_Introduction to the Book of Genesis, for the Companion Investiture Achievement
_As part of the Companion Investiture Achievement, we will be reading the Old Testament book of Genesis. The word Genesis means “beginning.” The Jews called the book “Bereshith,” which means “In the beginning,” the first words of the book of Genesis. Genesis is all about beginnings. Creation is the beginning of the Earth and humankind. Genesis also addresses the unfortunate beginning of sin among humans, but in Godʼs response also points to the plan of salvation. In Genesis we see a new beginning after the flood, we see the beginning of God setting apart a special people with the choosing of Abram (later Abraham). We also see the beginning of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Genesis is the first of the five books called (in Greek) the “Pentateuch,” meaning the five-fold book (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). The Jews refer to these books as the “Torah,” meaning the law. The five books are attributed to Moses, who was tasked by God to record the history of Godʼs people, and Godʼs special instructions for them. Genesis covers history up to the Children of Israel moving into Egypt. The other four books cover the Exodus from Egypt, the establishment of Godʼs covenant with his people, and the wanderings of the israelites in the desert, up until just before they pass into the Promised Land.
Genesis, then, is also the story of our beginnings. It tells the story of the beginning of the world, the beginning of civilization and the beginning of Godʼs people. It also tells the story of Godʼs relationship to His people and our hope for redemption. It is a foundational work essential to understanding rest of the Bible. One overarching theme throughout Genesis and the rest of the Pentateuch is the idea of Monotheism, or a single all powerful, all knowing, always existing God. This is far different than the view of other civilizations, who saw a world with many, often fickle, gods. It also forms the core of our relationship with God, as there is only one God, the creator of all humankind, and thus one deserving of our respect and worship.
Although Moses is very clear that there is one God, he uses different different ways to refer to God. Look at Genesis chapters 1 and 2. in chapter 1, Moses calls God “God.” in chapter 2, in dealing with Godʼs relationship to Adam and Eve, he calls him “LORD God.” Maybe you never noticed these differences, but they have been a source of confusion for some who have studied the Bible. The english word “God” comes from the hebrew Elohim, meaning judges, rulers or, as Moses uses it, the one true God. LORD stems from the hebrew Yahweh, meaning “the existing one,” the way God introduced himself to Moses at the burning bush as “I AM.” Moses appears to use the different references to God to emphasize different aspects of how God interacts with his creation. “God” is powerful and commanding, “LORD God” is interactive and personal. Together they help paint a more complete picture of God.
As we read Genesis together, we will be studying our history, our own family tree, both literally (all of us are descendants of both Adam and Noah) and spiritually. And knowing our past can give us confidence in our future.
Genesis is the first of the five books called (in Greek) the “Pentateuch,” meaning the five-fold book (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). The Jews refer to these books as the “Torah,” meaning the law. The five books are attributed to Moses, who was tasked by God to record the history of Godʼs people, and Godʼs special instructions for them. Genesis covers history up to the Children of Israel moving into Egypt. The other four books cover the Exodus from Egypt, the establishment of Godʼs covenant with his people, and the wanderings of the israelites in the desert, up until just before they pass into the Promised Land.
Genesis, then, is also the story of our beginnings. It tells the story of the beginning of the world, the beginning of civilization and the beginning of Godʼs people. It also tells the story of Godʼs relationship to His people and our hope for redemption. It is a foundational work essential to understanding rest of the Bible. One overarching theme throughout Genesis and the rest of the Pentateuch is the idea of Monotheism, or a single all powerful, all knowing, always existing God. This is far different than the view of other civilizations, who saw a world with many, often fickle, gods. It also forms the core of our relationship with God, as there is only one God, the creator of all humankind, and thus one deserving of our respect and worship.
Although Moses is very clear that there is one God, he uses different different ways to refer to God. Look at Genesis chapters 1 and 2. in chapter 1, Moses calls God “God.” in chapter 2, in dealing with Godʼs relationship to Adam and Eve, he calls him “LORD God.” Maybe you never noticed these differences, but they have been a source of confusion for some who have studied the Bible. The english word “God” comes from the hebrew Elohim, meaning judges, rulers or, as Moses uses it, the one true God. LORD stems from the hebrew Yahweh, meaning “the existing one,” the way God introduced himself to Moses at the burning bush as “I AM.” Moses appears to use the different references to God to emphasize different aspects of how God interacts with his creation. “God” is powerful and commanding, “LORD God” is interactive and personal. Together they help paint a more complete picture of God.
As we read Genesis together, we will be studying our history, our own family tree, both literally (all of us are descendants of both Adam and Noah) and spiritually. And knowing our past can give us confidence in our future.