Genesis 1
The Bible begins by giving us a framework of understanding. God (who always was, always is, and always will be) establishes a timeline for us.
In the beginning.
Gen. 1:1a
While great discussions and disagreements arise behind the meaning of the word ‘day’ in Chapter 1, I’ll offer some food for thought. Consider that the word ‘day’ arrives first in verse 5. After God has established light, darkness, and separated them out into specific periods of time, he calls the light ‘day’.
One thing to focus on for the entire first chapter are the common phrases you hear repeated. For instance, contemplate just how powerful this phrase really is: “And God said”.
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Genesis 2
We often read the stories without taking note of the details. In verse 5, we learn that God had not sent rain on the earth yet. This is one of those points to take note of, the Bible does not specify if rain had ever occurred on earth prior to the flood.
Also of particular interest is that we often only remember one specific tree in the Garden of Eden, not that there were actually 2 that were of great significance.
Do you see what God establishes in verse 24? He confirms His intent for marital unions. Before the earth even had any fathers and mothers, we learn that a man will leave his parents to be joined with his wife. Not only this, but we find God’s intention for parents of grown children, to let their kids go, to fully become unified in marriage.
Genesis 3
In Chapter 2, we find God’s design for family units. Here, we find God expanding on responsibilities and roles. We find in verses 9-11 that Adam was given the instructions to not eat. God asked him directly if he disobeyed. Adam was responsible for his wife and her decisions; he had to answer to God for how he led her. As a man, it is your responsibility to guide and lead. Adam was right by her side while the serpent tempted her (verse 6).
We also see our human nature peeking through. Here are Adam and Eve, living in a paradise, and they both choose to sin. Once Adam is confronted with it, he blames his wife. When Eve is confronted, she blames the serpent. God does not allow either of them (nor the serpent) to walk away without consequences. It is no different for us today.
Genesis 4
Genesis 4 begins with the story of Cain and Abel. Jealousy and pride have mastered Cain and he murders his younger brother. Next we don’t see blaming others like his parents both did, but lying (verse 9b).
When God informs him of his consequences, take note of his heart. His heart is not in a repentant state with sorrow for what he did. Instead, he is focused on his earthly consequences and what he now will have to face.
Carrying down the generational line, we meet Lamech. Here is the first instance in the Bible of generational sin as we find out he killed a man with zero regard for his life.
Genesis 5
Genealogies in the Bible can seem cumbersome and pointless. It helps to look at it from a standpoint of historical value. The genealogy provided here shares timelines, dates, and interesting little insertions. For instance, did Enoch ever die? We find confirmation of this in Hebrews.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
Hebrews 11:5 ESV
While we learned in chapter 4 that Lamech was 7 generations from Adam and personified evil, we learn here that Enoch was 7 generations away from Adam and did not have to face death because he pleased God. What a contrast!
Genesis 6
Already, we learned in the first chapters that marriage is established and family roles are defined. In chapter 6, the culmination and result from lives that did not abide by these structures actually grieved and pained God’s heart.
Another thing to consider is that Noah and all of his sons were partners in monogamous marriages, and he was one who found favor in the Lord’s eyes.
Genesis 7
From Genesis 2, we can recall that the Bible never specifies that it has rained. If this was the first time rain occurred on the earth, can you imagine the shock to see drops of water falling from the sky?
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Thanks so much for this overview. And I have also really come to appreciate the genealogy in scripture.