AbrahamGenesis

Copyright © 2003 Gene Brooks. All Rights Reserved.  HOME 
Powerpoint for this teaching here.
Page created October 3, 2003. Updated November 29, 2003

About the picture: Abraham is the central figure in Genesis. His covenant with God set God's worldwide plan of redemption in motion. Detail from Guercino's Abraham Casting Out Hagar and Ishmael (1657), located at Pinocateca di Brera, Milan.

"Jesus Christ, our Creator"

Author: Moses

Authorship: (Exodus 24:7; 34:27; Deuteronomy 31:9, 24, 26; Joshua 1:7; 8:32; Daniel 9:11-13; Luke 16:29; 24:27; John 5:46-47;  7:19; Acts 7:22, 37-38; 26:22; Romans 10:19). Moses undoubtedly used older written sources, oral traditions, and direct revelation from God (Numbers 12:8) in composing Genesis. Trained by the best universities in the world in Egypt (Acts 7:22), Moses organized and wrote this book.

In the modern period, critics developed the JEDP theory, suggesting that the Torah came from four separate periods of Israel's history and were woven together during the time of Ezra. Particularly in Genesis, stories which seem to be duplicated (eg., "two" creation accounts, 1:1-2:3 and 2:4-25. The second account is an expansion of 1:26-27 in typical Hebraic spiral thought.), sudden changes in style, particular divine names in the text, gave rise to this theory based on naturalistic and evolutionary assumptions. No one, however, has produced the J, E, D, and P documents which supposedly lie behind these five books. Also, much of what seemed strange about the Pentateuch in the 18th Century has since been found in other ancient texts. There are no convincing reasons to abandon Mosaic authorship.

One of the most striking features of Genesis is the accuracy of how Moses detailed customs that were no longer practiced in his lifetime. Archaeology has shown the accuracy of his descriptions. The rest of Scripture and Jesus Himself takes Genesis and the rest of the Torah as a completely accurate and reliable account of ancient times (Matthew 19:4-6; John 8:56-58; Romans 5:12-15).

Location & Date: (c. 1462-1422 BC)

Henrietta MearsMoses probably used Israel's forty years of wandering in the desert to organize and write the Torah (c. 1462-1422 BC). Genesis 1-11 gives us at least 2000 years of history. Genesis 12-50 covers 350 years. It is a spiritual interpretation of history. Genesis gives us the background and sets the stage for the rest of Scripture. Exodus to Deuteronomy covers about 40 years. Genesis 12 to Matthew 1 covers 2000 years. Abraham left Ur about 2100 BC. Joseph resettled the family in Egypt about 1677 BC.

Archaeologist "Sir Charles Marston, often called an 'archaeologist with a purpose,' serves to silence the critics of the Bible. Records of many persons that scientists have said never existed have been brought to light; many places that they said were only Bible names have been unearthed. Marston tells us that the scene of the events recorded in the first chapters of the book of Genesis appears to be laid around the river Euphrates. The surrounding country is called Shinar, or Chaldea, or Mesopotamia. We have known it as Babylonia; today it is called Iraq" - Henrietta Mears, p. 38.

"Archaeological discovery in Mesopotamia bares evidence of the flood, both in cuneiform writings and in the actual flood deposits. The main body of Noah's descendants seems to have migrated from Armenia, where Noah's family left the ark, back toward the plain of Babylonia where they built the tower" - Henrietta Mears, pp. 38, 39-40.

Key Message/ Verse:

BOOK OF BEGINNINGS - Genesis is the book of beginnings. The first five books of the Bible are called the Pentateuch (penta, "five," and teuchos, "volume") or Torah (Jewish Law). Genesis begins with "God" (1:1) and ends "in a coffin" (50:26). The book is a history of man's failure. Satan has made Genesis one of the most attacked books of Scripture -- Moses' authorship, relation to science, literal testimony to It exposes him as an enemy of God, deceiver of humanity. Why? It foretells his destruction and doom (Genesis 3). Satan worked disobedience through a serpent on a tree. God worked obedience through the God-man Jesus Christ on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:22-23; 1 Peter 2:24).

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT - Genesis 12:1-3 - The Old Testament Great Commission

Extremely important to understand chosen people, Old Testament, Jesus' First Coming, issues involving Middle East & Israel's land today, God's heart for missions). The Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional, depending solely on God and His grace. It has never been revoked (Romans 11:29). God promised Abraham that his descendants would (1) inherit the Land, (2) become a great nation, (3) would bless them, (4) through them all nations would be blessed. These promises were repeated to Abraham (Genesis 13:14-17; 15:5-21; 17:3-8; 22:17-18), Isaac (Genesis 26:1-5), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). Through Christ we have inherited with Israel these blessings (Galatians 3:15-18; Romans 9:1-5). The Abrahamic Covenant forms the basis for the Land Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1-10), the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16), promise of blessing in Old and New Covenants (Exodus 19:3-6; Jeremiah 31:31-40).

