25 Sightings of Jesus in Genesis 1-10
Direct Prophecy
1. The Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15) Jesus would crush Satan's head through His death and resurrection. This is the first gospel promise in the Bible. Law vs Grace: Law demands perfect obedience; Grace promises a Savior despite our failure. Suffering Brings Benefit: The serpent would strike Christ's heel (the cross), but this brought salvation to sinners.
Typology
2. Adam as Federal Head (Genesis 1-3) Jesus serves as the second Adam who succeeds where the first Adam failed. Like Adam represented humanity, Christ represents His people in perfect obedience. Law vs Grace: Adam's disobedience brought death to all; Christ's obedience brings life to many (Romans 5:12-19).
3. Abel's Acceptable Sacrifice (Genesis 4:4) Jesus offered the sacrifice that God accepts on our behalf. God looks favorably on us through Christ's blood, not our works. Law vs Grace: Cain brought works of his hands (rejected); Abel brought blood (accepted by grace). Suffering Brings Benefit: Abel's lamb died in his place, pointing to Christ's substitution for us.
4. Abel's Martyrdom (Genesis 4:8) Jesus shed His blood as the righteous one killed by the wicked. Christ's blood speaks better things than Abel's blood (Hebrews 12:24). Suffering Brings Benefit: Abel's innocent death points to Christ's innocent death that purchased our forgiveness.
5. Enoch Walking with God (Genesis 5:24) Jesus makes it possible for us to walk with God daily. We can have fellowship with God because Christ bridged the gap. Law vs Grace: Walking with God comes through faith, not human effort or merit.
6. Enoch's Translation (Genesis 5:24) Jesus ascended to heaven and will return to take His people there. We will be caught up to meet Him because He conquered death.
7. Noah Finding Grace (Genesis 6:8) Jesus is the ark of salvation where God's grace rescues sinners. God saves us through Christ alone, not our righteousness. Law vs Grace: Noah didn't earn God's favor; he received grace as a gift before building the ark.
8. The Ark (Genesis 6:14-16) Jesus is our only refuge from God's judgment. Those in Christ are safe from the wrath we deserve. Suffering Brings Benefit: The ark endured the storm to save those inside, like Christ endured God's wrath to save us.
9. Only One Door (Genesis 6:16) Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 10:9). There is no other name by which we can be saved.
10. Eight Saved Through Water (Genesis 7:13) Jesus saves us through baptism, which pictures death and resurrection (1 Peter 3:20-21). We pass through judgment into new life because Christ died and rose.
11. Noah's Sacrifice (Genesis 8:20) Jesus offered Himself as a pleasing aroma to God. God accepts us because of Christ's perfect offering. Suffering Brings Benefit: The animals died to make atonement, showing us Christ's death appeased God's anger.
12. The Covering (Genesis 9:23) Jesus covers our shame and nakedness before God. We are clothed in His righteousness instead of our sin.
Divine Appearances
13. God Walking in the Garden (Genesis 3:8) Jesus is God who came near to seek fallen humanity. He came to earth to restore what sin destroyed.
14. The LORD Speaking to Cain (Genesis 4:6-7) Jesus warns sinners and calls them to turn from evil. He pleads with rebels to come to Him before it's too late.
15. The LORD's Presence with Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) Jesus dwells with those who trust Him. His presence is our greatest blessing now and forever.
16. God Closing the Ark (Genesis 7:16) Jesus secures our salvation; no one can snatch us from His hand. Our safety depends on Him, not our ability to hold on. Law vs Grace: God shut the door (grace); Noah didn't have to keep it closed (not law).
17. God Remembering Noah (Genesis 8:1) Jesus never forgets His people, even in the darkest times. He is faithful when circumstances make us feel abandoned.
18. The LORD Smelling the Sacrifice (Genesis 8:21) Jesus satisfied God's justice through His death. God is pleased with us because He is pleased with Christ.
19. God's Covenant Promise (Genesis 9:11-17) Jesus guarantees God's promises to His people. Every covenant promise finds its "yes" in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Thematic Anticipation
20. Light from Darkness (Genesis 1:3) Jesus is the light who shines in our dark hearts. God called light from darkness, just as He calls us from death to life.
21. The Sabbath Rest (Genesis 2:2-3) Jesus gives us rest from our labor to earn salvation. We enter His rest by faith, not by works (Hebrews 4:9-10). Law vs Grace: Law says work to earn rest; Grace says rest because the work is finished.
22. Life from Dust (Genesis 2:7) Jesus raises us from spiritual death to new life. He breathes spiritual life into dead souls.
23. The Helper Provided (Genesis 2:18-22) Jesus is our helper who meets our deepest need. God provides what we cannot provide for ourselves. Law vs Grace: Adam didn't create Eve himself; God gave her as a gift (grace, not works).
24. Coats of Skin (Genesis 3:21) Jesus clothes us in righteousness that cost Him His life. God covered Adam and Eve, showing we cannot cover ourselves. Suffering Brings Benefit: Animals died to clothe sinners, pointing to Christ's death that clothes us in righteousness. This shows the gospel: innocent blood shed to cover the guilty.
25. Cherubim Guarding Eden (Genesis 3:24) Jesus is the way back into God's presence. The sword of judgment fell on Him so we could return to paradise.
Additional Law vs Grace Examples
Cain and Abel's Offerings (Genesis 4:3-5) Law: Cain brought fruit from his own work, seeking approval through effort. Grace: Abel brought a blood sacrifice by faith, receiving approval as a gift.
Building the Ark (Genesis 6:22) Law: Would be trying to save yourself by your own boat. Grace: God designed the ark and told Noah exactly how to build it; salvation came through following God's plan, not human invention.
Food Provision After the Flood (Genesis 9:3) Law: Would be having to grow or hunt all your food to survive. Grace: God gave animals as food freely; it was a gift after the flood, not something earned.
Suffering Bringing Benefit
Animal Sacrifices After the Flood (Genesis 8:20) Animals died on the altar to make peace between God and man. This shows the gospel: Christ died in our place to reconcile us to God.
The Flood (Genesis 7:21-23) Death came to the whole world, but brought salvation to Noah's family. This pictures baptism: going through death waters into resurrection life through Christ.