Treasuring Christ: From Creation to Consummation: Genesis

K. Elijah Layfield

This morning we turn our attention toward the first of the five books of Moses, to the very first book of the Bible, Genesis. We join a war when we open these pages. This book is the battleground for the warfare between Christianity and culture. Consider the debates that are raging today: Was the universe created by God or did it evolve? Is marriage just between a man and woman? Is humanity born sinful, and if so, how did that happen? Why is there evil and death in the world? Will God judge humanity? These topics are the fires of heated discussion in our culture. Where do you stand on these issues? For these reasons, and many more, Genesis is one of the most relevant books in your life. The beginning of the Christian worldview that you need starts in Genesis as we consider "From Creation to Consummation."

Author

In our study of the Pentateuch, we established that Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible. The authorship of Moses is credible for a few reasons: 1. The time he spent in the Egyptian court, and among his people, could have prepared him to become a skillful writer and faithful historian. And the author of Genesis shows familiarity with Egyptian terms and customs (Exod 2.1-11; Acts 7.22). 2. The Bible refers to Moses as a writer (Exodus 17.14; 24.4; Deut 31.9, 24; Luke 20.28; John 1.45), and Deuteronomy 31.24-23.47 shows that he was both a capable writer and historian. 3. There is a unity of theme and style that joins the Pentateuch and demands a single author. 4. Both New Testament, and early Jewish, writers believed that Moses was the author of the entire Pentateuch. 5. And the most credible reason to believe that Moses was author of Genesis and the Pentateuch is that the infallible and inerrant Word of God pronounces him as author, and the Omniscient and Omnipresent Son of God pronounced him as the author. So when people object the impossibility that Moses could write of events that happened so many generations before his birth, we remind them that Moses wasn't there. He had no idea of the course of creation. But God was there, and He is faithful to reveal to Moses and His people what happened.

Date and Location

It is unknown when exactly Moses began to write and completed the book of Genesis. It may be that he worked on it in his first 40 years while he was in the Egyptian court. We do remember that he had already shown an interest in his people, and although he was legally the son of Pharaoh's daughter, he was raised by his Jewish mother. This closeness to his people, coupled with the education that he likely received in Egypt, could mean that he was moved to record this history of his people while in Egypt. If this is true, then he probably wrote Genesis in c. 1486 B.C. (The chronology of 1 Kings 6.1 suggest 1446 B.C. as the approximate date of the Exodus). But if he wrote while amongst his people, and in preparation for the entrance into the Promised Land, then he probably wrote Genesis c. 1445-1405 B.C.

Name

The English name seems to be taken from the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. " Αὕτη ἡ βίβλος γενέσεως οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς " (Genesis 2:4 LXX). "Genesis" means "origins, beginnings". The Hebrew Scriptures name the book after the very first word "בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית" which means "in the beginning." So let there be not doubt, the book of Genesis is concerned with beginning of something. Now we must establish what that something is.

Background and Setting

"The book of Genesis traces earth's history from Creation to the death of Joseph in about 1806 B.C. Genesis has two main parts, both of which are foundational to everything else in the Bible. Its record of Creation and the early history of humanity (1-11) establishes the existence, power, and goodness of God. its record of God's special dealings with the nation of Israel (12-50) shows his intention to establish and develop a relationship with humanity" (Willmington's Bible Handbook , 1). The book takes place in 1) Mesopotamia (1-11) from the time of Creation- to c.2090B.C. 2) the Promised Land (12-36) from c.2090B.C.- to c. 1897B.C. and 3) Egypt (37-50) from 1897B.C.-to 1804B.C. So, in all, Genesis covers perhaps two thousand years.

Outline

The content of Genesis is broken into what I would call a prologue and ten sections. Each of the ten sections I s prefaced by a catchphrase, "These are the generations." This phrase introduces each of the ten sections were are divided as follows:

1.1—2.3 Prologue: Creation of the heaven and the earth.

2.4—4.26 Generations of the heavens and the earth.

5.1—6.8 Book of the generations of Adam.

6.9—9.17 Generations of Noah.

