Genesis 2:1-3The Seventh Day of Creation is described.
All of creation is pronounced good, and God rests, thereby providing the essential foundation for the Sabbath, though this word does not appear.
Genesis 2:4-25 The creation of Adam and Eve.God breathes the breath of life into this creature of the dust (clay) and plants a garden where man can live (Eden).Man was to care for the garden but not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.Apparently he lived in the garden, but he was lonely.so God fashioned woman as a helper fit for him, to serve with him in the garden.
It is an attempt to explain why the human condition is so different from the vision of God's ideal world.It tries to answer the question, "How did evil begin?"It does not make a case for primordial evil; evil was the result of man's poor choices.The serpent convinces Adam and Eve that life will be better if they eat the fruit from the forbidden tree. They are convinced.God interrogates them, states the consequences, and banishes them from Eden, but not before making clothes for them.
The children of Adam and Eve offer further comment on human nature.Jealousy and strife lead to the murder of Abel, and Cain's denial of it to God.Further banishment is the result, ending in Cain's genealogy, which passes into extinction. Eve bears another son, Seth.
Humanity is given a fresh start.Beginning with Adam, it records ten generations, culminating in Noah.This lays out an orderly and divine unfolding of history.
This is actually the undoing of creation, but alongside judgment stands the promise of renewal. God instructs Noah how to save himself by building the ark.Noah follows those instructions to the letter, and only his family is allowed in.After it rained for forty days and nights, it took almost a year for the earth to return to its pre-flood condition.When dry land appears, Noah and his family disembark and offer sacrifices to God symbolizing the restoration of harmony between God and humanity.God responds by making a covenant ratified with the sign of a rainbow.
Genesis 9:18-29 The Blessing and Cursing of Noah and Hhis Sons
Noah was blessed with a vineyard and cursed by the fact that he got drunk on its wine.While Noah was inebriated, his son, Ham, did something to him, which is left unspecified. Upon awakening, Noah cursed "Canaan" (Ham) and blessed his other two sons
.
Genesis 10 The Descendants of Noah -The Table of Nations
Seventy peoples are listed, the number suggesting completion.The entire human race can be traced back to one of these three sons.The Japheth nations are to the north and west.Ham includes Canaanites and Egyptians.Shem is the forerunner of the Israelites and the people of Mesopotamia and Arabia.
Genesis 11 The Introduction of Different Languages
People have once again turned from God. They intend to build a "tower" to the heavens to honor themselves.God responds by confounding their speech and scattering them over the whole earth.
The incorrigible nature of mankind leads the author to focus on one line of descent, the line of Shem. Ten generations lie between Shem and Abraham, just as 10 generations separate Adam from Noah.Previous accounts have shown the breadth of God's blessings to humanity.Now one family will be invited to know God more intimately.
B. The Formation and Early History of the Jewish Nation
The command is abrupt, uncompromising."GO! Go to the land I will show you."The promises (seven, in all) are equally clear -- "you will be a blessing to others."Abram gets up and goes, leaving his father, family, and country.
Genesis 12:9-25:11 Chronicles the Story of Abraham
Genesis 12:10-20Abraham and Sarah in Egypt; Sarah's stay in Pharaoh's palace, and consequences.
Genesis 13:1-18Abraham's arrival in the Promised Land, the separation of Lot and Abraham.
Genesis 50:15-20 Joseph's brothers fear retaliation upon Jacob's death. Joseph tells them: "Although you intended me harm, God intended it for good..."