JOSEPH - Genesis 37-50

Messianic patriarch, Joseph most reflects Jesus Himself. 130 parallels between Joseph and Jesus' lives.

Outline:

Moses organized Genesis around a concept of the generations.

  1. Beginning of Generations (1:1-2:3)
  2. Heaven & Earth (2:4-4:26)
  3. Adam (5:1-6:8)
  4. Noah (6:9-9:29)
  5. Sons of Noah (10:1-11:9)
  6. Shem (11:10-26)
  7. Terah (11:27-25:11)
  8. Ishmael (25:12-18)
  9. Isaac (25:19-35:29)
  10. Esau (36:1-37:1)
  11. Jacob (37:2-50:26)
OUTLINE OF FOURS - 4 events, 4 persons

  1. CREATION (1 - 2)
  2. FALL (3 - 5)
  3. FLOOD (6 - 9)
  4. BABEL (10 - 11:9)
  5. ABRAHAM (11:10 - 25:18)
    1. (Pivot Point is Genesis 12; foundation of our missionary God's program to bring salvation to all peoples)
  6. ISAAC & JACOB (25:19 - 36:43)
  7. JOSEPH (37:1 - 50:26)

THE TORAH
Genesis        Beginnings
Exodus        Redemption
Leviticus        Worship
Numbers    Wandering
Deuteronomy    Renewed Covenant
GENESIS 1        GENESIS 2
Creator God        Covenant-keeping God
Elohim            YHWH
Powerful God        Personal God
Universe Created    Humans Created
Climaxes with man    Climaxes with marriage
Six days of creation    Sixth day of creation
GENESIS: BOOK OF BEGINNINGS
World        1:1-25
Humans        1:26-2:25
Sin        3:1-7
Promise        3:8-24
Family        4:1-15
Civilization    4:16-9:29
Nations        10-11
Hebrews        12-50
OUTLINE OF GENESIS 1-12
1.    Creation – In the beginning God (1:1)
2.    Individual Destruction - Now the serpent (3:1)
3.    Corporate Destruction - Now the whole world (11:1)
4.    Redemption – Now the Lord (12:1)
A FEW OF THE 130 PARALLELS: JESUS & JOSEPH (GENESIS 37-50)
Loved by their fathers         Genesis 37:3;  Matthew 3:17
Shepherds of their fathers' sheep    Genesis 37:2; John 10:11, 27
Sent by father to brothers        Genesis 37:13-14; Hebrews 2:11
Hated by brothers        Genesis 37:4; John 7:5
Plots to harm them        Genesis 37:20; John 11:53
Tempted but faithful        Genesis 39:7; Matthew 4:1
Taken to Egypt            Genesis 37:25, 28; Matthew 2:14-15
Robes taken from them        Genesis 37:23; John 19:23
Sold for price of slave        Genesis 37:28; Matthew 26:15
Bound in chains            Genesis 39:20; Matthew 27:2
Falsely accused            Genesis 29:16-18; Matthew 26:59-60
2 prisoners, one saved, one lost    Genesis 40:2-3; Luke 23:32
30 yrs old at public recognition    Genesis 41:46; Luke 3:23
Exalted after suffering        Genesis 41:41; Philippians 2:9-11
Forgave wrongdoers        Genesis 45:1-15; Luke 23:34
Saviors of the nations        Genesis 45:7; Matthew 1:21

Sources: FF Bruce, International Bible Commentary;; Matthew Henry's Commentary at www.ccel.org/h/henry/; Life & Times Historical Reference Bible; Herbert Lockyer, All the Men of the Bible; J. Vernon McGee, Briefing the Bible; Henrietta Mears, What the Bible is All About; Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps & Charts; New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen) NIV Compact Reference Bible (1989); The Reese Chronological Bible; Larry Richards, The Bible Readers Companion; Ryken, Wilhoit, Longman, eds., Dictionary of Biblical Imagery; Charles Swindoll, Living Insights Study Bible; Tyndale Handbook of Bible Charts and Maps; Wycliffe Bible Dictionary. GRAPHICS: Abraham Casting Out Hagar and Ishmael: http://gallery.euroweb.hu/art/g/guercino/2/abraham.jpg