Unsurprisingly, we begin this “Bible in 100 Passages” series with several of the best-known passages in all of scripture — ranging from God’s creation of all there is in Genesis 1 to the near destruction of that creation in the Great Flood of Genesis 6 to 9 — as the book of Genesis lays the foundation for much of what is to come in subsequent books.

These first eleven chapters of Genesis are sometimes referred to as “prehistory” or “primeval history” — terms that point to the fact that these texts are best read through a theological lens rather than lenses like the scientific method or historical literalism that modern readers often bring.

The purpose of these texts is to communicate deep spiritual truths about who we are and to whom we belong — from the remarkable proclamation that humanity is formed in the very image of God in Genesis 1 to our hubristic desire to be God at times, such as the passages we’ll read from Genesis 3 and 11. These early texts are beautiful and rich, so I hope you’ll take an opportunity to reflect on these familiar and foundational passages on your own, even outside of the devotions you’ll read.

Already by the end of this first week, though, we will begin shifting from our wider human story to a particular one, as Abram receives a covenant promise from God in Genesis 12 to be the father of a great nation. Having created all that is, and having experienced the flawed complexity that is humanity, God nonetheless enters into a covenant relationship with Abram and his descendants, setting the stage for the rest of Genesis and beyond.

— Matt Helms, Associate Pastor

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