[And He Walks With Me] Introduction to Genesis

Author

Traditionally, the book of Genesis is ascribed to Moses. However, there are two main caveats to this. First, Moses clearly recorded in writing an oral tradition which predated him. Therefore, the content is not exactly original to him. Second, there is evidence that the book was later edited. For example, place names were updated to reflect their names well after Moses’ death (e.g., “Dan” in Genesis 14:14), and the Hebrew used in the book reflects a later period. These caveats led scholars in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to all but discount Mosaic authorship. More recently, however, scholars have come to realize that, while Genesis clearly underwent later editorial updates, this does not preclude the likelihood that the autograph originated with Moses.

Date and Place of Writing

If Moses was the author, then dating the book of Genesis depends on how one dates the exodus. Scholars generally fall into two camps, with some believing the late 1500-1400 and others holding 1300-1200.

So also, if Moses was the author, then it would seem most likely that Genesis was written during the 40 years Israel wandered in the desert following the exodus and before entering the Promised Land.

Audience and Purpose

The primary audience of Genesis was Israelites eager to preserve their heritage. It may be seen as a book of instruction designed to preserve the oral tradition and lessons of the nation’s ancestry.

Genre

Genesis is generally a history book, but certain sections belong to more specific subsegments of the historical genre. For instance, Genesis 1-3 belong to the subcategory of “story of origins.” Other segments are belong to the category of genealogy, and still others would most closely align with the hero epic. Additionally, portions of the book fall into other genres entirely (e.g., poetry).

Special Considerations

Most critiques of Genesis are rooted in how the contents of Genesis compare with either the archaeological record or modern scientific theories. It should be noted, however, that the archaeological record is incomplete at best, and there are some indications that portions of Genesis (e.g., the creation account of Genesis 1-3) were not intended to be absolutely literal. Therefore, while the book does contain historical accounts, some of them may be more myth than fact. Even some of the portions that are fact may never be verified by the archaeological record. So also, while the book does resemble a scientific text, its observations are primarily phenomenal, meaning that they are recorded in such a way that an ancient person would understand.

Key Themes

The primary theme of Genesis is a record of creation, sin, and the long and arduous process of redemption. Additional themes include:

• The power and sovereignty of God
• The wide repercussions of sin
• God’s grace
• Transformation and redemption
• Reconciliation

Structure

The book of Genesis is divided by a series of genealogies. Each segment of genealogy punctuates an act of the play and forms a segue to the next act.

1. Creation and the fall (1:1-5:31)
   • Creation of the heavens and earth (1:1-2:3)
   • Creation of humanity (2:4-25)
   • The advent of sin, beginnings of redemption (3:1-24)
   • The progress of sin (4:1-26)
   • The descendants of Adam (5:1-31)
2. The reset of creation (6:1-11:26)
   • The wickedness of humanity (6:1-8)
   • Noah and the flood (6:9-9:17)
   • Noah’s legacy (9:18-29)
   • Noah’s descendants (10:1-32)
   • The failure of the reset (i.e., the Tower of Babylon) (11:1-9)
   • From Noah to the patriarchs (11:10-26)
3. The Patriarchs (11:27-50:26)
   • Introduction (11:27-32)
   • Abram (12:1-25:18)
   • Isaac (25:19-37:1)
   • Jacob and sons (37:2-50:26)