Genesis

Overview – January 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Genesis

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” — Genesis 1:1 NKJV

Old Testament Introduction The Old Testament takes us from the creation of the heavens and the earth up to approximately 400 BC. It begins with such hope and ends with the threat of a curse (Mal. 4:6). The spiritual history of mankind from Adam and Eve, and of the nation of Israel in particular, shows the complete failure of mankind to obey God on the basis of what he could do. God gave Israel the Law. It was perfect righteousness, but man in a fallen condition, having disobeyed God, had no ability to maintain God’s standard for righteousness. How thankful we are that the Bible does not stop with Malachi, but takes us to the Lord Jesus Christ, the cross, the resurrection, and the gospel of the grace of God as seen in the New Testament!

Especially the latter part of the Old Testament contains many prophecies. Some have been fulfilled – especially those which deal with the Lord Jesus; many still await fulfillment. We would lose very much if we did not have what these inspired writers of old have left us.

The Book Of Genesis
Genesis means “beginning.” It deals with creation and life, giving the seeds of all that is later developed throughout the entire Bible. Genesis beautifully depicts the simplicity of early life on earth; but the beginning of sin and corruption is also seen there together with God’s abhorrence and judgment of evil. Genesis symbolizes the life-giving work of God begun in a soul – new birth – with promise of fruit to come.

The book especially revolves around the lives of seven outstanding patriarchs:

1. In Adam are seen lessons of life and death. He is a picture of Christ, for he was the head of a race; Kbut also a contrast to Christ, for death claimed him, whereas Christ is a Living Head.
2. Enoch teaches us of walk and translation. He walked with God, and “by faith ... was translated” (Heb. 11:5), a type or picture of saints who will be raptured when the soon-coming Lord meets the believers in the air (1 Th. 4:17).
3. Noah illustrates work and salvation. His work was a work of faith, and his salvation at the time of the flood was into a new, cleansed world, a type of those future believers after the Church has been raptured, who (having never previously heard and rejected the gospel) will be saved through the Tribulation for the new, cleansed, millennial earth.
4. Abraham tells us of faith and separation. His altar speaks of his faith, his tent of his separation. By God’s call he became a pilgrim.
5. Isaac shows the principles of submission and continuance, for in general his was an obedient, consistent life.
6. Jacob illustrates discipline and anticipation. God’s dealings are seen in his life to secure Jacob’s subjection and lead him on to worship as his death approached.
7. Joseph:suffering and exaltation are the themes of his life, a precious example for believers of all ages.

By L. M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.
It is available from the publisher:Believer’s Bookshelf USA.