THE BOOK OF GENESIS
(Updated and Revised June 1, 2011)
By
Dr. 0. Wilburn Swaim, Th.D.
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I. THE WORK OF CREATION (Chapters 1-3)
Declarations of Creation: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 20:11; I Samuel 2:8; II Kings 19:15; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 26:7; 37:16;38:4; Psalms 24:1; 90:2; 104:2-6; Isaiah 40:12; 45:7; Jeremiah 51:15; Mark 13:19; Acts 17:24; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16,17; Hebrews 1:1; 11:3; The Revelation 14:7.
A. The Creator (1:1) Elohim--unity/plural name, suggesting the Trinity (see Scofield note #1, p.3). No proof offered; His existence assumed and declared as fact. Faith. The Father's work (1:1 w/ Isaiah 45:18), through the Son (John 1:3), by the activity of the Holy Spirit (1:2b).
B. The Creation (1:2-2:25)
"Bara" something from nothing (1:1, 21, 27).
1. The Initial Act (1:1)
a. Time
1) To Flow until Eternity
2) A Vehicle for Transporting His Plan
b. Space
1) To Stretch into infinity
2) The Setting for His props
c. Matter (i.e., that which is perceived by sense and occupies space)
1) To Provide Substance in Existence
2) From which to Mould His Performers
2. The Perfecting Process (1:2-2:3). No Gap--Isaiah 24:1; 45:18; Jeremiah 4:23-26. The material molded into shape.
a. The Spirit Forms the Water (2b, 6-9a). Moves:
1) Over the water (2a)
2) In the water (6-8)
3) Upon the water (9a)
b. The Spirit Shapes the Land (7-13). He:
1) Uncovers the land (9-10)
2) Covers the land (11-13)
c. The Spirit Supplies the Heavens: (14-19)
1) The Day-Heaven with the Sun (15-18)
2) The Night-Heaven with the Moon and Stars (15-18)
d. The Spirit Populates the Planet: 20-31)
1) The Ocean with Aquatic Life (20-23)
2) The Air with Aerial Life (20-23)
3) The Earth with:
a) Plant Life (note I.B, 2, b), 2) above)
b) Animal Life (24, 25)
c) Human Life (26-31)
C. The Crown of The Creation (1:26, 27; 2:4-25)
1. The Making of Man--the Overview
a. Created as an Original Form (27) note, "bara" is used for the third time.
b. Created in the Image of God (26) Man, a tri-unity:
1) Possesses a Body. For world consciousness--Form; the five senses.
2) Is a Soul. For self consciousness
3) Possesses a Spirit. For God consciousness; Unique relationship to fellow humans.
c. Created Male and Female (27)
d. Created in Superiority (28-31)
1) To Populate the Earth (28a)
2) To Preside over the Earth (28b)
3) To Partake of the Earth (29, 30)
2. The Making of Man--the Details (2:7-25)
a. Body from the Dust of the Earth (7a)
b. Soul and Spirit from the Breath of God (7b)
c. Home in the Garden of Eden (8-17)
1) His Environment Described (9-14)
a) The Resident Trees (9)
b) The Rivers Flowing (10-14)
c) The Restriction Given (16, 17)
2) His Employment Decreed (15-17)
3) His Isolation Discovered (18-20) The Problem--no worthy animal (19, 20)
4) His Existence Duplicated (21-25)
Note: Outline of vs. 23-25:THREE MODERN-DAY PROBLEMS IN THE HOME:
1. VIOLATION OF THE ORDER OF THE HOME (23) compare I Timothy 2:13, 14 and Isaiah 3:4, 12
2. VIOLATION OF THE ESTABLISHING OF HOMES (24)
3. VIOLATION OF THE SANCTITY OF THE HOME (25)
compare I Thessalonians 4:1-8
D. The Corruption of The Creation (3:1-24)
1. The Character of Sin. (Man created in untested innocence.) Its:
a. Root (5, 6)
1) Lust
2) Pride
b. Reality (11) note Rom 5:12
c. Result (7-19)
1) Sin's Great Costs:
a) Spiritual Death (Eternal Life Lost) (8, 9).
b) Suffering for the Serpent (Enduring Glory Removed) (14).
c) Certain Judgment for Satan (Irreversible Judgment Decreed) (15).
d) Sorrow for the Woman (Subjection to the Man; Sorrow in Child-bearing) (16).
e) Sweat & Toil for the Man (Permanent Loss of Paradise) (17-19).
