Getting Back Into Genesis: An Introduction to Patriarchs and Promises

This Sunday we return to the book of Genesis, and for the next few months we will be following the promises of God through the perils of the patriarchs.

As we spent last year in Genesis 1–11, we learned that it is impossible to understand the work of God in his world without understanding the beginning. This includes creation (Genesis 1–2), fall (Genesis 3), and the pattern of salvation and judgment from Cain and Abel, through Noah, to Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 4–11). Truly, a view of the world that ignores, rejects, or distorts Genesis 1-11 will misunderstand God, his Word, and his world.

That being said, the same is true if we don’t know about the promises of God given to Abraham and his offspring—Isaac, Jacob, and all the way to Jesus. As Paul says, Jesus is the seed (offspring) of Abraham, the one promised to the patriarch in Genesis 12. Yet, we cannot simply jump from Genesis 12 to Galatians 3, which cites Genesis 12 (and 22, but more on that next week). Instead, we must look at the original promises of redemption in Genesis 12–22, and more than that we must come to understand the covenant God made with Abraham and his offspring.

If you remember, the word covenant fills up Genesis 9, when God set his covenant sign (the rainbow) in the sky. Therefore, the idea of a covenant is not something new when we get to Genesis 12. Yet, Abraham is chosen by God to bring his blessings to the world. These covenant promises (and stipulations) will do more than simply preserve the world. This covenant will promise salvation to all those who are in covenant with God by way of his promised Son.

As we connect Genesis to Jesus, we learn that Jesus is the promised Son (Matt. 1:1). And today, all the blessings promised to Abraham are mediated through Jesus Christ and his new covenant. Still, we cannot understand that covenant and its promises of forgiveness, grace, peace, and life, without understanding God’s covenant with Abraham. And so, that is what we will focus on for the next few months.

And to do that we will look at the narratives of Genesis 12–24. As many who read the Bible know, the Bible is not given to us by legal propositions or practical applications alone. Rather, most of Scripture is a story. And after the stories of Noah and his sons, the stories move to Abraham and his sons. And in this context, we learn to see the power of God to bring salvation to his people. Indeed, that is what this new series, Patriarchs & Promises, is alll about.

The patriarchs are Abraham and Isaac. Jacob comes later. And the promises are the covenantal blessings offered to Abraham. Certainly, Genesis 12–22 contain more than patriarchs and promises. These chapters all include kings and servant girls, mothers and marauding armies. Giants will show up again in Genesis 14 and so will fire from heaven in Genesis 19. Ultimately, this story will come to a climax with the provision of a ram in a thicket (Genesis 22) and a wife for the promised son (Genesis 24)—sound like any other story you know?

Remarkably, every chapter of Genesis tells us something about the coming messiah. As intended by God’s decree and inspired by God’s Spirit, Genesis is a book that offers pictures, types, shadows, and again promises that will not be resolved (or fully revealed) until Jesus comes. And until the middle of this summer, that is what we will be looking at: Promises and Patriachs in Genesis 12–24.

Only, there’s one catch  . . . This week, we are actually going to look at Genesis 11:10–32.

If you remember, when we finished Genesis 1–11, we stopped short of the genealogy. And so this Sunday, that is what we will consider.

But do not despair, thinking that this genealogy is uninteresting. Far from it. Not only does this genealogy provide necessary historical context for Genesis 12–24, but it also tells a remarkable story all to itself. It places the Tower of Babel in history, it reveals a divide in humanity, it warns of false worship, and leads us to see why humanity needs a savior.

Truly, there is much to see and savor in the genealogy of Genesis 11. And this Sunday, that is what we will do. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 11, and if you are able read the English version of the Septuagint (LXX). As I will explain, there’s a difference in the dating between the Masoretic Text (Hebrew text from the 9th C) and the LXX (Greek based on an earlier Hebrew text). And this historical difference is important for understanding the history of Abraham.

So read and pray that as we return to Genesis our minds will understand and our hearts will be enlarge by the faithfulness of God to his patriarchs and through his promises to us. As the Lord allows, I will look forward to seeing you Sunday.

For HIs Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David