BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
Genesis
50 chapters
In God's creation, fall, and election, the opening of redemptive history and His covenant promises are revealed.
Genesis
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Why this book was written
Genesis was written to record for Israel the origins of all things, the election of the patriarchs, and the beginning of God's promises, so the people would know that the God they worship is the unique Creator and Redeemer, that their identity comes from the Abrahamic covenant, and that they are being prepared to enter the promised land.
Structure
- 1–11Creation and Fall: The Universal Beginning
- 12–25Abraham: The Father of Promise and Faith
- 26–36Isaac and Jacob: Continuation and Election of the Promise
- 37–50Joseph: God's Providence and a Foreshadow of Redemption
Major themes
God's Creation and Sovereignty
Genesis 1-2 depicts God creating all things by the power of His word, establishing His sovereignty over everything; all things exist from Him, through Him, and to Him.
Sin and the Fall
Genesis 3 records Adam and Eve's disobedience, the entry of sin into the world, bringing shame, fear, curse, and death, revealing human depravity and the need for redemption.
Promise and Election
God promises Abraham (12:1-3), Isaac (26:3-4), and Jacob (28:13-14) descendants, land, and blessing, revealing divine election in grace and His covenant faithfulness.
Faith and Trust
Abraham believed God's word and it was credited as righteousness (15:6), demonstrating steadfast faith in the test of offering Isaac (ch. 22), becoming the father of faith.
God's Providence and Judgment
From Cain's judgment, the flood, Sodom's destruction, to Joseph's experiences (chs. 37-50), God executes righteous judgment in history while wondrously preserving His people.
God's Provision and Typology of Redemption
God clothes Adam and Eve with garments of skin (3:21), provides a substitute for Isaac (ch. 22), and Joseph preserves a remnant for his brothers (45:7)—all typologically pointing to Christ's redemption and provision.
How it points to Christ
Genesis points to Christ through seeds and types: the seed of the woman (3:15) is the first gospel promise of God's redemption plan; Abraham's offspring (22:18) points to Christ Himself; the priesthood of Melchizedek (14:18-20) typifies Christ as the eternal High Priest; Joseph, rejected by his brothers yet becoming savior (chs. 37-50), prefigures Christ despised, crucified, and resurrected as the Savior of all peoples. The end of Genesis anticipates the redemption promised in Exodus, ultimately fulfilled in Christ—the coming 'Lion of Judah' (cf. Rev 5:5) and the 'Lamb' who takes away the sin of the world.
Key verses
- 1:1All that exists begins with God's creation, laying the foundation of the biblical worldview.
- 3:15The first gospel promise that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head, the protoevangelium.
- 12:1–3The core of the Abrahamic covenant; all nations will be blessed through his offspring, pointing to Christ.
- 15:6A classic text on justification by faith—Abraham believed God and it was credited as righteousness.
- 22:18The typology of Isaac and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant; all nations will be blessed through his offspring.
- 28:13–14Jacob's dream restates the Abrahamic covenant; God's promise of presence runs through patriarchal history.
- 45:5–8Joseph acknowledges God used evil to bring redemption, revealing divine providence and typology.
- 50:20You intended evil, but God intended it for good—a summary declaration of divine providence.
Films & series on Genesis
Each has a guide: scripture sources, where it departs from the Bible, discussion questions, and where to watch
Noah
Film · 2014
A man who suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.
The Bible
Series · 2013
The story of God's creation of the Earth and the landmark events leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In the Beginning
Series · 2000
In the Beginning is a 2-part biblical television miniseries directed by Kevin Connor. It stars Martin Landau and Jacqueline Bisset and it premiered on NBC on November 12, 2000.
Reflections on Genesis
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·How do I see God's glory and power in His creation? How does this affect my daily reverence for God?
- ·In facing the temptation of sin, what does Adam and Eve's failure warn me about? How can I overcome sin through Christ?
- ·What weaknesses are seen in Abraham's faith? How can I remain steadfast in trusting God while waiting for His promises?
- ·How did Joseph see God's providence in suffering? Can I trust God's 'good intentions' in my current difficulties?
- ·How do the 'seed' promises in Genesis deepen my understanding and gratitude for Christ's salvation?
Want to read Genesis start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
Start reading GenesisGenesis
Chapter 12
1Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee:
2and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make they name great; and be thou a blessing:
3and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
4So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
6And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
7And Jehovah appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto Jehovah, who appeared unto him.
8And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto Jehovah, and called upon the name of Jehovah.
9And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.
10And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was sore in the land.
11And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
12and it will come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they will say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
13Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake, and that my soul may live because of thee.
14And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
15And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
16And he dealt well with Abram for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels.
17And Jehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
18And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
19why saidst thou, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
20And Pharaoh gave men charge concerning him: and they brought him on the way, and his wife, and all that he had.