AQBA on Genesis

1) “Divine Electing Grace is prominent in Genesis”. Briefly comment on this. (5)

Ans: In the book of Genesis, the concept of Divine Electing Grace is indeed prominent.
Divine Electing Grace refers to God's sovereign choice and favor towards certain
individuals or groups for His redemptive purposes. Here are a few verses that illustrate this
concept:
Genesis 6:8: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." In the midst of widespread
corruption and wickedness, God chose Noah and his family to be saved from the impending
flood. This demonstrates God's electing grace in preserving a remnant and extending His
favor to Noah.
Genesis 12:1-3: "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and
your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless
those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of
the earth shall be blessed.'" God chose Abram (later known as Abraham) and made a
covenant with him, promising to bless him and his descendants. Through Abraham's
lineage, God would bring forth the nation of Israel and ultimately bless all the families of
the earth through the coming of Jesus Christ. This demonstrates God's electing grace in
choosing Abraham and his descendants for a specific purpose.
Genesis 25:23: "And the Lord said to her, 'Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples
from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall
serve the younger.'" God chose Jacob, the younger twin, over Esau, the older twin, to carry
on the covenant promises given to Abraham. This divine choice illustrates God's electing
grace, which is not based on human merit or birthright but on His sovereign will.

These verses highlight instances in Genesis where God, in His sovereign grace, chose
individuals or groups for His redemptive plan. Through these examples, we see that Divine
Electing Grace operates independently of human merit and underscores God's sovereignty
in selecting those whom He will use to accomplish His purposes.

2) In what ways is Genesis an important message for unbelievers? (5)

Ans: The book of Genesis contains important messages for unbelievers, offering insights
into foundational truths about God, creation, humanity, and sin.
In other word we can say that this book is serve as the gospel because whenever we share
gospel to unbelievers than we used to proclaim the gospel into four parts i.e., first, who
God is (about His attributes and His works), second is who men are (who created them,
why God create them, how sin enters in the world, how they become sinners ), third one is
about redemption through God’s plan in Jesus Christ to all humanity that was promised by
God from the beginning, and final one is what is our response as sinners toward the one
true God who created us in His image. And all this important message we can get easily in
the Book of Genesis. Here are a few ways Genesis can be significant for those who do not
believe:
The Existence and Nature of God: Genesis establishes the existence of a personal and
powerful Creator. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the
earth." This verse presents the foundational belief in a divine being who brought the
 universe into existence. For unbelievers, Genesis can serve as an introduction to the idea
of a transcendent and intelligent Creator.
Human Identity and Purpose: Genesis reveals that human beings are created in the image
of God (Genesis 1:27). This truth speaks to the inherent worth and dignity of every
individual, regardless of their beliefs or background. It also implies that there is a purpose
for each person's life, as they are uniquely fashioned by God.
The Problem of Sin and the Need for Redemption: Genesis explains how sin entered the
world through Adam and Eve's disobedience (Genesis 3). This narrative helps unbelievers
understand the brokenness and moral struggles that exist in the world today. It presents the
universal human condition of sin and the need for redemption, pointing towards the
ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ.
God's Redemptive Plan: Genesis introduces God's redemptive plan for humanity, even in
the midst of sin and its consequences. For example, Genesis 3:15 contains the promise of
a future Savior who will crush the head of the serpent (Satan). This foreshadows the coming
of Jesus Christ, who would provide salvation for all who believe in Him. Unbelievers can
find hope in the promise of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ, even as they
grapple with their own spiritual journey.
In summary, the book of Genesis holds significance for unbelievers by presenting
foundational truths about God, human identity, sin, and God's redemptive plan. It offers a
starting point for exploring faith, understanding the brokenness of the world, and finding
hope in God's promises.

3) Write a brief note on “the omniscience of God” and “the grace of God” citing specific
examples from this book. (5)
Ans: even though we may not find everywhere written God is omniscience. He Himself is
omniscience. The omniscience of God refers to His attribute of knowing all things, past,
present, and future. Genesis portrays God as having perfect knowledge and understanding
of everything. I can highlight a few key examples that showcase God's omniscience
throughout the book:

Genesis 1: God's omniscience is evident from the very beginning of the book. In the account
of creation, God has complete knowledge and understanding of the universe and all its
intricacies. He knows how to bring order out of chaos, as demonstrated in His careful design
of the world and its inhabitants.
Genesis 15: God's interaction with Abraham illustrates His omniscience. In this chapter,
God promises Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. God not only
knows the future but also foretells events that will take place generations later, such as the
Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and their eventual deliverance.
Genesis 18: During the visitation to Abraham, God reveals His omniscience by informing
Abraham of His plans to investigate the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their great
wickedness. God's knowledge of the situation and His intentions demonstrate His all-
knowing nature.
Genesis 20: God's omniscience is displayed when He warns Abimelech, the king of Gerar,
in a dream about his plan to take Sarah, Abraham's wife, as his own. God intervenes to
protect Sarah and prevent Abimelech from committing a grave sin, indicating His
knowledge of events before they unfold.
Genesis 37-50 (Joseph's story): Throughout Joseph's journey from being sold into slavery
by his brothers to becoming a powerful ruler in Egypt, God's omniscience is evident. God
knows the future and uses Joseph's circumstances to fulfill His purposes, ultimately saving
many lives during a severe famine.
These examples highlight instances in which the book of Genesis reveals God's
omniscience. They demonstrate that God has perfect knowledge and understanding of all
things, including the past, present, and future. They also emphasize God's ability to work
through human events and circumstances to accomplish His divine plans.

The grace of God refers to His undeserved favor, kindness, and mercy towards humanity.
Throughout Genesis, we witness instances of God's grace displayed towards individuals,
even in the midst of their failures and shortcomings. The book of Genesis portrays the grace
of God through various narratives and interactions with individuals. Here are a few
examples of how God's grace is demonstrated throughout the 50 chapters of Genesis:

Genesis 3: Despite Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden, God shows grace
by clothing them with garments of skin (Genesis 3:21). This act of covering their shame
and providing for their physical needs reveals God's undeserved favor and mercy.
Genesis 6-9: In the account of the flood, God chooses to save Noah and his family,
demonstrating His grace amidst a corrupt and wicked generation. God extends His favor to
Noah by instructing him to build the ark and preserving him from the destruction.
Genesis 12:1-3: God's grace is evident in His call and covenant with Abraham. God
promises to bless him, make him a great nation, and bless all the families of the earth
through him. God's choice to bless Abraham and his descendants is an act of grace, as they
did not earn or deserve it.
Genesis 18-19: God's grace is seen in His interaction with Abraham and Lot. Despite the
wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, God shows mercy and extends His grace by allowing
Lot and his family to escape the destruction.
Genesis 29-30: God's grace is displayed in the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Despite
Jacob's deception and the rivalry between the sisters, God shows favor to Leah by blessing
her with children and eventually using her lineage to bring forth the tribe of Judah, from
which the Messiah would come.
Genesis 37-50 (Joseph's story): The grace of God is evident throughout Joseph's journey.
Despite being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, God's grace is manifested in
Joseph's rise to prominence in Egypt. God uses Joseph's circumstances to ultimately save
his family and the people of Egypt from famine.
Genesis 45:4-15: When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he displays God's grace by
forgiving them and providing for their needs. He recognizes that God had used their actions
for a greater purpose, demonstrating the redemptive nature of God's grace.

These examples highlight how the book of Genesis portrays the grace of God. They show
His undeserved favor, mercy, and provision, even in the face of human shortcomings, sin,
and difficult circumstances. God's grace is a recurring theme throughout the book,
reminding us of His willingness to extend forgiveness, redemption, and blessings to those
who turn to Him.
4) Mention any four traits of godly living that are manifested in the stories of Genesis. (5)
In the stories of Genesis, we can observe several traits of godly living that are demonstrated
by various individuals. Here are four such traits:
Faith and Trust in God:
Example: Genesis 15:6 - "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as
righteousness." Abraham's faith and trust in God's promises are evident in this verse.
He believed in God's assurance that he would have descendants, despite his old age
and barrenness.
Obedience to God's Commands:
Example: Genesis 7:5 - "And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him."
Noah's obedience to God's commands is highlighted in this verse. He followed
God's instructions precisely, building the ark and gathering the animals as
instructed.
Perseverance and Endurance:
Example: Genesis 39:20-21 - "Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the
place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the
prison, the Lord was with him." Joseph's story demonstrates perseverance and
endurance. Despite being unjustly imprisoned, he remained faithful to God and
trusted in His presence and plan.
Repentance and Humility:
Example: Genesis 50:17 - "Then Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to
them." Joseph's forgiveness and reconciliation with his brothers showcase
repentance and humility. Despite their betrayal and mistreatment, Joseph forgave
them and showed kindness, reflecting a humble and forgiving heart.
Patience and Waiting on God:
Example: Genesis 21:5 - "Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was
born to him." Abraham's story demonstrates patience and waiting on God's timing.
He and Sarah had to wait many years for the fulfillment of God's promise of a son,
Isaac.