Most scholars believe the theme verse of the Book of Genesis is found its last chapter when Joseph tells his forgiven brothers, "What YOU meant for evil God meant for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive" (50.20)
Some scholars go so far to say that theme-verse of Genesis is ALSO the theme-verse of the entire Bible. It's a theme we might also call the "tender-shoot-out-of-parched-ground" theme (Isa 53.2). It's the repeated and joyful promise that even when the world, the situation, the state of nations, suffering, evil, the soil of our lives is barren, toxic and fruitless…just before it all goes to pieces, "Love Throws a Line" and beauty reasserts herself – God promises, Everything is Going to Be OK!"
Today, I simply want to introduce this book and introduce this CRUCIALLY important theme. |