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CHAPTER IV

THE BOOK OF GENESIS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS

The word "Genesis" means "creation" or "beginning". This book

talks about how God created the universe out of His love. From the time of
creation, the calling of Abraham and his descendants up to the story of
Joseph in Egypt are covered in Genesis.

2. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS

Its sole purpose is to teach fundamental truths of theology, about the

existence of a loving God, the creation and the origin of all things. The
creation of mankind in the image and likeness of God is the main basis of
human dignity. The Genesis also sheds light on man's fall, punishment and
promise of salvation, starting with the call of Abraham.

3. THE STORY OF CREATION

a. The Semitic Cosmogony about Creation

The ancient Semites presented the creation of the universe in a

very distinct and different way. They relied on judgements, which were
based simply on observations and appearances.

The sky was thought to be massive construction, like an

inverted bowl, which was supported on columns, and the mountains,
located at the ends of the earth. This structure was known as the
firmament; on it the sun, moon, and stars were fixed. Bodies of water
were deposited both above and below the earth. The rain comes only
when the flood gates of the heavens or the windows on high were
open (Gen 7:-11;8:2; Isaiah 24; 18). Deep in the earth was a place
known as Sheol, which was depicted as the place of the underworld
creatures, and the place of the dead.

b. The Concept on Anthropomorphism

The word "Anthropomorphism" means attributing to God human

qualities. (Pls. refer to the discussions on the Yahwistic Traditions).

Anthropomorphism is found in many texts in the Old Testament.

Examples are in Gen. Chapters 2:-3:,Gen.7:16; Gen 8:21; Ps.2:4;
Is.7:18, Is.22:14; Nah. 9:4; and in Heb. 3:8, etc. These passages in
the Old Testament clearly indicate that God is perceived by the
Israelites as if He is a super being with hands, nose, ears, feet, and
body.

c. The Understanding on Monotheism versus Polytheism

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At the beginning, Hebrews believed in the existence of a mighty

Creator. He is the one responsible for everything, seen and unseen.
For them, God is holy and just, without sexuality, invisible to man
except under special condition. They believed that God is not
restricted to any part of His creation. They believed that God has
chosen Israel through a covenant. That Yahweh is their God and they
are His people.

However, at some later period in their history, at the time when

they established themselves in Canaan, a land inhabited by pagans
who worshipped and believed in pagan gods, the Israelites became
acquainted with the Babylonian Traditions, and pagan gods. The
Canaanites' pagan culture and practices were also influential to the
Hebrews. They were shaped and molded by the surrounding culture
and traditions which were pagan in nature.

d. The Seven days of Creation based on the Hebrew Mentality

The Hebrews devised a system and used contrasting element

concerning the Creation of the Universe *including mankind. These
are the following:

Day One - light and darkness/ day and night

Day Two - God created the dome: water above/ below.
Day Three - God created land / vegetations, plants
Day Four - God created the heavenly bodies
Day Five - God created animals, birds, fishes
Day Six - God created mankind
Day Seven - God rested

4. MANKIND AS MODEL OF THE WHOLE CREATION

From Genesis 1: 26 - 27

Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image and likeness. Let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air,
and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures
that crawl on the ground... God created man in his image, in the
divine image he created him; male and female he created them.”

Also in Genesis 2:21-23

"So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he
was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place
with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that
he had taken from the man .... This one, at last, is hone of my
bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called woman, for
out of this man this one has been taken. "
These two Bible quotations are clear indications that God created
mankind in a very special way. Why is it so? When. God created the
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heavenly bodies, nature and surroundings animals, birds, fishes, and many
more, God just uttered a word and they came into being.

In the creation of human beings, God not only gave His image and
likeness, figuratively speaking, but also gave time and exerted efforts. This
is the very reason why we were created in a very different way from the rests
of His creations.

Created in the "image and likeness" means that man shares the
spiritual powers of thinking and free will similar but not the same with the
mind and will of God. Aside from that, man has soul, which is very different
from the souls of animals and other created beings because our soul is a
"rational soul." We have an intellectual ability or power to decide and to
exercise the will similar to our Creator. Man can achieve his highest
perfection in the knowledge and love of God, with God's mercy and
kindness.

a. On the Dignity of Man

The Biblical account on the origin of mankind poses the following:

1. Man's dignity is the result of a deliberate act of God. God

created us willingly and knowingly in His image and likeness. Because
of that, we become the model of other created beings.

