The book of beginnings: creation, the first sin, and the start of God’s plan to bless every nation.
- Section
- Old Testament, Law
- Book
- 1 of 66
- Chapters
- 50
- Written by
- Moses (by tradition)
- When
- The events cover creation to about 1800 BC
- Written to
- Israel, after the escape from Egypt
The big picture
Genesis opens with God making a good world and placing people in it to know Him. By chapter 3 that relationship is broken, and the rest of the Bible is God’s answer to what went wrong.
From chapter 12 the story narrows to one family. God calls Abraham and promises that through his family all the nations of the earth will be blessed. The book follows that promise through Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, through failures, famine and family quarrels, and ends with God’s people safe in Egypt.
Why it was written
It told Israel who made the world, why it is broken, and why God had chosen them: not because they were better than others, but to bring His blessing to everyone.
Key passages
Tap or hover over a reference to read it.
- Genesis 1:1 – God is the Maker of everything
- Genesis 3:15 – The first promise that evil will be defeated
- Genesis 12:1-3 – God calls Abraham and promises a blessing for every nation
- Genesis 50:20 – God brings good out of what people meant for harm
How it points to Jesus
The promise in Genesis 3:15 that a child of the woman would crush the serpent is the first hint of Jesus. Paul says the blessing promised to Abraham comes to the nations through Christ (Galatians 3:16). Joseph, rejected by his brothers and then raised up to save them, is a picture of what Jesus would do.
Themes and people
Themes: Creation · Sin and its cost · God’s promises · Faith · Family
People: Adam and Eve · Noah · Abraham and Sarah · Isaac · Jacob · Joseph
Study it together
- What does Genesis 1 tell you about how God sees the world and the people in it?
- Abraham left his home when God called. What might God be asking you to trust Him with?
- Where have you seen God bring good out of something hard, as He did for Joseph?
Bring your answers and questions to Friday Bible Study, or watch our sermons.
Prepared by Spring Valley Church, Luton. Bible references open the English Standard Version (ESV) in a pop-up supplied by Logos Reftagger.