BEGINNINGS

Understanding the Book of Genesis

(Part 1)
WHY STUDY THE BOOK OF GENESIS? For instance, in just the first three chapters we learn the
The book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible. But its identity of the Creator God, His nature, how He brought
place as the first of 66 books that make up the Bible is the physical universe into existence, why mankind is
not by happenstance. Its common name—Genesis—is so different from the animal kingdom, the origin of
a Greek word that means “beginning” or “origins.” The marriage, and the cause for all evil and suffering in the
Hebrew title of the book is Bereshith, which is drawn world. These just scratch the surface of all that is revealed
from the opening words—in the beginning. As the book of in this book.
beginnings, Genesis truly is one of the most foundational Because this book is so important to understanding
books in the entire Bible. the Bible, we have prepared this special publication. The
This amazing book not only contains some of the purpose of this study guide is to help you understand
best-known stories of the Bible, it also contains answers. this extraordinary book—both its contents and how it
Many of the mysteries of the universe are revealed in the fits into the rest of the Bible. Every commentary note
opening pages of the book of Genesis. Unfortunately, it will provide multiple scriptures that will unlock the
is almost unanimously rejected by secular historians and deep meanings contained in the book. You will find that
scientists. But if you accept the premise that the entire by understanding the book of Genesis, you will gain a
Bible is the inspired Word of God—the revelation of truth more thorough understanding of the entire Bible. And,
by the Creator of all things—you have to accept that He likewise, the rest of the Bible will help you gain a more
is the only being who could possibly write a book that thorough understanding of the book of Genesis.
contains these answers (2 Timothy 3:16). This study guide will take you chronologically through
Though Genesis is not solely a book of science, biology, Genesis by highlighting the key verses in the text. Often,
anthropology or history, it contains the origins and one verse will be used to explain an entire section or
answers that all of those fields study. But it does not just chapter. We recommend using this as a complement to
provide the origins of the world around us; it reveals your personal study of the book. As you read through
spiritual truths that go beyond what God created. It the book on your own, use the commentary notes on
reveals why. the selected scripture to understand the contents more
As the book of foundations, it provides the foundation deeply. You’ll find it helpful to look up and read on your
to many truths revealed throughout the rest of the Bible. own the many reference scriptures provided in the notes.

2 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 GENESIS 1: PREHISTORY AND THE CREATION
OUTLINE OF THE OF THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE
BOOK OF GENESIS
Chapters 1-2: Prehistory and the creation CREATION AND GOD’S IDENTITY
of the universe and humankind. Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens
and the earth.”
Chapters 3-4: Sin enters humanity.
The belief that God created everything that exists has become
Chapter 5: Genealogy of Adam. controversial in the world we live in. The prevalence of the
theory of Darwinian evolution has led many to profess atheism
Chapter 6: The corruption of the
or agnosticism. But the Bible makes a bold claim in its opening
antediluvian (pre-Flood) world. sentence: The heavens (the galaxies of space and our atmosphere)
and the earth were brought into existence at a specific time (“in
Chapters 7-9: God instructs Noah to build the beginning”) and by a specific being (“God”).
an ark. The Flood and Noachian Covenant. No, the galaxies of the vast realms of space did not come
into being by the uncontrolled explosion of hot, dense matter.
Chapter 10: The origin of nations and No, human life did not evolve from a mixture of chemicals in
peoples descended from Noah. a primordial soup that gradually evolved into complex, living
organisms. Those ideas are man-made theories that ignore
Chapter 11: The Tower of Babel. Mankind some of the most basic principles of science, including Newton’s
spreads throughout the earth. third law of motion. This law states that for every action, there is
an equal and opposite reaction. In simple terms, something has
Chapter 12: God begins working with to be the cause that provides the energy for any movement or
Abram to start a special nation. action to occur.
And this is exactly what the Bible tells us in its opening
Chapters 13-26: Abraham’s life and the sentence: There is a God—a Supreme Being—and He is the
birth of Ishmael and Isaac. cause for all that exists. This most basic truth is not just an idea.
It comes with an implication that we all need to understand.
Chapters 27-35: The life of Jacob. This implication (which can change your life if you accept it) is
found in the powerful argument the apostle Paul presented to
Chapter 36: Genealogy of Esau. the philosophers in Athens: “And He [God] has made from one
blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth”
Chapters 37-47: The life of Joseph. (Acts 17:26, emphasis added throughout).
Paul reinforces the basic truth of Genesis that God is the
Chapter 38: Judah and Tamar incident cause of creation. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He adds a vital
(inset). implication in verse 27: “So that they should seek the Lord, in
the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him.”
Chapter 48: Blessing of Ephraim and Seeking God doesn’t mean just an academic acceptance of
Manasseh. the reality of His existence. Seeking God means investigating,
accepting and instilling His standards for living in your life. It’s
Chapter 49: Prophecies for the descendants just logical: God created all of us and has the right to tell us how
of Jacob’s sons. to live the life He gave us.
So where do you go to “seek the Lord”? God provided an
Chapter 50: The death of Jacob and Joseph. instructional manual (the Bible) that contains His standards for
human life. (A good place to start is by reading the core of His
law—the 10 Commandments—in Exodus 20.)

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 3

 Recommended reading: Job 38 and Romans 1. To learn Questions:
more about how to prove the existence of God, read 1. What is unique about the name Elohim used in
“Proof of God.” Genesis 1?
The Creator’s identity 2. What section of Scripture actually precedes
Who is the God that begins the Bible by declaring that He Genesis 1 in terms of its content?
existed before anything else existed? A casual reading of
3. Who was the being who did the work of creation?
Genesis 1:1 in English
merely tells us “God” Key Concepts to Know
created all things. But
who is this God? • Eloah
The Hebrew word THE EARTH BECOMES “WITHOUT FORM
• Elohim
translated “God” in AND VOID”
our English Bible is • The Word
Elohim. This is an Genesis 1:2: “The earth was without form, and void; and
interesting word because it is actually the plural form darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God
of the singular Hebrew word el or eloah (meaning “god” was hovering over the face of the waters.”
or “mighty one”). This is our first hint that God is not a
single solitary being. The second verse of Genesis introduces us to the condition
In order to understand why a plural word is used for of the earth at some point after the creation. Most read this
“God” in Genesis 1, we have to go to John 1:1 (which verse and assume that it describes the state of the earth as
actually precedes it in historical chronology): “In the God originally created it in verse 1. This idea would have
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, us believe that God created a world completely in darkness
and the Word was God.” without any substance and order. The words “without
The Word is God and is with God. John 1:3 reveals form” and “void” are translations of the Hebrew words
that the being called “the Word” was responsible for tohu and bohu. Tohu and bohu are often paired together in
the creation work revealed in the first verse of Genesis: the Old Testament and
“All things were made through Him, and without portray a “place of chaos, Key Concepts to Know
Him nothing was made that was made.” Who was this formlessness, emptiness,
being that created “all things”? John 1:14 reveals it was a wasteland” (Brown- • Tohu and bohu
none other than Jesus Christ. But how can two beings Driver-Briggs Lexicon). • Hayah
be distinct, yet both be referred to as God? Putting The idea that God
Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 together, we are introduced to created the earth as the • Lucifer
a wonderful truth that fully emerges throughout many wasteland of darkness
scriptures in the Bible: that God is a family and that described in this verse contradicts God’s nature revealed
there are two members of that family, the Father and elsewhere in the Bible. Deuteronomy 32:4 shows us that
the Word (who later became Jesus Christ). God’s “work is perfect.” In 1 Corinthians 14:33 Paul tells us
The work of creation in Genesis 1:1 was that “God is not the author of confusion.” In 1 John 1:5 John
accomplished by Jesus Christ’s working on behalf of reveals that “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”
God the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9). Perfection and a complete lack of confusion and
This highlights an incredible truth that not all darkness define God and everything that God directly
understand: The preexistent Jesus Christ is the God creates. This is the opposite of the state of tohu and bohu
we read about most in the Old Testament. He did the we find in Genesis 1:2. In fact, Isaiah wrote authoritatively
work of creation and interacted with human beings that God “did not create it [earth] in vain [tohu]” and
on behalf of the Father. “formed it to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:18).
Recommended reading: Colossians 1:16; Hebrews So if the Bible teaches that God would not have created
1:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:4. For a better understanding the earth “without form and void,” how do we explain
of this large and important topic, download our free Genesis 1:2, which says the earth existed in this state after
booklet Getting to Know the God of the Bible. the creation?

4 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 The truth is that Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 represent two Isaiah 45:18 shows us
different periods of time that are separated by perhaps that God’s original intent Key Concepts to Know
millions of years. The key is the word translated “was” in our was for planet earth “to
English Bibles. The word “was” is a translation of the Hebrew be inhabited.” When
• The re-creation
verb hayah. Hebrew lexicons point out that this word does God has a purpose for • Light as a symbol of
not just denote the state of “being” at one moment in time, something, He makes God’s character
but can also describe a change (or progression) from one sure His purpose is
state of being or time period to another. fulfilled (Isaiah 46:10). God was determined that earth
According to the Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon, hayah would not remain a dark, uninhabitable wasteland. Genesis
can be translated “to become” or “to come to pass.” The 1:3 begins the record of God’s work of transforming the
word is translated “became” or “become” 133 times in desolate wasteland the earth had become after Satan’s
the Old Testament. (An example of hayah describing rebellion into the inhabitable planet we live on today.
the transition from one state to another is Genesis 19:26 The days described in the succeeding verses are often
where Lot’s wife became—hayah—a pillar of salt.) called “the creation week.” But this amazing historical
Taking all the evidence into account, the best record of God’s work to renew the earth and fill it with
translation of Genesis 1:2 seems to be “the earth became life is better termed the re-creation. This is the record
without form, and void.” The earth was not created in this of the incredible renovation project of restoring the
state, but became like this in the intermediate time period earth to a state of beauty and order that would allow
between the original creation (verse 1) and the onset of it to support the coming pinnacle of His physical
the dark, desolate wasteland we read about in verse 2. creation—humankind!
So what was the cause of this change in the state of the God began the re-creation week by making alterations
earth? Though Genesis 1 doesn’t describe it specifically, that allowed light to diffuse into the earth’s atmosphere.
evidence from other parts of the Bible indicates that this This was probably done by clearing and cleaning the
was when the former archangel Lucifer led one-third of atmosphere of dense, thick clouds of gas that had become
the angels in a war of rebellion against the government so thick that light was completely blocked from reaching
of God (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:14-17; Luke 10:18; the surface of the earth.
Revelation 12:4). This was when Lucifer became Is it significant that God began the re-creation process
Satan the devil and a group of angels became demons. by allowing light to reach the earth’s surface? Consider
Apparently, the war that ensued between these spirit that one of the greatest metaphors of the character of the
beings left the universe “without form and void.” God who did this work is light. Jesus Christ, who was
To learn about what happened between these two responsible for carrying out the work of re-creation, later
verses, read “The Gap Theory.” said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). God’s ways
are designed to illuminate and make clear. God’s law is
Questions: likened to “a lamp” that brings “light to my path” (Psalm
119:105)—in other words, bringing clarity of direction
1. What do the words tohu and bohu mean? to how a person lives his or her life. God’s calling and
2. What do the descriptions tohu and bohu working with human beings is referred to as “being
teach us about the creation account in enlightened” (Ephesians 1:18).
Genesis 1? Recommended reading: Genesis 1:3-25 to learn about the
first five days of physical re-creation that prepared the way for
3. What events occurred between Genesis 1:1 the momentous sixth day. To learn more about the creation
and Genesis 1:2? of light, read “Did God Create Light Before the Sun?”

Questions:
1. What is a more accurate way to describe the
LET THERE BE LIGHT creation account of Genesis 1?
Genesis 1:3: “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and 2. What does the Bible use light as a metaphor
there was light.” to describe?

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 5

 THE SEVEN DAYS OF CREATION (RENOVATION)
GENESIS 1:3–2:3

Day 1 God divides light from darkness (verses 3-5).

Where did the light called “day” originate? The sun had been created earlier (verse 1); but it
seems, from the perspective of the earth, it had been hidden behind gases so thick that no light
was getting through. God now made this light visible.

Day 2 God parts clouds from oceans (verses 6-8).

Apparently water vapor had filled the atmosphere like perpetual thick fog. God now separated
the oceans from the water-laden clouds above and put the weather systems in place to sustain
the earth with moisture.

Day 3 God causes the dry land to appear and creates grass, herbs and trees (verses 9-13).
God readied the ecosystems for the creation and sustaining of sea and land creatures. To do
this, God first made plants and trees. (God knew these would need sunlight for photosynthesis
and insects for pollination, which He provided on days 4 and 5. Note that these steps cannot be
separated by thousands or millions of years.)

Day 4 God makes the sun, moon and stars visible (verses 14-19).
The light-giving sun and moon had already been created and placed in the heavens to divide
light from darkness (verses 1, 3-5, 16-18). God now ensured the cloud cover would break to
provide light and warmth from the sun. We’re also told that they are for “signs and seasons” and
for “days and years” (verse 14). The Hebrew word oth, translated “signs,” is also used in Ezekiel
20:12, 20, where the keeping of God’s sacred days are a “sign” to God of His people. “Seasons”
is translated from the word mo’adim, which means “appointed times” and is used for “festivals.”
From the beginning of the age of man, God created the lights in the firmament for identifying
appointed times for us to keep in recognition of His plan.

Day 5 God creates sea creatures and birds (verses 20-23).

On the fifth day the oceans and air teemed with creatures God created and blessed. He told
them to multiply; but as with the grasses, herbs and fruit trees, they reproduce only within their
“kind.” God created potential for variety to develop to fit different environments, but there is a
genetic boundary that cannot be crossed.

Day 6 God creates land creatures, then man and woman (verses 24-31).
God brought the land animals to life, each one designed to reproduce and develop within a
narrow range called a “kind.” He then created a man and, from his rib, a woman. They were
created in God’s image and likeness, by implication a part of the God kind (verses 26-27). The
potential for development of God’s nature was implanted with a spiritual component called “the
spirit in man” (1 Corinthians 2:11), which gave mankind the ability to create, reflect, plan and
design. The physical creation was now finished, but the spiritual instruction was about to begin.

Day 7 God created the Sabbath on the seventh day by resting and blessing the seventh day,
separating it as holy.

SOURCE: “How Long Were the ‘Days’ in Genesis 1?”

