The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis

Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament #1

by Nancy Guthrie

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27)

After the resurrection, when Jesus used Scripture to explain who he was and why he came, where did he start? In the Old Testament. And this is where The Promised One begins to look for Christ, finding him in the people, promises, and patterns of the Old Testament scriptures.

With contagious passion and theological soundness, Bible teacher Nancy Guthrie shows how the book of Genesis points us to the person of Christ. Throughout ten weeks of guided personal study, relevant teaching, and thoughtful discussion questions, The Promised One will help you:


make new discoveries of Jesus as seen in the shadows of the Old Testament; apply the gospel found in Genesis to issues such as shame, fear, and the desire for security and significance; develop your longing for what is ahead when the world is once again made new. Gain a fresh perspective on the book of Genesis, a broader understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture, and much more, when you join with Nancy on this incredible journey to see Jesus in the Old Testament!

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Christian Living, Religion

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2011

About the author

Nancy Guthrie teaches the Bible at her home church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as at conferences around the country and internationally, including through her Biblical Theology Workshops for Women. She is the author of numerous books and the host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast at The Gospel Coalition. She and her husband host Respite Retreats for couples who have faced the death of child and are co-hosts of the GriefShare video series.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best guided Bible study I've ever read. Guthrie pointed out parallels and patterns I had never, in my 20+ years of Sunday School, noticed before. Her study took on the quality of a literary analysis, helping me to appreciate how God "wrote" history to have the same kinds of motifs, hints, and themes that I find so engaging in the non-Bible books that I love. The study grew my love for Christ and my understanding of some sections of Scripture I had always found confusing.

My favorite parts were the Personal Bible Study sections, where Guthrie asks a series of questions that sends you scurrying all over the Bible for insights about how all the books connect. Some of the questions (maybe one or two each chapter) were a bit confusing, and I couldn't see what she was driving at, but usually in the Teaching Chapter that followed, it all became clear. Her heart of faith was evident in the Teaching Chapters, and in the end I felt like she was my friend.

This book's intended audience seems to be women, but the razor-sharp analysis would benefit anyone. My husband loved hearing what I was learning every day (and even if he didn't love hearing it, he still would have had to listen... I was usually too excited about what I was learning not to share).

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent!

Guthrie has quickly become one of my favorite Bible teachers, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series as I go through the Old Testament for the umpteenth time. The insights in connecting Jesus to the Old Testament created an interesting way to read Genesis, and it went deeper than the obvious connections.

Format: Ebook via Hoopla
Rating: 5 stars
Book 13 of 2025

[Rhoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really wrong that this book gets shelved in 2021 to count towards this year's reading challenge as probably 85% I read in 2020. I started the book in July to prepare for my year of BSF study in Genesis. Once I started the BSF year it was harder to take time to work on this study.

This book is very deep and I took quite awhile to digest in the summer and throughout the fall. The author is strongly Reformed and that comes through in the book. One part I enjoyed the most and will re-read is The Connection Between Circumcision and Baptism callout box in Week 7. It is the best explanation of explaining the differences in infant and believer's baptism I've heard.

The author ties the stories and promises of Genesis to the New Testament so there is a lot of back and forth in the Bible.

I really liked the author's writing style and add many notes in my Bible. I've never thought of Genesis in this light as the author said in the last chapter:

In Genesis we see God calling and forming the family he would one day be born into. God called Abraham away from his own family to establish a new family—a new family that God would uniquely call “my people.” . . .This would be the family into who the Promised One would be born. One day God would enfold himself into a virgin’s womb, a woman who was a descendant of this family.
So since God got to choose the family he was born into, what kind of family did He choose? . . . No effort has been made by the biblical writer to sanitize the portrait of this family in Genesis. Does it not add to the credibility of the Bible that there’s no effort to hide the embarrassing flaws and failures of the family God calls “my people”?

I will definitely consider another Nancy Guthrie study in the summer but not during the BSF year.

