origin or beginning. It’s a fitting title for the book which the Jews titled by it’s first Hebrew word bere’shith, “in the beginning,” for the books tells of many beginnings: the world, man, the family, sin, judgment, hope, nations, etc. And as we will note later, Genesis is the beginning of the Christian faith.

Genesis is the first of the five books attributed to Moses. The Jews refer to Genesis – Deuteronomy as the Pentateuch (lit. “five books), but in the New Testament they are referred to as “the Law” (John 1.45), the “Law of Moses” (Luke 24.44) or even just “Moses” (Luke 24.27). While we are not told exactly when Moses wrote all five books, it is likely that he began writing while Israel was at Mount Sinai following the exodus from Egypt (see Exodus 24.4) and continued writing throughout the forty years of wandering (Deuteronomy 31.24).

The setting of its composition allows us to better understand the purpose of Genesis. While it was a historical account of creation, the flood and of the origins of the Israelite nation, it’s main purpose was theological. Israel needed to understand that the Lord who delivered them from Egypt was glorious and holy: it was Jehovah God who created the world, punished the world in the flood and who provided for their forefathers. Israel, God’s special people, needed to understand just how disastrous sin was and why they shouldn’t put their faith in anything or anyone other than Jehovah God. And Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, needed to understand their part in God’s plan to bless not only the physical descendants of the patriarchs, but “all the families of the earth”. (Genesis 12.3)

Structure of the Book:

There are any number of ways to divide Genesis, but we would do well to first consider how Moses divided the book. The phrase, “these are the generations of…” occurs ten times in the book, giving structure to the narrative. They are the generations of:

1. The heavens and the earth (Genesis 2.4)
2. Adam (Genesis 5.1)
3. Noah (Genesis 6.9)
4. Shem, Ham and Japheth (Genesis 10.1)
5. Shem (Genesis 11.10)
6. Terah (Genesis 11.27)
7. Ishmael (Genesis 25.12)
8. Isaac (Genesis 25.19) 
9. Esau (Genesis 36.1,9) 
10. Jacob (Genesis 37.2)

Others divide Genesis along thematic lines. For instance the book could be divided this way:

1. Generation or construction (Genesis 1-2), showing the perfection of all which God made.
2. Degeneration or deconstruction (Genesis 3-11), emphasizing the devastating effects of sin.
3. Regeneration or reconstruction (Genesis 12-50), revealing God’s plan to redeem man through the promised seed.

There would appear to be some harmony between these two approaches. Consider that the generations listed by Moses could be divided into two groups: the first group concerns the generations of all mankind, while the second concerns the generations of Abraham and his family. The first grouping shows how all of mankind departed from the ways of their Creator. However, the Lord had not given up; He would send a redeemer (cf. Genesis 3.15). The second grouping concerns itself with the family through whom this redeemer would come!

The Theological Importance of Genesis

Theology is simply the study of God (and by extension His word). Unsurprisingly, Genesis is foundational to a Christian’s understanding of God. Foremost is our understanding of God as Creator and Sovereign. His status as Creator is firmly established in Genesis 1-2, and even though His creation has rebelled, His sovereignty remains. His sovereignty was exercised in judgments (against Adam, against the world of Noah, against Sodom, etc.), but also in rescuing His chosen servants (Noah from the world of sin, Enoch from death Genesis 5.24). Understanding God as Creator and Sovereign is essential to our faith, for He who created life is the only one who can restore life (John 1.3-4). And since He has never relinquished His sovereignty, it is man’s responsibility to repent and turn to Him (Acts 17.24-31).

Genesis is also fundamental to our understanding of man. Man is presented as created in the image of God (Genesis 1.26-27), thus his purpose is to reflect His image in holiness. Thus, in both the Old Testament and the New, God’s people are called to “be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11.44; 1Peter 1.16). From the very beginning man is presented as having free will, the ability to chose to do God’s will or to reject His ways (Genesis 2.17; 3.1-7). That ability was not lost after the Fall, for even Cain had the ability to reject sin (Genesis 4.7). Man’s choice to reject the ways of God shows the heinous nature of sin and God’s justice in punishing offenders, for sin is the rejection of both Creator and His purpose for His creation. However, it is important to note that Genesis does not present man as a hopelessly irredeemable reprobate. Man can find favor in the eyes of God (Genesis 6.8-9); man can trust his God and be made righteous (Genesis 15.6).

Finally, Genesis is essential to our understanding of salvation. The first book of Scripture reveals the truth that salvation is the work of God and not of man (see Ephesians 2.8-9). It is God who initiates and completes salvation (saving Noah from the flood, rescuing Lot, etc.), but it is man who must place his faith in God and trust that following the ways of God will result in the promised blessings (Genesis 15.6; 22; Romans 4.1-5; James 2.21-24). And while Genesis records some remarkable accounts of salvation, it promises a greater salvation that would come (Genesis 3.15; Genesis 12.3; etc.).

The Historicity of Genesis

The historicity of Genesis has been challenged for generations. Notably, the Biblical record has been vindicated on many accounts, particularly as it relates to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12-50). However, we must recognize our limitations in validating the earliest portions of the book. That’s not to say there’s no external evidence that verify the account, because the legends and stories of various cultures do parallel the Genesis account in many areas, particularly with the flood account. Yet, the accounts of creation and the flood are still cast into doubt by many; even by some who claim to believe in the Scriptures. But if we are to believe in the rest of Scripture, we must trust the validity of Genesis. Our Lord taught that the creation story was accurate (Matthew 19.4-5) and His apostle reaffirmed the flood account (1Peter 3.20; 2Peter 3.5-6). There may always be some questions we have about these earliest portions of Scripture, but those questions shouldn’t shake our faith that they actually occurred!

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