6 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

MAN CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE image and to add us to His family as His divine children
(1 John 3:1-2). He is working out a plan to transform us
Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our from imperfect flesh to perfect spirit.
image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion First, He begins that process by the creation of human
over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over beings who are formed in His general image. He gives
the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing human beings a “spirit in man” (1 Corinthians 2:11)
that creeps on the earth.’” that allows us to have some of His mental attributes—the
ability to think, create, plan, form families, etc. What is
The entire six days of the re-creation week led to the missing is His perfect spiritual character (1 John 4:8).
momentous pinnacle of God’s physical creation—the Second, He works on developing His spiritual
creation of humankind! The Father and the Word—were character in human minds and hearts. God’s purpose
both intricately involved in the design and structure of for human beings in this life is to form His holy,
humankind. Verses 26 and 27 show us that God did not righteous and perfect character in us (Matthew 5:48;
completely start from scratch when He designed the Ephesians 4:13). This is done through the giving of the
shape and form of the first human being. In fact, He had a Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10) to those who repent,
blueprint: Himself! are baptized and have the laying on of a minister’s
We read that God formed and designed man “in His own hands. The Holy Spirit begets a Christian as a child of
image; in the image of God He created him” (verse 27). God (Romans 8:16).
What does that mean? The Hebrew word translated “image” After this process begins at baptism, a Christian is to
is tselem, which continually grow toward the perfect character of God
essentially means Key Concepts to Know through a lifetime of overcoming sin and putting on
a representation, • God’s image God’s righteousness (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10-12).
image or outline. Third, the process of making human beings in His full
This is one of two • The spirit in man image will be complete when they are born into His
major ways that • Man’s ultimate potential family at the return of Jesus Christ. Then we will be given
human beings are the same composition of God—we will be transformed
distinct from the animal kingdom. Humans are a physical into spirit (1 Corinthians 15:44, 46-48).
representation of the form of God. The Bible reveals that At that time we will share the power and attributes
looking at the basic form of our human bodies gives us that God has now: We will “bear the [full] image of
a general idea of the form of God—because we were the heavenly Man” (1 Corinthians 15:49); we will be
made like Him. given “immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:54); we will be
Just as Adam and Eve were made in God’s image and “like Him” and “see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2); we will
likeness, Adam “begot a son in his own likeness, after his be considered “divine” (2 Peter 1:4); and we will be
image” (Genesis 5:3). “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).
Numerous scriptures throughout the Bible describe To learn more about God’s purpose for your life, read
God’s form. God has arms (Isaiah 40:10), hands (Psalm “Why Were You Born?” and our free booklet God’s
110:1), fingers (Exodus 31:18), feet (Exodus 24:10), Purpose for You: Discovering Why You Were Born.
back (Exodus 33:23), ears (Psalm 88:2) and a face
(Exodus 33:11). Questions:
But there is much more to being made in God’s image
than just our general form. Though we are designed 1. What blueprint did God use when He
according to the general pattern of God, we are not made of designed the human body and mind?
the same substance. The Bible tells us, “God is Spirit” (John 2. What does the Bible call the element of
4:24). Human beings can’t fully comprehend the nature of the human mind that sets it apart from the
“spirit,” because we are made of flesh (matter). Humans were animal mind?
formed by God out of “the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7).
But God’s plan for humanity is more than a mere 3. What is God’s ultimate purpose for creating
fleshly existence that ends in death. God’s purpose human beings in His likeness?
for humanity is to complete His creation of beings in His

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 7

MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM Questions:
1. Identify one way God designed males and
Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image; in
females to be different.
the image of God He created him; male and female He
created them.” 2. Identify and briefly explain one scripture that
shows men and women have equal spiritual
The key truth that this verse reveals is that God created potential.
two separate and distinct genders—male and female. We
read later that the creation of man and woman wasn’t
an accident or mere happenstance, but was specifically
“blessed” by God (Genesis 5:2)—meaning this was God’s HUMANITY GIVEN DOMINION OF THE EARTH
will and was designed
to be successful. Genesis 1:28: “Then God blessed them, and God said
Though both are Key Concepts to Know to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and
created in God’s • Marriage subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over
image, God did create
men and women to
• God-ordained gender the birds of the air, and over every living thing that
be different. They differences moves on the earth.’”
were not designed There are two major points to take note of in this
to be in constant conflict, but were designed to mutually scripture: the command for human beings to reproduce
complement each other. and the authority of humanity over the animal kingdom.
Here are some ways God created the genders to First,
be distinct: God clearly
• In marriage, men are to be gentle, caring and commands the
Key Concepts to Know
loving leaders to their wives (Ephesians 5:25); and first couple • Human dominion over
wives are to be lovingly submissive to husbands (who will be the earth
(Colossians 3:18). introduced
• Women should display feminine characteristics, to us by
• The four planes of existence
such as “a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4), name later)
while men are to display masculine characteristics, to reproduce in order to populate the earth. Some have
such as strength and family leadership (1 Kings taken this to be a direct command to all couples (in all
2:2; Ephesians 5:23; 1 John 2:14). times) to produce multiple children. Though having
• Men and women are to wear gender-specific large families is honorable, the command here was
clothing styles (Deuteronomy 22:5). Though the specifically for the purpose of populating the earth.
kinds of clothing will vary according to culture God began with one married couple and expected them
and time frame, this is a general principle that can to populate the earth with their children. God gave a
and should always be applied. similar command to Noah after all humans (except
• Generally speaking, men are to have short hair Noah and his family) were destroyed in the Flood. God
(1 Corinthians 11:7, 14), and women are to have told those who were left to “fill [replenish, King James
longer hair (1 Corinthians 11:6, 10, 15). Version] the earth” (Genesis 9:1).
It is important to note that gender roles are only The Bible nowhere gives couples a specific command to
designed for the human sphere. Men and women have a certain number of children, but it does teach the
are viewed by God equally with the same spiritual blessings and benefits of having children (Psalm 127:3-
expectations (Galatians 3:28). Men and women both have 4)—only within the marriage union (Hebrews 13:4).
the same potential to inherit eternal life in the Kingdom Second, this verse clearly teaches that human beings
of God (Matthew 22: 30; 1 Peter 3:7). are given “dominion” (authority) over the animal and
When we cover Genesis 2, we will discover more plant kingdoms. As the pinnacle of God’s physical
details about how God created woman and the great creation, human beings have supremacy over lower
purpose of marriage. life-forms and are permitted to eat the animals that God

8 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

labels clean (Leviticus 11). Though humans are not to God is not flesh (John 4:24), and He does not experience
abuse or mistreat animals (Proverbs 12:10), the modern fatigue (Isaiah 40:28).
“animal rights” movement has no basis in Scripture. God rested for three major reasons:
We should also note that there are four basic planes • To show that His physical creation was complete
(or levels) of existence in the present order: after the creation of human beings.
• The God plane. Only two beings exist at this • To set an example for human beings that a
level right now—God the Father and Jesus Christ weekly day of rest is necessary.
the Son. • To establish the spiritual institution of the
• The angelic plane. The “ministering [serving] Sabbath day.
spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) created by God were There is one more point we should note from this
created to serve God’s creation and humanity. This verse. Some teach that the days of creation we read
plane would include both the righteous angels and about in Genesis 1 were actually long periods/epochs
the rebellious angels (demons). of time, not literal 24-hour days. Those who teach this
• The human plane. We are created in the “image of typically subscribe to the theory of theistic evolution,
God” (Genesis 1:26-27) and are presently “a little which attempts to synchronize Darwinian evolution with a
lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:7), but we have belief in God.
the potential to be elevated to the God plane in the It is argued
future (Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2). that God Key Concepts to Know
• The animal plane. All living creatures are under created the
the dominion of man, including mammals, insects, building • Length of creation days
birds and aquatic life-forms (Genesis 1:28). blocks of life • Institution of the Sabbath day
To learn more about the ultimate purpose for and then set
human life, read “Purpose of Life” and “Why Were in motion the
You Born?” evolutionary processes that took place over millions or
billions of years to accomplish creation. So, for instance,
Question: proponents of this belief would teach that the fifth day
(Genesis 1:20-23) occurred over millions of years as sea
1. Identify the four planes (or levels) of and avian life evolved from simple to complex life-forms.
existence in the Spirit and created This idea is false. Genesis 2:2 proves that the days of
order of life. creation were literal 24-hour days. If the days represent
epochs of millions or billions of years, then that would
imply that the seventh day of rest would be an epoch
of time also—meaning God would have been resting
and inactive for millions or billions of years. This makes
GENESIS 2: ADAM, EVE AND no sense and doesn’t fit with the chronology of Genesis,
which reveals God planting a garden (Genesis 2:8) and
THE GARDEN working with the first created human beings shortly after
the creation week (verses 16-25).
GOD RESTS ON THE SEVENTH DAY Exodus 20:8-11 makes it clear that the six days of
creation and the seventh day of rest correspond to our
Genesis 2:2: “And on the seventh day God ended His work seven-day week with its literal, 24-hour days.
To learn more, read “How Long Were the ‘Days’ in
which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day
Genesis 1?”
from all His work which He had done.”
After the six momentous days of re-creation (review Questions:
what God created on each of these days in Genesis 1:3- 1. Identify one reason God rested on the
31), God ended His work on the seventh day and rested seventh day of the week.
(ceased from His work). We should note that God did not
rest from His work because He was exhausted and tired.
2. How long were the days of creation?

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 9

GOD CREATES THE SABBATH The connection is unmistakable. God sabbathed
on the seventh day, thus creating the Sabbath.
Genesis 2:3: “Then God blessed the seventh day and • The Fourth Commandment instructs us to
sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work “remember” the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). The
which God had created and made.” word “remember” was used because the Sabbath
had already been established thousands of
Here we read of the origin and establishment of the years earlier in Genesis 2. Exodus 20:11 clearly
seventh-day Sabbath day. God did three very important identifies the seventh day of creation as the
things on the seventh day. He: beginning of the Sabbath: “For in six days
• “Blessed the Lord made the heavens and the earth. …
the seventh Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and
day.” The Key Concepts to Know hallowed it” (emphasis added).
word blessed • To bless To learn more about God’s creation of the Sabbath, read
is from the “Did God Create the Sabbath in Genesis 2?” To learn how
Hebrew • To sanctify you can keep the Sabbath, read “How to Keep the Sabbath
word barak, • To rest (or Sabbath) as a Christian.”
which
• The seventh-day Sabbath
literally Questions:
means “to
kneel” or “to praise or salute” (Brown-Driver- 1. Genesis 2:3 tells us God “sanctified”
Briggs Hebrew Lexicon). The word is usually used the seventh day. What does the word
in the Old Testament in the context of people (or sanctify mean?
God) blessing other people. This essentially was 2. Why did God rest on the seventh day
a pronouncement of good, asking God to make a when He is spirit and never gets tired?
person prosper, grow and be successful (Genesis
9:1; 28:3). When God “blessed” the seventh day,
He conferred specialness to it and filled it with
good. That pronouncement of blessing makes the
keeping of the Sabbath a blessing for those who
THE CREATION OF HUMANITY
observe it. Genesis 2:7: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust
• “Sanctified it.” The word sanctify in the Bible of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
means “to set apart as holy” (Zondervan Expository
Dictionary of Bible Words, p. 542). This means that
life; and man became a living being.”
the seventh day was specifically set apart from
the other six days of the week as consecrated and This verse points us back to God’s creative work that
sacred to God. Since it is sacred and holy, the took place on the sixth day of creation. Here we have
seventh day is set aside for human beings to rest explanatory
and worship God. material
• “Rested from all His work.” As was explained on the Key Concepts to Know
earlier, God rested to set us an example that we creation of • Composition of human beings
are to rest from all our labors on the seventh day humanity.
(biblically this means from sunset Friday to sunset This verse • The “breath of life”
Saturday) and focus on our relationship with God. makes two
Some will argue that verses 2 and 3 do not refer to the major points:
Sabbath because the word Sabbath isn’t mentioned by • Human beings are composed of “the dust of
name. This is easily disproved in two ways: the ground.” As we have already seen, human
• The Hebrew word translated “rest” in verses 2 and beings are created in the general shape and
3 is shabath, which is the verb form of the noun form of God (Genesis 1:27) but are made out of
shabbath, translated “Sabbath” (see Exodus 20:10). a different substance: organic physical matter.

10 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 Our material bodies are designed to last for an This verse reveals another important concept we must
average of 70 years (Psalm 90:10). After death, explore. We read that “man became a living being.” The
our physical bodies simply decompose and King James Version of the Bible translates this, “And man
“return to the ground” (Genesis 3:19; see also became a living soul.”
Ecclesiastes 3:20, 12:7). This statement is very
• Human life is made possible through the “breath significant. It teaches
Key Concepts to Know
of life.” In scientific terms, the “breath of life” refers us what the nature of
to inhaling oxygen-rich air. The process that God a human being is and • Nephesh
designed to allow physical life is remarkable! Air what it is not. • The spirit in man
containing oxygen (“the breath of life”) is taken A false idea that
into the body through the nostrils and mouth and many believe is that
transported through the bronchial tubes into the mankind possesses an inner immortal soul. The belief
lungs. Thin air sacks in the lungs, called alveoli, is that the soul is a separate entity from the body and is
then transfer the oxygen into the bloodstream. The immortal. When a person dies, the soul lives on (either
blood then transports the oxygen throughout the in heaven or hell). However, this idea relies on Greek
body through a network of blood vessels. Oxygen philosophy, not the Bible. The Genesis account does not
makes life possible. Blood is the conduit through teach the existence of a separate immortal soul. What
which life-giving oxygen is disseminated to the we read here is that man is a soul. Man became a living
cells of the body. soul when life entered him through God’s breath.
This is just one way that a truth found in the Bible The Hebrew word translated “being” or “soul” in
has been verified through science. Long before English Bibles is nephesh. This word very simply means
scientists understood how oxygen traveled through the a living, breathing creature. The Brown-Driver-Briggs
bloodstream to fuel the cells of the body, God had already Hebrew Lexicon translates it as “that which breathes,
revealed that these are two vital elements of physical life. living being, creature.”
Genesis 2:7 reveals that “life” enters the body through The word nephesh can describe any kind of creature.
“breath” (oxygen-rich air). Leviticus 17:11 reveals that the The word translated “creatures” in Genesis 1:21 describing
“life” is then transmitted throughout the body through aquatic, mammal and avian life-forms is nephesh. On a
the blood: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” physical level, human beings are composed of the same
Knowing just a little about the complex systems that God substance (matter) and are kept alive by the same physical
created to allow human life should lead us to echo the processes as land mammals.
words of King David: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully Nephesh also teaches us that humans die—just like
and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). animals. A human being does not possess an immortal
Read more in the article “What Is a Human Being?” soul—a human is a soul. But is the human soul immortal?
Notice Ezekiel 18:4: “The soul who sins shall die.” When
Questions: God commanded the first two humans not to eat fruit
from a specific tree, He said the penalty for disobeying
1. What substance did God use to form the would be that they would “surely die” (Genesis 2:17). The
first human being? New Testament reinforces this truth in Romans 6:23: “For
2. What did God do to give life to the the wages of sin is death.” Paul also plainly called human
first human being? beings “mortal” and taught that immortality is something
that has to be given by God—“when … this mortal has
put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
But does the use of the word nephesh to describe human
beings mean we are worth nothing more than animals?
MAN CREATED AS A LIVING BEING The Bible teaches that there is an important spiritual
dimension in our lives that separates us from the animal
Genesis 2:7: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust kingdom. It is the “spirit in man” (1 Corinthians 2:11).
of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of The spirit in man is what gives us the ability to “know the
life; and man became a living being.” things of a man.” In other words, the spirit in man is the

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 11

element in our minds that separates us from animals and This garden represented perfect peace and safety for the
allows us to do the things that are unique to human beings. first human beings. There was no danger, worry, violence,
To learn more about what the “spirit in man” is and how sickness or stress.
it enables us to have a relationship with God, read “Spirit Why was life so idyllic and perfect in the Garden of
in Man: What Is It?” Eden at this time? The answer is because God’s presence
was directly there and sin had not yet entered the human
Questions: realm. God’s government—with God’s laws in place as the
perfect standard—ruled the garden.
1. When life entered Adam, he became a living The Bible reveals, “God is not the author of confusion but
nephesh (“soul”). What does the Hebrew of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Perfect peace, order and
word nephesh mean? innocence characterized life for the first humans because
2. Were human beings created mortal or they were initially only influenced by God, and for a short
immortal? time they obeyed Him (that, of course, later changed).
Studying Galatians 5:22-23 and James 3:17-18 provides
3. What is the major element that distinguishes a beautiful description of what life is like under the
a human being from an animal? perfect guiding influence of God’s government and law.
Until the first humans made the decision to go a different
direction, they enjoyed the blessings and benefits of
living in a perfect world, under a perfect God who oversaw
GOD PLACES MAN IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN and implemented a perfect government based on perfect
laws that resulted in a perfect environment.
Genesis 2:8: “The Lord But, as the next verse will reveal, God placed them in an
God planted a garden ideal environment but also gave them a choice to make.
Key Concept to Know This choice would have implications for the remainder of
eastward in Eden, and
there He put the man • The Garden of Eden human history.
whom He had formed.”
Questions:
In Genesis 2:8 we are introduced to the location where
our first parents were placed by God. God planted a 1. Where was the general geographic location
garden for the first humans to learn, live, develop and of the Garden of Eden?
work in. The name of this location—Eden— 2. Why was the Garden of Eden a totally perfect,
provides a description of what it was like. Eden means peaceful and safe environment for Adam and
“pleasure” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon) or Eve to live in?
“paradise” (NIV Study Bible, p. 10). This garden was
apparently located in the area of modern Iraq (east of
Jerusalem and near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers,
Genesis 2:14).
The Garden of Eden was the perfect environment for
THE TWO TREES
humans to live in. The climate would have been finely Genesis 2:9: “And out of the ground the Lord God made
tuned to be perfect for humans to live without clothing—
every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for
it would not have been too cold (requiring covering) or
too warm (resulting in heat stroke or heat exhaustion).
food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden,
The garden was filled with vegetation that was and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
designed to provide perfect nutrition (verse 16) for
impeccable human health. At this time, all animals were This verse shows us the important choice God gave the
tame and designed to live at peace with human beings. first human beings.
Adam was given the task of naming all the animals Two distinct trees were planted in the garden separate
(verses 19-20). Adam’s regular job was to “tend and keep” from all the others. The first tree was called “the tree
the garden (verse 15). of life,” and the second tree was called “the tree of the

