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… More), 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. More and SarahAbraham’s wife and mother of Isaac More (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. More and Sarah and their sons IshmaelThe son of Abraham and the Egyptian woman Hagar More and IsaacSon born to Abraham and Sarah in fulfillment of God’s promise More, 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. More is established.
3. The Story of JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, renamed Israel, became the father of the twelve tribal families More, LeahLaban’s oldest daughter and Jacob’s first wife More, and RachelLaban’s younger daughter and Jacob’s second wife (Genesis 25:19-36:43)
God renews the promises to Jacob/Israel, whose twelve sons 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 More.
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 location of this story, which sets up the narrative in the book of Exodus.
