The opening eleven chapters of Genesis unfold a theological history of humanity that serves as the backdrop for the rest of the Bible’s story of redemption, including the role of Israel within that story. This backdrop, as we will see, narrates humanity’s exile from God’s presence and life-yielding fellowship. Separated from Yahweh God, the fountain of life and being, humanity’s condition is one of death. As such, the return to God—the exodus—can only be life from
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