Genesis

Genesis

What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?The Original Reader would be the Hebrew nation who, having been ravaged by 400 years of Egyptian captivity, is now in desperate need to begin again. Genesis is addressing the Hebrew nation not only to their present reality–the return to a promised land- but the true story of their beginnings. A story that undoubtedly had been skewed by the pagan beliefs of Egypt. 


What do you see in this book that tells you about the author? The author, believed to be Moses, was obviously called by God to not only lead a people out of their captivity, but by his intelligence of both the Egyptian and Hebrew way of life, compile oral and written accounts, with divine inspiration, of the beginnings in his first of five books called Genesis. The narrator seems to grieve with God over the state of His creation in verses such as 6:5 which expresses God’s grief over the wickedness of man, as well as the sensitive way in which a desperate Hagar met the Lord in Genesis 16:13.

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the "main idea." Four themes; Creation, the fall, the flood, and the forming of nations comprise chapters 1-11, and the history of four people; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph comprise the remainder of the book. God’s Redemption of man features strongest in this 2,196 year journey from creation to the death of Joseph.

What is the primary reason this book was written? To answer the question of where we have come from and where we are going. To be assured that no matter what happens, God has a plan and is faithful to fulfill it. Specifically, God is assuring his people that He can care for them, can change them, and that He can make them into a people whom "all the families on earth will be blessed." Genesis 12:3.

What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God? God’s character is one of an everlasting love. Even in the garden when already knowing Adam and Eve had sinned, He asks; "Where are you? . . . Who told you that you were naked?" Genesis 3:9-10. His nature is shown in the covering he provided for Adam and Eve; even the expulsion from the garden was a kindness so they wouldn’t eat of the Tree of Life; the promise of survival symbolized by the rainbow; "I will never again destroy all living things."

What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind? It seems this plan was revealed immediately after the fall. "I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:14.

What is an application from this book that God is asking me to apply in my life today? To not misunderstand Him. Learning about the deductive way of Bible study this week has vastly changed my view of the book of Genesis. Seeing the book from the "original readers" viewpoint has made it richer. I’ve had to humble down. As a result, The God of my life has loomed larger, more realistic, and more thoroughly loving though this week’s reading and study of Genesis. I no longer shake my head at the sins of my spiritual ancestors. We are all in this plan of salvation together.

What can I take away from this book that helps me prepare for a future ministry or Point of Passion? There is one verse in Genesis that has always touched me deeply–I believe it could be the foundation of my point of passion as it stirred in me the ministry of intercession.

"The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the
earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined
was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he
had ever made them and put them on earth. It broke his heart." Genesis 6:5

Cindy Patrick DBS Fall Quarter, 2013