2. Based on Genesis 2:21-23, the creation of woman was

intentional and not accidental, intended for man to have partner in life.
From the beginning, woman was endowed right with man.

When a husband loves his wife as his own "flesh" and "bone"
there is a sure foundation for a stable family relationship in society.

b. The Dignity of Other Created Beings

In Genesis 1:31

“God looked at everything he had made, and he found it

very good. "

Other created beings derived their importance and value from

the very reason that they were created by God Himself God saw His
other created beings as something very necessary for mankind to
survive. Without those subordinate beings, man in himself cannot live.
In order to have a regular maintenance, God put man as in charge of
creation as co-creator or co-worker. It is then that God saw all His
creations and found them very good. (Gen. 2:31)

c. Man as steward of Creation

In Genesis 1:28 - 30,

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“... fill the earth and subdue it… Have dominion over…
“. I give you…for your food … I give alt…for food...”

In Genesis 2:15,

“… God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden,
to cultivate and care for it "

These passages indicate that God gave man the ability to

manage and to supervise the other creations of God. Man has the
responsibility to improve, maintain and sustain the order in His
creation as a co- worker of God.

The idea of "stewardship" here is to be understood in a positive

way. Meaning, that man should sustain, balance and develop the rests
of creation as one with nature. Man cannot go against the plan of God
and nature. Once that divine plan is violated, disorder in the whole
creation will follow and man will suffer the consequences.

5. THE FALL OF MANKIND (GEN 3:1-29)

a. The Cause and Effect of Man's Fall

The story of the "fall of man" in the book of Genesis 3:1-13, is

an attempt to explain how sins, sufferings and pain entered into the
world. The remaining verses in this chapter (Gen. 3:13-19) give the
effects or consequences of that sin committed by man. Many Bible
Scholars in the Old Testament still cannot determine the kind of sin
Adam and Eve really committed. But one thing is sure and clear that
man gave into temptation that caused him to sin. Man failed God by
giving in to the temptation presented by the serpent. The gift of God
to man was tested by man's exercising his free will. But man made a
wrong choice. It does not mean that the giver of man's gift is
imperfect. The giver who is God is perfect in all His Being and
attributes. It is only man who because of his pride to become like his
creator abused his gift. This points out to man's pride or
disobedience.

However, the serpent here from Hebrew mentality means the

"clever tempter" or "every cunning" and later on the “fallen
angel" or the "devil" because of the consequences of the fall of
Adam and Eve.

Moreover, in Genesis 3:20, the man (Adam) called his wife Eve,
and she became the mother of all the living (mankind).

In addition, 'in Genesis, the name "Man" means "male" and

the name "Eve" means “female” Therefore, based on Hebrew
mentality, " Adam and Eve" means representing males and females
or the "humanity", since they were the origin of mankind (Gen.4:-3:)
The eyes of both Adam and Eve were opened knowing what was
good and evil because they had eaten the fruit of the tree (Gen 3:7)
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The "fruit of the tree" of knowledge is another device of the author of

Genesis to teach the reader that man's happiness dependent on
obedience to the divine will or command. Aside from the experience
losing one's 'innocence (knowing what is good or bad), he also lost
the state of grace. From that time onward, mankind should no longer
experience "paradise "; they have to work very hard in order to
survive here on earth.

Again, in Genesis, the word "paradise" means, "all you need

in life to survive were there" which later on became the meaning of
the land of promise in the book of Deuteronomy 8:7-10.

b. The Doctrine on "Original Sin”

It is important to note that in Genesis, Adam and Eve were the

origin of mankind, the first parents of mankind. They represented the
humanity who sinned against God and creation. And because of their
misdeeds chaos entered into the world. The behavior and attitudes of
Adam and Eve were inherited by all of us, by every member of the
human race. The fact that we commit errors or mistakes are an
indication that we inherited the sin or misbehavior of our first parents.
This disobedience of our first parents is the origin of the so called
"original sin" since it was the source of all sins or disobedience to
God's will or command. In here, sin is the turning back from God's
love and losing the grace from God.