[Amy Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been invited to the women's bible study at the Kirk of the Hills (the sponsoring church of both of my sons' schools) and this is the book we're using. I'm excited about it, both from a social aspect and a spiritual one. Being a new-ish convert Covenant Theology I'm still amazed at how clearly the Gospel is presented in the Old Testament, tipping my former thoughts of Jesus as God's "Plan B" after Adam's fall into sin on it's head. I don't know how I ever managed to find comfort in a God who didn't get it right the first time around. Now, understanding the depth of His mercy and grace as expressed by the Reformed view of scripture- that Jesus was God's perfect intent all along brings not only comfort to my soul but clarity to my understanding of God and His word. God knew Adam would fail miserably, and that they (and we) would be completely alienated from one another by a seemingly insurmountable divide. [And here come the best two words in all the world] BUT GOD, desiring restoration of that relationship with us, sends a redeemer. A savior. A sacrifice. An atonement. A remedy. And where do we first learn of this promised redeemer? In the new testament? Nope. In Genesis 3:15.

I can't wait!!!

I've just finished the 4th week of the study and I have to say I LOVE this bible study! Nancy Guthrie's grasp of the scripture so strong, and her exegesis of the text is spot on. Highly recommended!

Okay, completely finished with this book and I know I'll be returning to it again and again. This is been my absolute favorite bible study I've ever done, and I'm looking forward to delving into the Bible with Guthrie as my guide again soon!

[Kay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to a 4.5. I thought she would have gone more in depth in some places. Overall a great introduction to Genesis.

[Heather Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study! Guthrie draws some fabulous parallels and points out patterns in scripture that connect Genesis to Revelation and all of scripture in between. I look forward to reading more of her works, as well as some of the many texts she cited in this work.

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this for our ladies Bible study.

We had some new to or non-reformed gals as part of our group and they commented on how much it helped the Old Testament feel relevant and not just like "flat" stories for kids.

We had great discussions and it was very readable and easy to digest.

We slowed this up and made it a 20 week study (per the optional instructions) I think it would've been too much for our group of busy moms to try to do it in 10 weeks.

I will definitely do more of these Bible studies.

[Jordan Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time through this study and I highly recommend it. Most OT narrative passages are read and then taught on as character development- how can we be more like Noah, Abraham, and Joseph? Nancy shows us that these people are not to be imitated, but the purpose of their placement in scripture is to see the promise of Jesus in them. The OT—>NT parallels from the narrative to the life of Jesus in the gospels are mind blowing! For anyone who struggles to read and understand the OT, these studies are for you!

[Shannon Hrinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend! Brought so much clarity and depth to the book of Genesis.

Great study. Really focuses on how the accounts in Genesis connect with the “big picture” of the Bible - salvation in Jesus Christ. Absolutely plan to do other studies from this series/author.

[Amy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has amazing insights that I have never considered about each of the main stories in Genesis. Her study really challenged me to encounter traces of Jesus throughout all of Genesis.

[Emily Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best guided Bible studies I have done! Nancy Guthrie does an excellent job of guiding you through scripture to show OT and NT parallels and how the stories of each OT character point ultimately to Jesus! My biggest takeaway from this study was how God chose each of the characters in Genesis not because of anything good they had done but simply because He chose them to participate in His plan and purpose. He chose them and then equipped them. And He used their stories to reveal His salvation for all people one day. Highly recommend!!

[Lisa McNally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this for a ladies’ Bible study this summer. Nancy made some connections for me that I had never seen before, and its covenant perspective was refreshing. Though Nancy is Presbyterian, she is inclusive of Baptists in the circumcision and baptism discussion, presenting both positions as faithful. What a deep breath of fresh air for the sinful, downtrodden soul — the gospel is all we need!

[Lynn Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended! The best bible study book for groups I have ever read.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 10 week study. I loved it!

[Kate McNeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best when read with a discerning eye

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in-depth Bible study that includes personal Bible study, a teaching chapter (to be completed ONLY after working through the text on your own) and a group discussion portion. It is quite a bit of work, sometimes several chapters per week, and Guthrie is apparently a HUGE fan of filling in charts. I learned a lot and it was really interesting to see the connections between Genesis and Jesus, but sometimes it seemed like her points were made via speculation and were a bit of a stretch. Eventually, I would love to do the other 4 books in this series and work my way through the rest of evidence of Jesus in Scripture.

[Sarah Harden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite Bible study. The videos are basically her reading the chapter to you. The study wasn't bad, and there were some interesting points made, but some of the ideas seemed to be a bit of a stretch. Maybe just not a good fit for me at this present time in my life. (Our study groups were divided in their feelings as well.)

