Genesis

Introduction

Genesis is the Bible’s epic prologue to the story of a people called to dwell in God’s presence. It opens with paradise—Eden—a place brimming with proximity to God, where humanity lived in perfect harmony with their Creator. But things go catastrophically wrong when Adam and Eve, tempted to grasp for what they already had, spiral humanity into sin and separation. The God who walked with Adam in the garden now seems distant, as the narrative hurtles eastward, away from His presence. Genesis is not just a story of what was lost but of a God who begins His relentless pursuit to restore what was broken.

At the heart of this book is a relational God who creates out of love, blessing His creation with the gift of His presence. Humanity, bearing God’s image, was designed to live in joyful communion with Him. But we see a deepening exile—from the garden, from each other, and ultimately, from God Himself. It’s a story of longing: for status, wealth, power, and security—none of which can fill the void left by God’s absence. Yet, in the midst of this downward spiral, God intervenes, choosing Abram (soon to be Abraham) as the conduit through whom the world would experience His blessing and presence once again. Through covenant, God promises proximity, even as humanity persists in rebellion.

Genesis reminds us that the good life isn’t found in the well-watered valleys of our own choosing but in the land of promise, where God’s presence dwells. It’s the opening act of God’s grand plan to make His presence known and restore humanity to Himself—a longing we carry to this day, fulfilled in the promises of God and sustained by His unshakable faithfulness.