1. The Primeval Story (Genesis 1:1-11:26)
God, with the help of various agents (for example, the “us” of Genesis 1:26), creates the world. Human sin intrudes, with social and cosmic effects (including the floodThe flood refers to the catastrophic deluge in Genesis. In the biblical account Noah, his family, and selected beasts survive the flood in an ark; thereafter they received a rainbow in the sky as a sign of God’s promise. Many other cultures also have flood…), in the wake of which God’s promises enable a new world order.
2. The Story of AbrahamGod promised that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, receive a land, and bring blessing to all nations. and SarahAbraham’s wife and mother of Isaac. (Genesis 11:27-25:18)
God calls Abraham and makes promises to him and his descendants through both HagarSarah’s maidservant, Abraham’s concubine, Ishamel’s mother. and Sarah and their sons IshmaelThe son of Abraham and the Egyptian woman Hagar. and IsaacSon born to Abraham and Sarah in fulfillment of God’s promise., though it is only through Isaac that the covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God’s people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. is established.
3. The Story of JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, renamed Israel, became the father of the twelve tribal families., LeahLaban’s oldest daughter and Jacob’s first wife., and RachelLaban’s younger daughter and Jacob’s second wife. (Genesis 25:19-36:43)
Jacob steals his brother Esau’s blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God’s favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God., but God renews the promises to Jacob. His name is changed to Israel, and his 12 sons (with Leah, Rachel, BilhahOne of the concunbines of Jacob., and ZilpahZilpah was Leah’s servant and one of Jacob’s concubines.) become the tribes of IsraelThe patriarch Jacob fathered twelve sons who became the ancestors the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Divisive political conditions led to a separation of these united tribes into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms after the death of Solomon in 931 B.C.E.
4. The Story of Jacob’s Sons, Especially Joseph (Genesis 37:1-50:26)
The story of Joseph becomes the prism in and through which the development of Jacob’s family is portrayed. Egypt is the primary setting for this story, which sets up the narrative in the Book of Exodus.
