Genesis Seeds of Promise

In the beginning God shaped the heavens, the earth, and warm light over six steady days.

In the beginning God shaped the heavens, the earth, and warm light over six steady days.

He divided seas from dry land, set sun and moon in the sky, and filled the world with plants and animals.

He divided seas from dry land, set sun and moon in the sky, and filled the world with plants and animals.

God breathed life into Adam and Eve so they could walk with Him in a peaceful garden.

God breathed life into Adam and Eve so they could walk with Him in a peaceful garden.

A cunning serpent tempted them to eat forbidden fruit, and they left Eden carrying work, pain, and promise.

A cunning serpent tempted them to eat forbidden fruit, and they left Eden carrying work, pain, and promise.

Their son Cain grew jealous of Abel, and violence first stained the soil.

Their son Cain grew jealous of Abel, and violence first stained the soil.

Generations multiplied, cities grew loud, and hearts leaned toward cruelty instead of justice.

Generations multiplied, cities grew loud, and hearts leaned toward cruelty instead of justice.

God warned Noah to build an ark, gather creatures, and shelter his family from a cleansing flood.

God warned Noah to build an ark, gather creatures, and shelter his family from a cleansing flood.

Rain fell for many days until only the ark floated above the waters.

Rain fell for many days until only the ark floated above the waters.

When dry ground appeared, Noah offered thanks, and God set a rainbow covenant to remember mercy.

When dry ground appeared, Noah offered thanks, and God set a rainbow covenant to remember mercy.

Later people raised a tower at Babel to force their own fame, so God mixed their languages and scattered them.

Later people raised a tower at Babel to force their own fame, so God mixed their languages and scattered them.

In Ur, Abram heard God's call to travel, trust unseen paths, and expect a nation from his small household.

In Ur, Abram heard God's call to travel, trust unseen paths, and expect a nation from his small household.

God renamed him Abraham, gave Sarah a son named Isaac, and sealed the promise with stars and sand.

God renamed him Abraham, gave Sarah a son named Isaac, and sealed the promise with stars and sand.

Isaac's twins, Esau and Jacob, struggled from the womb, and Jacob secured the birthright meant for the elder.

Isaac's twins, Esau and Jacob, struggled from the womb, and Jacob secured the birthright meant for the elder.

While fleeing, Jacob dreamed of a ladder of angels, pledged loyalty, and was later renamed Israel.

While fleeing, Jacob dreamed of a ladder of angels, pledged loyalty, and was later renamed Israel.

Israel's sons quarreled until Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery bound for Egypt.

Israel's sons quarreled until Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery bound for Egypt.

Through faith and wisdom, Joseph interpreted dreams, stored grain, and rose to guide the pharaoh's plans.

Through faith and wisdom, Joseph interpreted dreams, stored grain, and rose to guide the pharaoh's plans.

Famine pushed the brothers south, Joseph forgave them, and the whole clan settled in Goshen.

Famine pushed the brothers south, Joseph forgave them, and the whole clan settled in Goshen.

The book ends with Israel's family waiting in Egypt, carrying bones of ancestors and promises of return.

The book ends with Israel's family waiting in Egypt, carrying bones of ancestors and promises of return.

Moral: Even grand beginnings stay alive when people remember the covenants that guide their steps.

Moral: Even grand beginnings stay alive when people remember the covenants that guide their steps.