10.1—11.9 Generations of the sons of Noah

11.10-26 Generations of Shem

11.27—25.11 Generations of Terah

25.12-18 Generations of Ishmael

25.19—35.29 Generations of Isaac

36.1—37.1 Generations of Esau

37.2—50.26 Generations of Jacob

Text and Key Events

1.1—2.3 Prologue: Creation of the heaven and the earth

· Creation

2.4—4.26 Generations of the heavens and the earth

· Life in Eden

· Marriage

· The Fall

· Abel killed

· "People began to call upon the name of the Lord."

5.1—6.8 Book of the generations of Adam

· Adam dies

· Enoch

· Methuselah 969 years (Gen 5.27)

· Noah

· Status of the world (Gen 6.5-8)

6.9—9.17 Generations of Noah

· Flood (Entire world but for 8 people)

· Nations (Gen 9.1-17; Law against murder (9.6) "represents the beginning of divinely sanctioned human government (Rom 13.1-4)" (Willmington's Bible Handbook, 13).

· Covenant with Noah (Rainbow, Gen 9.12-17)

10.1—11.9 Generations of the sons of Noah

· Babel (Gen 11.4-9)

11.10-27 Generations of Shem

· Shrinking life spans.

11.27—25.11 Generations of Terah

· The choosing of Abram starts with Terah.

· God calls Abram (Gen 12.2), establishment of Israel (Gen 12)

· Renews His covenant with Abraham (15.1-6)

· Ishmael conceived (16.1-4)

· Abram becomes Abraham (Gen 17.5)

· Circumcision instituted (Gen 17.11-14)

· God chooses to bless through Isaac, not Ishmael (Gen 17.15-19)

· Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18.1-19.29)

· Isaac born (Gen 21.1-3) Sarah: 90, Abraham: 100

· The sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22.2; Gen 22.7-14)

· A wife for Isaac (25.6: "Don't take my son back there!")

25.12-19 Generations of Ishmael

· Notice that where there had been a steady succession of God's people, there is a branch after Abraham. There are the generations of Ishmael, and the generations of Isaac. This is because God had chosen for the blessing and covenant with Abraham to come through Isaac, not Ishmael. So there is a choice on God's part and He is showing it in the text. We shall see this one other time.

25.19—35.29 Generations of Isaac

· Second division (Gen 25.21-26).

· Esau sells his birthright (Gen 25.29-34).

· Jacob steals Esau's blessing (Gen 27.1-40; focus Gen 27.35-36).

· Jacob marries Rachel, 12 Tribes of Jacob (Gen 29.1-32.21)

· Jacob wrestles with God (Gen 32.22-32), renamed Israel ("he strives with God")

36.1—37.1 Generations of Esau

· The second branch is seen in Esau. We've already seen how God exalted Jacob, the second born, over Esau, the first born. We also saw how Jacob received both the birthright and blessing of the firstborn. Here we see that God has chosen the line of Jacob, not the line of Esau.

" For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”" (Romans 9:6-13 ESV)

37.2—50.26 Generations of Jacob

· Joseph and the Providence of God

· Joseph's last words (Gen 50.25-26)

Unique Features

· Introduces the most important issues of life, the problem of sin and evil, and begins to show the solution to that problem.

· Introduces three of the four God-given institutions foundational to human history: Marriage (Gen 2), Human government (Gen 9.1-17), and the chosen nation of Israel (Gen 12). The fourth institution, the church, is introduced in Matthew 16.

· People that are admired in just about all religions.

· Records the first of the three most important covenants: the Abrahamic covenant (12.1-3). The other two are the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7.9-16) and the New Covenant (Jer. 31.31).

(List of unique features from Willmington's Bible Handbook , 2).

Christ in Genesis

It was the offering of a promise that someday a seen would rise up to crush the serpent (3.15) that mitigated the curse that resulted from sin. Also, the lineage of Jesus begins in Genesis (MacArthur's Quick reference Guide to the Bible, 3).