6. THE PROMISE OF REDEMPTION

In Genesis 3:15, says,

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and

between your offspring and hers;
He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heed ''

This text in Genesis brings hope and glad tidings as perceived by the
Fathers of the Church. It was then considered the "Proto-Evangelium" or
the "first announcement of good news" or "glad tidings". Later on, it
was applied to Jesus Christ Himself and to Mary the mother of Jesus after
He had defeated death which was His triumph over evil. It was through the
cooperation of Mary with God that Jesus was born 'into this world. She
nurtured Jesus and treasured in her heart all her experiences with God and
her son Jesus. When Jesus resurrected, He crushed the evil brought by the
original sin committed by Adam and Eve. The descendants of Adam and
Eve, including us, experience this physical death but because of Christ's
resurrection, there is new life in Christ Jesus. That is to say, we are also
privileged to share the resurrection of Jesus Christ, if we have faith in Him
and follow His will.

This text also indicates that God, out of His mercy and overflowing
love for mankind wanted the humanity to be returned to Him. That is why
God put enmity between mankind and evil (serpent). This demands that
mankind should alienate himself from evil and befriend God (Gen. 3:15).
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a. On Reward and Punishment from God

In the story of creation, the presence of God, His support and

continuous supervision had been the source of joy of Adam and Eve. But
when their intimacy with God was broken by their disobedience and
unfaithfulness, chaos and hardships entered into the world. Their beautiful
harmonious relationship with God and tile whole creation suffered. Sin and
evil became so visible all around. In the Book of Genesis, these had been
the origin of "reward and punishment" on the part of God based on Hebrew
mentality.

Here are some illustrations of the author that depict God's punishment
and reward.

1. Genesis 3:16, says,

" I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing…”

2. Genesis 3:17b, says,

"...Cursed be the ground ... in toil shall you eat...”

3. Genesis 3:23, says, Banished him from the garden of Eden...

4. At the time of Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:11-13, says,

"... you shall be banished and banned from the soil .. if you
till the soil.. no longer give you its produce. You shall become restless
wanderer...”

5. At the time of Noah, there was a "Great Flood" Genesis 7:6-23,

says,

"... the waters (of the flood came upon the earth ... the flood
gates of the sky were opened... the Lord wiped out every
living thing on earth... only Noah and those with him in the
ark were left.”

6. In the story, "The Tower of Babel " in Genesis 11: 1-9,

“The Lord said … nothing will later stop them ... whatever
theypresume to do ... Let us.. confuse their language... thus
the Lord scattered them ...”

These Bible quotations from the book of Genesis clearly elaborate on

how God dealt with His unfaithful and disobedient people. Based oil Hebrew
mentality, God punishes and rewards people accordingly.

b. Preparation concerning God's Promise of Redemption

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In spite of man's growing unfaithfulness and wickedness, God remains

full of mercy and compassionate. He does not strike the sinner directly but
rather appears as a kind- hearted judge.

In the story of Adam and Eve, He lovingly walks in the garden as a

father and friend to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:8). He gently calls out Adam and
Eve (Gen. 3:9) gives both of them a chance to reason out and defend their
situation (Gen.3: 11-13). He even fashions leather garments for Adam and
Eve as an act of kindness (Gen. 3:2 1). The expulsion of Adam and Eve
from the Garden of Eden is also borne out of love to teach them a lesson
(Gen. 3:23). God does not want to leave Adam and Eve in misery forever; it
is clearly stated by the author in Gen. 3:15, which says,

" I will put enmity between you and the woman, and
between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your
head, while you strike at his heel.”

The quotation in Gen.3:15 had been discussed already previously.

This particular text had been used by the Fathers of the Church as a sign of
"Proto-Evangelium," a sign of God's promise of redemption, as believed
to be realized in the person of Jesus Christ and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
And as Christians, we share the same belief that God would offer man's
salvation every time that there is willingness on the part of us to be
reconciled with God.

