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Lesson #2In the beginning . . .

(1: 1-2: 25)

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Genesis serves as the opening chapteror

Preludeto the greater narrative of Scripture In Genesis the curtain on our story rises; in

Revelation it falls

Genesis tells the story of beginnings: creation,

humanity, sin, death and redemption

Genesis introduces the main characters in our story:God, Adam, Eve, Abraham/Sarah, Isaac/Rebecca,

Jacob and his wives and sons

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1. Primeval History (1: 1 11: 32)

2. The Abraham/Isaac story (12: 1 25: 18)

3. The Isaac/Jacob story (25: 19 36: 43)

4. The Jacob/Joseph story (37: 1 50: 26)

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Genesis 1-11 is mythopoeic literature.

It addresses in the form of story the

fundamental issues of the human condition: How did we get here?

Why are we here?

What is our relationship to our creator?

Why is there evil in the world?

What does God expect of us?

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Every culture addresses these fundamental

issues.

Genesis 1-11 has parallels in other worldliterature from the era and location:

Egyptian Pyramid Texts (c. 2400 B.C.)

Babylonian Enuma Elish (c. 1700 B.C.)

Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2100 B.C.)

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Calling Genesis 1-11the Prologue

mythopoeic literature doesnt diminish the

narrative in any way; rather it sinks deeproots into the very substance of the human

condition, probing our deepest fears and

longings.

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William Blake. Ancient of Days. Plate from Europe a Prophecy (1794), copy K].Fitzwilliam

Museum, Cambridge University.

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Michaelangelo. Creation of Adam, Sistine Chapel ceiling. Vatican, c. 1512.

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The woman was not made out of his head to

rule over him, nor out of his feet to be

trampled upon by him, but out of his side to

be equal with him, under his arm to beprotected, and near his heart to be beloved.

Matthew Henrys Commentary, 1708

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1. What is the difference between historical

narrative and mythopoeic literature?

2. What three literary devices are used in Genesis 1

& 2?

3. Why is the Hebrew name for God in Genesis 1

(Elohim) a plural noun?

4. Why is God called Yaweh Elohim in Genesis 2?

5. What motivates God to create in Genesis 1 & 2?