The word “Genesis” means beginning. In Genesis, we find the fundamental foundational truths for life. Psalm 11:3 says, “If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?” It’s so important that we know the foundational stories of the Bible. All Bible stories point to the gospel.
The Person of Creation
Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This is God Himself telling us how it all started. This statement is essential because if we cannot believe what God said about creation there is no reason to believe what God said about salvation. The focus of creation is on God. He is mentioned 32 times in 31 verses. There is no attempt to prove there is a God. Some truths are self-evident. Genesis 1:1 refutes atheism, polytheism, pantheism, and fatalism. What does this mean today? There is a God who brought the world into existence and He brought you into existence. You were not an accident or afterthought. Verses 3-4 say, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good….” There is a God who is personal and real. Ten times we read that “God said.” God also “saw.” God sees everything going on in your life. He is a God of love and He still speaks today. In verses 2 and 26 God reveals Himself as the triune God. We read about the Spirt and He says, “Let us make man in our image….” God did not create us because He was lonely! There was perfect relationship and fellowship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He created us as an overflow of His love. Isaiah 45:18 tells us that God created the earth to be inhabited. The word earth means love. The earth around us is an expression of God’s love for us. Every flower, every fruit, is God saying, “I love you.”
The Pattern of Creation
This is not original to me, but many authors point out that God formed the earth the first three days and then He filled the earth the next three days. He formed the three main bodies: heavens, land, and seas. Next, He filled them with appropriate forms of life. The sun was not created until verse 14. You do not have to have the sun to have light. Jesus is the Light of the World! Verse 16 says, “Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.” How did Moses know the sun was larger than the moon? Observation would indicate the opposite. He wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Also, notice that only five words describe the stars. There are 50 chapters in the Bible to describe the Tabernacle. God is more interested in salvation than creation! He is more interested in souls than stars! The point of Genesis is WHO, WHAT, and WHY. God made all things for His Glory. Genesis 2:2-3 tell us that God rested on the seventh day. God never intended life to be all work and no play. God did not rest because He was tired. He never sleeps or slumbers. He rested because He was finished. If you are going to function at maximum effectiveness and finish well, you must learn to rest. God set an example about work and rest.
The People of Creation
Genesis 1:26-28 tells us that man is made in God’s image, made as male and female, and made to multiply and have dominion over the earth. Man has the capacity to know God. Every scientific discovery shows man’s dominion over the earth. These verses also tell us the differences between men and women are not caused by culture or society. They are biological. Metabolism, bone size, lung capacity, nervous systems, number of white blood cells are biological facts that are irrefutable. The main significant difference is reproduction. Biologically, it is impossible to “be fruitful and multiply” without the other gender. There are two competing views on the origin of man. Evolution teaches that man evolved from lower forms of life. Look at just one square inch on the back of your hand. Did you know in that one inch there are 3 million cells, a yard of blood vessels, 4 yards of nerves, 100 sweat glands, 25 oil glands, 50 nerve endings, and all in an area of skin the size of a postage stamp? Do you honestly believe that just happened by accident, a cosmic explosion, the big bang? That takes more FAITH to believe than believing there is a God who has a divine design. Just because something has similar characteristics does not mean it evolved. All buildings have similar characteristics but that does not mean the White House evolved from a doghouse! In Genesis 2:18-25 we read of God’s plan for family. It wasn’t good that Adam was alone, so God created Eve. She was intended to be a helper for him. This wasn’t a degrading thing. The Holy Spirit is also referred to as the Helper.
There is so much we can learn from just these first two chapters, but I want to leave you with this. Is there a void in your life? You were made for God. Where there is darkness and emptiness, God brings light, order, and life. In a world of darkness and chaos, the gospel brings peace. God wants to bring order to the chaos in your life.