The first part of Genesis focuses on the beginning and spread of sin in the world and culminates in the devastating flood in the days of Noah. The second part of the book focuses on God’s dealings with one man, Abraham, through whom God promises to bring salvation and blessing to the world.
Genesis is a Greek word meaning “origin,” “source,” “generation,” or “beginning.” The original Hebrew title Bereshith means “In the beginning.”
Who Wrote Genesis?
Although Genesis does not directly name its author, and although Genesis ends some three centuries before Moses was born, the whole of Scripture and church history are unified in their adherence to the Mosaic authorship of Genesis.
The Old Testament is replete with both direct and indirect testimonies to the Mosaic authorship of the entire Pentateuch. The New Testament also contains numerous testimonies.
The early church openly held to the Mosaic authorship, as does the first-century Jewish historian Josephus. As would be expected, the Jerusalem Talmud support Moses as author.
It would be difficult to find a man in all the range of Israel’s life who was better prepared or qualified to write this history Trained in the “wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22), Moses had been providentially prepared to understand and integrate, under the inspiration of God, all the available records, manuscripts, and oral narratives.
Finding Jesus in Genesis
Genesis moves from the general to the specific in its Messianic predictions: Christ is the Seed of woman (3:15), from the line of Seth (4:25), the son of Shem (9:27), the descendent of Abraham (12:3), of Isaac (21:12), of Jacob (25:23), and of the tribe of Judah (49:10).
Christ is also seen in people and events that serve as types. (A type is a historical fact that illustrates a spiritual truth.) Adam is a “type of Him who was to come” (Rom 5:14). Both entered the world through a special act of God as sinless men. Adam is the head of the old creation; Christ is the Head of the new creation.
Abel’s acceptable offering of a blood sacrifice points to Christ, and there is a parallel in his murder by Cain.
Melchizedek is “made like the Son of God (Heb 7:3). He is the king of Salem (“Peace”) who brings forth bread and wine and is the priest of the Most High God.
Joseph is also a type of Christ. Joseph and Christ are both objects of special love by their fathers, both are hated by their brothers, both are rejected as rulers over their brothers, both are conspired against and sold for silver, both are condemned though innocent, and both are raised from humiliation to glory by the power of God.
Keys to Genesis
Key Word: Beginning
Genesis gives the beginning of almost everything, including the beginning of the universe, life, man, sabbath, death, marriage, sin, redemption, family, literature, cities, art, language, and sacrifice.
Key Verse: Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
Key Chapter: Genesis 15
Central to all of Scripture is the Abrahamic covenant, which is given in 12:1-3 and ratified in 15:1-21. Israel receives three specific promises:
- The promise of a great land “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates (15:18).
- The promise of a great nation – “and I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth” (13:16)
- The promise of a great blessing – “I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing (12:2)
Let’s Pray
As you contemplate what you have learned about Genesis and God’s promises, here is a prayer prompt taken from The Prayer Bible:
Humanity is cast into a tailspin when Adam and Eve rebelled against God. Placed in a garden with all they could ever need, they chose to violate the single restriction God placed upon them, becoming separated from Him. But God showed them mercy.
We often feel as if God’s only response to our disobedience is anger; but it isn’t. If you’ve sinned, confess it to God and receive His covering mercy.
The Open Bible
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by many writers over a vast time period, and yet it’s the unified Word of God. The Open Bible offers easy navigation through the interconnected themes and teachings in Scripture with a time-tested complete reference system trusted by millions. Book introductions and outlines augment your study providing an understanding of context and themes from beginning to end. Click here to learn more about the Open Bible
