Introduction. As you know, the book of Genesis has been positioned in the front of our popular English Bibles. This is not because it is believed to be the oldest of the sixty-six books, but because of its chronological content.
Genesis, the book of beginnings. We read in Genesis about the beginning of all things created, including man himself (Gen. 1; 2). The commencement of the family and law are found in Genesis (Gen. 2). Genesis records the first temptation and the entrance of sin into the world (Gen. 3). The beginnings of nations and tongues are also found in Genesis (Gen. 10; 11).
Many important matters are found in Genesis. Man correctly divides the Bible into three great dispensations. They are Patriarchy, the Law of Moses, and the Gospel Age. Genesis records God's dealings with man under Patriarchy (a period of about 2, 700 years). In Genesis, we read of such great men as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and the Patriarchs themselves (Gen. 6-9; 11-27; 21). We read of the great promise made to Abraham. "And I will make of thee a great nation," God tells Abram. "And I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing" (Gen. 12: 2). The land promise was fulfilled, just as promised (Gen. 12: 1, see Josh. 24: 10 ff.). The greater promise made to Abraham, though, was spiritual. Hear Paul, "that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Gal. 3: 14). This fulfillment involved Christ and the privilege of being a Christian (Gal. 3: 16-29).
You too can partake of the Abrahamic promise found in the book of Genesis which began its fulfillment in Acts 2. Believe, repent, confess Christ's deity, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (John 8: 24; Acts 17: 30, 31; Rom. 10: 9, 10; Acts 2: 38). Hence, the book of Genesis is a book of prospect and hope.
Genesis, the book of beginnings. We read in Genesis about the beginning of all things created, including man himself (Gen. 1; 2). The commencement of the family and law are found in Genesis (Gen. 2). Genesis records the first temptation and the entrance of sin into the world (Gen. 3). The beginnings of nations and tongues are also found in Genesis (Gen. 10; 11).
Many important matters are found in Genesis. Man correctly divides the Bible into three great dispensations. They are Patriarchy, the Law of Moses, and the Gospel Age. Genesis records God's dealings with man under Patriarchy (a period of about 2, 700 years). In Genesis, we read of such great men as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and the Patriarchs themselves (Gen. 6-9; 11-27; 21). We read of the great promise made to Abraham. "And I will make of thee a great nation," God tells Abram. "And I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing" (Gen. 12: 2). The land promise was fulfilled, just as promised (Gen. 12: 1, see Josh. 24: 10 ff.). The greater promise made to Abraham, though, was spiritual. Hear Paul, "that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Gal. 3: 14). This fulfillment involved Christ and the privilege of being a Christian (Gal. 3: 16-29).
You too can partake of the Abrahamic promise found in the book of Genesis which began its fulfillment in Acts 2. Believe, repent, confess Christ's deity, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (John 8: 24; Acts 17: 30, 31; Rom. 10: 9, 10; Acts 2: 38). Hence, the book of Genesis is a book of prospect and hope.