Genesis

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?
   From the text we can gather that the book of Genesis was written to teach the reader about the history of creation (Gen. 1-2), the fall of man (Gen. 3), the promise of redemption through Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), the prophesies of their own generation (genealogies and family lines) and the Lord's faithfulness to their descendants and unknowingly, themselves (Gen. 15:13-16). They needed to know who they were and where they came from. There must have been a lack of being able to lay claim to their own identity, most likely from being in bondage and wandering for so many years. God wanted them to know that He had indeed chosen them.
   
   
2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?
   No where in Genesis does it say who actually authored the book, but we know that whomever it was (most likely Moses) had a deep, intimate relationship with the Lord. He was trusted enough by God to be given the responsibility of relaying history to His people and He must have been respected in the eyes of the people enough for Him to have been the one to pass along such information.
   From the perspective it's written in, we know that the author did not live during the time of the events Genesis speaks about but that the stories were revealed to him either by revelation from God, older manuscripts and or word of mouth.
   
   
3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “main idea?”
   There are a lot of reoccurring themes in Genesis. The faithfulness of the Lord comes up time after time. He speaks promises over and over, the one that threads its way through the whole book is the promise to Abraham and the inheritance he has (Gen. 12:1-3) and even when the people try to take matters into their own hands and fail to trust Him His will is always done in the end. Lack of trust is a major reoccurring theme. It's evidenced by Eve not believing the word of the Lord and eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:6), Sarah not trusting that she would become pregnant and giving Hagar to Abraham to get pregnant (Gen. 16:1-2) and many other places.

Genesis in one sentence- Genesis is a history of the creation of the world, the genealogy and identity of the Israelites and a revelation of the redeeming power God has.

3. What is the primary reason this book was written?
   The reason the book of Genesis was written is because God knew that the Israelites and the rest of humanity would need to know where they came from and who they were called to be, hence all of the genealogies. He also knew that because of the “masters” they had been under they would need to be re-taught what it meant to have a leader who loved them, treasured them and had great plans for them. For 400 years they had been under oppression, crying out to Him. There was a need for Him to let them know that He was there all along. That He knew before they even became slaves that they were going to be slaves and He knew exactly who they were going to be after. He was showing His faithfulness to them and their ancestors, allowing them to see that He is trustworthy and though 'bad' things happen, it's all part of His plan and they should place their trust in Him.
   
   
4. What does this book show about the character and nature of God?
   Genesis shows that God is a God who cares about the details, He cares about family, He is a God of creativity, power and authority (speaks and things come into existence, Gen. 1-2). He is a God of justice. He is a God with a plan and He sticks to it (Gen. 12:1-3). He wants His children to know the value of their identities. He wants to insure that they are not confused about their view of Him by the other systems and gods they have found themselves under but can learn from Him about His goodness and faithfulness to them, that He is a good and just God. He is a God of forgiveness and redemption. He is trustworthy- he makes and keeps promises. He is active- He is in constant communion with His children.
   
   
5. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?
   He's loving, merciful and so gracious. This is the very first account we have about the plan of redemption. This is where the Lord lays the ground work for His story of love. From the beginning He shows that He gives us guidelines, but He also gives us free will and that in every situation, no matter what we choose, His plan always prevails. So many times, the sin of man stood between man and God's plan, but God's mercies always rescued them. And this is where the story of the fall of humanity and His unrelenting pursuit.