Genesis - The Book of Beginnings

  • Genesis means “origin” or “beginnings.” It is a book about the beginning of many things: the world, man, sin, civilization, the nations, and Israel.
  • "The Book of Beginnings” sets the stage for the entire Bible. It reveals the person and work of God, the value and dignity of human beings, the tragedy and consequences of sin, and the promise and assurance of salvation.
  •  Genesis covers the period of time from the creation of the world to the death of Joseph.
  • Moses, the great Hebrew lawgiver who led the Jews out of Egypt and into Canaan, wrote the book under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in about 1500 B.C.
  • It covers a span of about three hundred years and describes events occurring as far east as Ur of the Chaldees and as far west as Egypt, but for the most part in Palestine
  • Three great questions of life are answered in Genesis:
  1. Where did I come from? (1:1)
  2. Why am I here? (15:6)
  3. Where am I going? (25:8)
  • Genesis provides a dramatic account of the origin of the universe, the origin of mankind, the intrusion of sin into the world and the devastating effects of its curse on the human race, and the beginnings of God’s plan to bless the nations through His seed.
  • The personal accounts of great men, women, and families of God are recorded in Genesis. The lives of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, and Joseph are all told about in detail.
  • Genesis supplies the historical background for God’s covenant with His people. This can then be traced through the five books of the law known as the Pentateuch.

GENESIS CAN BE OUTLINED AS FOLLOWS:

  1. Creation of the world (chapters 1-2).
  2. Sin enters the world (chapters 3-4).
  3. Noah and the flood (chapters 5-9).
  4. Beginning of nations and languages (chapters 10-11).
  5. Abraham’s family and God’s people in the land (chapters 12-38).
  6. Joseph and God’s people going to Egypt (chapters 39-50)