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Genesis a book of firsts . . .

Genesis is a book of firsts.

First of creation. First light, sky, land, water, birds, fish, animals. First world; perfect world. And God thought it was very good. First man and woman draw their first breaths. First marriage. First sin. First sacrifice. First curse. First births. First family. First murder. First messianic prophecy. First covenant.

Disciples’ perspective:

We also see our first building project, the Tower of Babel in Genesis. The construction project must have been so fulfilling and the owners must have been proud! They sought to make a name for themselves! The only problem was that it was in direct opposition to God’s instructions. Look back at Genesis 1:28, “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it . . .” Instead these men came up with the idea to “build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

This story is a great analogy for the church today. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples. . . ” and instead the church starting in 300 AD begins to build. That first gift from Constantinople that established a location for the church was the beginning of the end of the going church. Like the architects of the tower, church building projects have been motivated and fueled by all kinds of ambition, and a need to make a name. A people seeking to go do not first build a house, a tower, an auditorium or a dome. Will you go?

In the 2nd week of Bible reading we’re still in Genesis and the genealogies we see are also corroborated in Chronicles. Below is the reading plan for Week 2.

Bible Reading list – Jan 8-14

DATE READING Commentary
Jan 8 Genesis 25; 1 Chron 1 Abraham’s Family
Jan 9 Gen 26-27  
Jan 10 Gen 28-30  
Jan 11 Gen 31  
Jan 12 Gen 32-35  
Jan 13 Gen 36  
Jan 14 Gen 37-39; 1 Chron 2 Joseph
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INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS

THE BEGINNING! AND THE BEGINNING OF THE END.

Creation:

Genesis boldly opens with the words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  This book is about God, His creation and how it was marred by the fall; and how the ensuing consequences shaped earliest human history.  In Genesis, we learn how it all began.

The oldest Torah scroll of the Pentateuch

Place in OT:

Genesis is the first Old Testament book; and the first book of the Law, or the Pentateuch or the Torah: The first of the first five books of the Bible.  It was written by Moses.  In this book you will meet Adam, Eve – the first humans, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Judah and Joseph.  It is the book of beginnings – the first humans, animals, marriage, etc. When Jesus was asked about marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:3-9, He immediately referred to Genesis 2:24! Genesis answers the question: What was the original design before it was broken.

Jesus in Genesis:

The OT is a portrait of Jesus painted by dozens of artists as moved by God; each stroke a testimony, an account, a prophecy, a statute, a judgment . . . so we cannot help but recognize Him!

The Old Testament (Covenant) is the shadow and the New Covenant is the reality.  So in every book of the Old testament, we will see the portrait of Jesus being painted – stroke for stroke by different authors – prophets, kings, priests, and ordinary men. Not just a portrait of His appearance but His person, His position, His power, His character, His mission and all He would accomplish. In Genesis, Joseph is the boldest type of Jesus.

A disciple’s insight:

A disciple of Christ must understand God’s original intent.  We are called to reconcile people to God and restore them to Eden. We must understand CLEARLY that everything absent in Eden before the fall – all sin, sickness, and suffering; be it physical, emotional, mental or spiritual -is the consequence of the Fall and are works of satan. God’s perfect creation before sin entered the world gives us a glimpse of the reconciliation we are called to minister today.  God could have had Adam and Eve worship but instead He walked and talked with them; He wants intimate relationship.  Also we must keep in mind that God is a spirit.  His communion in Eden was not with flesh but with spirit.  Some of the most profound moments I’ve had with God occurred with people around totally unaware of the dialogue I was having with God in the spirit.  We must be careful that though we must engage in physical activities – singing, reading, praying – that we commune with God on a spiritual plane.

Mark 11:22-24 “. . . for assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ . . . he will have whatever he says.

The last thing I wish to point out is that God created the entire universe out of nothing! except His word – “Let there be . . . Nothing is too hard for Him to do through us. In the same way as He did, we speak in Jesus’ name into situations that are hopeless and God has not changed – He heals, restores, binds, looses, brings to life as we obey Him by faith.

I’m playing catch up as I’ve been traveling in December and into January but I trust you are well into Genesis by now. Blessings.