12 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

knowledge of This was the choice set before the first human beings.
good and evil.” Key Concepts to Know The stakes were high. Their decision would set the
The first humans • Tree of life course of all human history that would follow them.
were told that Unfortunately, they made the wrong choice.
“every tree of the • Tree of the knowledge of The same choice is still set before us. We still have two
garden you may good and evil trees—or ways of life—to choose from. Jesus Christ set
freely eat; but of the choice before us, using slightly different wording:
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad
eat” (Genesis 2:16-17). God’s intent was for them to eat is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many
from the “tree of life,” which would eventually result in who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult
eternal life (Genesis 3:22). is the way which leads to life, and there are few who
But God gave them a choice. He didn’t want humanity find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
to obey Him because they were like robots, programmed Whatever terminology is used—two trees, two ways or two
to do what He said, or because they had no option or gates—the same essential decision stands before us today.
opportunity to make another choice. God put them in the Which tree have you chosen to eat? Read more about
garden, showed them the perfect benefits and blessings of the right choice in the article “The Tree of Life.”
living under His government—and then presented them
with the choice. Questions:
They had to decide, in essence, whether to choose
God’s way and live a perfect, blessed life and eventually 1. What did the tree of life symbolize?
live forever, or choose another way and live with the 2. What did the tree of the knowledge of good
consequences of a life cut off from God. This was the and evil symbolize?
same basic choice He gave the nation of Israel: “I have
set before you today life and good, death and evil” 3. How does the choice that was before Adam
(Deuteronomy 30:15). and Eve represent the choice we face in our
Let’s look closer at what these trees symbolized: lives?
• The tree of life symbolized the Holy Spirit of God.
This guides us in the way of life that will eventually
lead to eternal life (Genesis 3:22). It represented
the entire way of life characterized by dependence THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE: MAN’S
on, guidance from and obedience toward the NEED FOR A HELPER
true God (Deuteronomy 30:16). This essentially
describes the life of a person “led by the Spirit of Genesis 2:18: “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that
God” (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit is the source man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable
of eternal life (John 6:63; Romans 8:10; to him.’”
2 Corinthians 3:6; Galatians 6:8).
• The tree of the knowledge of good and evil God created the
represented the way of life that would eventually first man from Key Concepts to Know
lead to death (Genesis 3:17). This is the way of the dust of the • Man’s need for a “helper”
life characterized by rejection of God and His ground and gave
guidance (Romans 1:28; 8:7; Colossians 1:21) him life by the • The creation of Eve
and living life driven by self-will (Proverbs direct breath of
14:12; Judges 21:25; Romans 2:8). We should also God (Genesis 1:7). But God knew that His creation of
note that God specifically labeled this tree “the one solitary man was incomplete. The first man, Adam,
knowledge of good and evil” (emphasis added). was surrounded by animals that were unable to provide
Even when mankind operates apart from God, companionship and help on his level (Genesis 2:19-20).
good can occasionally be chosen and produced. Adam was also in the company of God, who provided
But sin (the result of living outside of God and guidance and instruction, but God operated on an
His law) still results in death (Romans 6:23). infinitely higher level than Adam.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 13

 Adam had no one like him to whom he could directly We can break Key Concepts to Know
relate on an equal level. He had no one with whom to this verse
share the perfect environment of the Garden of Eden down into four • The definition of marriage
with. He was alone. points: • The meaning of “one flesh”
God realized that this was “not good.” Adam needed a • Marriage is
“helper.” The Hebrew word for “helper” is ezer. The word an exclusive • The purpose of the sexual
literally means “one who helps.” union union in marriage
Here we find the origin of the institution of marriage. between one
The reason God created the two sexes and the marriage male and one female. This verse represents God’s
institution (which we will cover in greater detail in a original, pure definition of marriage.
future post) was not just for the purpose of reproduction • Marriage forms a unique family unit. The
but to provide help and companionship. building block of society, in God’s view, is the
We read of God’s creation of woman in verses 21-22. family unit. The nucleus of this family unit is the
God put Adam into a “deep sleep” and removed a rib, husband-wife relationship.
which He used to create Eve—the first woman. Though • The marriage relationship is to be the closest
we are not told why God specifically chose to use this part possible relationship on the human plane. The
of Adam’s body to form Eve, it seems to imply the place word translated “joined” in the New King James
God intended for woman to serve in His plan. Women Version is the Hebrew word dabaq, which means
were created with equal abilities and potential as men (1 “to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close,
Peter 3:7). A woman is to serve beside her husband in the stick to, stick with” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew
marriage relationship—not above him (the Bible clearly Lexicon). This describes the close emotional bond
designates leadership to the husband) or below him as an that is to develop between a husband and wife.
inferior servant (husbands are commanded to love, value Later, Christ expounded on this verse by saying,
and honor their wives). “What God has joined together, let not man
Read Ephesians 5:22-31 to learn the beautiful biblical separate” (Mark 10:9). Though there are some
standard for how the marriage relationship is to function biblically defined circumstances where divorce is
and work. permitted, God’s standard is that marriages are to
stay intact until death (Romans 7:2).
Questions: • Husband and wife are to become “one flesh.”
This teaches us two things. First, we learn that
1. How did God create Eve? the husband and wife are to form one unit.
2. Identify one reason God created Eve. They are to think and act in unity and express a
level of mutual care and love for each other that
3. Does the Bible teach that women were
is deeper than any other human relationship
created with inferior abilities to men? (Ephesians 5:22-33). Second, this phrase
describes the sexual union between husband
and wife. Sex, in the Bible, is described as a
very pure act when it is practiced within the
THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE: marriage union. It is designed to physically
TWO BECOME ONE and emotionally bond a married couple (1
Corinthians 7:2-4) and provide for reproduction
Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and (Genesis 9:7; Malachi 2:15).
mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become To learn more about God’s standards for marriage, read
one flesh.” “How to Have a Happy Marriage.”

Verse 18 revealed one of the major reasons for the Questions:

creation of the institution of marriage. In Genesis 2:24 1. God said a husband and wife were to be
we read a summary statement about how the marriage
“joined together.” What does the Hebrew
relationship is to function and what it is to produce.
word dabaq (“joined”) mean, and what

14 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 implication does it have on the nature of the Far from operating as is popularly imagined—an easily
marriage relationship? recognized red creature with horns and a pitchfork—
Satan uses tactics that are much more clever. We are told
2. What are two purposes for sex in the that “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of
marriage union? light” (2 Corinthian 11:14).
The main thing we need to be on alert for is not falling
for any form of Satan’s deception. Here are three keys to
not being deceived by Satan:
• Know the Word of God in order to refute Satan’s
lies and half-truths (Matthew 4:4, 6-7, 10).
GENESIS 3: SIN ENTERS HUMANITY • Be “rooted and built up in Him [Christ] and
established in the faith” (Colossians 2:7).
THE SERPENT ENTERS THE GARDEN • Use regular “prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21; 1
Corinthians 7:5).
Genesis 3:1: “Now the serpent was more cunning than To learn more about Satan’s goals, deception and
any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And influence, read “God vs. Satan.”
he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, “You shall not
eat of every tree of the garden”?’” Questions:

In Genesis 3:1, we are introduced to another 1. Who does the Bible identify as the serpent
personality—the serpent. In the Garden of Eden, there who deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden?
was a serpent who communicated with Eve. We need not 2. How does the Bible describe Satan’s
assume that the garden was full of talking animals, as this approach to deceiving human beings?
wasn’t just any snake.
The Bible reveals
who this serpent Key Concepts to Know
was in Revelation
• Identity of the serpent THE FIRST LIE: THE IMMORTALITY OF
12:9: “So the great
dragon was cast • Satan the devil THE SOUL
out, that serpent
of old, called the Genesis 3:4: “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You
Devil and Satan.” The serpent was Satan the devil—the will not surely die.’”
adversary of God—manifesting himself in the form of
a serpent. After Eve Key Concepts to Know
Satan was a former archangel of God who, because repeated God’s
of pride and lust for God’s power, led a rebellion by command • The first lie
one-third of the angels against the government of God not to eat the • The immortality of the soul
(Ezekiel 28:14, 17; Isaiah 14:13-14; Revelation 12:4). fruit from the deception
After the ensuing war failed, Satan and the other “tree of the
rebellious angels (now demons) were cast to earth knowledge
(Luke 10:18). of good and evil” and the penalty God had decreed for
Satan and his demons now prowl the earth as the breaking that command (death), the serpent (Satan) made
adversaries of God and mankind. Genesis 3:1 provides us a statement that has changed all of human history.
one of the most significant adjectives that describe He directly contradicted God and lied to Eve by saying:
the tactics of Satan—cunning. The word describes the “You will not surely die.”
great subtlety, shrewdness and craftiness in how he There were two destructive consequences of this
operates. His primary operation is to deceive the world statement:
(Revelation 12:9) and try to undermine the plan of God • The doctrine of the immortality of the soul entered
(Matthew 4:1-11). the human realm. The Bible clearly reveals that

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 15

 human beings are mortal and die (Ezekiel 18:4, 20; reasoning proved deadly. The result was the first sin
Romans 6:12, 23; Acts 2:29; 1 Corinthians 15:54). entering the human realm.
Yet Satan directly contradicted this truth by saying By rejecting God’s revelation and eating the fruit of the
that humans will not and do not die. Most are tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve
surprised to learn that the common teaching of the sinned (1
immortality of the soul (through the soul going to John 3:4),
heaven or hell) is false and unbiblical. Satan is the brought upon Key Concepts to Know
source of this doctrine. themselves • The result of Adam and Eve’s
• Humanity fell for the idea that it is permissible to the penalty decision
doubt, question and reject the clear revelation of of death
God. Satan introduced to humanity this way of (Romans • The danger of deception
thinking that would later be labeled as carnality. 6:23), • The error of the doctrine of
Romans 8:7 tells us, “The carnal mind is enmity rejected “original sin”
against God; for it is not subject to the law of God’s
God, nor indeed can be.” Human beings under the government
influence of Satan prefer to keep God, His truth over their lives (Romans 1:28) and set mankind on a
and His revelation out of their thoughts (Psalm course of sin and separation from God (Romans 5:12;
10:4). This is a tendency that true Christians must 1 Corinthians 15:21).
fight and avoid. We are to bring “every thought Consider the results of Adam and Eve’s sin:
into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 • They rejected God’s wise instruction to not
Corinthians 10:5) and be characterized by faith eat the forbidden fruit.
and obedience to God’s Word (Romans 10:17; • They accepted Satan’s faulty reasoning that
1 Peter 1:14-15, 22). humans can decide what is good and evil
For more evidence that humans do not possess an for themselves.
immortal soul, read “Immortal Soul: What Is a Soul?” • They sinned against God and earned the
death penalty.
Questions: We should also note that, contrary to the commonly
believed doctrine of “original sin” (also known as “the
1. What is the first lie that the serpent told Eve fall of man”) human beings do not inherit sin from Adam
in the Garden? at birth. Adam and Eve set human beings on the course
2. What common false teaching has this lie led of separation from God and sin—and all human beings
to that permeates religion today? (except Jesus Christ) have figuratively taken of the same
fruit and sinned themselves (Romans 3:23).
It is the deadly combination of the deceptive influence
of Satan the devil (Ephesians 2:1-2; Revelation 12:9) and
a human nature that has a propensity toward selfishness
THE FRUIT OF ALL EVIL and rebellion (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19; Romans
8:7) that has produced the evil that has come from
Genesis 3:6: “So when the woman saw that the tree was
humanity for the approximately 6,000 years since Adam
good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree and Eve’s first sin.
desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. The apostle Paul warns us to learn an important
She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” lesson from the account of Adam and Eve’s first sin:
“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by
In Genesis 3:6 we read of the most significant decision in his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the
human history. After listening to Satan introduce simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3, emphasis
the thought that God’s revelation could be wrong and added).
that eating the forbidden fruit could have positive To learn more about why evil and suffering exist in
benefits, Eve began to question God herself. The today’s world, read “Why Does God Allow Evil and
combination of Satan’s influence and her own human Suffering?”

16 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 and His ears are open to their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12; see
Questions: also Psalm 34:15-17; Proverbs 15:29).
1. What entered the human realm when Adam To learn more about how to develop a closer and
and Eve ate the forbidden fruit? stronger relationship with your Creator, see the section
“Prayer, Fasting and Meditation: Relating to God.”
2. What result did this have on the ensuing
history of mankind? Questions:
1. How did Adam and Eve’s sin affect their
relationship with their Creator?
ADAM AND EVE HIDE FROM GOD 2. According to Isaiah 59:2, what affect does sin
Genesis 3:8: “And they heard the sound of the Lord God have on our relationship with God?
walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam
and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord
God among the trees of the garden.”
SELF-JUSTIFICATION AND AVOIDANCE OF
The first consequence of Adam and Eve’s momentous RESPONSIBILITY ENTER HUMANITY
decision to reject God’s revelation was a fundamental
Genesis 3:12: “Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You
change in their relationship with their Creator. Before sin,
they had experienced a close, open relationship with gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’”
their God. He communicated with them openly and they
lived in His presence, free of shame and guilt and with After their sin of taking of the forbidden fruit and
nothing to hide. subsequently hiding from the presence of God, Adam
After sin, they and Eve are confronted
cowered and hid Key Concepts to Know by God in the garden.
from Him. Their • How Adam and Eve’s When God finds the Key Concepts to Know
close relationship relationship with God couple hiding in the • Self-justification
with Him was changed garden and asks Adam
broken. why they are hiding, his • Repentance
This teaches • The consequences of sin response is that they
us one of sin’s were “naked” (verse 10).
essential consequences: Sin separates us from God. This This shows that something had fundamentally changed
was more fully explained by the prophet Isaiah over 3,000 in their relationship with their Creator. Sin had resulted
years later: “But your iniquities have separated you from in the couple hiding from their Creator because they were
your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you” naked and “afraid,” instead of innocently interacting with
(Isaiah 59:2). Him. When God confronts them about their eating of the
The Bible reveals that when our life is characterized by forbidden fruit, Adam blames his wife Eve for his decision
sin and rebellion against God, our communication with to rebel and eat the fruit. Eve, likewise, blames her sin on
Him—which is primarily through prayer—is hindered the serpent (verse 13).
(Isaiah 1:15; Jeremiah 11:11). As we covered previously, Adam and Eve’s sin set
The main thing we need to learn from Adam and humanity on a specific course. The basic mistakes and
Eve’s story is that we need to “draw near to God and attitudes they demonstrated have been repeated by
He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). That is done by mankind for 6,000 years of human history. The tendency
striving to live a righteous life through obedience to His demonstrated here—refusing to take responsibility for
commandments, fervently repenting when we sin and personal sin through self-justification—has become a
living a life characterized by faith and trust in God. hallmark of human beings’ approach to their own faults
This will open the lines of communication with God in (Proverbs 20:6; 21:2). Like our first parents, we often
our lives: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, refuse to take responsibility for our sins. Instead of

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 17

admitting that our sins and failings are our fault, we try to word means “beginning of the gospel.” It is used because
place the responsibility on others. theologians have correctly pointed out that this begins
Rather than self-justification, we should be developing a thread that runs
the habit of genuine repentance toward God. We are through the rest of
Key Concept to Know
told not to deny our sins because that is just deceiving the Bible—that God
ourselves (1 John 1:8). Instead, we are to “confess our sins has a plan to counter • Curse on the serpent
[to God], [because] He is faithful and just to forgive our the influence of Satan
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (verse 9). and redeem mankind from sin through Jesus Christ, and
King David is a good example of what our approach that the Kingdom of God will ultimately triumph over sin
should be after we sin. Psalm 51 is an excellent study of and evil.
the antithesis to Adam’s response to his sins. When we This important portion of the book of Genesis begins
sin, we should: with God addressing the instigator of mankind’s sin—the
• Take full responsibility for our sins (Psalm 51:3). serpent (Satan, Revelation 12:9). Though Adam and Eve
• Acknowledge that ultimately all our sins are against (and the rest of mankind) were personally responsible
God (verse 4) for breaking His law (1 John 3:4). for their sin (Romans 5:12), Satan was still the deceiving
• Understand that God wants repentance from the influence that instigated the sin.
inside out, not mere outward penance (Psalm 51:6). Satan is “cursed” in this verse for his role in the
• Specifically ask for mercy and forgiveness (verses deception that led to the first human sin. This curse will
1-2) through the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7). ultimately be fulfilled when God defeats Satan: “That
• Ask God to help us change through the power of through death He [Christ] might destroy him who had
the Holy Spirit so we can overcome our sins and the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). The
grow in righteousness (Psalm 51:10-12). next verse will explain more details about how Satan will
The good news is that we can personally escape the be ultimately defeated.
pattern of behavior started by Adam and Eve. Study the To learn more about the cause of evil in today’s world,
entire chapter of Psalm 51 for more insight into what the read “The Problem of Evil.”
proper response to sin should be.
To learn more about how to properly repent of sin, read Question:
“How to Repent.”
1. Why was the serpent (Satan) cursed?
Questions:
1. When confronted with their sin, Adam and
Eve justified their decision. What should THE FIRST PROPHECY OF THE MESSIAH
Adam and Eve have done?
Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the
2. Identify one thing Psalm 51 teaches us about woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall
how to approach God when we have sinned. bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

