GENESIS

Genesis

What do you see in this book that tells you about the original readers?

Genesis has a message to all people on earth – because in Genesis 12:3 God says to Abraham that all the families on earth will be blessed through him. In Genesis all people can learn about where we came from and how our world was created.

Another aspect is that after 400 years of slavery the Hebrew people almost didn’t know their history, and had worshiped Egyptians false gods, and it was important for Moses to tell them about their own history and the only living God.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

The Sourceview Bible introduction to Genesis says that this book was written by Moses.

I think the author had close relationship with God because God confided Moses all the details about the creation of the earth and the beginning of the world.

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “Main Idea”.

Main themes is that God established different covenant, Gods blessings, having children and descendants, showing the history and the family tree.

Main Idea is creation and showing the start of Gods plan for salvation.

What is the primary reason this book was written?

The primary reason of writing this book is - through creation and the fall of man - showing people what character God has and His plan for people who believe in Him.

 
What does this book show about the character and nature of God?
This book shows throughout creation that we have a very creative God with brilliant intelligence (Gen 1:14-18).
And God is very zealous for his redemptive plan for mankind.

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

In Genesis 3:15 we find a Messias-prophesy that tells about Christ as the conquer over Satan.
I will also say that the story of Joseph and his brothers is a foreshadow of Jesus. He saves his brothers lives from starving even if they sold their brother to the Midianite traders (Gen 37:28)

Personal Application:

This is a strong reminder about the meaning and the consequences of blessing.  

(The Lord is blessing Abram in Exodus 12:2-3 and Isaac is blessing Jacob in 27:27-29).

I have the same possibility to bless my wife, children and their families, and I think this is very important.

It is interesting to see how common people were at that time – fairly alike us nowadays – both in good and bad ways.

After reading of Genesis I have more understanding of the background why this book was written: Israelites was a slavery people without a history and identity.

Point of passion:

As father and grandfather is it important to bless the children in my family.