On Genesis

The opening book of the Holy Bible provides us with a detailed account of the creation of everything, including man and woman. It is truly a book of beginnings. The creation account is followed by the destructive first sin and the fall of man from perfect communion with a Holy God. Man's sinfulness continues to separate him from God and increases in wickedness. God then destroys the earth and its inhabitants with the Flood.

In eleven chapters, God lays the groundwork for the redemptive work of Christ that will be required to save fallen man. This plan of redemption will intertwine itself throughout the remaining books of the Bible. Beginning with Chapter 12, we see God at work to call a chosen people, the Hebrew nation, beginning with Abram. He call this nation to be the instrument that He would use to bring Jesus Christ into the world to save man and to provide hope of forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Genesis continues with accounts of the lives of Abram's descendants and their shortcomings as individuals and as a nation, despite the covenant call on their lives. Through it all, God remains faithful to them.

Adam and Eve appear as the first created man and woman. Their named children were Cain, Abel, and Seth. Cain initiates the first act of murder against his brother Abel.

Noah remained a righteous and blameless man who walked with God in a wicked world. God called him to construct an ark in which he, his wife, and sons and daughters-in-law, could reside during the flood. Animals were spared as well. Through the preservation of Shem during the flood, the bloodline of Christ was preserved.

Through the lineage of Shem, Abram was born to Terah. God personally called Abram to "birth" the Hebrew nation -- a "great nation" -- from which Christ would be born as Deliverer for a lost and dying world. Abraham's descendants included Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Genesis concludes with Joseph's death in Egypt. God had placed the Hebrew nation in Egypt to prosper and grown and be subjected to great oppression. The stage had been set for Moses, the delivered of the Israelites, to step front and center.

The book of Genesis is replete with beginnings. God's inspired Word records the beginnings of the earth, all plant and wildlife, mankind, language, the Hebrew nation, and many other firsts. We also witness God's unending faithfulness to keep His Word and promises along with His provision for man, despite his sinfulness. God's wrath and His grace are portrayed throughout this book.

Genesis Scriptures that have personal spiritual meaning and inspiration for me include:

"Abram believed the Lord, and He credited to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6

"He said, 'If I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, do not pass your servant by.'" Genesis 18:3

"Abraham answered, 'God Himself will provide the Lamb.'" Genesis 22:8

I am blessed by the numerous references in Genesis to our Lord and Savior. Jesus was a part of God's plan for redemption of fallen man from the very beginning. Genesis 3: 15 gives us confidence in our ability to defeat the enemy through Christ's blood. And Genesis 22:8 promises that God will provide that perfect sacrificial Lamb -- Jesus Christ.

Abraham's faith and willingness to follow the Lord's directions without question, blesses me. He willingly gave himself to the Lord and His service. I offer myself to Him, through faith, for forgiveness of my sins and to equip my life to be of service to Him. I want to live my life so that I will find favor in His eyes (Genesis 18:3) and so that He will walk hand-in-hand with me through my days on earth and into eternity.