2) Beginning of Religion-- Man's Attempt, to: (8-13).
a) Hide His Sinfulness (8).
b) Avoid Responsibility for His Sin (12).
c) Make Himself Acceptable to God (7).
3) Reverse God's Order (12, 17).
4) Alleviate Toil in Labor (17-19).
5) Prolong Life (19).
6) Deny Man's Relationship to God (19).
2. Sin's Great Cost:
a. Satan, His Exalted Position
b. Mankind, His Edenic Paradise
c. God, His Only Begotten Son
d. Christ, His Life's Blood
e. Sinner, His Prospect of Eternity with God
1) Remedy (21)
a) Man's: note I John 1:7-10 w/Proverbs 28:13
b) Provide a Covering (7)
c) Hide from God (8)
d) Shift the Blame (12)
2) God's Remedy (3:21)
a) Free Grace
b) Innocent Substitute
c) Shed Blood
d) Receive the Provision
3. The Wiles of Satan. He:
a. Questioned God's Word (1)
b. Denied God's Word (4)
c. Explained Away God's Word (5)
d. Instituted His Big Lie. Note: Genesis 11; Romans 1:25; John 8:44; II Thessalonians 2:11; The Revelation 21:8
1) God’s Word is Not True (4)—Heathenism
2) Sin is Not Bad(5a)--Hedonism
3) Man is O.K. (5b)--Humanism
4. The Failure of Eve. She:
a. Discoursed with the Devil (2) Jude 9
b. Distorted the Decree (3) Proverbs 3:5,6
c. Deceived by the Devil (6) The Revelation 12:9; 20:10; II Corinthians 11:13-15; illustrated by Ezra 4:1-3 & Nehemiah 6:1-30
d. Discovered Forbidden Knowledge(6) Romans 16:19; Isaiah 14:14,15
e. Denied Responsibility (13)
f. Delivered by God (21)
5. The Choice of Adam. (Consider the Typology: Adam/Christ--I Corinthians 15:45 and as Head of the Body and Eve type of the Body in Ephesians 5:23,30; Type of Ephesians 5:25. He:
a. Reneged on His Headship (6)
b. Rebelled against His Head (6)
6. The Casting-Out from the Garden (22-24)
a. Saved From Eternal Sorrow (22) "live forever" contrasted w/2:17 "die." Animals have no knowledge of "good and evil." Note the wisdom of God versus the foolishness of man.; We chose wrongly and would continue to so do. God is merciful.
b. Sentenced to a Life-long Struggle (23)
II. THE WAY OF THE CREATED (Chapters 4-50)
A. From Eden to Babel (Chapters 4-11)
1. The First Offspring (4: 1-15)
a. Equal Status (1,2a)
b. Opposite Choices (2b-5)
1) Cain Chooses: (2b,3)
a) First (3a)
b) His Way (3b) Religion, after the example of his father.
2) Abel Chooses God’s Way (4,5) Faith, after the example of “his” Father. Note Hebrews 11:4.
c. Predictable Responses: (4b,5)
1) Abel’s Offering Accepted (4b)
2) Cain’s Offering Rejected (5)
d. Tragic Reaction (6 – 15)
1) The Anger of Cain (6)
2) The Mercy of God (7)
3) The Choice of Vengeance (8 – 10)
a) The Slaying of Abel (8)
b) The Denial of Guilt (9, 10)
c) The Judgment of God (11 -15)
1)) Cursed in the Earth (11, 12)
2)) Marked in Mercy (13 – 15)
2. The First Civilization (16-24)
a. The First City (17)
b. The First Polygamist (19)
c. The First Cattle Baron (20)
d. The First Music Master (21)
e. The First Artificer (22)
f. The First to Pervert the Truth (23, 24)
3. The First World-wide Catastrophe (Chapters 5-8)
4. The First Civilization of the New Order (Chapters 9, 10)
5. The First Organized Rebellion (11:1-9)
B. From Babel to Egypt (11:10 - 50:26)
1. Abraham (11:10 - 25:11)
a. His Call (12:1-3) Note 11:10-32) A Conditional Promise.
b. His Trek (12:4 - 13:4)
1) To Canaan (12:4 - 9) Incomplete Obedience: He took Lot with him.
