Genesis: in the beginning…

Book #1

55 chapters

Genesis is the foundation on which the remaining sixty-five books of the Bible are built. 

The purpose of Genesis is to trace the beginnings of history.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And so it begins…

The book of beginnings: of sin and its disastrous effects, of humanity, and of God’s plan to restore the world through His chosen people, the Israelites. Genesis covers the creation and fall, the descendants of Adam and Eve, the flood, the tower of Babel, Abraham’s call, right down to Joseph’s death. In short, it is about creation, fall, and redemption.

Genesis is intended to be read as an account of the family history of the Hebrew people. “This is the account of” (Hebrew elleh toledoth) occurs eleven times in the book. These accounts include family histories and family genealogy. The first section (1:1-2:3) does not have the elleh toledoth heading given that it’s the account of the creation.

Moses is attributed as the writer of the Pentateuch or Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy) by both Scripture and historians. His intimate communion with God gave him the spiritual understanding to write God’s Word. Yes, regardless of what non-believers might say, the Bible is God’s inspired Word. Had it not been for God, we wouldn’t have had this spiritual guide.

The book is a source of instruction and edification. We’re going to explore blessings and curses, good and evil, God’s plan, Israel, and why it’s important to be faithful to your heavenly Father.

Do you have your Bible in front of you? Good. Open it with me to Genesis 1.

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THE CREATION

Scripture in focus: Genesis 1

Science asks: Who created the world? Where did it come from? How did it come about? What is the age of the earth? When did humans first come into existence? How were they created?

Instead of relying on Science, you can find the answers in the Bible. Genesis 1 does not offer any clues to the age of the earth for the Divine Designer does not have to account for everything under the blazing sun. Who are we puny beings to question His Supremacy?

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Gen 1:1) so begins Genesis and a key question is already answered: WHO created the world? No beating around the bush there. This cements and affirms God’s role in creation. The earth was formless (Gen 1:2) before God’s master plan to fill that was empty.

Let us take a closer look at the six days of creation:

DAY 1: Light & Darkness 1:3-5

DAY 2: Sky & Waters (the Firmament of Heaven) 1:6-8

DAY 3: Land (Earth), Sea & Vegetation 1:9-13

DAY 4: The Sun, the Moon & the Stars (Lights in the Firmament of Heaven) 1:14-19

DAY 5: Fish, Fowl, Beasts & Cattle 1:20-25

DAY 6: Man in the image of God & Animals 1:26-31

I marvel at His creation.

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With light (day and night), God fills it with the sun, moon, and stars, thus creating TIME, something we take for granted. With the waters above (rain) and waters below (seas, rivers, lakes etc.), God fills it with birds and fishes thus creating WEATHER. Isn’t He amazing? He then fills the dry land (Earth) and vegetation with land animals thus creating AGRICULTURE.

But of all the beautiful creations, only one was created in the Father’s likeness: Man (1:26-27). At each stage, God declares His work “good” so next, we’ll look at the seventh day on which God rested after creating the world in six days and how it ties into mankind serving Him.

FUN FACT: God is the only name mentioned 30 times in Genesis 1.

END NOTE: We’re not clones or replicas of God. We were created in His image and likeness to worship Him. Although God is all-knowing, holy, perfect and all-powerful, we share certain common characteristics with Him: emotions, spirituality, and communication. 

ALSO NOTE: I’ll like to know in the comments down below, if you prefer this method or if you’ll prefer an overall summary. Also, let me know if this method is too slow or if it’s okay. Until next time, God bless and keep you.

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