From Creation to Consummation: An Overview of Holy Scripture

Part Four: Genesis


Home Universal World News Holy Communion Library Bible Study Manuscript Archive Audio Sermons Quotable Quotes Featured Article Discussion Favorite Links About Treasuring Christ Supporting Treasuring Christ Disclaimer Contact Information	From Creation to Consummation: An Overview of Holy Scripture Part Four: Genesis K. Elijah Layfield This morning we turn our attention toward the first of the five books of Moses, to the very first book of the Bible, Genesis. We join a war when we open these pages. This book is the battleground for the warfare between Christianity and culture. Consider the debates that are raging today: Was the universe created by God or did it evolve? Is marriage just between a man and woman? Is humanity born sinful, and if so, how did that happen? Why is there evil and death in the world? Will God judge humanity? These topics are the fires of heated discussion in our culture. Where do you stand on these issues? For these reasons, and many more, Genesis is one of the most relevant books in your life. The beginning of the Christian worldview that you need starts in Genesis as we consider "From Creation to Consummation." Author In our study of the Pentateuch, we established that Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible. The authorship of Moses is credible for a few reasons: 1. The time he spent in the Egyptian court, and among his people, could have prepared him to become a skillful writer and faithful historian. And the author of Genesis shows familiarity with Egyptian terms and customs (Exod 2.1-11; Acts 7.22). 2. The Bible refers to Moses as a writer (Exodus 17.14; 24.4; Deut 31.9, 24; Luke 20.28; John 1.45), and Deuteronomy 31.24-23.47 shows that he was both a capable writer and historian. 3. There is a unity of theme and style that joins the Pentateuch and demands a single author. 4. Both New Testament, and early Jewish, writers believed that Moses was the author of the entire Pentateuch. 5. And the most credible reason to believe that Moses was author of Genesis and the Pentateuch is that the infallible and inerrant Word of God pronounces him as author, and the Omniscient and Omnipresent Son of God pronounced him as the author. So when people object the impossibility that Moses could write of events that happened so many generations before his birth, we remind them that Moses wasn't there. He had no idea of the course of creation. But God was there, and He is faithful to reveal to Moses and His people what happened. Date and Location It is unknown when exactly Moses began to write and completed the book of Genesis. It may be that he worked on it in his first 40 years while he was in the Egyptian court. We do remember that he had already shown an interest in his people, and although he was legally the son of Pharaoh's daughter, he was raised by his Jewish mother. This closeness to his people, coupled with the education that he likely received in Egypt, could mean that he was moved to record this history of his people while in Egypt. If this is true, then he probably wrote Genesis in c. 1486 B.C. (The chronology of 1 Kings 6.1 suggest 1446 B.C. as the approximate date of the Exodus). But if he wrote while amongst his people, and in preparation for the entrance into the Promised Land, then he probably wrote Genesis c. 1445-1405 B.C. Name The English name seems to be taken from the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. " Αὕτη ἡ βίβλος γενέσεως οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς " (Genesis 2:4 LXX). "Genesis" means "origins, beginnings". The Hebrew Scriptures name the book after the very first word "בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית" which means "in the beginning." So let there be not doubt, the book of Genesis is concerned with beginning of something. Now we must establish what that something is. Background and Setting "The book of Genesis traces earth's history from Creation to the death of Joseph in about 1806 B.C. Genesis has two main parts, both of which are foundational to everything else in the Bible. Its record of Creation and the early history of humanity (1-11) establishes the existence, power, and goodness of God. its record of God's special dealings with the nation of Israel (12-50) shows his intention to establish and develop a relationship with humanity" (Willmington's Bible Handbook , 1). The book takes place in 1) Mesopotamia (1-11) from the time of Creation- to c.2090B.C. 2) the Promised Land (12-36) from c.2090B.C.