GENESIS

Genesis is the book of beginnings, written by Moses, and it shows God creating a good and ordered world. Humanity is made in God’s image and given purpose: to fill the earth, rule it under God, and reflect His glory. This first commission already points toward God’s mission to spread worship of Himself across the world. But in Genesis 3, Adam and Eve disobey God, believe the serpent, and bring sin, shame, and death into human experience. Even so, God gives hope by promising that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. This is the first gospel promise, showing that God’s rescue plan begins immediately after the Fall.

Genesis then shows both judgment and mercy in the Flood and the covenant with Noah. The flood reveals that sin deserves death, but Noah and his family are saved through the ark, which points to Jesus as the only true refuge from judgment. Afterward, God promises never again to flood the whole earth and gives the rainbow as a sign of His covenant grace. The story of Babel shows human pride, while God’s call of Abraham shows His plan to bless all nations through Abraham’s family. That promise ultimately points to Jesus, the Savior through whom the world receives blessing.

The rest of the notes continue to highlight gospel themes through Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Job. God provides a ram instead of Isaac, pointing to substitution and the Lamb of God. Joseph suffers unjustly but is used by God to save many lives, showing that God can bring good from evil. Job suffers without clear explanation, yet trusts God and points to Jesus as Redeemer and Mediator. Across all these stories, Genesis shows that God judges sin, keeps His promises, and works through history to bring salvation through Christ.