A BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE OFFERED BY THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST
"And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
TRUTH FOR THE WORLD
P.O. BOX 5048
Duluth, GA 30096-0065
U.S.A.
OLD
TESTAMENT
SURVEY
The first book of the Old Testament is called “Genesis.” “Genesis”
means “beginning” or “origin.” Thus, the book of Genesis is the book
which tells about the beginning of all things. In Genesis we learn that God was “in
the beginning” (1:1). He existed before all things for He is the Creator of all
things.
Some of the “beginnings” recorded in Genesis are: (1) the heavens and the earth;
(2) all plant, animal, and human life; (3) all races, nations, and languages; (4)
agriculture, music, arts and crafts; (5) marriage and the family.
The beginning of God’s plan to save man is also recorded in Genesis. This plan
includes the beginning of (1) sin; (2) sacrifice; (3) prophecies of the coming Savior; (4)
the nation through which the Savior would come; (5) the tribe from which the Savior would
come.
Genesis is the foundation of the five Books of the Law. It is also the foundation of the
entire Old Testament. In fact, it is really the foundation of all the Bible. If the book
of Genesis were removed from the Bible, the rest of the Bible would have no meaning. We
would not be able to understand the plan of salvation, or the need for it.
Genesis Refutes the Theory of Evolution
Evolution denies that God created all things. It says that man gradually developed from
lower forms of life. Genesis, however, teaches that God created man fully formed. Also, it
teaches that man was created in the image of God (1:27). God created man, as well as all
animal and plant life, with the ability to bring forth after their own kind
(1:11,12,21,24,25). Evolution says that everything evolved over thousands of millions of
years. Genesis, however, clearly teaches that God created the world and everything in it
in six actual days (1:31; 2:1; Exodus 20:11).
The First Eleven Chapters Are the Cornerstone
Just as the cornerstone is essential to the foundation of a building, the first eleven
chapters of Genesis are essential to the whole book. The New Testament supports the
truthfulness of Genesis, chapters 1-11. If these chapters are not true, then we cannot
believe the New Testament. Jesus spoke of the beginning of the creation and the origin of
marriage just as they are taught in Genesis (Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-10). Genesis tells
of Eve’s being tempted. Paul confirms this in Second Corinthians 11:3. Paul said Adam
was the first man in First Corinthians 15:45 just as Genesis teaches. Peter mentions the
account of Noah and the Great Flood which is found in Genesis (1 Peter 3:20,21; 2 Peter
3:5,6).
The fall of man into sin is recorded in the third chapter of Genesis. The very first
promise of the coming Savior is given in verse 15. The Savior, who would bruise the head
of Satan, would come of the seed of the woman. This is a promise of the virgin birth of
Christ. It is also a promise of His victory over Satan by dying on the cross and rising
from the dead.
Chapter 4 tells of the murder of righteous Abel by his brother Cain. Chapter 5 records the
genealogy (family history) of Seth. Jesus came into the world through this family.
Chapters 6-8 tell of the great worldwide flood which was sent as a punishment for
man’s sins. Only Noah and his family found grace in the eyes of God. They were saved
when they obeyed God by building an ark (ship). Chapter 11 tells of the tower of Babel
where the many different human languages began.
The human family history of Christ begins in Genesis. The important links in it are Adam,
Seth, Noah, Shem, and Abraham.
Abraham’s History is Recorded in Chapters 12-25
Abraham was selected by God to begin the chosen nation through which the Savior would come
into the world. He left his home in Ur at God’s request. He went to the land of
Canaan which God promised to give to his seed. He and his nephew Lot separated because
they had so many cattle there was not room for them to live together. Later Abraham
rescued Lot when he was captured in war. On the way home he was met by Melchizedek, the
king of Salem (Jerusalem). Abraham gave gifts to him. Melchizedek blessed Abraham.
God had promised Abraham that in his seed would come the One who would bless all the
earth. However, Abraham and Sarah had no children. Sarah suggested Abraham have a son by
her maid Hagar. This showed her lack of faith. Ishmael was born to Hagar and Abraham, but
God did not accept him as the Promised Seed through whom the nation would come. When
Abraham and Sarah were very old, their faith had become stronger. God then gave them a son
who was named Isaac. Abraham’s strong faith in God was shown when he was willing to
offer Isaac as a sacrifice when God commanded it (Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17-19).
Sarah died at the age of 127 years. She is the only woman whose age is recorded in the
Bible. Abraham lived to be 175 years old. He was buried in the Cave of Machpelah beside
Sarah.
The History of Isaac Is Recorded in Chapters 25-27
Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, gave birth to twin sons. They were named Esau and Jacob.
Because Esau was born first, the family headship should have passed to him. However, he
was unworthy of it (Hebrews 12:16,17). Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of
lentils (beans). Jacob deceived his father Isaac into giving him the blessing. This made
Jacob the head of the family. It meant that God’s promise would be fulfilled through
Jacob’s children.
The History of Jacob is Recorded in Chapters 28-50
Jacob went to Padan-aram for a wife. On the way he stopped at Bethel where he had a dream
of a ladder into heaven. Here he made a vow to God. In Padan-aram, Jacob fell in love with
Laban’s daughter, Rachel. He agreed to work for her for seven years. Laban tricked
Jacob and gave him Leah instead. Jacob then worked another seven years for Rachel.
Jacob and his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and their maids, Bilhah and Zilpah, had a family
of twelve sons and one daughter. The twelve sons became the heads of the twelve tribes
which formed the nation of Israel. Judah, the fourth born son, became the one through
whose seed Christ came (Genesis 49:10).
The family line of Christ is now: Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and
Judah.
The Story of Joseph is Recorded in Chapters 37 to 50
Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son. He unwisely showed this by giving Joseph a beautiful
coat. This made his brothers jealous. They sold him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph was a
righteous young man. Even though he had many troubles, God blessed him. Eventually he
became the ruler of all Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. God used this to save His people
from a great famine which came all over the world. Joseph brought Jacob and his brothers
and their families to Egypt where there was food. Jacob died in Egypt and was taken back
to Canaan to be buried. When Joseph died in Egypt at the age of 110, he knew God would
return His people to the Promised Land. Therefore, he left his instructions that his bones
should be carried there and buried.
Joseph’s life shows how God works providentially. God can overrule in the affairs of
men to bring about His will. He did this in order to place Joseph in the position in Egypt
where he could save His people from starving. God still works providentially today. We
cannot always see or understand it, but God works in the lives of His people to bring
about what is best for them (Romans 8:28).
STUDENT INFORMATION
Truth for the World is a mission work of the churches of Christ. It is a total approach to world evangelism involving radio and television programs, literature and campaign follow-up.
NOTE: It should not be assumed that all internet sites which have hyperlinks to the pages of Truth for the World are associated with this work in any way.