Genesis

GenesisThe Book of Beginnings

Keys to GenesisKeys to Genesis• Key word: “Beginning” (1:1, 26-27; 3:15; 12:1-3)• Author: Moses• Purpose: To provide a prologue and foundation for the nation of Israel and the Law of Moses.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.

Gen. 3:15Gen. 3:15

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Gen. 12:3Gen. 12:3

Abraham’s CovenantAbraham’s Covenant• Contains three specific promises:–Land (Gen. 15:18)–A great nation (13:16)–A great blessing (12:2)

ObservationsObservations• The events of Genesis end three

centuries before Moses’ birth.• Genesis spans more time than

any other book in the Bible. Covers more than the remaining 65 put together.• Out of 4,100 years of recorded

history, over half is recorded in Genesis.

ObservationsObservations• Chapters 1-11 spans 2,286

years• Chapters 12-36 spans less

than 193 years• Chapters 37-50 covers about

93 years

WhyGod chose Israel

to be his redemptive

people(Gen. 1-11) How

God chose Israel to be his

redemptive people

(Gen. 12-50)

Firsts in GenesisFirsts in Genesis• The universe• Life• Mankind• Sabbath• Marriage• Sin

• Death• Family• Redemption• Prophecy• Language• Sacrifice

OutlineOutline• Primeval History (1-11)–Creation (1-2)

The Cosmological ArgumentThe Cosmological Argument1.Every being which begins

has a cause for its beginning.

2.The world is a being which begins.

3.Therefore, it possesses a cause for its beginning.

OutlineOutline• Primeval History (1-11)–Creation (1-2)–The Fall (3-4)–The Flood (5-9)

OutlineOutline• Primeval History (1-11)–Creation (1-2)–The Fall (3-4)–The Flood (5-9)–The Tower of Babel (10-11)

OutlineOutline• Four Great People (12-50)–Abraham–Isaac–Jacob–Joseph

LessonsLessons• God created the universe (1:1).• Sin is breaking God’s law (2:17; 1 Jn.

3:4).• God keeps his promises (Gen. 12:1-3).• Marriage is a heterosexual,

monogamous relationship (Gen. 2:24).• Providence works in mysterious,

perplexing ways (Gen. 50:20).

Survey of the Old TestamentSurvey of the Old TestamentGenesisGenesis