Old Testament

Genesis

Where everything begins — and where God begins keeping promises.

Law / Narrative · 50 chapters · About 3.5 hours

Traditionally Moses; shaped over centuries

Overview

Genesis opens with a world spoken into being and called good, and then traces what happens when that goodness is fractured: exile from a garden, violence between brothers, a flood, a scattered city.

The second half narrows to one family. God promises an old, childless couple that they will bless the whole earth, and then spends the rest of the book keeping that promise through jealousy, famine, deception and slavery.

It is a book about beginnings, but even more about faithfulness that outlasts human failure.

What it keeps returning to

Blessing

God's first instinct toward creation is to bless it, and He keeps blessing even after everything goes wrong.

Covenant

God binds Himself by promise to Abraham's family — not because they are good, but because He is.

Providence

Joseph's line, 'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,' is the book's quiet thesis.

Start here

  • Genesis 1

    The rhythm of creation — read it slowly, aloud.

  • Genesis 12:1–9

    The call of Abraham, where the whole story turns.

  • Genesis 50

    Joseph forgives, and the book lands on grace.

Go deeper in Genesis

You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20