- to c. 1897B.C. and 3) Egypt (37-50) from 1897B.C.-to 1804B.C. So, in all, Genesis covers perhaps two thousand years. Outline The content of Genesis is broken into what I would call a prologue and ten sections. Each of the ten sections I s prefaced by a catchphrase, "These are the generations." This phrase introduces each of the ten sections were are divided as follows: 1.1—2.3 Prologue: Creation of the heaven and the earth. 2.4—4.26 Generations of the heavens and the earth. 5.1—6.8 Book of the generations of Adam. 6.9—9.17 Generations of Noah. 10.1—11.9 Generations of the sons of Noah 11.10-26 Generations of Shem 11.27—25.11 Generations of Terah 25.12-18 Generations of Ishmael 25.19—35.29 Generations of Isaac 36.1—37.1 Generations of Esau 37.2—50.26 Generations of Jacob Text and Key Events 1.1—2.3 Prologue: Creation of the heaven and the earth · Creation 2.4—4.26 Generations of the heavens and the earth · Life in Eden · Marriage · The Fall · Abel killed · "People began to call upon the name of the Lord." 5.1—6.8 Book of the generations of Adam · Adam dies · Enoch · Methuselah 969 years (Gen 5.27) · Noah · Status of the world (Gen 6.5-8) 6.9—9.17 Generations of Noah · Flood (Entire world but for 8 people) · Nations (Gen 9.1-17; Law against murder (9.6) "represents the beginning of divinely sanctioned human government (Rom 13.1-4)" (Willmington's Bible Handbook, 13). · Covenant with Noah (Rainbow, Gen 9.12-17) 10.1—11.9 Generations of the sons of Noah · Babel (Gen 11.4-9) 11.10-27 Generations of Shem · Shrinking life spans. 11.27—25.11 Generations of Terah · The choosing of Abram starts with Terah. · God calls Abram (Gen 12.2), establishment of Israel (Gen 12) · Renews His covenant with Abraham (15.1-6) · Ishmael conceived (16.1-4) · Abram becomes Abraham (Gen 17.5) · Circumcision instituted (Gen 17.11-14) · God chooses to bless through Isaac, not Ishmael (Gen 17.15-19) · Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18.1-19.29) · Isaac born (Gen 21.1-3) Sarah: 90, Abraham: 100 · The sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22.2; Gen 22.7-14) · A wife for Isaac (25.6: "Don't take my son back there!") 25.12-19 Generations of Ishmael · Notice that where there had been a steady succession of God's people, there is a branch after Abraham. There are the generations of Ishmael, and the generations of Isaac. This is because God had chosen for the blessing and covenant with Abraham to come through Isaac, not Ishmael. So there is a choice on God's part and He is showing it in the text. We shall see this one other time. 25.19—35.29 Generations of Isaac · Second division (Gen 25.21-26). · Esau sells his birthright (Gen 25.29-34). · Jacob steals Esau's blessing (Gen 27.1-40; focus Gen 27.35-36). · Jacob marries Rachel, 12 Tribes of Jacob (Gen 29.1-32.21) · Jacob wrestles with God (Gen 32.22-32), renamed Israel ("he strives with God") 36.1—37.1 Generations of Esau · The second branch is seen in Esau. We've already seen how God exalted Jacob, the second born, over Esau, the first born. We also saw how Jacob received both the birthright and blessing of the firstborn. Here we see that God has chosen the line of Jacob, not the line of Esau. " For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”" (Romans 9:6-13 ESV) 37.2—50.26 Generations of Jacob · Joseph and the Providence of God · Joseph's last words (Gen 50.25-26) Unique Features · Introduces the most important issues of life, the problem of sin and evil, and begins to show the solution to that problem. · Introduces three of the four God-given institutions foundational to human history: Marriage (Gen 2), Human government (Gen 9.1-17), and the chosen nation of Israel (Gen 12). The fourth institution, the church, is introduced in Matthew 16. · People that are admired in just about all religions. · Records the first of the three most important covenants: the Abrahamic covenant (12.1-3). The other two are the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7.9-16) and the New Covenant (Jer. 31.31). (List of unique features from Willmington's Bible Handbook , 2). Christ in Genesis It was the offering of a promise that someday a seen would rise up to crush the serpent (3.15) that mitigated the curse that resulted from sin. Also, the lineage of Jesus begins in Genesis (MacArthur's Quick reference Guide to the Bible, 3).