The section of Scripture known as the “Protoevangelium”

CURSE ON THE SERPENT continues with this crucial scripture. Genesis 3:15
essentially describes a macro-level view of history from
Genesis 3:14: “So the Lord God said to the serpent: this point forward.
It introduces
‘Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all Key Concepts to Know
the need for
cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly the Messiah— • First prophecy of
you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.’” Savior—to the Messiah
ultimately defeat
• Enmity between Satan
Genesis 3:14 begins a section of Genesis that has been the influence of
called the “Protoevangelium” by modern theologians. This Satan. Thus, this
and Christ

18 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

scripture is the first messianic prophecy in the Bible. thus disqualify Himself from being the Savior. He believed
Let’s break this verse down to understand more about that if Jesus sinned, the plan to bring human beings into
what we are to learn: God’s family (Hebrews 2:10) would fail. God’s plan to bring
• “And I will put enmity between you and the human beings into His family requires that human beings
woman.” This statement can be understood be forgiven through Christ’s perfect sacrifice and then
on multiple levels. First, on the physical walk in “newness of life” (Romans 6:4) until a future time
level, this verse declares that there would be when they will be resurrected as immortal spirit beings (1
enmity (hatred, hostility) between humans Corinthians 15:17-18). Satan wanted to thwart this—but he
(especially females) and snakes. This is true, failed, and the plan of God continued forward.
as human beings generally have a fear and To learn more about the role of Jesus Christ in the plan
dislike for snakes, some of which are extremely of God, read the articles in our section “Who Is Jesus?”
dangerous. Second, this explains the hatred that
exists between Satan and the human race (the Question:
progeny of the woman). Satan is described as a
1. According to Genesis 3:15, there would be
“murderer” (John 8:44), an “enemy” (Matthew
13:39) and an “adversary” (1 Peter 5:8) of
“enmity” between what two beings?
humanity. That enmity Satan has for humanity
is based on his desire to subvert God’s plan of
“bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10).
• “And between your seed and her Seed.” The PROPHECY OF SATAN’S ULTIMATE DEFEAT
prophecy here broadens to look further into the In the last part of this verse, we see a very specific
future. “Her Seed” is a reference to Jesus Christ, prophecy that has huge implications.
who was the most important descendent of Eve We read that this “enmity” between Satan and Christ
(through Abraham) as revealed in Galatians 3:16 would culminate in two specific prophetic events: the
(see also Galatians 4:4). The work of Jesus Christ, serpent (Satan) would “bruise His [Christ’s] heel” and “He
as the prophesied Messiah, includes many aspects [Christ] shall bruise your [Satan’s] head.”
that put Him in direct conflict with Satan. Satan’s • “You shall bruise His heel.” This refers to an attack
seed is anyone who has his mind and attitudes. leading to a temporary wound to the woman’s “Seed”
In John 8:44, for example, Satan is said to be the (referring prophetically to Jesus Christ). This pictures
father of the Pharisees, who want to destroy Christ. Satan symbolically striking at Jesus Christ in a way
Here are a few ways that Jesus Christ and Satan are in that would
direct conflict: not destroy
• Christ is the Light, revealing God’s truth (John Him. This
Key Concepts to Know
1:9); while Satan is darkness, blinding humanity was fulfilled • How Satan would “bruise”
(Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4). at the Christ’s heel
• Christ came to save men’s lives (Luke 9:56; 1 crucifixion of
Timothy 1:15), while Satan seeks to murder human Jesus Christ. • How Christ will “crush”
beings—not just physically, but to spiritually Though the Satan’s head
destroy them by leading them down the path to sacrifice of
eternal death (John 8:44). Jesus was a part of God’s plan from the beginning (1
• Christ leads human beings to righteousness Peter 1:19-20), the Scriptures are clear that Satan had
(Romans 3:22; 5:17; Philippians 1:11), while a part in instigating and carrying out the crucifixion.
Satan seeks to lead humanity toward wickedness Luke 22:3 and John 13:27 reveal that Satan was partly
(Ephesians 6:12). responsible for Judas’ betrayal of Christ, which led to
These and many other reasons are why Satan and Christ the crucifixion at Golgotha.
are prophesied to be at “enmity.” This is especially clear The Bible reveals that the angelic realm (Satan’s plane
in the direct confrontation between Christ and Satan in of existence) cannot fully understand the depths of the
Matthew 4:1-11. This account shows how Satan tried to plan of God (1 Peter 1:12). Satan, who is deceived by
destroy the plan of God by tempting Jesus Christ to sin and his own pride, believed he could sabotage the plan of

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 19

 God. After his first major attempt to kill Jesus as a baby shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your
failed (Matthew 2:13-16), his next recorded attack husband, and he shall rule over you.’”
was the direct temptation of Christ in the wilderness
(Matthew 4:1-11). After Satan failed to tempt Christ God turns His attention specifically to Adam and Eve
to sin, his final tactic against Christ was to instigate and explains to them the consequences of their decision
the brutal murder of the Messiah. The crucifixion of to reject His government over their lives. Essentially,
Jesus (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19) was the He tells them that
result of that attempt. because they have
Christ’s death was the bruising of the heel prophesied rejected His rule Key Concepts to Know
in Genesis 3:15. Though Christ was dead for three days over their lives, they • Oppressive treatment
and nights, He was miraculously resurrected by the no longer will have
of women
Father (Ephesians 1:20) and now lives eternally at the the blessings that
right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33). This is why the He gave them in • God’s standard for the
prophecy refers to Satan’s strike at Christ as merely a the garden. Instead treatment of women
bruised heel—a minor wound—because Christ rose of the life they
again and is carrying out the plan that will ultimately formerly had in the
destroy death (1 Corinthians 15:26). garden, when God blessed them by providing for all their
• “He shall bruise [or crush] your head.” This refers needs, they would have a difficult and painful life without
to the ultimate fate of Satan. The surest way to kill a His presence.
snake is to crush its head. The Bible uses this imagery This is a lesson mankind is still learning and is
to teach us about Satan’s fate. Unlike the strike against something we need to remember: obedience to God’s
Christ, which would cause a temporary wound, the government brings blessings. Sin brings hardships and
strike against Satan will be a permanent wound. The curses (study Leviticus 26 carefully to see how this
ultimate fate of Satan will be the complete destruction principle applies to nations).
of his power and influence. The specific results that God warned Eve’s female
Ironically, it was through Christ’s death (which descendants would face were:
was instigated by Satan) and resurrection that Satan’s • Sorrow and pain in the reproduction and
power will be destroyed (Hebrews 2:14). We are to be parenting process. As a result of being separate
encouraged that “the God of peace will crush Satan from God, the entire process would be much
under your feet” (Romans 16:20). The details of Satan’s harder and more painful than it would have been
head wound are found in Revelation 20:1-3, 10. Satan’s with God directly involved in their lives.
ultimate fate will be the total elimination of his power • Oppressive and despotic treatment by men.
and ability to influence anyone with his deceptions. Women throughout the majority of human
To learn more about the ultimate fate of Satan, read history have been treated harshly, or even abused,
“God vs. Satan.” by men and have been considered to be of lesser
value than men. The World Health Organization
Questions: recently reported that over a third of women
around the world are victims of physical and
1. Identify one way Satan “bruised” Jesus sexual abuse (The Week, July 5-15, 2013, p.
Christ’s heel? 8). God’s will was never for men to abuse and
2. How will Jesus Christ “crush” the head of mistreat women. God’s standards for how men
Satan the devil? should treat their wives are found in Ephesians
5:25-31; Colossians 3:19; and 1 Peter 3:7. Though
these scriptures specifically apply to husbands and
wives, the general principle is that men should
SIN’S EFFECTS ON WOMEN treat all women with respect and honor.
Even though history is characterized by women facing
Genesis 3:16: “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly these challenges, this will change when God’s government
multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you is restored to this earth (Acts 3:21).

20 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 To learn more about God’s standards for marriage and placed him (Genesis 2:15). Adam still had to work to
the blessings it brings, see the articles in the section “How cultivate the garden; but under God’s complete blessing, it
to Have a Happy Marriage.” was relatively easy.
After sin and the removal of God’s direct blessings, the
Questions: ground would become much more difficult to cultivate
and would require harder and more strenuous work (“in
1. What were the two curses God predicted the sweat of your face,” Genesis 3:19) to yield produce.
women would experience as a result of being Without God’s blessing, it would be a constant struggle to
separated from Him? control weeds (“thorns and thistles,” verse 18).
2. How does God want men to treat women? This was not how God intended for the creation to
operate. As originally designed by God’s hand, the earth’s
habitat was to be beautiful, ordered and nearly self-
sustaining (Genesis 2:5-6). Without God’s blessing, it
AGRICULTURE WITHOUT GOD’S BLESSINGS would be the opposite.
The good news is that this curse will be reversed when
Genesis 3:17: “Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have all things are restored to God’s original purpose and
heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the design after the return of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19). Several
prophecies of the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ reveal
tree of which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat
how agriculture will be restored to the original blessings
of it”: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall of the Garden of Eden (Amos 9:13-14).
eat of it all the days of your life.’” To learn more about what life will be like when “all
things” are restored in the Millennium, read “1,000
We are continuing to read of the specific curses given by Years—the Millennium.”
God to the three parties responsible for the first human
sin. We’ve covered the curses given to the serpent (Satan) Question:
and Eve and the repercussions of those curses through
the history of humanity. Now let’s look at the specific 1. What result would mankind’s sin have on
curse pronounced on Adam. Again, we should look at agriculture?
this section as God’s pronouncement of what life would
be like without His active guidance, involvement and
blessing from that time forward.
Notice that God begins the curse on Adam by THE WAGES OF SIN
reminding him
that he should Genesis 3:19: “In the sweat of your face you shall eat
have obeyed God Key Concepts to Know bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were
instead of heeding taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
• The effect of sin on
what Eve said.
It is important
agriculture The last and most
for us to be aware • Future restoration of severe curse
Key Concepts to Know
that sin is sin—no agricultural blessings pronounced on
matter how the humanity here in • The wages of sin
sin comes about Genesis 3 is the
or what excuse we make for it. We are responsible for pronouncement of
• The forgiveness of sin
ourselves and must make sure we don’t follow others into the death penalty.
sinful practices (Proverbs 1:10-14; 4:14-15). Whereas the
God then announces that the curse on Adam (and serpent had tried to convince Eve that they would “not
mankind) would include the removal of God’s blessing surely die” (Genesis 3:4) as a result of disobeying God,
on agriculture. Before Adam and Eve’s sin, all Adam had God remained consistent. When He first put Adam in
to do was “tend and keep” the garden in which God had the garden, He decreed that the penalty of eating the

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 21

fruit of the forbidden tree would be death (Genesis 2:17). Here we read
Because of their sin, they would die and return to “dust” of the final Key Concepts to Know
(decompose). consequence • Mankind “cut off” from
This “curse” because of sin applies to each and every that came upon
the tree of life
human being who has ever lived (except Jesus Christ). Adam and Eve
The apostle Paul, in the book of Romans, explains as a result of • God’s plan of redemption
more fully how this curse operates. In Romans 6:23, their sin—their
he explains: “For the wages of sin is death.” This death banishment from the Garden of Eden. Verse 22 reveals a
penalty went into effect when Adam and Eve sinned key point about the reason for Adam and Eve’s removal
and applies to all human beings, because all have sinned from the garden. They were banished to cut them off from
(Romans 3:23). Sin is defined as “the transgression of the the tree of life.
law” (1 John 3:4, King James Version). To understand why they had to be separated from the
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they tree of life, we have to understand what it symbolized.
transgressed God’s law. We also symbolically eat of that As we covered previously, the tree of life symbolized
same fruit every time we break God’s law. the Holy Spirit of God, which helps us live the way of
Thankfully, just as God decreed death to be the penalty total obedience and reliance on God. God is the source
of sin, He has decreed there is a way to be released of eternal life through His Holy Spirit (John 6:63;
from that penalty! This concept is called forgiveness and Romans 8:10).
remission in the Bible and follows genuine repentance. To Adam and Eve had rejected God as the total source of
have sins forgiven and the death penalty removed, it is truth and knowledge and had decided to not obey and
necessary that the death penalty be paid by another death, rely on Him. Because they had brought the penalty of
for “without shedding of blood there is no remission” death on themselves and were disqualified from receiving
(Hebrews 9:22). the eternal life that the tree of life offered, they had to be
This was pictured, symbolically, through the sacrifice of “cut off ” from the tree of life.
animals under the Old Covenant system in ancient Israel Verse 24 provides more details on how this happened:
(Hebrews 10:3-4). But the animal sacrifice system only “So He [God] drove out the man; and He placed
foreshadowed the ultimate path to forgiveness that would cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming
be made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the
Read Hebrews 9:16 through 10:18 to learn more about tree of life.”
this incredible truth. We should understand that this does not just picture
To learn more about animal sacrifices and the Adam and Eve being “cut off ” from the tree of life but
ultimate Sacrifice for sin, read “Animal Sacrifices reveals the overall state of mankind ever since. God, in
Prefigured Christ.” essence, had closed access to His knowledge, His Holy
Spirit and the way to eternal life from mankind.
Question: Since then, mankind has followed the same path as
Adam and Eve: being influenced by the way of Satan
1. What is the ultimate penalty that results from (1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9), living a life characterized
mankind’s sin? by human reasoning (Proverbs 14:12) and eating of the
symbolic “fruit” of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil. God has given mankind 6,000 years to go this way to
demonstrate the destructive consequences of sin. This era
CUT OFF FROM THE TREE OF LIFE of history will culminate in a time when sin will become
so bad that mankind will destroy itself if God does not
Genesis 3:22-23: “Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the intervene (Matthew 24:22).
man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. The good news is that God has a plan to redeem and
And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree save human beings from the way of life that Adam and
of life, and eat, and live forever’—therefore the Lord God Eve chose. This plan currently consists of a small group
sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from of people that God has called out of this world and into
which he was taken.” His Church (John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 1:26; 1 Peter 2:9;

22 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

Revelation 17:14). The amazing truth is that God will • Cain was a “tiller of the ground.” This meant that
open access to the rest of humanity in a future time (read his interest was horticulture, and he cultivated
our article on the “Second Resurrection” to learn more produce to feed himself and his family. Because
details about this). God no longer directly blessed the ground
To learn more about God’s plan to open access to (Genesis 3:17-18), Cain’s job would have been very
eternal life to the rest of mankind, read “Plan of Salvation: difficult and would have necessitated his inventing
How God’s Holy Days Reveal His Plan.” tools to successfully remove “thorns and thistles”
and to cultivate the soil. Cain’s probable invention
Questions: of sharp tools may help explain what we will read
in the following verses.
1. Why did God remove Adam and Eve from • Abel was a “keeper of sheep.” This means that
access to the tree of life? he tended sheep and was what we would call a
2. Will mankind ever have access to the tree of “shepherd.” As we will see, Abel will represent the
life again? first righteous offspring of Adam and Eve. It is
interesting to consider that some of God’s greatest
servants had a background in shepherding: Moses
(Exodus 3:1) and David (1 Samuel 16:11). Jesus
Christ used shepherding to describe His role as the
leader and caregiver of God’s people (John 10:11-
GENESIS 4: THE FIRST MURDER 16; 1 Peter 5:4).
Not only did the two brothers have different
occupations, as we’ll see, they had two different
approaches to worshipping God.
CAIN AND ABEL
Questions:
Genesis 4:1-2: “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she 1. What was Cain’s occupation?
conceived and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have acquired a man
from the Lord.’ Then she bore again, this time his brother 2. What was Abel’s occupation?
Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller
of the ground.”

