Genesis

I. First impressions

1.1)What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

If we admit that Moses wrote the Genesis, the original readers of this book were the Israelites who arrived in Egypt and grew into a nation. Their ancestors are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The genealogy of Adam's descendants are listed in Genesis 5, and the descendants of Jacob are listed in 46:8-27.

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

Moses wrote it around 1446-1406 BC. He relied on revelation from God and, perhaps, earlier oral or written records.

1.3)Main themes, repeated ideas and main idea:

In Genesis 17, God makes a covenant with Abraham and said that you and your descendants must keep.

1.4)What is the primary reason this book was written?

Through this book the Israelites learned that they were heirs of a covenant between Yahweh and Abraham. They also learned the importance of faith and obedience to Yahweh. And, they learned the promise that they would one day inherit the land of Canaan.

II. Theme Tracing

2.1)What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

Through the Ch.6:3, we can find God's authority, which changed our humans' lifetime from hundreds to no more than 120 years. And through the conversations with Noah(Ch.6:13~9:17)and Abraham(Ch.12:1~18:32), we can find God is so relational and merciful.

2.2)What does this book show you about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In the Genesis 12:1-9 Abraham receives the command to abandon his homeland with the promise that his offspring will be a great nation. He obeys, goes to Canaan, and there builds altars to Yahweh his God. After then in 15:1-21 God makes a covenant with Abraham. God identifies himself, then rejects the suggestion that Eliezer of Damascus might be Abraham's heir, and promises Abraham many descendants and the land of Canaan. Abraham believes, offers a sacrifice, and hears a prophecy concerning his offspring of dark days of slavery followed by the possession of the promised land. And in 17:1-27 introduces circumcision as the sign of the covenant. God again identifies himself to Abraham and again promises many offspring and the possession of Canaan. He rejects the suggestion that Ishmael may be the heir, and demands that Abraham and all his male descendants undergo circumcision as the sign of the covenant. Abraham obeys. In 22:1-19, like the first, begins with God commanding Abraham to leave his home, only this time it is to take his son up a mountain and sacrifice him to God. Abraham obeys, only he is prevented from carrying out the sacrifice by the angel of the Lord and sacrifices a ram instead. Having passed this greatest of tests, he is again promised the land and many offspring. Through these commands we can understand how he completely prepare for the redemption of mankind.

III. Application

3.1)Personal application:

Like as Abraham obeyed to God and showed his faith, I have to train myself to obey to God's words( in the bible or through the Holy Spirit).

3.2)Point of Passion Assignment

Even though they are not believe in God, many people recognize that there is some mighty power in the universe. How can I understand them that this mighty power is our God? There are so many people who pursue the human relations to avoid loneliness, but hurt by it. How can I let them know only Jesus can make us free and give us relief? I want to be a stepping-stone between the God's words(Bible) and unbelievers. -end-