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January 6, 2025

Bible Survey: Genesis

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Genesis 1-3; 12; 15

As we start a new year, I thought it would be helpful to do a Bible survey for those reading through the Bible in one year. The Bible is a big book and can be intimidating and daunting to read whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or novice. It can be compared to visiting a city you haven’t previously been to. Looking at a map and getting the big picture of all the important landmarks before you go on your trip helps you get your bearings. Due to space, I won’t be able to cover everything; however, I hope to provide you with some significant markers that will serve to help you as you set out on your journey.

This week we’ll look at the first book of the Bible, Genesis, which is part of the law of Moses. In fact, all five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy) are referred to as the law of Moses. It carries that moniker primarily because Exodus 20-24 as well as the book of Leviticus contain laws that were to govern the nation of Israel. Granted there are other literary forms in these five books such as narrative (see Genesis 1-12), poetry (see Genesis 49; Exodus 15; Numbers 23-24; Deuteronomy 32-33), songs (see Exodus 15; Numbers 6; 21), and prophecy (see Genesis 15; 49; Deuteronomy 4; 18; 33).

We will also look at how Jesus is found in each book as well as at least one principle of application so you can implement each book into your life. As one of my seminary professors was fond of saying, “God gave us the Bible not to make us smarter sinners but to change our lives.”  

Authorship and date. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy were written by Moses probably between 1445-1405 B.C. following the nation of Israel leaving Egypt known as the Exodus (see Exodus 12:31-42). Within these first five books of the Bible, it is said Moses is the author (see Exodus 7:14; 24:4; 34:27; Numbers 33:1-2; Deuteronomy 31:9). Other Old Testament books testify to the fact of Mosaic authorship (see Joshua 1:7; 8:32, 34; 22:5; Judges 3:4; 1 Kings 2:3; 8:53, 56; 2 Kings 14:6; 18:6, 12; 21:8; 22:8; 23:25; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 15:15; 2 Chronicles 1:3; 8:13; 23:18; 25:4; 33:8; 34:14). The New Testament also testifies to Mosaic authorship (see Matthew 8:4; 19:7, 8; Mark 1:44; 10:3; 12:36; Luke 5:14; John 1:17; 7:19). Lastly, Jesus confirmed Mosaic authorship (see Mark 10:3-5; 12:19-27; John 5:45-47).

Authoring these books would have been no problem for Moses for the following reasons: he was well educated (see Acts 7:22), he knew the history of Israel well (see Exodus 2:8-14; Acts 7:23-25), and he was selected by God for the role (see Exodus 3:10; 4:29-31; 19:9; Numbers 12:4-9).

Genesis. The name “Genesis” means beginning or origins. It is appropriately named as such because it tells us the beginning of the universe, the world we live in, man and woman, the origin of sin, the nations, Abraham, and the nation of Israel. Chapters 1-2 tells the story of creation, 3-5 tells the story of Adam and Eve’s sin and its consequences, 6-11 concerns the story of the flood and humanity’s new beginning, 12-25 is the story of Abraham, 24-28 is the story of Isaac, 28-36 is the story of Jacob, and 37-50 is the story of Joseph. 

The Abrahamic Covenant (see Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 17:1-22; 22:15-18). To understand the books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and as well as other books in Scripture it is imperative you understand the Abrahamic Covenant. One scholar defined a covenant as “an agreement between two parties that bound them together with common interests and responsibilities.”

God made a promise to Abraham which entailed three things: land, seed, and blessing. The land entails Palestine. God promised Abraham that piece of real estate would belong to the nation of Israel forever (see the land parameters in Genesis 15:18-21; Numbers 34:1-12; Joshua 15:1-12; Ezekiel 47:15-20). The promise regarding the land will be fulfilled in the millennial reign (see Revelation 20:1-6). The seed aspect relates to the fact that God promised Abraham would have numerous offspring (i.e., children). And lastly, the blessing God promised would be the consequence of the nation of Israel being a blessing to the whole world ultimately fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah (i.e., the Messiah would come from the nation of Israel, specifically from the tribe of Judah, see Genesis 49:10). This covenant is an everlasting promise God made to Abraham (see Genesis 13:15; 17:7, 13, 19; 1 Chronicles 16:16-17; Psalm 105:9-10).     

Jesus in Genesis. The Bible is a Jesus book, although don’t take my word for it (see Luke 24:27; John 5:39-47). The first hint of a coming Messiah to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and God is declared in Genesis 3:15. Jesus is “the seed of the woman” who will crush the serpent’s head (i.e., Satan).

Application. Justification (i.e., being declared righteous in God’s sight) has always been by grace through faith (see Genesis 15:6; Romans 4; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-10); never by works. Abraham is our prime example. Abraham believed in God’s promise and God credited him righteousness.

I hope this brief overview of the first book of the Bible has been helpful. It may be beneficial to think about this application principle in your prayer time. Take a moment and thank God for what He has done on your behalf.