2) To Egypt (12:10 - 20) Incomplete Obedience: He left God’s Place.
3) Return to Canaan (13:11-4)
c. His First Consequence of Incomplete Obedience (13:5-9)
1) His Tranquility Disturbed (7a)
2) His Testimony Compromised (7b)
3) His Tenure in Canaan Threatened (9)
d. His Covenant Relationship Initiated (12:1-4; 13: 14-18)
e. His Conquest in Warfare (Chapter 14)
1) The Conflict of Kings (1-10)
2) The Capture of Lot (11,12)
3) The Conquer of Abraham (13-16)
4) The Coming of the Rescued (17-24)
a) King of Sodom (17,21-24)
b) Melchisedec (18-20) Note Psalm 110:4
f. His Covenant Relationship Established (Chapter 15). Through:
1) God’s Word (5; 18-21)
2) God’s Demonstration (9-17). The fulfilling of His promise will be:
a) Orderly (10) God’s order, not Abram’s.
b) Timely (13) By God’s Timetable.
c) Powerful (17) Impossible with men; but God is able.
1)) Heifer--unfruitful (late in child bearing)
2)) Goat—unappealing
3)) Ram--unable to mate with either
3) Abraham’s Faith (6)
g. His Second Consequence of Incomplete Obedience (Chapter 16)
1) Sarai’s Scheme (1-9)
a) Blamed God (2a)
b) Plotted Revenge (2b)
c) Blamed Abram (5)
d) Obtained the Mastery over Hagar (6-9)
2) Abram’s Weakness (2,4,6)
a) Listened to Sarai (2.9)
1)) Bought her Plan (2)
2)) Ignored her Insolence (6)
b) Ran Ahead of God (6)
3) Hagar’s Turmoil (3-16)
a) Excited over Her Marriage (3)
b) Antagonistic toward Sarai (4)
c) Forced out by Sarai (6)
d) Rescued by God (7-16)
1)) Found (7)
2)) Instructed (9)
3)) Promised (10)
4)) Given Offspring (15)
h. His Covenant Relationship Expanded (Chapter 17)
1) Names Changed (5,15)
a) Abram (High Father) to Abraham (Father of Many Nations) (5)
b) Sarai to Sarah (Princess) (15)
2) Descendents Increased (4-6)
3) Circumcision Instituted (9-14)
4) Isaac Promised by Name (19)
5) Ishmael Rejected as heir, but blessed (18,20-27)
i. His Heavenly Visitors (Chapters 18,19)
1) Surprise Company (1,2)
2) Gracious Hospitality (3-8)
3) Meaningful Inquiry (9)
4) Incredible Promise (10,11)
5) Discourteous Reaction (6,12,15)
a) From One Inconvenienced (6) She had lost her life of ease
b) From One Unbelieving (12) She had given up hope
c) From One In Denial (15) She had not discerned Who had come to visit
6) Abrupt Departure (16-33)
a) Abraham Accompanies Them Part-way (16)
b) Abraham Made Privy to God’s Plan (17-21)
c) Abraham Detains The Lord (22-32)
1)) He Stood in God’s Way (22b)
2)) He Supplicated for His Family (23-32)
7) Arrival in Sodom (19-25)
a) Met by Lot (1-3)
1)) The Position of Lot (1)
2)) The Plea of Lot (2)
3)) The Pretense of Lot (3)
4)) The Protection of Lot (4-9)
a)) The Approach of the Sodomites (4-8)
b)) The Assault of the Sodomites (9)
5)) The Protection of the Visitors (10-23)
a)) The Snatching of Lot (10)
b)) The Smiting of the Sodomites (11)
c)) The Sending Forth of Lot’s family (12-16)
1))) The Unbelieving Children (12-14)
2))) The Unwilling Parents (15-23)
a)))To Leave the City (15,16) Note v. 26
b)))To Leave the Plain (17-23,29,30)
6)) The Precipitation upon Sodom and Gomorrah (24,25)
j. His View of Sodom’s Destruction (24,25-28)
1) A Mighty Champion (24)
2) A Might Conquest (25)
3) A Mighty Conflagration (28)
k. His Nephew’s Downward Trek (11:31-19:38)
1) His Uninvited Company (11:31)
2) His Ungrateful Attitude (13:5-7)
a) Blessed Because of Abram (5)
b) A Blight on the Testimony of Abram (7b)
3) His Unspiritual Choices (13:10 - 19:1-38)
a) The Low Plains (13:10,11)
b) The Loathed Cities (13:12a)
c) The Look Toward Sodom (13:12b)
d) The Loss in Sodom (14:14)
e) The Loss of Sodom (19:1-38) He lost:
1)) His Position (1)
2)) His Married Daughters (14)
3)) His Sense of Security (19)
4)) His Wife (26)
