Genesis

I believe the original readers of Genesis were the Israelites’. The stories and history within this book consistently follow the accounts and Gods plan for the Israelites. (Genesis 15) These genealogies are can be found in Genesis chapters 10, 25, 35 and 46. God tells Abraham about his plan for his ancestors and readers of this book his ultimate plan. (Genesis 15:13) In the rarity of shifted focus from the Israelites’ history to that of other nations we can understand God was giving the Hebrews insight into who their future “promise land neighbors will be.” One example of this is found in Lots story. As the Lord destroys the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah he spares Lot and his two daughters. Once in safety Lots daughters “…get him drunk…” and “…have sex with him...” (Genesis 19:34) Out of this perversity Lots daughters’ give birth to sons who become ancestors to the Moabites (Genesis 19:37) and the Ammonites (Genesis 19:38.) For the Israelites’ to know the sinful beginnings of these nations (and others mentioned in Genesis) would have greatly prepared them for dealing with these nations birthed in perversity.

The SourceView insights suggests Moses wrote Genesis“…around 1446-1406 BC.” I believe Moses authored Genesis because he included details which would have only been important to and understood by someone with a Hebrew and Egyptian heritage Moses separates his Hebrew brothers from himself and the other Egyptians for dinner. (Genesis 43:42) Another example can be seen in the last verse of Genesis (Chapter 50:26) when Joseph dies and is embalmed by the Egyptians. Moses would have known the embalming practices unique to Egypt and would have included this detail.

I think the main theme of Genesis is Gods Redemption. Along with Gods redemptive plans for His people I see the repeated idea of covenants. God makes a covenant with Noah, his family, and “…every living creature on earth…” (Genesis 9:10) that he will never send a flood to destroy all life and a rainbow in the clouds is an eternal covenant. Another powerful covenant is given to Abraham in Genesis 17:4-8. Through this covenant Gods plan for salvation for all people is released. No matter the circumstances we are tangled in God has a redeeming plan to bring about good!

The primary reason Genesis was written was to restore to the Israelites a godly worldview and their true identity. Genesis 15:13 explains the Israelites are “…strangers in a foreign land…” and “oppressed as slaves for 400 years.” Within four to six generations of bondage in a foreign kingdom the Israelites accepted the polytheistic religion of the Egyptians. Genesis would have informed the Israelites that God is the powerful creator and that mankind was the big crescendo of all his magnificent creation. This book to the enslaved Israelites would have shown the loving and caring nature of their God who see them, provides for them and has a magnificent plan for them. 

Genesis is a book brimming with amazing examples of the character and nature of God. One of the most mind blowing accounts of Gods nature is found in Genesis chapter one when God creates the heavens, earth, plants, animals and human beings in his image. As the Lord tests Abraham in chapter twenty-two we witness an incredible picture of Gods character. In reckless obedience to the Lord Abraham takes his beloved son Isaac to the mountain top to sacrifice him to the Lord. After Abraham ties Isaac on the alter and picks up his knife God intervenes and stops him from sacrificing Isaac. God provided a ram for the sacrifice in place of Isaac. “Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide.” Genesis 22:14

Within the first book of the bible God is already scheming a beautiful rescue for his children. Jesus is foreshadowed when Jacob prophesies that the bloodline of the Israelites will contain the ruler intended to rule who …”all nations will honor…” (Genesis 49:10) We also see that the bloodline of Abraham will contain the messiah. God tells Abraham that “All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3.)   The story of Abraham and Isaac reveals Gods redemptive plan for mankind. Just like God will give his only son who he loves as a sacrifice for all mankind, he demands the same of Abraham. God tells Abraham to take his only son Isaac “…whom you love so much…” and sacrifice him. (Genesis 22:2)

In Genesis God has been speaking to me about His loving faithfulness despite our unbelief. A character God used to speak to me was Abraham. Abraham receives a promise from God that he will have a son. (Genesis 15:4) When he receives this promise he first tries to make it happen on his own, through his wife’s servant Hagar (Genesis 16:3.) Instead of rebuking Abraham, God gently reminds him of his promise and clarifies his son will come through his wife Sarai. (Genesis 17:16)  The text tells us Abraham “…laughed to himself in disbelief.” (Genesis 17:17.) Abraham then has a supernatural encounter with the Lord where he appears and confirms (for the third time!) that he will indeed give him a son. While Sarah’s listening to God and Abraham she overhears this news and “…laughed silently to herself…(Genesis 18:12) I was so encouraged by the end when Abraham is full of trust and belief. God asks him once to sacrifice his son, the fulfillment of a promise, and Abraham doesn’t question but fully obeys. (Genesis 22:2) I’m in awe that I get to serve a Lord full of patience and goodness. I want to keep my heart fully opened and humbled before the Lord. I want to continue to be available for the Lord to use me and grow in responding to the Lord the first time he asks something of me!

“Our God fully sees us and will always rescue us” would speak powerfully to oppressed women around the world.  After Eve sins in the garden and is overwhelmed by her shame, she tries to hide from God when he comes to look at her. God quickly disciplines her, but doesn’t dismiss her need. (Genesis 3:21) God tenderly rescues Eve from her shame and makes her clothes. In the midst of brokenness and shame God is fully attentive to our every need and will dress us up in what we really need. Another example can be found in the story of Hagar.(Genesis 16)  After Hagar become pregnant with her masters husband she begins to have a major attitude with Sarah.(Genesis 16:5) Sarah becomes harsh towards Hagar and she runs away! In her complete brokenness and distress God sends an angel to encourage her. After this encounter Hagar is deeply moved and proclaims “You are the God who sees me.”(Genesis 16:13) That God Hagar is referring to is still the same right now. For every woman oppressed around the world God fully sees them!