Genesis

I want to express my deep appreciation and continued use of the Genesis section of “The Bible

Knowledge Commentary”, which section was written by Dr. Alan Ross.

Only the beginning, only just the start…CreationCreation of manThe FallThe FloodThe Tower of Babel

Genesis 1-11

The story of the lives of four men

Genesis 12-50

The purpose of the Bible

To explain God’s attempt to establish His kingdom on earth.

Genesis – the Purpose

To explain Israel’s beginning and purpose in the establishment of God’s rule on earth.

Genesis – The Structure

Genesis is divided by markers in different sections, each highlighted by a certain Hebrew word.

Genesis – The Structure

This word can be translated with the phrase,“What became of…”

Genesis – The Structure – 2:4-4:26

This section deals with “What ever became of the heavens and the

earth?”

Genesis – The Structure – 2:4-4:26

How did humanity ever get into this situation?

Genesis – The Structure – 2:4-4:26

• The creation of the man and woman – 2:4-25• The Fall of the man and woman – Ch. 3• The Spread of their sin – Ch. 4

The creation of the man and woman – 2:4-25

A change in emphasis: The Creator God is also the personal, covenant-

keeping God.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:4-25

Israel’s God is also the Creator.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:4b-7

The language of the creation of Adam is like that of a potter making a clay pot.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:4b-7

Man, who later seeks to be like God, is “earthy”.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:4b-7

The inbreathing of God which created life and fellowship with God is later essential to regain

fellowship after the Fall when we are regenerated.Ezek. 37

The creation of the man and woman – 2:8-17

Man is placed in a perfect, lush environment.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:8-17

He has everything he needs and only needs to avoid one tree.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:8-17

One tree seemed to preserve and promote life.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:8-17

Another tree produced an experiential knowledge of the things that would protect or destroy life if

the fruit was eaten.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:8-17

These trees provided a test of obedience, apparently near one another.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:8-17

The trees (v. 9), the river (v. 10), and the gold and precious stones (vv. 11-12) will all be present in

the New Jerusalem.Rev. 21:10-11; 22:1-2

The creation of the man and woman – 2:15-17

Man’s role was to serve in the Garden, but was given a clear command.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:15-17

Just as Israel, God set life and death before them: Obedience would result in blessing,

disobedience would result in being cursed.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:18-25

This tender section records the creation of woman, their mission, and the basis for all society.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:18-25

For the first time, something is not good…Man is alone!

The creation of the man and woman – 2:18

The man is not like the animals.

He needs someone like him.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:18

God determines to make a partner, a “helper”, for man.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:18

“Helper” is a term used of God and is not demeaning; a “corresponding helper”.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:18

What was said about Adam is also true of her.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:18

While man and woman are essentially the same, what the man lacked, the woman supplied and

what the woman lacked, the man supplied.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:19-20

However, man has to realize his need.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:19-20

Man is a representative of God over creation and shows that by naming the animals.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:19-20

In the course of doing this, man realizes his solitude.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:24

God creates the family as an instrument to carry out His charge to humanity to have dominion over

the earth.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:21-22

God “builds” the woman out of man’s bone and flesh while he was asleep.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:21-22

Some women believe man never woke up.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:22-23

God presents her to Adam and his response is very personal and tender.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:22-23

“She is part of me!”

The creation of the man and woman – 2:24

Marriage involves one man and one woman becoming one flesh.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:24

This is not simply “biblical”, it involves common sense.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:24

The family is the basic unit of society.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:24

For society to continue, a male and a female must become “one flesh” or else it dies.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:24

It is also most natural for that male and female to be responsible for, and rear, their offspring.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:25

The man and woman were perfectly at ease with one another (“naked”) unafraid of evil and

unconcerned about mistreatment.

The creation of the man and woman – 2:25

That condition only exists where there is sin...