5)) His Lifestyle (30)
6)) His Honor (31-36)
7)) His Heritage (38)
l. His Lapse at Gerar (Chapter 20)
m. His Son of Promise (Chapter 21-24)
1) Born (21:2)
2) Circumcised (21:4)
3) Weaned (21:8)
4) Offered Up (Chapter 22) The Picture of Calvary:
a) The People (3)
1)) The Father (3a)
2)) The Son (3c)
3)) Two Young Men (3b)
b) The Place (2,3)
c) The Prospect (4,5)
1)) The Victory of Anticipation (4a) Three Days
2)) The View of Realization (4b) Calvary
3)) The Vision of Expectation (5) Resurrection
d) The Provisions (6)
1)) The Wood
2)) The Weapon
3)) The Walk
e) The Performance (7-13)
1)) The Prophetic Question (7)
2)) The Provisional Answer (8)
3)) The Propitiatory Picture (6-14)
a)) The Sin Burden Imputed Pictorially (6)
b)) The Lamb Mentioned Prophetically (8)
c)) The Sacrifice Perfected Vicariously (9-13)
5) Married (Chapter 24). The Servant:
a) Sent to Find The Bride(1-9)
b) Seeks the One Chosen of God (10-33)
c) Supplicates the One Sought (34-52)
d) Seals the Choice(53)
1)) Foretaste of Grace (22,47)
2)) Finality of Grace (53) Silver/redemption; Gold/Deity; Raiment/Righteousness
e) Starts Her on Her Journey (54-63)
f) Suddenly United with Isaac (64-67)
n. Finds a New Bride (23; 25:1-4)
1) Sarah Dies(23:1-20)
a) Her Death Mourned (1,2)
b) Her Burial Site Negotiated (3-20)
2) Keturah Wedded (25:1-4)
a) The Lineage (2-4)
b) The Heritage (5,6)
1)) Sarah’s Son Made Sole Heir (5)
2)) Keturah’s Sons Ignored
3)) Concubine’s Sons: (6)
a)) Endowed (6a)
b)) Sent Away (6b)
4)) Hagar’s Son Promised Continuance (12-18) Note 21:13
2. Isaac, Esau and Jacob (25:19 - 35:29)
a. Isaac’s Low Level Life (25:19 - 26:35; 27:8, 43)
1) The Problem Conception for Rebekah (25:21-23)
2) The Pronouncement of Covenant Inclusion (26:1-6)
3) The Duplication of Abraham’s Error (26:6-16)
4) The Conflict Over Family Wells (26:17-33)
5) Their Unharmonious Marriage (27:8,43,46)
b. Jacob and Esau’s Prominence (25:24 - 35:29)
1) Jacob’s Character Revealed at Birth (25:24,26)
2) Jacob’s Cunning Triumphs Esau (25:27-34) Esau knew how to stalk and rob an animal of his birthright; Jacob, his brother. Privileges of Birthright:
a) Priestly Intercessor
b) Satan Bruiser--note Gen. 3:15
c) Earth Blesser--Gen 12:3
3) Esau Reveals His Carnality (25:27-34; 26:34,35)
a) Sells the Spiritual for the Fleshly (25:27-34)
b) Chooses the Heathen over His Heritage (26:34,35)
4) Jacob Deceives Isaac; Robs Esau (Chapter 27) (Note 25:26a)
a) Pretends to be What He is Not (15,16) An outdoors man (note 25:27)
b) Professes to be Who He is Not (24)
c) Procures That to Which He Has No Right (28,29)
5) Esau:
a) Cries for a Blessing (27:38)
b) Vows Revenge (27:41)
6) Jacob Flees to Haran (Chapter 28)
a) Sent by Isaac to the Land of His Mother (Chapter 28)
b) Meets God in Luz (10-19a)
c) Vows to God in Bethel (19b-22)
7) Jacob Hired by Laban; Marries Rachel (Chapters 29 - 31:10)
a) Works Seven Years for Rachel, but Gets Leah (29:1-29)
b) Fulfills A Week for Rachel (29:28; 30:25-34)
c) Works Another Seven Years for Rachel (29:30)
d) Agrees to Work for New Wages (30:25-34)
8) Jacob Generates the Twelve Tribal Heads (29:32 - 30:24; 35:16-18)
a) Leah: Reuben (29:32), Simeon (29:33), Levi (29:34), Judah (29:35)
b) Rachel through Bilhah: Dan (30:6), Naphtali (30:8)
c) Leah through Zilpah: Gad (30:11), Asher (30:13)
man·drake (m²n“dr³k”) n. 1.a. A southern European plant (Mandragora officinarum) having greenish-yellow flowers and a branched root. This plant was once believed to have magical powers because its root resembles the human body. b. The root of this plant, which contains the poisonous alkaloid hyoscyamine. Also called mandragora. 2. See May apple.