[Jacquelyn Kourtney]

Exception study. We are hard pressed these days for a solid biblical study that magnifies the work of Christ and not 'self'. I started with this study and have worked through each continuing study.

[Dogeared Wanderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is designed for group Bible study with in-depth personal Bible study incorporated in each week beforehand. This is a great book to get more out of the Bible and see how the Old Testament points to Jesus. This book is divided into 10 chapters (each one has personal study, a brief commentary chapter by the author, and group discussion questions) and follows the basic stories of the Old Testament. This is not a commentary; it highlights the main stories of Genesis that show Christ most vividly, including: Creation, the Fall, Noah, the Tower of Babel, Abraham, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the Sons of Jacob.

I especially appreciated the first chapter ("The Road to Emmaus") which set the context for looking for Christ in the OT. The author does a great job sticking to what the Bible says as the main guide for our interpretation. I really benefit from the parallel Scriptures in each personal Bible study section that looked up verses in Genesis and their fulfillment in Christ in the NT. The ladies from our church really loved this study and are excited to go through the rest of her "Jesus in the Old Testament" study books.

RED FLAG
The only contention I had with this book was the chapter on Abraham and Isaac. I realize that there is a significant difference between credobaptists and paedobaptists in how they understand baptism, yet for the most part they can agree on major Reformed theology. However, the author goes too far and strongly connects circumcision to NT baptism, whether infants or believers. She does a good job explaining the differences in credo vs. paedo baptism without judging the position of the reader and encourages the reader to be discerning, but in her "Teaching Chapter" she makes some serious unbiblical conclusions that would be important for readers to note.

p. 187, Her quote: "Rather than being marked as belonging to God by circumcision, we are marked as belonging to God in a new way - through baptism. After His resurrection, Jesus sent His disciples out - not to circumcise, but to baptize. Baptism is now the sign of covenant membership and the mark of true descendants of Abraham by faith."
Strongly disagree. Abraham wasn't marked by circumcision until after God had already called him and enabled him to walk by faith. So also, baptism is the symbol of something that's already happened in someone's relationship with God (see Gal. 5:6; Rom. 6:4). Circumcision has ALWAYS been connected to regeneration and faith, not baptism (Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4; Eze. 44:9). Even the author's proof text of the Great Commission falls short because the Great Commission still lists "making disciples" (regeneration) before baptizing them.

p. 188, Her quote: "Baptism is God's announcement of His intention to be our God and make us His own."
Strongly disagree. Jesus is God's announcement of His intention to be our God and make us His own. Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ through regeneration. Jesus never tells Nicodemus, "You must be baptized." He tells him, "You must be born again."

p. 188, Her quote: "How can you know God loves you? You look back on your baptism."
Strongly disagree. Baptism may be a moment in our life to remind us of what God has done, but we don't look there for God's love. We look at Jesus Christ and Him alone. Nowhere in the Bible are we called to look at our baptism as a reassurance of God's love.

p. 188, Her quote: "Through baptism God marks us as belonging to Him."
This is a false conclusion. God "baptizes" us with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Rom. 8:16; 1 John 4:13). Through regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are sealed/marked as belonging to Him.

p. 194, Her quote: "And putting two and two together, he [Abraham] reasoned that the same God who had brought Adam to life from the dust of the ground could bring Isaac back to life from the ashes of his body."
Illogical and unbiblical comparison between the creation of Adam and the faith of Abraham that God could resurrect Isaac. The Bible explains this point of Abraham's faith in Heb. 11:19, which is never mentioned by the author. Abraham wasn't looking back at Adam's creation, which didn't have death or ashes or resurrection yet (in order to be resurrected, one must be dead first). Death entered the world after Adam and Eve sinned. Adam's creation never represents resurrection anywhere in Scripture, so why did the author go there? A more biblical understanding of Abraham's faith was that he literally believed in the resurrection of the dead because of what God had already done in "resurrecting" two old people (him and Sarah) who were "as good as dead" to have a child. If God could do that, surely He could resurrect Isaac. It had nothing to do with Adam.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I participated in a church Bible study over "The Promised One" from October through February. The book has 10 chapters, each showing how a character or event in Genesis points toward Jesus. We met twice each month, and just finished.

