It is fitting to begin with Genesis. Not only is it the book of beginnings, but also a very easy and exciting book to read. The title in our English Bible, Genesis, is taken from the Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint or “LXX.” Genesis means beginnings; this is the book of beginnings or origins. It was a great day in my life to realize that in this book was the beginning of all that I needed to know regarding life and salvation. As we read through the book, look for the seeds that are going to grow into the great themes of Scripture. We have the beginning of the universe, man, marriage, sin, nations, God’s promise of salvation and the nature of saving faith. You will find many others. In these first chapters of the Bible are the promises and pictures of the Lord Jesus Christ. Search for pictures and shadows of Jesus. Look especially in the lives of Isaac and Joseph. As you read, you may wonder why only a few persons are mentioned. The Bible is not the history of the human race, but of the family that was to bring Jesus into the world and the history of those who sought to stop that from taking place.
THE PRIMITIVE HISTORY OF MANKIND (1:1-11:26)
The Creation (1:1-2:25)
Note that the six days of the creation are to be taken literally: Each is described as having an evening and a morning – the Hebrew way of speaking of a day of twenty-four hours. The Sabbath looked back to this as its foundation and spoke of it as simple historical fact (Exodus 20:11; 31:17) Note the progression of the creative work. Day one: light and darkness Day two: sea and sky Day three: Earth springs out of the seas From day four these areas are given completion Day four: lights of the day and night Day five: sea and sky are filled with creatures Day six: land is filled with creatures and is given to man Note chapter 2 is not a second creation but focusing more directly on the creation of man and describing that event in greater detail.
God Created the Garden — A Place for Man to be in Fellowship With God.
God never intended for Adam to stay in the garden Fill the earth and subdue it… Garden was the beginning of the tabernacle, temple, church
- (Home: model of garden, tabernacle, temple, church)
Cain and Abel came here to worship Present their offering before the Lord God set Cherubim to “guard” access to the Tree of Life.
Man was Created “Friday Afternoon:
His first day was a Sabbath – a day of rest We work for Sunday – weekend – TGIF God intended that we rest and from His rest we move out to work
THE FALL TO THE FLOOD (3:1-5:32)
First Word — Man is Shamed in His Nakedness
- New world – post flood – man shamed in His nakedness
Trace carefully the two genealogies. The one from Seth, who replaced Abel, leads us eventually to Noah and through him to Abraham and Jesus. (Lineage of Seth Prophetic) The genealogy of Cain describes the increasing corruption in the pre-flood world.
The Flood (6:1-9:29)
Note from the text that it was a universal flood of such a depth it could cover Mt. Ararat, enabling the ark to sail above it. Flood – 1656 from Adam – Adam’s grandson alive when Noah was born How many animals: 2-unclean, 14-clean. Flood 40 days 4 x 10 = 4 – universal 10 – complete, fullness
New World — Man is Shamed in His Nakedness
New world – post flood – man shamed in His nakedness. Can’t blame our environment.
THE FLOOD TO ABRAHAM (10:1-11:26)
Interrupt the outline to discuss Nimrod.