Key Concepts to Know CAIN AND ABEL BRING OFFERINGS

The first piece
of information • Cain and his occupation Genesis 4:3-4: “And in the process of time it came to pass
we receive after that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to
• Abel and his occupation
Adam and Eve the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and
were expelled of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering.”
from the Garden of Eden is the conception and birth of
their first child. After giving birth, Eve named her son We now
Key Concepts to Know
Cain, which means “acquired.” come to the
Though Genesis 4:2 is a simple and straightforward first time • The purpose of an offering
verse about the birth of Adam and Eve’s second son, it sets that an
the context for a very important set of events. We should “offering” • The difference between Cain’s
note that some commentators feel that Cain and Abel (a gift to and Abel’s offerings
were twin brothers, with Cain being born first followed by God as part
Abel. Though this is plausible, the text allows for Abel to of formal worship by humans) is mentioned in Scripture.
be the second-born son. As we will see, this account will contrast the offerings
Let’s consider the different occupations the two of the two brothers, Cain and Abel, and God’s reaction
brothers had: to each one.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 23

 This verse indicates that their worship was not random, English Translation says, “the Lord was pleased with
but came at a specific time—“in the process of time it Abel and his offering.”
came to pass.” This can also be translated “at the end of The first hint we have of the possible disparity between
days,” which could imply the end of the week, the end of Cain and Abel’s offerings is in the fact that we are
the year or the end of the harvest. Commentators have specifically told that Abel presented the firstborn of his
different speculations about what this “process of time” flocks. This indicates that Abel gave specific thought
represented. Many commentators believe this refers to a and care to his offering by marking the firstborn of his
formal sacrifice that occurred on the weekly Sabbath. flocks and dedicating those as holy to God. Dedicating
Whenever it took place, it is likely that there was much the firstborn to God as holy is something God expected
that God would have taught this first family that is not in later offerings (Exodus 13:12; Numbers 18:12, 17;
recorded in the Bible. They would have been aware of the Proverbs 3:9).
basic principles of His law. Since “sin is lawlessness” (1 Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel’s offering was a “more
John 3:4) and Romans 4:15 teaches that “where there is excellent sacrifice,” not just because it was an offering of a
no law there is no transgression,” the law must have been firstborn animal, but also because of Abel’s righteousness
understood, at least in its basic form, by the first family. behind it. Abel desired to give the best to God.
The Bible reveals there can’t be sin without law. Since To learn more about the purpose of animal offerings
offerings were brought to God, we can also assume that and what they foreshadowed in God’s plan, read “Animal
God instructed the first human beings how to present Sacrifices Prefigured Christ.”
offerings and why they were necessary.
We should also consider the two primary reasons Questions:
physical offerings were brought to God in the Old
Testament: 1. Identify two reasons offerings were brought
• To give thanks to God for His blessings and to ask to God in Old Testament times.
for His continued blessings. 2. Identify one reason Abel’s offering was
• To atone for and acknowledge one’s personal sins to accepted by God.
God (see Adam Clarke’s Commentary of the Bible, note
on Genesis 4:3).
As we will see, there was something about Cain’s
offering that was not right and that displeased God. It WHY CAIN’S OFFERING WAS REJECTED
is also interesting to note that after their banishment
from the garden, the first family did not totally reject the Genesis 4:5: “But He did not respect Cain and his offering.
true God. They maintained a form of worshipping Him And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.”
through these sacrifices, but combined that worship with
sin and the formulation of their own ways of living apart This verse concludes the narrative on the offerings of Cain
from His guidance. and Abel. Putting the content of verses 3-5 together, we
Cain brought an “offering of the fruit of the ground,” learn that Cain brought an agricultural offering that was
which makes sense since he was a farmer (Genesis 4:2). not pleasing to God, while Abel brought a sacrifice of the
Though we will see that there was a problem with Cain’s firstborn of his flock that was pleasing to God.
offering, it was not wrong merely because it was from What were the core differences in the offerings of the
the field instead of the flock. God clearly prescribed brothers that led to God rejecting Cain’s offering and
agricultural offerings in the sacrificial system He later accepting Abel’s?
gave to ancient Israel (Leviticus 2:1-16). There are two major explanations that should be
Abel presented the “firstborn of his flock and of their considered for a full understanding:
fat” to God. Abel was a “keeper of sheep” (Genesis 4:2), so 1. The difference in the quality and effort between
it makes sense that he offered animals. the two offerings.
But the difference between Cain’s and Abel’s offerings Verses 3-4 give us some key clues about the difference
was not just in what was offered, but in the attitude and in quality of the offerings that Cain and Abel presented
approach of each in giving the offering. We read here that to God. Cain’s offering of the “fruit of the ground” is
“the Lord respected Abel and his offering,” or as the New contrasted to Abel’s offering of the “firstborn of his

24 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

flock and of their fat.” We can deduce that Cain’s offering True Christians are to “love the Lord your God
was an offering that had little care and thought put into it. with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
It seems that Abel selected and gave his offering with strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27, emphasis
much care and reverence in order to bring God the added)—meaning our love for God and righteousness
best available with a humble attitude of worship. Abel’s must go down to the core of our being. That does
offering is called “a more excellent sacrifice” in Hebrews not mean God is not concerned about our outward
11:4. Cain’s offering likely was prepared in the opposite appearance and actions. The Bible is clear we are to
spirit, most likely thrown together of whatever he had be “doers of the word” (James 1:22) as a result of the
left of his harvest, with little thought given to the quality “implanted word” of God inside of us (James 1:21).
of what he was giving to God. Study the following scriptures and meditate on the
What can we learn from the difference in quality quality and heart God wants as we approach Him:
between Cain and Abel’s offerings? The main lesson 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23-24; 2 Timothy 2:15.
we can apply today is to always give God our best and
worship and honor Him with our maximum effort Question:
and energy.
2. The difference in the lives and attitudes behind 1. Identify one possible reason Cain’s offering
the offerings. was rejected by God.
While there were likely quality differences between the
two offerings, the true disparity in the offerings was in the
lives and attitudes of the men behind them.
Cain was very clearly living a life that was not pleasing GOD’S WARNING TO CAIN—AND US
to God. Later, when God addressed Cain about his
offering, God told Cain that “if you do well, will you not Genesis 4:7: “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And
be accepted?” (verse 7, emphasis added). The implication if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is
is that Cain was not doing “well” and was living a life for you, but you should rule over it.”
unacceptable to God. We learn in the New Testament
that Cain was “of the wicked one” and “his works were God spoke these words to Cain after He saw that Cain was
evil” (1 John 3:12). visibly angry over God’s rejection of his offering (Genesis
God is very clear that He expects our inward spiritual 4:5). Instead of responding to God’s displeasure with
state to be consistent with our outward actions. Proverbs a repentant
15:8 is clear that “the sacrifice of the wicked is an attitude and Key Concepts to Know
abomination to the Lord.” a desire to
Abel, on the other hand, was living a life that was change, Cain • The danger of anger
acceptable to God. His quality offering accurately responded with and bitterness
reflected the quality of the life behind it. The New jealous anger • The necessity of repentance
Testament clearly identifies Abel as “righteous” (1 John and bitterness
3:12). His offering was “more excellent” and was a witness towards his • The nature of sin
(or outward evidence) of his inward righteousness and brother. God,
faith (Hebrews 11:4). who knows the heart, could discern that Cain’s anger was
Another significant lesson we can learn is that we rising to the point of danger.
cannot rely on just the outward appearance of religious So God spoke to Cain with encouragement and warning:
worship to please God. Cain tried to hide his unrighteous • “If you do well, will you not be accepted?” While
life through an offering. But God “looks at the heart,” God had rejected Cain’s offering because of the
not merely at “outward appearance” (1 Samuel 16:7, see attitude behind it, He still offered Cain this word of
also Jeremiah 17:10). encouragement that Cain could change. He could
Jesus Christ corrected the Pharisees for a similar issue. still repent and “do well” and “be accepted.” This is
The Pharisees appeared righteous externally, but were what God wanted Cain to do. God’s will is always
inwardly unrighteous and living lives unacceptable to that people should repent (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter
God (Matthew 23:25-28). 3:9). Had Cain reacted properly to God’s rejection,

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 25

 his anger would have given way to “godly sorrow We’ve covered what led up to Cain’s murder of Abel—his
[that] produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 anger and jealousy toward his brother. Instead of taking
Corinthians 7:10). God’s words about his inferior offering and lifestyle as an
• “And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.” impetus to change and improve himself, he allowed his
God warned Cain that he was inching dangerously anger toward Abel to develop into hatred, which resulted
close to sin—transgressing God’s law. Sin begins in murder.
with what is in our attitude and mind. At this God had warned Cain to control his thoughts because
point, unless he stopped himself, repented and they were dangerously close to resulting in sin (Genesis
committed to change, Cain’s attitude and mind 4:7). Instead of ruling over his impulses, he gave in and
were going the direction of hatred toward his allowed
brother, which is the root of murder (Matthew the process
Key Concepts to Know
5:21-22). Study James 1:14-15 closely to learn about described in
the process of how thoughts can precipitate sin. James 1:14-15 • The spirit of murder
• “And its desire is for you, but you shall rule over to play out in • The Sixth Commandment in
it.” God’s final words of warning to Cain are that his life. This
if he continued down the road to sin, sin would resulted in the
effect before Sinai
eventually rule over him. Sin would become his first murder.
master and he would become its slave. Just as his parents set humanity on a course of rejecting
Jesus taught that “whoever commits sin is a God’s leadership in their lives, Cain set humanity on a
slave of sin” (John 8:34). Sin is likened to slavery course of hatred and murder, which has been played out
because it entraps us in negative behavior that in countless crimes and wars down through history.
destroys our life (physically and spiritually), John 8:44 reveals that Satan is the originator of
often leads to other sins, becomes an addiction murderous thoughts.
that is extremely difficult for human beings to God later codified the command against murder in
control, and places us under the oppressive the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:13). Read “Were
control of Satan. the 10 Commandments Around Before Moses?” for
To learn more about sin as slavery, study the biblical proof these laws existed long before Moses and
following scriptures: Proverbs 5:22; Romans 6:6, Mount Sinai.
12, 16, 19-20; Ephesians 2:2. The most important lesson we can learn from Cain’s
Cain ultimately ignored God’s warning. But today we sin is that we have to overcome thoughts of anger and
can take God’s warning to heart and use it to stop the hatred toward other people—before they turn into words
destructive progression of sin in our lives! or acts of violence.
To learn more about how to stop the progression of sin Jesus Christ taught that hate and anger break the
in your life, read “Effects of Sin.” spirit of the Sixth Commandment (Matthew 5:21-22).
Those who harbor hateful thoughts and attitudes against
Question: others walk “in darkness” (1 John 2:11). Hatefulness is
an attitude that true Christians must overcome (Romans
1. What was Cain’s emotional response when 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Titus 3:3). True Christianity is
God rejected his offering? What should his living the way of life characterized by love toward others
response have been? (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:35; Colossians 3:14).
To learn more about the deep meaning of God’s
Sixth Commandment against murder, read “The Sixth
Commandment: You Shall Not Murder.”

THE FIRST MURDER Question:

Genesis 4:8: “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and 1. What was the root cause of Cain’s murder of
it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose his brother Abel?
against Abel his brother and killed him.”

26 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER? 2. What principle of godly character did Cain
break when he said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 4:9: “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel
your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s
keeper?’”
ABEL’S BLOOD CRIES OUT
After Cain’s murder of Abel, Cain tried to cover his sin
by claiming ignorance of Abel’s whereabouts. Cain knew Genesis 4:10: “And He said, ‘What have you done?
exactly where Abel’s body was located. But when God The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from
approached Cain and asked where his brother was, Cain the ground.’”
responded
with this God now reveals to Cain that He, as the all-knowing and
outright lie: “I Key Concept to Know omnipresent God, knows Cain had murdered Abel and
do not know.” • The antithesis of murder is had lied.
This lie, love and concern for others God uses
told directly figurative Key Concepts to Know
to God, is the language to • Martyrdom
first recorded human lie. Interestingly, murder and lying represent
are connected in John 8:44 as two central characteristics Abel’s death: • Imagery of blood “crying out”
of the character of Satan. This account shows us the “The voice
common progression of sin. Sin often begets further sin. of your
In this case, Cain’s sin of murder led to his sin of lying. brother’s blood cries out to Me.” Obviously, Abel’s blood
A similar progression can be found in the account of was not literally “crying out” because the Bible teaches
David’s adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). David’s that the “dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
sin of adultery was followed by lying and a murder to Jesus Christ identified Abel as the first of the righteous
cover up the adultery. martyrs for God’s way of life. Speaking to the Pharisees,
In contrast, Christians are to be known as truth tellers who would later instigate His martyrdom, Jesus Christ
in all things (Ephesians 4:25). said: “On you may come all the righteous blood shed on
After his lie, Cain further answered God with this sarcastic the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood
statement: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” By saying this, of Zechariah” (Matthew 23:35).
Cain was essentially saying he was not responsible for his Hebrews 12:24 likens Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice
brother’s well-being. This shows a calloused lack of love and to Abel’s—in that both gave their lives for doing
concern on Cain’s part. This was a result of his hatred and right—but Jesus’ sacrifice “speaks better things than
anger. Human history has been marked by this core attitude that of Abel.”
of a lack of concern for the care and well-being of others. Abel’s death should remind us that God’s people
True Christians understand the error of Cain’s statement. often suffer and are persecuted for obedience to God.
Philippians 2:3-4 clearly expresses the attitude we are to The fifth seal of the book of Revelation pictures the
have toward others: “In lowliness of mind let each esteem martyrdom that some of God’s people will face in
others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only the end time. Figuratively, these martyrs cry out: “
for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and
This outgoing concern toward other people is the result of avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
a life driven by love (Mark 12:31; Luke 6:27; 1 John 4:16). (Revelation 6:10).
To learn more about the depth of love God expects The good news is that prophecy reveals that the
from His people, read our article “Love of God.” martyrs for God’s truth will be rewarded for their
faithfulness (Revelation 20:4).
Questions: Study these scriptures to learn more about why true
Christians often suffer persecution in this life: Matthew
1. Cain’s murder led to another sin. What was 5:44-48; Luke 6:22-23; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 3:17; 1
that sin? John 3:11-14.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 27

Question: of Nod on the east of Eden” (verse 16). There he built a
city named Enoch (verse 17).
1. What does Abel’s fate teach us about the lives The location of Cain’s city is unknown and was
of other righteous people? destroyed during the global flood that came in Noah’s
time (Genesis 7). All we know is its location relative of
Eden—to the east.
Some wonder where Cain found his wife. Since Cain
CAIN CURSED AND BANISHED was the firstborn son of the first created human beings,
he must have married one of his sisters. The Bible reveals
Genesis 4:11: “So now you are cursed from the earth,
that Adam and Eve had many of other children (Genesis
which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s 5:4). At that time, the original humans would have had
blood from your hand.” the genetic purity and variety that would have allowed
children to safely be born to siblings.
As a result of committing murder, Cain was given a Later, however, God made laws against incest, which
specific “curse” from God for his sin: included marrying anyone “near of kin” (Leviticus 18:6-
• Cain would be “cursed from the earth” (English 17). Violations of these laws are still sins today and most
Standard Version: countries still prohibit marriage between siblings. To
“from the ground”). learn more about the first human family, read “Where Did
Because Cain shed Key Concept to Know Cain Get His Wife?”
his brother’s blood • The curse on Cain
on the ground, Question:
the ground would
“no longer yield its strength [abundant crops or 1. What was the curse on Cain?
produce] to you” (Genesis 4:12). The Soncino
Books of the Bible explains: “Wherever he lives,
the curse will follow him and the soil will
be barren for him. The remainder of his existence SETH REPLACES ABEL
will consequently be an unceasing vagabondage”
(The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, p. 15). This
Genesis 4:25: “And Adam knew his wife again, and she
punishment is similar to one of the curses later bore a son and named him Seth, ‘For God has appointed
prophesied to come on Israel for disobedience another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.’”
(Deuteronomy 28:16-17).
• Cain would be “a fugitive and a vagabond” on After the death of Abel, the Bible doesn’t mention any
the earth (Genesis 4:12). He would now be of the other sons born to Adam and Eve (Genesis 5:4)
separated from his family and live out his life as as being righteous.
a wanderer in “the land of Nod” (Nod is a Cain, banished to the Key Concept to Know
wordplay on “vagabond,” Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible east where he built
note on verse 16). a civilization apart • The line of Seth
We should not forget that Cain’s ultimate punishment from God, had no
would be death for his sin (Romans 6:23). Though Cain descendants listed as righteous through whom God was
certainly was worthy of a swift death penalty carried able to work. God couldn’t work through Cain because
out by God or his family, God permitted Cain to live of his unrighteousness.
out his life in exile. God even mercifully provided Cain Adam and Eve gave birth to a son named Seth. The
with some sort of “mark” that protected him from being name Seth means “compensation” (Brown-Driver-Briggs
murdered (verse 15). Hebrew Lexicon). Seth was the replacement for Abel
Cain’s sin led to him being banished from the presence who was murdered. Eventually Jesus Christ was one of
of his family—the only civilization that existed at the his descendants and was the “Seed” through whom God
time. He was permitted to take his wife and build a new would save mankind.
civilization in his exile. We are told he settled in the “land Seth’s descendants are those through whom:

28 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

• God would physically preserve humanity. Genesis 49:4 and Exodus 20:25). Others believe this refers to men
6 and 7 reveal how God destroyed nearly all worshipping or praying to the true God, although two are
of humanity through a global flood because of specifically identified as such.
wickedness. God used Noah (a descendent of Seth) Enoch and Noah, two of Seth’s descendants, clearly
to preserve the human race through Noah’s three worshipped the true God. There are no righteous
sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth (Genesis 10). All descendants of Cain mentioned in the text. It appears that
humanity alive today, then, traces its lineage to Cain’s descendants continued in their lifestyle of living
Adam and Eve through the line of Seth. outside the guidance, presence and true worship of God
• God would work with a chosen nation. Abraham, (Genesis 4:23-24). The two members of Seth’s line who are
the progenitor of the Israelite nation, was a listed as righteous:
descendent of Seth through Noah’s son Shem • Understood God by His personal, covenant name.
(Genesis 11:10-26). God called and raised up Israel • Understood God as the source of blessings and
to be an example to the other nations of the earth relied on Him for those blessings.
(Deuteronomy 4:6-8). • Understood proper worship toward God as Abel
• God would spiritually save humanity through the had understood and practiced.
Messiah—Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was born from A study of biblical history shows that God’s pattern is
the Israelite tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14). It is to call a few individuals to represent Him in every age.
through Jesus Christ that humans can be saved from God has almost always had a small group of people He
their sins (Acts 4:12), through whom the prophecy was working through (1 Kings 19:18; Isaiah 1:9; Matthew
of “her Seed” will be fulfilled (Genesis 3:15), and 16:18; Romans 11:5).
through whom mankind will receive salvation and To learn more about the group of people God is now
be part of the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 9:28). working with, read “The Church: The Body of Christ.”

Question: Question:
1. Who represented God’s way of life after the 1. Did God continue to call a few individuals to
death of Abel? represent Him?

MEN CALL ON GOD

Genesis 4:26: “And as for Seth, to him also a son was GENESIS 5: THE GENEALOGY OF ADAM
born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call
on the name of the Lord.”

After the death of ADAM’S SONS AND DAUGHTERS

righteous Abel, Key Concepts to Know
God replaced him Genesis 5:4: “After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were
in Adam and Eve’s • Calling on God’s name eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters.”
family with Seth. • Righteous individuals
God hoped Seth in all ages This verse shows us two important pieces of information:
would continue • Life spans in the antediluvian world were
the way of life that much longer than they are today. Adam lived
Abel previously characterized. Here we are told that men to the age of 930 years. He was 130 years old
“began to call on the name of the Lord.” There are two when he fathered Seth and lived 800 years after
possible meanings of this. Some interpret “began to call that. Reading through Genesis 5 shows the long
on the name of the Lord” as a reference to men polluting ages of the individuals in the genealogical chain
or defiling of His name (Hebrew chalal, as in Genesis from Adam to Noah. There are different possible

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 29

 reasons for
these long Key Concepts to Know stands out from this list of patriarchs in Genesis 5 because
life spans, • Long life spans in the we are told he “walked with God” (verses 22, 24). This
including antediluvian world descriptor is absent from the individuals immediately
better preceding and following Enoch. The only individuals in
atmospheric • Rapid reproduction and this chapter who are specifically identified as having a
conditions population growth relationship with God after Abel are Enoch and Noah.
and stronger Enoch lived in a historical era that was increasingly
genetics. It becoming wicked and violent. He lived just three
is interesting to note that after the flood (Genesis generations before the time of Noah when “the
7), somehow God saw to it that human life spans wickedness of
would drop dramatically (Genesis 11:10-32). man was great
• Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters. in the earth”
Key Concept to Know
Some wonder how civilization could have grown (Genesis 6:5) • What happened to Enoch
so rapidly from one couple. The answer is that and “the earth
Adam and Eve fulfilled the command in Genesis [was] filled with
1:28 to “be fruitful and multiply.” We also see that violence” (verse 13). It is likely that wickedness already
Adam and Eve’s offspring rapidly reproduced as affected society in Enoch’s era. Enoch’s faithfulness to God
well (Genesis 5:4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 26). Adam would have made him stand out and be unpopular.
and Eve This helps explain why we read that God did something
produced Antediluvian very unusual with Enoch: “God took him.” In Hebrews
children This word refers to the era of 11:5 we get more information: “By faith Enoch was
before and translated that he should not see death” (King James
human history before the Flood.
after the Version). The Greek word for “translated” is metatithemi,
birth of Seth.
It is derived from the Latin words which means “to transfer, to be carried away or removed”
Though we ante, meaning “before,” and (Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary). The basic meaning is to be
cannot know diluvium, meaning “flood.” transferred from one location to another.
exactly how Many mistakenly interpret Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews
long Eve’s period of childbearing lasted because of 11:5 to teach that Enoch was taken to heaven and never
the different physiological conditions of that era, died. But this is impossible since Hebrews 11:13 clearly
who knows how many dozens of children they says that “these all died in faith, not having received the
produced? With each new generation, it is easy to promises, but having seen them afar off ” (emphasis added).
see how the antediluvian civilization grew rapidly Verse 39 clarifies that none of the individuals in this “faith
in population. chapter” of the Bible “received the promise,” because all of
God’s people will receive the promise together (verse 40).
Question: We also have to remember that Jesus Christ clearly
taught that “no one has ascended to heaven” (John 3:13).
1. How did the pre-Flood world grow in Since “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35) and
population so rapidly? Christ is “the truth” (John 14:6), it is impossible that
Enoch was taken to heaven.
So what happened to Enoch? Enoch “was taken away so
that he did not see death” (Hebrews 11:5), meaning that
ENOCH TAKEN BY GOD he was taken from a violent society (Genesis 6:13) where
he would likely have been killed (like Abel) by others
Genesis 5:24: “And Enoch walked with God; and he was who were jealous and angry at him for his righteousness
not, for God took him.” and blessings. It seems Enoch, like Elijah, was transferred
to another geographical location on earth where he was
As we read the genealogy of the antediluvian patriarchs, protected and lived out the rest of his 365 years in safety
we come across an interesting person: Enoch. Enoch from the evil that surrounded him.

30 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 For a more detailed explanation of what happened to wives for themselves of all whom they chose” (verse 2).
Enoch, read “Are Enoch and Elijah in Heaven?” The major questions that arise are who were the “sons of
God” and why was God so disappointed by these marriages?
Questions: One of the most common erroneous explanations
1. Was Enoch taken to heaven? of this verse is that the term “sons of God” refers to
angelic beings coming down to earth and being attracted
2. Why was Enoch taken to another location? to human women (“daughters of men”), resulting in
marriage and reproduction between angels and human
beings. Those who espouse this idea point to verse 4
and claim that the result of angelic-human procreation
was “giants.”
Though the Bible uses the phrase “sons of God” in
GENESIS 6: THE EVIL OF THE various ways, including references to both men and angels
PRE-FLOOD WORLD (Job 1:6), we can say with authority that the above theory
regarding Genesis 6:2 is incorrect. This is a situation
where we have to apply one of the most basic rules of
Bible study—consider multiple scriptures on a subject to
MEN MULTIPLY get a complete picture of the biblical teaching.
Jesus Christ, when asked a question about marriage
Genesis 6:1-2: “Now it came to pass, when men began after the resurrection of the dead, said that human beings
to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were who are resurrected to spirit life “neither marry nor are
born to them that the sons of God saw the daughters of given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are
men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for equal to the angels” (Luke 20:35-36; see also Matthew
22:30; Mark 12:25).
themselves of all whom they chose.”
We learn two important truths about angelic beings
Here we read about the growth of the antediluvian through Christ’s statement: They are immortal and they
world. The generation during which Noah lived was do not marry. The implication of the statement is that
characterized by evil and wicked human beings (verse 5). angels cannot marry or have children. The ability to
Part of this evil came from the increase in population. We procreate was given to the physical created realm, but
have already not the angelic realm. God specifically designed human
covered how beings to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28) and
the rapid Key Concepts to Know become “one flesh” at marriage (Genesis 2:24, “one flesh”
growth of • Antediluvian population being a reference to the sexual union).
the human growth When God created physical life in Genesis 1, He
population created a specific law that governed reproduction. Physical
before the • Angels did not procreate life can only reproduce “according to its kind” (Genesis
Flood was with human women 1:21, 24-25). Human beings were unique because they were
helped by • Two theories explaining who created outside of the animal “kind.” Humans were created,
the long “according to Our [God’s] likeness” (verse 26). Human
the “sons of God” were
life spans of beings can only reproduce with other human beings
individuals, because they are distinctly made after the God “kind.”
which allowed couples to produce possibly many dozens Hebrews 2:5-9 makes it very clear that humanity is part
of children. The problem was the wicked characteristics of of a unique plane of existence that is distinct from the
the growing population. The Bible teaches that “when the angelic plane. Physical human beings are created “a little
wicked are multiplied, transgression increases” (Proverbs lower than the angels” (verse 7), with the potential to
29:16). The rapid reproduction of a wicked society be elevated above the angelic plane (Hebrews 1:5-13).
produced even greater wickedness. Angels were created as “ministering [serving] spirits
We then read a scripture that has confused many. We are sent forth to minister [serve] for those who will inherit
told “the sons of God saw the daughters of men” and “took salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 31

 The mistaken theory of angel-human marriages is is possible that the phrase “daughters of men” is a
further disproven by studying the context of this chapter. reference to women of Cain’s line, which became
Notice God’s response to these marriages: “My Spirit totally separated from God (Genesis 4:16-24).
shall not strive with man forever” (verse 3, emphasis Alfred Edersheim explains, “The corruption of
added). God was angry at man—not angels. The Hebrew mankind reached its highest point when even the
word for “man” is adam and only refers to human difference between the Sethites and the Cainites became
beings—never angels (the Hebrew word for “angel” is obliterated by intermarriage between the two parties,
mal’ak). Verse 4 refers to the children of these marriages and that from sensual motives” (Bible History Old
as “men of renown” (not hybrid angelic-human beings). Testament, p. 39). The intermarriages between these
Verses 5-6 also show that God’s displeasure was with two previously separated family lines would have been
men—not angels. a symptom and a cause of the spiritual degeneration of
The scriptures we have covered show that it is the descendants of Seth, leading to even greater societal
impossible that the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 were “wickedness” and “evil” (Genesis 6:5).
angels or demons. Though we cannot definitely state the specific identify of
the “sons of God” and “daughters of men,” the fact that the
Who were the “sons of God”? “sons of God” do not represent angelic beings is certain.
Though the text of Genesis 6 does not specifically identify To learn more about the situation in Genesis 6, read
who exactly these men were, there are a number of “Sons of God in Genesis 6: Who Are They?”
possibilities that have been proposed by students of the
Bible. Here are two possible explanations of this verse: Question:
• Marriages between men and women
characterized by idolatry and violence. This 1. Identify one reason Genesis 6:2 does not
explanation views the “sons of God” as generally describe angels procreating with human
evil men marrying women of the earth. Genesis women.
4:26 can be translated “men began to profane
the name of the Lord” or “men began to take on
themselves the name of the Lord” and can thus
describe the growth of idolatry. According to this A WICKED AND EVIL HUMANITY
understanding, the “sons of God” would refer to
idolatrous human beings who impregnated human Genesis 6:5: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of
women who then gave birth to children who man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the
further defied God. This generation is described thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
as entirely evil—“every intent of the thoughts of
his heart was only evil continually” (verse 5). Later The societal
in the chapter we read that “violence” was another conditions of
characteristic of the majority of people at this the world prior Key Concept to Know
time (verses 11, 13). to the Flood • The characteristics of the
• Marriages between men of the line of Seth had so degraded antediluvian culture
and women of the line of Cain. This is the most that mankind
common explanation that is proposed by Bible had become
scholars. This explanation is largely based on a completely characterized by wickedness and evil. As
different interpretation of Genesis 4:26, that of a a result, we are told that God “grieved in His heart”
reference to Seth’s descendants having some form (Genesis 6:6) for creating man.
of worship of the true God (though some interpret This is the first verse in the Bible where the word heart
this verse differently). If there was knowledge and (Hebrew labe) is used. In the Bible, when the term “the
worship of the true God among the descendants of heart” is used in the context of human character, it is
Seth, it is possible that they could have been referred referring to “the seat of the mind, intellect, purpose”
to as the “sons of God.” If the phrase “sons of God” (Soncino Books of the Bible, Vol. 1, p. 19). In other words,
here is a reference to the descendants of Seth, it “the heart” refers to who we are and what we are down to

32 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 Key Concepts to Know
the core of our being. God is revealing that He is not just Because of
concerned with outward conduct—but with the inward the condition • God’s sorrow at humanity’s
thoughts and motivations of human beings. of humanity wickedness
The majority of people before the Flood were so evil at this time, • God can change His mind
and wicked that their negative character went down to we read
and feel sadness
their heart. The Bible teaches that human nature, at its something
core, is “deceitful … and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah unique
17:9). But the level of human wickedness had reached a about God’s response: He “grieved in His heart” for man’s
unique low before the Flood. Two of the characteristics of condition and was sorry (“repented” in the King James
the sinful state of antediluvian human beings were sexual Version) that He created humanity. This is in contrast to
lust (Genesis 6:2, 4) and murderous violence (verse 11). God’s pleased reaction when He completed the
Jesus Christ compared the end times to this antediluvian physical creation (Genesis 1:31). The influence of Satan and
period: “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the the resulting sin had corrupted what God had created perfect.
coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before This verse teaches us that the almighty God is also a
the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and God who experiences emotion.
giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the We learn two very important truths about God’s nature
ark” (Matthew 24:37-38). Peter described the people of from this verse. First, we learn that God occasionally
this time as “ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5). changes His mind based on human circumstances. The
The social conditions during the end time are described Bible is very clear that God’s nature and character are
in detail in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Since Christ likens the end unchangeable. God says plainly about Himself: “For
times to the antediluvian world, we can assume many of I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). Jesus
these same conditions describe what society was like then. Christ is described as “the same yesterday, today, and
Putting all these scriptures together, the fundamental forever” (Hebrews 13:8). These verses describe the total
issue during this time period was people living lives consistency of God’s nature and purpose. God is always a
totally driven by lust and hate with absolutely no fear of God of love and will always work in a way that allows His
God or sense of morality (Romans 1:28). The Bible also ultimate plan to move forward and be completed.
defines this as being “carnally minded” (Romans 8:6-8). But the Bible also reveals that God does occasionally
Throughout the Bible, God reveals that His desire is for change how He deals with mankind based on the choices
human beings to repent—which means a change of life to and actions of humans. At this point, mankind’s total
the core of the heart. The New Covenant was prophesied degradation of character necessitated that God make
to include God’s law (the definition of His character) a change in how He dealt with humanity by mercifully
being written on the hearts and minds of human beings putting the majority of the population (except Noah
(Jeremiah 31:33). God wants us to have the opposite of and his family) to death. This in no way affected God’s
the characteristics of the antediluvian world! We are to be ultimate plan of “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews
“spiritually minded” (Romans 8:6) and to love God “with 2:10). The antediluvians who were killed in the Flood will
all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” be raised to life at a future time (John 5:28), and those
and “love your neighbor as yourself ” (Matthew 22:37, 39). who didn’t have a chance will be given the opportunity to
repent and change their lives (2 Peter 3:9).
Question: Other examples of God changing His mind based on
choices made by humans are found in Exodus 32:14; 1
1. What were the moral characteristics of the Samuel 15:11; and Jonah 3:10. None of these examples
generation before the Flood? demonstrate any change in God’s core nature or plan of
salvation for human beings. We are assured that “the gifts
and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