May apple n. 1. A rhizomatous plant (Podophyllum peltatum) of eastern North America, having a single, nodding white flower and oval yellow fruit. Although the pulp of the ripe fruit is edible, the roots, leaves, and seeds of the plant are poisonous. 2. The fruit of this plant. Also called mandrake.
d) Leah: Issachar (30:18): Zebulun (30:20)
e) Rachel: Joseph (30:24): Benjamin (35:16-18)
9) Jacob Leaves Haran (31:1 - 35:20)
a) Departs Under Duress (Chapter 31)
1)) Conversation Overheard (1)
2)) Countenance Beheld (2) Explanation: vs. 4 -13
3)) Command Received (3)
4)) Concurrence of the Family (14 -16)
5)) Canaan Land Express (17, 18, 21)
b) Detected by Laban (19-55)
1)) The Family Pursued (19,20, 23)
2)) Hurt Prevented (24 -43)
3)) A Heap of Stones Piled Up (44-55)
c) Disturbed by Esau (Chapter 32)
1)) Met by Angels (1,2)
2)) Messengers Sent to Esau (3-23)
3)) Matched-Up with God (24-32)
4)) Met by Esau (33:1-16)
d) Disgraced in Shechem (33:18 - 34:31)
1)) Dinah Defiled (1,2)
2)) Hamor Deceived (3-24)
3)) Shechem Destroyed (25-31)
10) Jacob Returns to Bethel (Chapters 35)
a) The Abrahamic Covenant Confirmed (1-15)
b) The Birth of a Child (16-18)
c) The Death of His Companion (18,19)
11) Jacob’s Family Rehearsed (35:22-26; Chapters 36, 37:1,2a)
a) Reuben’s Sin (35:22)
b) Isaac’s Death (35:27-29)
c) Esau’s Genealogy (Chapter 36)
d) Jacob Arrives in Canaan (37:1,2a)
3. Joseph and His Brethren (Chapters 37:2b - 50)
a. Joseph’s Dreams (37:2b-11)
1) The Sheaves (7)
2) The Sun, Moon and Stars (9)
b. Joseph Conspired Against (37:11-36)
1) The Plan to Slay Him (20-26)
2) The Price to Sell Him (27-30)
3) The Plot to Suggest His Death (31-35)
(Intercalation of the story of Judah, Chapter 38)c. Joseph in Egypt (Chapter 39-50)
1) In Potiphar’s House (Chapter 39:1-19)
a) Accepted (1-10)
b) Accused (11-19)
2) In Prison (Chapter 39:20-41:13)
a) In Favor with the Guard (39:20-23)
b) Favor to the Butler (40:1-23)
c) A Favor to Pharaoh (41:1-57)
1)) Explains Pharaoh’s Dream (1-37)
2)) Exalted by Pharaoh (38-53)
3)) Executes a Marvelous Plan (54-57)
3) In Preservation (Chapter 42 - 50)
a) Receives His Brethren (Chapter 42 - 44)
b) Revealed to His Brethren (Chapter 45)
c) Reunited with His Father (Chapter 46)
4) Profiting (Chapter 47)
5) Prophecy (Chapter 48, 49:1-32)
6) Passing On (Chapter 49:33 - 50:1-26)
a) Buries His Dad (49:33-50:14)
b) Buries the Hatchet (50:15-21)
c) Buried in Egypt (50:22-26)