Genesis is the first book of the Old Testament and serves as an introduction to the entire Bible. "Genesis" is a title that means "the origin", "source", creation or beginning of something". Therefore, Genesis is the book of beginnings.
Genesis accurately records creation, the beginning of human history and the origin of the Hebrew people who lived in a covenant relationship with God. This relationship was based on God's laws and promises and the people's faithfulness to God. The historical reliability of Genesis as part of God's inspired Word is confirmed in the New Testament by the Lord Jesus (Matt. 19:4-6; 24:37-39; Luke 11:51; 17:26-32; John 7:21-23; 8:56-58) and by the apostles.
Genesis provides a necessary foundation for the rest of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), as well as the entire Bible. It also preserves the only trustworthy record about the beginnings of the universe, humankind, marriage, sin, cities, languages, nations, Israel and God's plan to restore His personal relationship with His people. God gives His covenant people in both the Old Testament and the New Testament a basic understanding of Himself, creation, the human race, the fall into sin, death, judgment, covenant and the promise of salvation to those who put their faith in Him.
Genesis divides naturally into two major parts. Chapters 1-11 provide an overview of the beginning history of humankind. Chapters 12-50 reveal the origin of the Hebrew people. We learn how God worked through Israel's four patriarchs. These patriarchs are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. God's goal was to lay out His plans to bring people of all nations back into a relationship with Him.
Seven major features characterize Genesis. 1. It was the first book of the Bible written. It records the beginnings of human history. 2. The history in Genesis covers a larger period of time than the rest of the Bible combined. 3. Genesis reveals that the physical universe and life on earth are distinctly God's work and not an independent process of nature. 4. Genesis is a book of firsts. It records the first marriage, first family, first birth, first sin, first murder, first polygamist, first musical instruments, first promise of redemption, and many other original things. 5. God's covenant with Abraham. This covenant is central to all of Scripture. 6. Genesis alone explains the origin of Israel's twelve tribes. 7. Genesis reveals how Abraham's descendants finally came to live in Egypt, and sets the stage for the exodus. The exodus became the main Old Testament event that serves an an example of God's plan to save whoever will turn to Him in faith and follow Him.
Genesis provides the prophetic history of God's plan to bring people back into a relationship with Himself. This would eventually happen through a specific Redeemer - God's Son, Jesus Christ - who would come through the woman's offspring. The New Testament connects Genesis 12:3 to God sending Jesus Christ.
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