The Promised Seed, the Covenant, and the Substitute
Genesis begins God’s Story by showing Him as Creator of all things, making a world that was “very good” (ch. 1:31), yet sin quickly enters through Adam and Eve’s disobedience (ch. 3:1-7). Sin’s effects spread through every part of life — violence, corruption, and rebellion against God (ch. 6:5, 11:1-9). Even in judgment, though, God shows mercy and grace, preserving Noah through the flood and making a covenant with him (ch. 9:8-17). As Genesis unfolds, the focus narrows from all humanity to one family, as God calls Abraham and promises to bless all nations through him (ch. 12:1-3). This shift reveals that God is not abandoning His world but is working out His plan to redeem it.
From the beginning, Genesis points forward to Jesus. God promises that the seed of woman will defeat the serpent (ch. 3:15), a promise ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16, 1 John 3:8). Through Abraham, God establishes a covenant of blessing for all nations (ch. 12:1-3, 15:1-6, 17:1-8), which finds its fulfillment in Jesus and the new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:20, Galatians 3:8). When Abraham is called to offer Isaac, God provides a substitute in his place (ch. 22:13), pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, Romans 8:32). Even as the Story progresses, the promise of a coming King emerges through Judah’s line (ch. 49:10), ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of Abraham and and Son of David (Matthew 1:1).
While not every chapter of Genesis is included, these readings have been carefully suggested to help trace this gospel thread clearly for Christ Community and The Foundry. You’ll move from creation to the fall to the flood and God’s covenant with Noah, then to Abraham and the promises that shape the rest of Scripture. Key moments — like God’s covenant in Genesis 15 and 17, the substitute in Genesis 22, the reaffirmation of God’s promise in Genesis 28, God’s providential saving work through Joseph in Genesis 50, and the promise of the coming King in Genesis 49 — highlight The Promised Seed, the Covenant, and the Substitute. Some passages point directly to Jesus, while others build the foundation we need to understand Him and to understand later chapters in later books of the Old Testament, too. By the end of Genesis, God’s people are in Egypt, waiting for deliverance, and setting the stage for what comes next.
Let’s dive in together and see Jesus in Genesis!
- April 18 — ch. 1:1-23
God creates a good and ordered world by His Word, pointing to Jesus, the Word of God through whom all things were made and hold together. - April 19 — ch. 2:4-25
God forms man from the dust and establishes marriage, pointing to Jesus, the Bridegroom of the Church who gives life and restores the lost. - April 20 — ch. 3
Sin enters the world through Adam, but God promises the coming Seed who will crush the serpent and atone for sin. - April 21 — ch. 4
Sin spreads through Cain, but God preserves the promised offspring through whom people call on His name. - April 22 — ch. 5
Death reigns through Adam’s line, yet God preserves the promised offspring. - April 23 — ch. 6:1-8
Humanity’s sin grows great and fills the earth, yet Noah find favor by God’s grace. - April 24 — ch. 6:9-7:24
God judges sin through the flood but provides the ark, pointing to Jesus as the only way to be saved from the wrath of God. - April 25 — ch. 8:1-9:17
God delivers Noah through the flood and establishes His covenant, pointing to mercy after judgment. - April 26 — ch. 9:18-10:32
The nations are birthed and spread from Noah’s sons, with God preserving the promised line through Shem. - April 27 — ch. 11:1-26
God scatters the nations at Babel yet preserves the promised line through Shem to Abram (Abraham). - April 28 — ch. 11:27-12:9
God calls Abram and promises to bless all nations through his offspring — which, according to Galatians 3:16 is a reference to Jesus. - April 29 — ch. 15
God confirms His covenant with Abram, promising offspring and counting his faith as righteousness. - April 30 — ch. 17:1-22
God establishes His covenant with Abraham through Isaac, pointing to Jesus, the promised Offspring. - May 1 — ch. 22
God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, pointing to Jesus, the Lamb of God who would die as our Substitute. - May 2 — ch. 28:10-22
God confirms His promise to Jacob and reveals a ladder to heaven, pointing to Jesus as the only Way to the Father. - May 3 — ch. 37
Joseph is rejected and sold by his brothers, yet God already has a plan to raise him up. - May 4 — ch. 40
God gifts Joseph with the ability to interpret dreams, bringing life to one and judgment to another. - May 5 — ch. 41
God raises Joseph from the pit to rule and provide bread in a time of famine, preparing the way to preserve His people. - May 6 — ch. 44
Judah offers himself in place of Benjamin, showing a heart of sacrifice and responsibility. - May 7 — ch. 45
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, showing God preserving His people and the promised line despite their sin. - May 8 — ch. 46
God brings Jacob and his family to Egypt, not only preserving the promised line but fulfilling His promise that they would become a nation. - May 9 — ch. 49:1-2, 8-12
Jacob blesses his sons before his death, prophesying a coming King from Judah — Jesus — to whom all nations will bow.
Continue in the See JESUS in the Old Testament readings as we begin Exodus!
Just Keith Harris 