Author Nancy Guthrie has written 5 books in this series, which take us through the rest of the Old Testament, still making the connections between events/characters and Jesus. I liked this book/study fine, although I much preferred the studies I've done in recent years by Jen Wilkin. Guthrie tends, in my opinion, to make suggestions several places that made me a little uncomfortable. For instance, in the chapter about the Garden of Eden, she talks about how God "provided a covering of animal skins, perhaps the skin of a lamb. How does this point to the covering God has provided for us in our sin?" I feel like suggesting lambskins was a stretch. There was nothing in the Bible suggesting that the skins were those of a lamb. In a discussion of Jacob and Esau, Guthrie speculates, "Jacob was afraid. It wasn't that he was offended morally by this suggested deception, as he should have been. He was just afraid that he would be found out and that his efforts to secure the blessing he so longed for from his father would backfire." I mean--maybe, but can we say this with certainty? My daughter, separately from my observations, noted similar things in the book.

But anyway. It's a bit of a challenge to review a book read over 5 months. I'll bullet-point some notes that I found interesting throughout:

* In the creation story: animals were made "according to their kind," while people were made "according to God's image"

* God's power can be seen, among other ways, through His voice. He created much of the world simply by speaking it into existence. He said "Let there be light" and created light, even before the sun had been created.

* In the Noah chapter, she has a good discussion about those left off the ark, relating it to unsaved people we know. "The heart that is heavy with the knowledge that someone we love is outside the ark is a heart that aches with the burden of Christ himself, who said with tears, 'Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!' ... Ultimately, we pray that it will not be our loved one's rebellion and resistance that will have the last word in his or her life, but God's grace and mercy."

* Also in this chapter, she discusses the rainbow referring to an archer's bow as well as to the bow in the sky, and to the implications of that for the Jewish people.

* In the chapter on the Tower of Babel: the point was made about the people not obeying God's direction to disperse, and so he dispersed them Himself. It's better to obey God to begin with rather than force His hand, so to speak, into forcing us into it. "The Lord limited their progress in order to limit the damage" they would do.

* Also in this chapter, frequent note was made of people attempting to build a tower to reach up to heaven, while God, up in Heaven, would 'come down' to do this or that.

* The chapter on Abraham: we noted the eternal nature of God's promises, in that we may not see many of these fulfilled during our lifetimes, but that this makes them no less true.

* In the chapter on Abraham and Isaac: we know God loves us, "not through intuition, or because I experience his love on my terms, but because I have by faith stood at the foot of the cross and seen the sacrifice of his beloved Son, which enables me to say, 'Now I know you love me.'"

* In the chapter on Joseph, a discussion on God not just allowing us to suffer at times, but sometimes even summoning our trials: "We see that God did not merely allow the famine; he summoned it. He did not merely allow Joseph's brothers to sell him as a slave; he sent him to Egypt. Joseph was put to the test of suffering by God's decree." This is a difficult realization, but it's helpful to ponder. "Just because we can't see or articulate clearly his purpose in our suffering doesn't mean he doesn't have one."

* Also in the Joseph chapter: "Just as the sufferings of Joseph were purposeful in the plan of God, which was to put him in place to be a savior of the world in his time, and just as the sufferings of Christ were purposeful to make him the great savior of the world for all time, so we can "rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Rom. 5:3-4)

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I am a huge fan of Nancy Guthrie's podcast, "Help Me Teach the Bible," and was so excited by her approach to Bible study (a Christ-centered biblical theology approach) in "Even Better than Eden." This is the first time I've ever used one of her Bible study guides, and she did not disappoint!
The emphasis on Christ, and on seeing the patterns and the foreshadowing in the Old Testament, were marvelous. Some of the women in her study thought she pushed the images and analogies a little too far - and yet, even when I agreed with them, I liked the challenge that Nancy set by her example, of keeping my eyes open for Jesus and how he is revealed in ALL of Scripture. Even if I get some of those images "wrong." The theology behind this approach is utterly biblical, and that's what excited me.
I also really appreciated that she focused on how these particular episodes and people in Genesis connected to the end times, to the fulfillment of all things. Her teaching chapters were insightful and thought-provoking.
We did not use the videos; they are not absolutely necessary, because I know she simply covers the teaching chapter in them.
Recommended for group Bible study, even without the videos. We had lively discussion and I felt we were able to see Jesus more clearly, and appreciate how even the strangest stories - and all those genealogies! - pointed us to Christ and all that God intended for us in Him, from the very beginning of all things.
Thank you, Nancy Guthrie!