7. THE PATRIARCHS AND THE COVENANT KITH GOD

The works of archeology and other related sciences concerning the

study of the Bible for many years added colors and interest on the life of the
Patriarchs in Israel. The discoveries made by others sciences provided
better understanding of the culture and traditions of the Patriarchal stage.

a. The Story of Abraham an and Sarah

During the time of Noah, after the great flood, God made a covenant
that He would not destroy again His creation. He would prepare and redeem
mankind by establishing His people. Through this people, His word and love
would be revealed. This began with the call of Abraham. The call of
Abraham involves the first of the promises that God had made with them.
Genesis teaches that the choice and call of Abraham 'initiated the Divine
plan for the salvation. of humanity. The call was not limited to the Hebrews
alone. It was a call that would change the life and history of the whole
creation. (Gen. 12:1-3)

In Genesis 12:1-20, God directed Abraham to leave his homeland and

go to an unknown land.

Here is the portion of this text, in Gen. 12: 1,

“... Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from

your father's house to a land that I will show you.”
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Abraham immediately followed the voice of God, although in his mind,

he did not know where that land was. But God is the God of good way and
guidance. And so, he took his wife, Sarah, his nephew Lot and all his
household to set forth to a land which God would show him (Gen. 12:4-5).

At Canaan, Abraham settled as directed by God. God told him that

this land would be his and his descendant (Gen. 12:5b-9).

At Bethel, on a hill, he built an altar to honor God as a sign of his

thanksgiving and gratitude. Then he made a journey to Egypt as God
directed Him because of the famine through out the land. The famine was
so severe that God allowed him to stay 'in Egypt for a while (Gen. 12:10).

After the famine had subsided, Abraham and Sarah returned to

Canaan with their relatives and possessions given by the Pharaoh in Egypt.

b. God's Covenant with Abraham

In Chapter 15 of Genesis, Abraham expressed his grief to God for

having no son with Sarah. Then God replied 'in Gen. 15:5,

"… look at the sky and count the stars...

shall your descendants be”.

Since then, after God made a covenant with him, Abraham believed in
God.

c. The Birth of Ishmael (Gen. 116:1-16)

Sarah, the wife of Abraham was so worried for having no child. She
was getting old and Abraham, too. He had a maidservant by the name of
Hagar. She convinced Abraham to sleep with Hagar so that they would have
a child through her. But after she got pregnant, Sarah became so jealous
and maltreated Hagar until she fled for her life. The messenger of the Lord
appeared to Hagar and asked her to return to her mistress. Hagar went
back and gave birth to a son and named Ishmael, meaning, "the Lord
heard and answered" the prayer of Hagar (Gen. 16: 1 - 1).

d. The Birth of Isaac (Gen. 21:1- 8)

Although Abraham was married to a childless woman Sarah, who was

already old he still believed that God would fulfill His covenant. In
Gen.21:1-8, God pitied Sarah and she became pregnant, and bore a son in
her old age. They named him Isaac, meaning, "God has given Sarah a
cause to laugh."

In this occasion, God proved that nothing was impossible for Him.
Faithfulness to Him means blessings and reward. And Abraham learned this
from the very beginning.

e. The Test of Abraham's Faith

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Abraham was asked by God to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice for
Him (Gen. 22: 1 2). This was really very tragic on the part of Abraham. Isaac
was a product of a "promise" and "borne in his old age" at the same time. It
was easy to give up. He could not understand God's will but still he was
ready to obey Him.

A quotation from Gen. 22:3 says,

"... Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey,

took with him his son Isaac ... and with the wood ... for the
holocaust ...”

In this quotation, another device was used by the author to portray the
strong faithfulness of Abraham. He will do anything for God even at the
expense of his very own son. This is the reason why Abraham is considered
the "model-father of faith."

We know from our catechism that "faith" is a gift from God Himself It
can be described also as "an act by which man entrusts himself totally to
God with out any reservation."

The common example is our ordinary friendship with someone. In

friendship, mutual self-giving and revelation, free acceptance and mutual
response should be there. The covenant of God with Abraham possessed
these elements. God mutually and consistently guided Abraham in all his
endeavors up to the sacrifice of Isaac.

At the time of Abraham, human sacrifices were common. But since

then, human sacrifice practices were forbidden and replaced by animals or
any produce from the fields. The holocaust and any offerings should be
according to the law on sacrifices. This topic will be treated well 'in the book
of Leviticus.

f. The Story of Jacob

In Gen. 25:19-23, the author described how Jacob with his brother
Essau came into this world. Since the time they were in their mother's
womb, tile two, were already quarreling with each other.