GOD’S RESPONSE TO A WICKED HUMANITY God’s sadness at human sin

The second part of this verse reveals that God “was
Genesis 6:6: “And the Lord was sorry that He had made grieved in His heart” because of the sin and suffering the
man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” antediluvian society had brought upon itself.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 33

 This teaches us that God experiences sadness as a result The natural
of human sin and suffering. consequence Key Concepts to Know
God literally felt regret and displeasure at the moral of man’s • God’s decision to destroy the
downturn of humanity. God’s core nature is love (1 wickedness
antediluvian generation
John 4:8). God cares for human beings (1 Peter 5:7), was suffering
and His whole plan is designed to help mankind have and violence. • Why a loving God would
happy, fulfilling lives and eventually be ready to live Because of destroy human life
eternally in His family (John 10:10; 3:16; Hebrews 2:10). the extent
He gave humanity His law to provide the instructions of sin in antediluvian society, the earth had become
that would reveal how to live a happy and fulfilling life a miserable and dangerous place that was “filled with
(Deuteronomy 5:29). violence” (Genesis 6:11-13). It was so violent that it was
When human beings are ignorant of or disregard His unsafe for any righteous human beings to live there and
law and live in a way that brings continual negative could have eventually resulted in mankind destroying itself.
consequences, God experiences both anger and sadness.
He does not enjoy punishing sinful human beings. God How could a loving God kill human beings?
specifically tells us that “I have no pleasure in the death Many wonder why and how a loving God could make
of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and this decision to destroy the majority of humanity. God is a
live” (Ezekiel 33:11). God felt the same grief when He God of love and loves all human beings (John 3:16; 1 John
could no longer work directly with the nation of Israel as 4:8). But God also reveals that He hates sin (Psalm 45:7).
a result of their national sins (Psalms 81:11-13; 95:10). God’s decision to destroy humanity at this time does not
Jesus Christ, who was God in the Old Testament, at all contradict God’s unchanging character of love. This
demonstrated this same emotional response when He decision reflects a loving God who occasionally acts to
confronted sin and suffering throughout His human stop behavior that He hates and the suffering it produces.
lifetime (Luke 13:34; John 11:35). Here are two reasons why God’s decision to destroy
To learn more about this topic, read “Genesis 6: Does the majority of those in the antediluvian world does not
God Make Mistakes?” contradict His core nature of love or His prohibition
against taking human life (Exodus 20:13):
Question: • God has decreed that the “wages of sin is death”
(Romans 6:23). The direct application of this law
1. Genesis 6:6 shows that God can change His is that those who ultimately refuse to obey God,
mind based on choices human beings make. despite His desire to offer them repentance, will
But what never changes about God? be given the penalty of eternal death in the future
lake of fire (Revelation 20:15; Malachi 4:1). In
the present age, God typically has a “hands off ”
approach to sinners and lets them live out their
GOD TO DESTROY MANKIND lives with the consequences of their own sins
(Proverbs 1:31; Romans 1:24, 26, 28). But God also
Genesis 6:7: “So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom reserves the right to exact the penalty described in
I have created from the face of the earth, both man and Romans 6:23 at other times. God occasionally ends
beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry physical life when:
that I have made them.’” • Human sinfulness reaches an unusually high
level in society (Genesis 18; Deuteronomy 7:2-
Here we read God’s decision in response to the nearly 5; 9:5).
complete moral degeneration of humanity before the • When human beings are standing in the way of
Flood. We read earlier that “the wickedness of man was His plan and purpose being fulfilled (Exodus
great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts 11:1-5; Joshua 6:17).
of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Not In the case of the antediluvian world, the
only were man’s actions characterized by wickedness, but wickedness of man had reached such a high
his heart (his inward motivation) was evil. degree that God decided to mercifully destroy

34 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 the majority of humanity, putting an end to the The Bible
suffering and violence they experienced. He actually Key Concept to Know
restarted human society through Noah and his introduces us to • The connection between
three sons’ families. God did not enjoy doing Noah in Genesis
grace and righteousness
this, for He takes “no pleasure in the death of the 5:29-32. There
wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). we read that his
• God is the Creator of human life and has the father, Lamech,
right to end it. God destroying human life is not named him Noah (meaning “rest”) and prophesied that he
sin because: would bring “comfort” to humanity (Genesis 5:29). This
• God is the originator and creator of human comfort came through Noah’s role in helping to preserve
life (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:5). The God who humanity and providing the family line from which the
created human life also has the right to end it. “Seed” (Messiah) would come (Genesis 3:15).
• God will resurrect all human beings We read here that Noah was unique because he “found
(Job 14:15; John 11:17-27). Though God grace in the eyes of the Lord.” This is the first time in
occasionally ends human life, it is only the Bible that the word grace is used. The Hebrew word
temporary because He has a plan that includes translated “grace” is chen and means to show favor and
the resurrection of every human being who mercy (see Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon and
has ever lived and died (1 Corinthians 15:22; Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words).
Hebrews 9:27). At a future resurrection, Grace is an important concept that runs throughout
all those who died in the Flood will be the Bible. It describes a core aspect of God’s unchanging
resurrected and have Jesus Christ revealed to character—His goodness, mercy and kindness towards
them as their Savior (Revelation 20:12). human beings (Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 145:8-9). The
God loves the human beings of the antediluvian world concept is more fully developed in the New Testament
that He mercifully destroyed in the Flood. He did not to explain God’s unmerited pardon of human sin
destroy them forever or condemn them to pain in an because of God’s love and favor expressed through
ever-burning “hell,” but “desires [them] … to be saved and the sacrifice and life of Jesus Christ (see Romans 3:24;
to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-9).
To learn more about how God will offer salvation to Though grace is sometimes misunderstood to mean
all mankind, including the antediluvians who died in the that nothing is required of human beings to please God
Flood, read about the “Plan of Salvation.” (Jude 1:4), the truth is that those who receive God’s grace
are to live a life of obedience to God (Romans 6:1-2, 14-
Question: 15; Ephesians 2:10). That applied to Noah as well!
But why did Noah receive God’s grace?
1. Is there hope for those who died in the Genesis 6:9 is the key. Noah lived a way of life that set
Flood? If so, what is that hope? him apart from the society around him. We are told that
Noah was:
• “A just man.” The Hebrew word translated “just”
is often translated “righteous” throughout the
NOAH FINDS GRACE Old Testament. The word essentially means
“just, lawful, righteous” (Brown-Driver-Briggs
Genesis 6:8-9: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Hebrew and English Lexicon). Since righteousness
Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, is defined by obedience to God’s law (Psalm
perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” 119:172), Noah was a man defined by his faithful
obedience to God’s law. God’s laws were in force
The previous verse revealed God’s decision to destroy long before they were written on stone tablets and
the wicked human beings that made up the antediluvian given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Noah is also called “a
society. But God was not destroying mankind completely. preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), implying
God decided to preserve humankind through one man— that he proclaimed God’s standard of living to the
Noah—and his family. “world of the ungodly” that surrounded him.

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 35

• “Perfect in his generations.” Noah stood out would save from destruction eight individuals, including
as a man of complete integrity and character his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth (verse 10). He
among the generation (or contemporaries) that would save them through an “ark.”
surrounded him. The word ark is a translation of the Hebrew word tebah,
• “Walked with God.” Noah’s conduct and direction which means “a vessel” (The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew
in life was in accord with God’s way of life and English Lexicon). Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes
(Deuteronomy 5:33). that the word “focuses on the structure as an abode
The way of life that Noah lived was why he “found rather than its shape or size” (Vol. 2, p. 83). This floatable
grace” in God’s eyes (Genesis 6:8). God gives favor to vessel was specifically designed to be living quarters for
those who live a life characterized by justness, integrity the eight human beings and the many animals that God
and right conduct (Isaiah 55:7; Acts 5:32). would save.
Noah’s example is a major lesson for Christians today— God gave
Key Concepts to Know
we, too, are expected to stand out from those around Noah explicit
us: “Come out from among them and be separate” (2 instructions • The dimensions and
Corinthians 6:17). Like Noah, we are to keep ourselves on the ark’s composition of the ark
“unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Living a life of dimensions:
• The symbolism of the ark
obedience to God’s law is also the way we (like Noah) can “And this is how
“be counted worthy to escape all these things that will you shall make
come to pass” (Luke 21:36). it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its
Noah’s calling and work foreshadowed the future work width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits” (Genesis
of Jesus Christ. God used Noah to bring deliverance 6:15).
from a depraved and evil world that was destroying itself To understand how big the ark actually was, we have to
(Genesis 6:5, 11-13). Jesus Christ will return to earth to know the length of a cubit. The general consensus among
save humanity from a time when human conditions will scholars is that a biblical cubit is equivalent to 18 inches
in certain ways be “as in the days of Noah,” and in other (or 0.46 meter). This is roughly the length from a man’s
ways worse (Matthew 24:21-22, 37-39). elbow to his extended middle finger.
With this definition of a cubit, the dimensions of the
Questions: ark would have been roughly:
• 450 feet long.
1. Genesis 6:8 tells us Noah “found grace in the • 75 feet wide.
eyes of the Lord.” Identify two characteristics • 45 feet high.
of God’s grace toward human beings. To put these numbers in perspective, Noah’s ark would
2. Why did Noah stand out as different in his be about 1½ football fields long and more than three
society? stories tall. By the standards of the ships of the ancient
world, this was a very large structure. But we should also
3. What lesson can Christians today learn from understand that the ark was not designed to be a sailing
Noah’s example? ship that would navigate the waters. The ark was only
designed to be a floating structure that would preserve
human and animal life and not sink.
God specifies that the ark was to be constructed of
NOAH COMMANDED TO BUILD AN ARK “gopherwood.” It is not known exactly what kind of
wood this was, since there is no modern wood known as
Genesis 6:14: “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; gopherwood. It would have been a very strong wood that
make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside would be resistant to water. Some speculate that this was
with pitch.” an ancient name for cypress wood, since cypress was often
used to make ships in the ancient world.
God had already determined that the wicked human The ark was to be covered in pitch to make it watertight.
population had to be destroyed and rebuilt through the It is interesting that a similar description is made in
family of Noah. Here we read of the means by which God Exodus 2:3 of the “ark” used to preserve the life of Moses

36 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

from the Egyptian Pharaoh’s mandate (Exodus 1:22). It is Here’s a sample of what Noah would have taken
hard not to compare the two “arks” as the means of saving on the ark:
human beings (Noah’s family and the Israelite nation in • seven male/female pairs of sheep (14 total).
captivity) and the work of Jesus Christ—through whom • seven male/female pairs of deer (14 total).
salvation of all humanity is ultimately made possible • seven male/female pairs of pigeons (14 total).
(Acts 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). The apostle Peter • one male/female pair of swine (2 total).
makes the analogy of Noah’s family being saved through • one male/female pair of dogs (2 total).
the water of the Flood and baptism being a necessary • one male/female pair of porcupines (2 total).
prerequisite for salvation. There are a number of reasons Noah was instructed to
take clean animals at a rate of seven times that of unclean
Questions: animals. First, Noah and his family would consume some
of the meat of the clean animals during their time on
1. What is the approximate length of a biblical the ark. Second, Noah would perform sacrifices after the
cubit? Flood—which could only be offered with clean animals
2. What were the approximate dimensions of (Genesis 8:20).
the ark? Animal kinds
Genesis 7:14 gives us further insight into the animals
taken on the ark: “They and every beast after its kind, all
cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on
the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every
GENESIS 7: THE WORLDWIDE FLOOD bird of every sort.”
Three major classifications of animal life were to be
taken on the ark. During the 18th century, Carolus
Linnaeus and others developed taxonomies for classifying
CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS ON THE ARK biological organisms. The three general classes of animals
that were to be taken on the ark were:
Genesis 7:2: “You shall take with you seven each of every • Mammalia (“every beast”).
clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals • Reptilia (“every creeping thing”).
that are unclean, a male and his female.” • Aves (“every bird”).
Every kind within the above three classes was taken
Noah was Key Concepts to Know on the ark. For instance, under Mammalia would have been
commanded to mammals such as cows, horses and dogs. Under Reptilia
take seven pairs • The animals Noah was to would have been lizards, tortoises and snakes. Under Aves
(a pair being take on the ark would have been birds such as doves, eagles and ostriches.
a male and a • Difference between clean It is possible that other classes of animals were also
female) of clean taken. What about amphibians, which spend part of their
and unclean animals
animals and one lives in water and part of their lives on land? What about
pair of unclean insects? The bottom line is that any kind of creature that
animals. This was to preserve the life of the different couldn’t survive for over a year without dry land was
kinds of animals that God had created (Genesis 7:3). God preserved on the ark.
performed a miracle by leading the animals to assemble To learn more about God’s laws of clean and unclean
and enter the ark in pairs (verse 9). meats, read our article “Clean and Unclean Animals: Does
This verse is very important because it demonstrates God Care What Meats We Eat?”
that the knowledge of the laws of clean and unclean meats
existed long before they were enumerated by Moses in Questions:
Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These were universal
laws that were designed to govern what was proper meat 1. How many pairs of clean animals was Noah to take
for human consumption. on the ark? How many pairs of unclean animals?

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 37

2. What does God’s command about clean and includes mountains. So the waters rose so high that no
unclean animals on the ark teach us about piece of land was visible. Currently, the highest point on
the food laws found in Leviticus 11 and earth is Mount Everest, which stands 29,029 feet above
Deuteronomy 14? sea level. Genesis 7:20 tells us that the waters rose 15
cubits (22.5 feet) above the highest mountain. If Mount
3. Using Leviticus 11 and the command found
Everest were the same size at the time of the Flood, the
in Genesis 7:2, identify how many of each waters would have risen to 29,051.5 feet above sea level.
of the following animals would have been This extra depth above the tallest mountain may have
taken on the ark: been to ensure that the peaks of the earth’s mountains
a. Rabbits? would not scrape the bottom of the ark—which could
b. Cows? have had the same effect that an iceberg had on the
Titanic in 1912.
c. Geckos? The result was “all flesh died that moved on the earth:
d. Chickens? birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that
creeps on the earth, and every man” (verse 21).
As we explained earlier, God has a plan that will
ensure all people killed in the Flood will have a future
THE WORLDWIDE FLOOD opportunity for salvation. To learn more about the
Flood, read “The Biblical Flood: Fact or Fiction?” and
Genesis 7:11: “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in “Noah and the Flood.”
the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on
that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken Questions:
up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” 1. What were the two sources of water for the
Noah was 600 years old Flood that destroyed the earth?
when the Flood began. Key Concepts to Know 2. How do we know that the Flood covered the
We are told the Flood entire earth?
began on the 17th day • How God flooded
of the second month. the earth
It is interesting to • Why the Flood
note that the water covered the globe
was not just a flood in
the traditional sense GENESIS 8: THE FLOODWATERS RECEDE
of torrential rains. The water that covered the earth was
partly from “the fountains of the great deep.” Apparently,
springs and aquifers under the earth’s surface were
released and allowed to flood the surface of the earth. This NOAH GIVES THANKS
happened in conjunction with opening of “the windows
of heaven”—torrential rain. The heavy rain lasted for 40 Genesis 8:20: “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and
full days and nights (verse 12). took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and
The Flood literally covered the entire earth with water: offered burnt offerings on the altar.”
“And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and
all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered” After Noah and his family left the ark, one of the first
(verse 19). Some Bible critics claim that this was a local things Noah did was build an altar and offer a sacrifice
flood that only flooded the Levant (the geographical area to God of every clean animal that was on the ark. The
where most of the Bible is set). The Bible clearly teaches size and scope of this offering is fascinating to ponder.
that this was a worldwide flood. The specifications for clean animals are found in
The Flood covered “all the high hills” (verse 19). Leviticus 11:3. It is possible that Noah sacrificed around
“Hills” is a translation of the Hebrew word har, which 100 animals.