[Julie Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for the purpose of individual or group Bible study. I used it for the latter and many of the participants commented that this book and Nancy’s approach to Bible study has caused them to see and believe better in God’s redemptive plan that begins to unfold in Genesis! This perspective on the book of Genesis gives the reader a deeper, broader understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s redeeming plan and the One to whom all Scripture points.
The personal study questions are thought-provoking and require the student to work and “dig” into all of scripture. These questions are not easily answered. The teaching chapters are written to be read after one has completed the personal study. There are also excellent discussion questions that help in facilitating a group discussion. This arrangement worked beautifully for our one hour gathering.
We each read the teaching chapters on our own.
Nancy Guthrie’s teaching of Biblical Theology is clearly developed in her writing. Her Biblical Theology Workshops are remarkable as well! I highly recommended this book!

Throughout the study, our group prayed as follows:
“As we look for Christ in Genesis may we not be like the Pharisees who refused to come to Jesus but like the disciples whose eyes were opened to a clearer view of Jesus, whose hearts burned with a more passionate love for Jesus, and whose minds were opened to a deeper understanding of Jesus.”

Thank you Nancy!

[Jenai Auman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Guthrie’s “The Promised One” is a wonderful read. It is listed as a bible study, but I read it instead as a commentary. Her teaching chapters are thoroughly researched and so very well-written. For those that struggle with identifying the connection between the time of the patriarchs and Jesus, Nancy does a wonderful job of articulating how the Old Testament bridges with the New.

Her writing is always so well thought out, and I’m appreciating that skill in writers. Her ideas and rhetoric are easy to follow as she highlights and expounds on the grander narrative of scripture and God covenanting with his people.

Though she doesn’t write perfectly, she writes faithfully. Her words ministered to me through a tough few weeks.

This book is worth your time whether you need to engage with it by simply reading or in bible study format.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent book which we used as a video and written Bible study. Guthrie is smart, articulate, insightful, and interesting. Plus, her clothes and hair were not a distraction. A real plus. Personal information on the death of her two babies born with Zellweger syndrome only added to my appreciation of her life and commitment to Christ and making his Word understood. She did her task of making Jesus known in Genesis.
Of the patriarchs: "Everyone in the family sought the blessing of God without bending the knees to God."

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book we used for Fall Women's Bible Study at church. It was accompanied by videos of Nancy Guthrie teaching the text of the book. I appreciated watching the videos and following along with the text as well as the personal Bible study questions and the small group discussion questions. Since this was on Zoom, it provided a delightful format for teaching and discussion. I recommend this well done, doctrinally sound study which shows the types of Christ and references to the Messiah in Genesis and draws you closer to the Lord. Good for both personal and group study.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the Bible studies in this series are excellent and Nancy Guthrie didn't fail in this one. I really appreciate how she guides you towards seeing Jesus in Genesis. This is only a 10-week Bible study so is an overview. If you want an in-depth study of Genesis, I would recommend another study, but this one serves the purpose very well for what Guthrie was seeking to do.

[Ryan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

find roots for your biblical understanding

As if an endless stream of untethered topical sermons weren’t bad enough, many churches don’t even touch the Old Testament anymore. This is a great way to start. It’s the perfect primer for the Old Testament with rich connections to the Jesus who would one day fulfill it all. Love this whole series!

[Kim N' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent- this book is challenging and eye opening to all the ways Genesis points forward to Christ in both his first and second comings. It’s teaching is clearly presented and applicable. Highly recommend

[Denise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend The Promised One - Seeing Jesus in Genesis. It is an excellent study with so many wonderful insights. I went through it with a group of women and we are now looking forward to beginning the next book in the series where we will see Jesus in the next four books of the Bible.

[Jessica Tetterton-Kellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I think going through it as my church also had been going through a series on Genesis added so much to my understanding of sermons I listened to, and I'm definitely going to continue this series