Here in the quotation from Gen. 25:23,

“Two nations are in your womb, two people

are quarreling while still with you, But one shall
surpass the other, and the older shall serve the younger”.

When tile two were born of Rebekah, Isaac was sixty years old. The
sons were twins. The first who emerged was reddish. His whole body was
like a hairy mantle; they named him Essau (Gen. 25:25). The second, who
came Out, was gripping at Essau's heel; they named him Jacob. When the
two grew up, Essau became Isaac's favorite because he was the first and
older than Jacob. However, Jacob became the favorite of his mother
Rebekah because he was younger than Essau. Since the beginning they
were at odds with each other.
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When Isaac was already old and time to pass on the blessings and
birthright to his sons, Jacob with his mother managed to steal Essau's
privilege.

In Gen. 25:29-30, Jacob managed to trick Essau.

Here is a quotation from this text:

“... when Jacob was cooking a stew, Essau came in

... finished ... he said to Jacob, " Let me gulp...
down some .. I'm starving... Jacob replied..
give me first your birthright... so he sold Jacob his
birthright under oath…”

And in Gen. 27:1-29, Jacob again managed to steal the blessing of his
father Isaac for Essau with the help of his mother Rebekah.

Here is the portion of tills text:

.... as Jacob went up and kissed him Isaac smelled the

fragrance of his clothes. With that, he blessed him,
saying, 'Ah, the fragrance of my son is like a fragrance
of a field that the Lord has blessed. May God give to
you of a dew of the heavens and of the fertility of the
earth abundance of grain and wine.. Let people.... pay
homage to you... how down to you... cursed be those
who cursey ou... bless be those who bless you."

In these two quotations, Jacob's use of fraud with his mother

Rebekah, is something that make us uncomfortable. We know however, that
for sure, God did not approve their gesture but somehow tolerated it to show
that God gave us freedom to choose freely. Here God fulfills His promise in
spite of human trickery and fraud.

Jacob’s dream at Bethel (Gen. 28:10-22)

”He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from heaven

to Earth, with angels going up and coming down on it...”
this memorial stone... will be a place where you are
worshipped...

Jacob Wrestles at Peniel (Gen. 32:22-32)

”Then a man came and wrestled with him just before

daybreak... Your name wiil no longer Jacob. You have
struggled with god and with men, and yoy have won; so
your name will be Israel...

g. The Story of Joseph

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The story of Joseph (in the book of Genesis) occupies the most part of
Genesis. His story is the longest I compared to Abraham's, Isaac's, and
Jacob's. Although, he is, not the center of the message in Genesis, through
him God saves Jacob and his family. Joseph's popularity and position
helped Israel to prosper in Egypt.

Joseph was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. He was second to the

youngest that was Benjamin. He was the favorite of his father because he
was born in his father's old age. His father made a tunic for him as a sign of
love being a special son. Because of that, his brothers got jealous and
planned to kill him.

When they had an opportunity, they sold Joseph instead of killing him.
Joseph was brought to Egypt and sold to a kind master, the chief steward of
Pharaoh in Egypt. In Egypt, he was a little bit fortunate. He was assigned as
the household master among other slaves. The wife of his master wanted to
seduce Joseph but he refused to cooperate. So, Joseph was put in jail
because of his master's wicked wife. While in jail, Joseph interpreted
correctly the dreams of his co-prisoners. And his God-given talent in
interpreting one's dream brought him out of jail. He was able to interpret
correctly the dream of the Pharaoh. Since he was the one who knew what
would happen, he was chosen by the Pharaoh to manage his kingdom
(Gen. 41:41-46).

When famine spread in Egypt and in all its territories, Joseph's

brothers went to Egypt to buy food. So, they met Joseph but never
recognized him. However, Joseph tested their sincerity and concern for one
another. When Joseph noticed that they were caring for one another, he
provided them enough food and has forgiven his brothers. He asked them to
bring Jacob and their families to live in Egypt, they grew in number and
prospered, too.

Here is a quotation from Gen. 47:27,

" thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the region

of Goshen. There they acquired property were fertile,
and increased greatly.”