Understanding God's Redemptive Purpose In Genesis

The Genesis account of creation also contradicts secular evolution, which theorizes that all life, including humans, evolved over billions of years from lower life forms by natural processes. Theories of origins that accommodate evolution (gap theory, day theory, age theory, revelatory day theory, theistic evolution, etc.) have all generally proven inadequate explanations of the obvious contrast between the biblical account of creation and general evolutionary theory. The results of the naturalistic evolutionary hypothesis have left a spiritual void that “erases all moral and ethical accountability and ultimately abandons all hope for humanity.

The major crisis for the newly created world comes in chapter 3 with the fall of Adam and Eve into sin. This resulted in their expulsion from the garden of Eden because of their sinful acts of rebellion against God. Their descendants followed in the rebellious ways of their parents, resulting in what would become the beginning of the continuing story of human depravity and its terrible consequences. Spiritual death and human suffering came immediately as the result of their sin and eventually led to their physical death (3:3,19). As a result, apostle Paul observes, “death reigned” because of Adam’s sin (Rom 5:14). Thus, the one biblical doctrine for which there is no lack of empirical evidence is the depravity of the human race.

While the immediate consequences of human sin brought guilt, shame, fear, and broken communication with the Creator (Gen 3:7–13), God graciously confronted Adam and Eve asking, “Where are you?” (3:9) and “What is this you have done?” (3:13). After pronouncing the penalty for their sin, God provided for their redemption by clothing their inadequacy (3:21) and predicting their ultimate salvation by the “seed” of the woman who would “crush” (NIV) the head of the serpent (3:15). This promise of the annihilator of the wicked instigator by the promise of a human conqueror was the first prophecy of the Bible. It has often been called the protoevangelium or what Aalders called “the gospel announced by God Himself to our first parents.”7 No time frame is indicated, but the bible reader would see the first ray of hope to enlighten the human predicament.

Most importantly, the protoevangelium (Gen 3:15) made clear that one day God would send one who would defeat God’s enemy. This would eventually allow for the restoration of everything to God’s original design and restore man’s position as theocratic administrator. Thus, the information presented in Genesis 1–3 would help Israel understand why redemption was necessary. Putting this together with Gen 12:1–3 would help any keen reader understand why the nation was singled out for the special purpose of mediating God’s redemptive blessings. Such blessings would ultimately restore God’s original intent in creation that was lost in the fall.

The material matter collected in the reading of Genesis will therefore bring to light the redemptive purpose. And why it was prudent for the child to be born, grow and defeat the enemy.