38 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 Key Concepts to Know
The • Noah’s sacrifice of thanksgiving the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy
type of the earth.”
sacrifice • God’s response to Noah’s sacrifice
Noah Here we read of
offered is later called a “freewill offering” in the Mosaic law God entering Key Concepts to Know
(Leviticus 22:17-22; Numbers 29:39; Deuteronomy 12:17; into a covenant • The Noachian Covenant
Amos 4:5). A freewill offering was essentially an offering (a formal
of thanksgiving voluntarily given to God. This offering of a agreement) with • The rainbow sign
clean animal could be made at any time—and was usually Noah—who
offered around God’s holy days or to give thanks for a represented all of mankind at that time. Before the Flood,
specific blessing. God had made a covenant with Noah that He would
The key lesson we should learn is that it is important to spare the lives of Noah and his family on the ark (Genesis
thank God for His blessings. In Noah’s case, he offered a 6:18-19). Now God made another covenant with Noah—
freewill sacrifice to give thanks to God for preserving him one in which He promised to never again destroy all
and his family in the ark and for allowing them to be used of mankind with a flood. A major reason God made
to repopulate the earth. this covenant seems to be Noah’s expression of thanks
Notice how God responded: “And the Lord smelled a to God for preserving his family (Genesis 8:20-21).
soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, ‘I will Noah’s faithfulness apparently led to God entering into a
never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the covenant with him. This same basic formula was repeated
imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I later with Abraham (Genesis 15:6).
again destroy every living thing as I have done’” (verse 21). Theologians refer to this as the Noachian Covenant. The
This is one of very few verses where we are given an central provision of this covenant was that God would
insight into the very thoughts of God. The Hebrew literally never again destroy all humanity or the entire earth
means that God said this to His heart—not to Noah. God through a flood (verse 11).
decided He would never again destroy all life with a flood.
Consider the following scriptures on giving thanks to The rainbow sign
God for His blessings in our lives: 2 Corinthians 9:11-12; This covenant came with a specific sign: “I set My
Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2. rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the
To learn more about the laws of God that predate Moses, covenant between Me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13). The
read “Were the 10 Commandments Around Before Moses?” phenomenon of a rainbow—which is the refraction of
light in a moist atmosphere, usually following rainfall—is
Questions: something that typically gets people’s attention when it
occurs. Few consider what the rainbow pictures. Every
1. What did Noah do to thank and praise God after
time we see a rainbow in the sky, we should remember
the earth had dried? this covenant that God made with all humanity and the
2. What decision did God make after Noah’s offering? confidence we can have that God will never again send a
flood to destroy all of mankind.
Thankfully, this covenant is still in effect today.
Bible prophecy reveals that in the end times God will
intervene in human affairs to punish mankind for its sins
(Revelation 15:1). But God’s future wrath will culminate
GENESIS 9: THE NOACHIAN COVENANT in God’s saving humanity from itself (Matthew 24:22)—
not destroying humanity with a flood.

GOD PROMISES TO NEVER FLOOD THE Questions:

EARTH AGAIN 1. What did God promise in the Noachian Covenant?
Genesis 9:11: “Thus I establish My covenant with you: 2. What was the sign of the Noachian Covenant?
Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 39

 GENESIS 10: THE TABLE OF NATIONS GENESIS 11: THE TOWER OF BABEL

THE PEOPLES DESCENDED FROM NOAH THE FOUNDATION OF BABEL

Genesis 10:32: “These were the families of the sons of Genesis 11:4: “And they said, ‘Come, let us build
Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens;
from these the nations were divided on the earth after let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered
the flood.” abroad over the face of the whole earth.’”

After the destruction of human civilization by the Flood, God’s will Key Concepts to Know
God instructed the immediate family of Noah to begin was that
• Babel unites against God
the process of rebuilding humankind. Upon leaving the humanity
ark, God commanded Noah and his sons to “be fruitful spread • The purpose behind the
and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). throughout Tower of Babel
Genesis 10 is the historical record of the fulfillment the earth. • Nimrod: the founder of the
of this But, instead
Babylonian system
command. of obeying
This chapter Key Concepts to Know God’s
is often command (Genesis 9:1), almost all of the descendants of
referred to as
• Human civilization rebuilt Noah defied God. They decided to settle close together
“the Table of through Noah’s three sons and build a unified culture. This sadly demonstrates
Nations” and • God’s intention for mankind that the Flood had not taught humans the lesson of
shows the to fill the earth recognizing God as the supreme authority over their lives.
peoples and Let’s break down this scripture and discover what
nations that exactly was happening:
descended from Noah’s three sons. • “Let us build ourselves a city”: This indicates that
All peoples and nations today descend from Noah’s the spirit and motivation behind the founding of
three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. God’s intention this city (later called Babel) was to build a city for
following the Flood was for the three sons and their all of mankind. It would become a symbol of man
families to spread throughout the earth and develop ruling himself in defiance of God. Our human
distinct cultures and civilizations throughout the minds tend to believe the deceiver’s view of God
geographical regions of the earth. (Revelation 12:9) and then reject and resist God’s
God created the earth with a circumference of 24,901 direction in our lives (Romans 8:7). This problem
miles and intended its diverse regions, continents and was clearly on display in the building of this city
climates to be inhabited by human life. He never intended and was the same prideful and arrogant spirit that
mankind to crowd together in one geographical area. Satan stirred up in such great rulers as a later king
But, instead of populating the entire earth, the people of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. He declared: “Is not
refused to move and stayed in the land of Shinar—a this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal
location in modern Iraq (Genesis 11:2). At that time, dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of
“the whole earth had one language and one speech” my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30).
(verse 1). • “And a tower whose top is in the heavens”: The
centerpiece of this city was to be a tower. Scholars
believe this was a ziggurat—an ancient pyramidlike
Question:
structure unique to this region of Mesopotamia,
1. What was God’s intention for the descendants often displaying a shrine to a pagan god at the
of Noah’s three sons after the Flood? top. We are told that they planned to build this
tower so high that its top would extend into “the

40 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 heavens.” Perhaps these people believed that GOD CONFUSES THE LANGUAGES AT BABEL
building a tower into the heavens could save
them in the case of another massive flood. The Genesis 11:7: “Come, let Us go down and there confuse
global flood stayed in the human consciousness their language, that they may not understand one
for many generations—as demonstrated in the another’s speech.”
Gilgamesh epic and other ancient literature. It is a
reasonable hypothesis that a fear of a flood could God had
have motivated the building of this tower. It seems come down Key Concepts to Know
obvious that the people didn’t really believe in to view the
the Noachian Covenant—that God would never tower that
• God confuses the languages
destroy humanity again with a flood. was being and forces mankind to scatter
• “Let us make a name for ourselves”: This reinforces built in • How mankind will be unified
the point that the core motivation behind this the great again in the future
project was a desire to gain personal power rather city that
than seeking the leadership and guidance of the would come
Creator. The basis of this motivation is selfish to be known as Babel. His first response was to observe
human pride (Proverbs 16:18; Mark 7:21-23). that because of the wrong motives, linguistic unity and
• “Lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the technological advancement, “nothing that they propose to
whole earth”: We can safely deduce from this do will be withheld from them” (Genesis 11:6).
statement, that their purpose was to oppose the In order to stop this attempt to unify all people under
will of God for mankind to spread throughout the one system at Babel, God performed a miracle that forced
entire earth. The apparent intent was to unite all the city’s inhabitants to fulfill His will for mankind to
of mankind under one human authority. This has “fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). God miraculously divided
been the goal of the Babylonian system throughout the language of the people. Instead of being unified by
history, and it will be attempted one final time one language, they were divided into separate nations
before the return of Jesus Christ (Daniel 4:1; 5:19; with distinct languages. God has the power to modify the
Revelation 17:12-13, 15; 18:2-3). human brain and install an entirely new linguistic system.
The Bible indicates this movement was led by a man This confusion of speech brought two main results. First,
named Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-10). Nimrod is called God caused the people of the earth to be “scattered …
“mighty” and was the founder of the Babylonian political abroad from there over the face of all the earth” (Genesis
and religious system that has influenced the world 11:9). Second, the chaos that came from not understanding
throughout history. each other stopped the building of this great city as a
The problem with this concentration of power is that center for all human activities and endeavors (verse 8). The
humans are inherently incapable of maintaining civilizations of the world would now progress according
humility, submitting to moral law and serving the needs to God’s purpose—living independently and developing
of subjects without God’s guidance. All examples of distinct cultures and languages (Acts 17:26).
human empires throughout history have shown the This great city was now called “Babel” (Genesis 11:9)—
corruption, abuse and tyranny that result from it. Only meaning confusion.
the rule of the Kingdom of God—under the direct This confusion of languages and scattering of
authority of Jesus Christ—will successfully govern the mankind throughout the earth will be reversed in the
entire earth (Daniel 7:27). future. God has a plan to reunite the nations under
one world government.
Questions: The first step of this plan involves calling select
individuals from various ethnic backgrounds into an
1. What was the problem with the attempt to
international institution called the Church of God
build a tower in Babel? (Galatians 3:28). Interestingly, the Church of God was
2. Who led this effort to create a single started by the great miracle of uniting a group of people
civilization united against God? by allowing them to hear and understand the words of
God’s servants in their own language (Acts 2:4).

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 41

 The next step of this plan takes place when Jesus Genesis Key Concepts to Know
Christ establishes the Kingdom of God on earth. The 11:10-26
only way a world government will work is under the records the • The genealogy of Shem
direct leadership of God. When God rules the world, the line that led to Abram
Kingdom will be composed of “all peoples, nations, and to the birth • The origin of the word Hebrew
languages” (Daniel 7:14). The world capital will of Abram:
be Jerusalem, not Babel (Isaiah 2:3). Eventually, there Shem 
will be one language that will unify the people of the Arphaxad  Salah  Eber  Peleg  Reu  Serug 
earth: “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure Nahor  Terah  Abram.
language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, One man of note in the genealogy of Abram is Eber.
to serve Him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9; compare Genesis 10:25 reveals that Peleg (Eber’s son) was living
Isaiah 19:18). during the time when “the earth was divided” at Babel.
The confusion and division God brought on humanity Since his sons were living when the earth was divided into
at Babel will be reversed—when the whole world comes separate linguistic and regional groupings, it seems that
under God’s righteous government! Eber’s name took on a special significance in identifying
To learn more about this incredible reversal to come, the Semitic peoples who would produce Abram, and thus
read “The Promise of One Pure Language.” the Israelites. The word Hebrew is closely connected with
the name Eber. The meaning of both words is “the region
Questions: beyond” or “one from beyond” (Brown-Driver-Briggs
Hebrew Lexicon, p. 720).
1. Why did God confuse the languages It is interesting to note that the progenitors of the
at Babel? Israelites living during the formation of languages were
2. When will a single world language be “the sons of Eber” and the language spoken by the
reinstituted on earth? Israelites became known as “Hebrew.” The first time we
see this identification used in the Bible is in Genesis 14:13
where Abram is identified as “Abram the Hebrew.”

THE DESCENDANTS OF SHEM Question:

1. What is the etymological root of the
Genesis 11:10: “This is the genealogy of Shem: Shem
word Hebrew?
was one hundred years old, and begot Arphaxad two years
after the flood.”
After the account of the Tower of Babel, Genesis includes
a detailed genealogy of the descendants of Noah’s son THE FAMILY OF ABRAM
Shem. As we have covered, Noah had three sons (Shem,
Ham and Japheth). We have learned that all the earth Genesis 11:31: “And Terah took his son Abram and his
was populated from the descendants of these three men grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law
(Genesis 9:19). The Table of Nations in Genesis 10 already
provided an overview of the descendants of these three Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them
brothers. Why did God inspire another, more-detailed from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and
genealogy for Shem? they came to Haran and dwelt there.”
The reason is because Abraham, the next faithful servant
with whom God would directly deal, would descend from We are now introduced to the family that produced
the line of Shem. It is important to understand that a God’s chosen people. Abram was one of the three sons of
major theme of the Old Testament is the history of God Terah (Genesis 11:27). Abram had two brothers named
working with the people of Israel (the descendants of Nahor and Haran. Lot, who would become a major part
Abraham). That is why special emphasis is given to the of Abram’s life later, was the son of Haran (making him
genealogy of Abraham, who was originally named Abram. Abram’s nephew).

42 | BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 |

 Here are some further details we learn about close to the modern Iraqi city of An Nassiriya. Ur was
this family: an important urban commercial center of the ancient
• Abram’s world. Archaeological excavations have revealed that Ur
father, Terah, Key Concepts to Know was an extremely wealthy city that included advanced
worshipped • The family of Abram architectural structures.
idols—not At least four members of Abram’s immediate family left
the true God • Abram’s family leaves Ur of the Chaldeans and headed north to Haran en route
(Joshua 24:2). their homeland to Canaan. Abram and his family left Ur and later Haran
This shows because God commanded Abram to “get out of your
that not every country” (Genesis 12:1, 4; Acts 7:2-4).
individual in the family line with which God chose We will learn more about this incredible man named
to work was righteous. Terah’s name indicates that Abram in Part 2.
he was a worshipper of the moon god.
• Haran, the father of Lot and probably Terah’s Questions:
youngest son, died at a comparatively young age
prior to the death of his father (Genesis 11:28). 1. Who were the three sons of Terah?
• Because of Haran’s premature death, the rest of the 2. Who was Abram’s nephew?
family—especially Abram—took responsibility for
3. What is the modern geographic location of
caring for Lot (verse 31).
• Abram married his half-sister Sarai (meaning Abram’s hometown of Ur?
“princess”). Sarai was the daughter of Terah, but
she and Abram had different mothers (Genesis
20:12). Sarai was unable to bear children. This ends the first part of Beginnings: Understanding the
This family lived in Ur of the Chaldeans. Ur was Book of Genesis. Please download Part 2 to continue the
probably located in southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) story of Abram and the remainder of the book of Genesis.
on the Euphrates River not far from where the Tigris and Part 2 begins by explaining why God asked Abram to leave
Euphrates converge. The ancient city of Ur was located his homeland and the significance it has for us today.

This publication is not to be sold. It is produced as free educational material by

the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 3490 • McKinney, TX 75070-8189
972-521-7777 • 888-9-COGWA-9 (toll-free in the U.S.)

© 2020 Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version
(© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Author: Erik Jones

Editorial Reviewers: Mike Bennett, David Treybig
Doctrine Committee: John Foster, Bruce Gore, Don Henson, David Johnson, Larry Neff
Copy Editor: Becky Bennett
Design: David Hicks

| BEGINNINGS: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF GENESIS, PART 1 | 43

 About

[Link] exists to fill a critical void in this world: the lack of

understanding about the purpose of life, the lack of realistic hope for a better
future and the lack of truth!
Neither religion nor science has satisfactorily addressed these issues, so people
today are of divided opinions, confused or, worst of all, don’t care anymore.
The ancient words of the prophet Isaiah ring so true today: “Truth is fallen in
the street.” Why? Is it because God was right when He warned that humans are
inclined to reject Him and usually choose not to know Him?
We are here for people who are searching for answers, who are ready to prove
all things or who are hungry for more than what they’ve been taught most of
their lives about God, the Bible, the meaning of life and how to live. We want to
help you truly understand the good news of the gospel and fulfill Jesus Christ’s
admonition to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
[Link] is sponsored by the Church of God, a Worldwide
Association, Inc. It is supported by the generous contributions of donors and
members of the Church around the world, who make it possible for everything
on this site to be free of charge based on Jesus Christ’s statement, “Freely you
have received, freely give.” You will never be charged or made to feel obligated for
anything on this site.
The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, has congregations around the world
in more than 50 countries, with headquarters in the United States near Dallas,
Texas. To learn more about the Church, please visit our website [Link].

More from [Link]

Read our bimonthly magazine that

Get the latest blogs from Life, Never miss a post! Subscribe will give you refreshing and prac-
Wake up to daily inspiration Hope & Truth as soon as they’re at [Link] to tical answers to the questions that
right in your inbox! Subscribe at posted. Subscribe at receive the week’s latest articles affect your life! Subscribe for free at
[Link]. [Link]. and updates. [Link].

Connect With Us!

LifeHopeTruth Life,Hope & Truth LifeHopeandTruth info@[Link]