Our focus in these next few weeks is on Abraham. We’ll be studying Genesis 12:1-3 and some accompanying scriptures that will give us some knowledge about Abraham and the amazing and enduring blessing.
Before we begin, however, we must back up a little, for we cannot fully understand and appreciate the blessing of Abraham and God’s covenant with him until we sufficiently understand God’s intention of establishing a relationship with humanity. So, let’s attach some wings and soar through Genesis 1-11.
Genesis 1-2 – The Cosmos and humanity. God creates the world and everything in it, including man and woman. They weren’t infants when He created them; they were grown and able to think, speak, and joyfully interact with God, wonder in his created things, and one another. Eden was sublime. Key verses: Genesis 1:1; 27-28.
Genesis 3 – Evil encounters the human heart. In a disturbing turn from the sublime, one seemingly reasonable conversation leads to temptation and her hand extends toward the prohibited. Woman takes the forbidden bite and hands it to the man who also consumes it. The fruit still lay at the bottom of their throats as they realize their shame. The fruit of Eden turns bitter, and Adam and Eve are expulsed from The Garden. Key verse: Genesis 3:15.
Genesis 4 – Cain kills Abel. Jealousy and anger lead to the first murder, a repulsive denigration of the image of God. Cain leaves God’s presence. Key verse: Genesis 4:7.
Genesis 5 – Long years and a faithful walk. Here is our first genealogy of Adam where mankind lived very long years. Enoch walks faithfully with God. Key verse: Genesis 5:24.
Genesis 6 – Blameless Noah. We find a strange story about creatures we don’t understand who aggravate and perpetuate corruption in the world with humans. God was grieved and directed blameless Noah to build an ark. Here we also see God’s intent to establish a covenant with Noah. Key verse: Genesis 6:22.
Genesis 7 – Corruption cleansed by water. Flood fills the earth and takes the life of every living creature except Noah and his family (and some 7,000 animals). Key verse: Genesis 7:23.
Genesis 8 – A dry land. The flood subsides, the waters recede and Noah, his family, and all the animals walk on dry land. God promises to never destroy all living creatures again. Key verse: Genesis 8:21.
Genesis 9 – An evil act. Twice God commands the living to be fruitful and multiply, and covenantal promises were made to Noah and his sons. But as God reminded us in chapter 8 that sin still resides in the hearts of man, we find it quickly enters once again. Noah levies a curse against his grandson Canaan because of an undisclosed evil act brought on by Ham. Key verses: Genesis 9:12-17.
Genesis 10 – The Table of Nations. Here is our second genealogy where we see the sons of Noah being fruitful and multiplying. Notice cursed Canaan’s clan reaches far and wide from Sidon to Gaza, toward Sodom, Gomorrah and beyond. Key verse: Genesis 10:32
Genesis 11 – Abandoned building project. In a mere 9 verses we have a teeny tiny story about a tall tower in Babel (a town in Ur) built by man to elevate himself above God. But God had another plan and baffled Babel’s language. The pride project was abandoned, and the people scattered into ethno-linguistic clans. This event has a huge implication on God’s future restoration plan that will begin to unfold in our next chapter. Key verse: Genesis 11:8.
There’s our bird’s eye view of Genesis 1-11. Before we move to our next installment, take some time to quickly read through the chapters in review, and notice each time God intervenes with mankind. What does He say and why does He say it? In what ways do you see His character revealed? What disturbs you and what inspires you? Try not to get caught up in the details (we really don’t know a lot about the Nephilim, so let that go for now).
Focus on God, all the ways in which He reveals himself to man.
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