Genesis
This is a study of the book of "beginnings", i.e., Genesis. It is also a book of answers to questions such as: What did God intend when He created man? What is man purpose? What is the meaning behind creation? And how did we get from there to here, now that we know where we’re going?
Genesis was written between 1445 to 1405 BC. The attributed author is Moses. Harry Halley, in his Bible Handbook, describes a framework for looking at Genesis, which provides for its examination as eleven separate-but-integrated documents:
- The Creation Hymn (Gen. 1:1-2:3)
- The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth (Gen. 2:4-4:26)
- The Book of the Generations of Adam (Gen. 5:1-6:8)
- The Generations of Noah (Gen. 6:9-9:28)
- The Generations of the Sons of Noah Gen. 10:1-11:9)
- The Generations of Shem (Gen. 11:10-26)
- The Generations of Terah (Gen. 11:27-25:11)
- The Generations of Ishmael (Gen. 25:12-18)
- The Generations of Isaac (Gen. 25:19-35:29)
- The Generations of Esau (Gen. 36:1-43)
- The Generations of Jacob (Gen. 37:2-50:26)
As we prepare to study this important book, there are many good resources available to help you, many good websites on creationism, and numerous books. Above all of them my personal favorite is Henry M. Morris’ The Genesis Record. The very first time that I read it I couldn’t put it down. It is exceptional in its scholarship, and in the straightforward way in which he takes you through the book. Henry Morris, as a scientist by trade, provides the reader with a scientific perspective that supports Genesis and the creation, and in language that is easy to understand. I highly recommend the book to you.
I would also be remiss at the beginning of this study if I did not point out some of the many ways in which Genesis is, or has been, interpreted. Two of these ways in particular are (1) theistic evolution and (2) literal creation. There are many others, some of which we will touch on during our study. But at the outset, I want you to know that I take a purely literal approach to studying and applying the text found in Genesis. I actually believe that when God’s word says that it took six days for the creation, and on the seventh God rested, that is literally and factually what took place. To my complete surprise, years ago when I first read Henry Morris, I was pleased to learn that he had begun as a theistic evolutionist; but following his research on the science behind the creation, he too now applies a literal translation, and supports that view with science in his book.
Henry Morris cites at least 14 things that have their origin in the book of Genesis. It is a fascinating list, which I quote for you here as a way of giving you an idea of the breadth and scope of the material that we will cover as we study the Book of Genesis. He lists the following:
- Origin of the universe
- Origin of order and complexity
- Origin of the solar system
- Origin of the atmosphere and hydrosphere
- Origin of life
- Origin of man
- Origin of marriage
- Origin of evil
- Origin of language
- Origin of government
- Origin of culture
- Origin of nations
- Origin of religion
- Origin of the chosen people
So join me as we explore the first 2000 years of man’s history, from Creation to the settlement of God’s Chosen People in Egypt.
Lessons
- Lesson 1
- Introduction
- Lesson 2
- Genesis 1:1-2
- Lesson 3
- Genesis 1:3-6
- Lesson 4
- Creation Theories
- Lesson 5
- Genesis 1:9-19
- Lesson 6
- Genesis 1:20 through 2:3
- Lesson 7
- Genesis 1:27 through 2:6
- Lesson 8
- Genesis 2:7
- Lesson 9
- Genesis 2:8-17
- Lesson 10
- Genesis 2:18-25
- Lesson 11
- Genesis 3:1-7
- Lesson 12
- Genesis 3:7-24
- Lesson 13
- Genesis 4:1 - 6:22
- Lesson 14
- Genesis 6:1 - 8:22
- Lesson 15
- Genesis 9:1 - 10:32
- Lesson 16
- Genesis 10:1 - 11:32
- Lesson 17
- Genesis 11:27 - 12:20
- Lesson 18
- Genesis 13:1-18
- Lesson 19
- Genesis 14:1-24
- Lesson 20
- Genesis Chapters 15 through 18
- Lesson 21
- Genesis Chapters 18 and 19
- Lesson 22
- Genesis Chapters 20 and 21
- Lesson 23
- Genesis Chapters 22 and 23
- Lesson 24
- Genesis Chapters 24 and 25
- Lesson 25
- Genesis Chapters 26 through 47
