Genesis Explained: A Bible Study

How did one sin change everything?

In Genesis 3, a single act of disobedience plunges the whole world into ruin. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains the fall of mankind — and the first promise of a Savior.

The serpent tempts Eve by twisting God’s word and questioning His goodness, and both Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. Shame, blame, and death follow at once, and the curse spreads to all of creation. Dr. Holt exp...

Why did Cain kill his brother?

In Genesis 4:1-12, the first child ever born grows up to commit the first murder. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how Cain and Abel reveal the deep reality of sin in every human heart.

Cain and Abel both bring offerings to God, but God accepts Abel’s and not Cain’s — because of the heart behind it. Instead of repenting, Cain grows furious and murders his brother. Dr. Holt notes that...

Was Noah’s flood about more than animals?

In Genesis 6, the world has grown so corrupt that God sends a flood — yet “Noah found grace.” In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows that the flood is far more than a children’s story about animals.

As humanity’s wickedness fills the earth, God resolves to judge it with a flood — a picture of His wrath poured out on sin. But Noah finds grace, and God prov...

Why did God confuse the world’s languages?

In Genesis 11:1-9, humanity unites to build a tower to the heavens — and God scatters them by confusing their language. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains what really happened at Babel.

God had told mankind to spread out and fill the earth, but instead the people gathered to build a city and a tower “to make a name for ourselves.” Their project was rooted in pride ...

What does it mean to be a friend of God?

In Genesis 12, God calls Abraham out of a pagan land with a staggering set of promises. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt opens the life of the man the Bible calls “the friend of God.”

Abraham came from Ur, a place steeped in idol worship, yet God chose him — not for his merit, but by God’s own grace. God told him to leave his country, his family, and his father’s hous...

Is anything too hard for God?

In Genesis 18:1-15, the Lord promises ninety-year-old Sarah a son — and she laughs. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt asks whether anything is truly too hard for God.

Three visitors come to Abraham in the heat of the day, one of them the Lord Himself in human form. As Abraham serves them a lavish meal, the Lord renews His promise: Sarah will have a son within the year. Sarah, far past childbearing age, ...

Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?

In Genesis 18:22 through 19, God rains down judgment on the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt examines a sobering account of both God’s wrath and His mercy.

Before the judgment falls, Abraham pleads with God, who agrees to spare the cities for the sake of just ten righteous people — but not even ten can be found. Two angels rescue Lot and his family a...

Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son?

In Genesis 22, God gives Abraham the hardest command imaginable: offer your son Isaac as a sacrifice. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt walks through this famous test and the gospel it foreshadows.

Abraham obeys, traveling three days to Mount Moriah, even as Isaac carries the wood up the hill. At the last moment, God stops him and provides a ram caught in a thicket as a substitute. Dr. Holt ...

Why did God choose Jacob over Esau?

In Genesis 25, before twin brothers are even born, God declares that “the older shall serve the younger.” In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explores one of the Bible’s clearest teachings on God’s electing choice.

As Isaac’s line continues, Rebekah gives birth to Esau and Jacob, and God announces His choice of Jacob before either has done anything good or bad. Dr. Holt expla...

Can God use a broken family?

In Genesis 27, a blind old father, a scheming mother, and a deceiving son all sin their way through one chaotic day. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how God works His good plan even through a deeply broken family.

Isaac plans to give the covenant blessing to Esau, ignoring God’s stated choice of Jacob. Rebekah schemes to trick Isaac, and Jacob lies to his father’s face to steal the blessing...

What was Jacob’s ladder, really?

In Genesis 28:10-22, the fleeing deceiver Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt reveals what that ladder truly was — a mystery not fully explained for some 1,800 years.

Running from his brother Esau, Jacob sleeps with a stone for a pillow and sees a ladder joining heaven and earth, with angels going up and down and God standing above it, renew...

Who did Jacob wrestle with all night?

In Genesis 32:22-32, Jacob wrestles a mysterious “Man” through the night and walks away with a limp and a new name. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains this strange and pivotal encounter.

Returning home after twenty years, Jacob is terrified of meeting his brother Esau. Left alone at the river, he wrestles until daybreak with One he comes to realize is God Himself — a pre-inca...

Why did Joseph’s brothers hate him?

In Genesis 37, Joseph’s brothers hate him enough to sell him into slavery. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt asks where God is when calamity strikes — even though God’s name never appears in the chapter.

Jacob plays favorites, giving young Joseph a special coat, and the brothers’ jealousy turns to hatred when Joseph shares his dreams of one day ruling over them. They plot t...

Where is God when life seems unfair?

In Genesis 40, Joseph sits in an Egyptian prison for a crime he never committed — yet “God was with him.” In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how God works in the dark seasons when life seems most unfair.

Falsely accused and forgotten, Joseph meets Pharaoh’s imprisoned cupbearer and baker, and God enables him to interpret their dreams: one will be restored, the other execute...

Can God bring good out of the worst things?

In Genesis 45:1-15, Joseph finally reveals himself to the brothers who sold him into slavery. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt unfolds the meaning of “providence” — God’s hand at work even through hardship and evil.

After years of slavery and prison, Joseph stands as second-in-command of Egypt, and his brothers are at his mercy. He could have taken revenge. Instead he we...

How does the book of Genesis end?

In Genesis 50:15-26, the first book of the Bible closes — not in a garden, but with a coffin in Egypt. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt traces the whole sweep of Genesis and its two great themes: human sin and God’s grace.

After Jacob dies, Joseph’s brothers fear he will finally take revenge for selling him into slavery. Instead, Joseph weeps and forgives them, summing up the entire boo...