Page 19 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook- short

99% of scholars attribute the book of Genesis as the author. As earlier mentioned the book of Genesis is
indeed a book of Origins. However, the book of Genesis has two major divisions and has 50 chapters.
The first 11 chapters discuss main introductory issues such as the creation, fall, flood and nations. The
last 39 chapters focus on four main individuals.

What is the Importance of Genesis Today?

Chapters 1-11 focus on the creation, fall, flood and the tower of Babel.

Genesis chapter 1 and 2 answers the question of where everything
came from. In chapter 1, the narrative focuses on the creation of all
things. Chapter 2 is a detailed report on the creation of man in the
image of God. Chapter 1 and 2 validate that God is the creator of
everything.

Chapter 3 is very significant because it explains how man was separated from God because of sin. Eve
was tempted by Satan, she fail to the temptation and ate the fruit which God commanded them not to
eat. She ate the fruit and gave to her husband, Adam, who also ate and disobeyed God’s direct
command. Judgment was place on three involved in the sin; the serpent, Eve and Adam. The greatest
judgment which mankind received because of sin was death. We see an actual death in Chapter 4 when
Cain killed his brother Abel. The real issue is the separation from God which Paul explains in the New
Testament. The fall reveals God’s love for mankind. Immediately after man sinned, God provided a
covering for the shame. An innocent animal died in order to cover their shame. Genesis 3:15 is known as
“proto-evangelion” or the first gospel. It also sets the stage for mankind’s redemption through Christ.
Scripture says, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and
hers, and he will crush your head and you strike his heal.” Most scholars agree that the offspring being
discussed is Christ who will triumph over the Satan all demonic power. His heal would be stricken can be
a metaphor of the cross.

NOTE: Bible narrative is Christocentric. This means that the narrative of the Bible has a very significant
interest in following the lineage of Christ and how God preserves “the offspring or the Seed.”

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