The first eleven chapters of Genesis give us the story that lies behind everything that follows. In a film script, this is referred to as the “back-story.” Our back-story revolves around four central events, beginning with the creation of the universe. The story of creation is rapidly followed by the account of the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve, the Flood at the time of Noah, and the spread of nations that follows. In a film I could imagine a rapid sequence of shots showing these events. These are the incidents that set the stage for the story of the Jews. From a story perspective, the purpose of the first eleven chapters of Genesis is to get us to chapter twelve.
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