Genesis Introduction
Meaning and Significance The word “Genesis” means “Beginnings.” In this first book of the Bible, we read about the following: the beginning of life, man’s relationship with God, wrongdoing (sin) and the need for making amends, people groups and nations, and a particular family chosen by God. Authorship Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible. Jesus’ words in Luke 24:27 and Moses' composition of Psalm 90 give Scriptural justification for his authorship. Thousands of years after the creation of the earth, God revealed to Moses the events which only the Almighty could have witnessed. Moses must have been in awe as God described how he made the universe and all its inhabitants. Date of the Earth—Creation or Evolution? The Date of the beginning of the earth is uncertain. A literal reading of the genealogical record in Genesis 5-11 leads us to believe that the earth is about 6,000 years old. See an explanation of that here. Evolutionist dispute this very young earth view. Moses gives the first record of creation in Genesis 2 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done (Genesis 2:1-3, NIV). Notice that in Moses’ second record of these same events, the interpretation hasn’t changed. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:11, NIV) Jesus affirmed Moses’ record He told the Jewish religious leaders, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (John 5:45-46, NIV). Do we see the significance of what Jesus is saying? Yes, Moses wrote God’s words, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him” (Deuteronomy 18:18, NIV). That refers to Jesus. But our Lord also verified the rest of Moses’ writings, including the six-day creation record in Genesis and its reference in Exodus. Our Lord is saying if we can’t believe Moses’writings, how are we going to believe what He says? (more). The Day-Age Theory Some liberal theologians try to compromise with evolutionary theories, saying that each day represents an era of time. Sounds good, but let’s see if this works. On the first day of creation, before the universe was created, God said, “let there be light …and there was light”—no big bang or Supernova. The light did not come from stars but from the only source possible—himself! In Psalm 104:2 (NIV) the hymn writer tells us “He [the Almighty God] wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent.” On the second day, before the universe was created, God formed the atmospheric layers of the earth. On the third day, before the universe was created, God was creating the sky, water, earth, and plant life. Life did not come from the ocean because it was not created until the fifth day; plant life was created on the third day. On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon, and stars. If each day were an era of time, all life would be dead and frozen if it depended on our sun. On the fifth day, God created the sea creatures and birds of the air. On the sixth day, God created animals and people from the dust of the ground, not from some evolving sea creatures who got washed up onshore. Conclusion Do you understand? The Day-Age theory doesn’t work; there is no natural solution or compromise possible. God created and now sustains all things. For by him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17, NIV) Is the debate between evolution and creation really important? Yes! It is vital to our faith. If we cannot trust Genesis 1-11 to be literally and historically accurate, how can we trust the rest of the Bible? (more) Application The incomprehensible truth is that God is greater, much much greater than any of us can possibly imagine! Doesn’t this cause us to fear someone so wonderful? If he is that powerful and wise to create all things big and small, indeed, he is worthy of all praise. And, if God is our heavenly Father, this should cause us to ask anything of God in faith that he can handle it, if it pleases him to do it. We will read of many great and marvelous deeds of God in these Bible studies. Stay tuned.
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