Larry Pittman Bible student, reading His Word & seeking God diligently

All good books start with a beginning, the start of a story, building the foundation for the book and grabbing the reader's attention. 

The word genesis is defined by Merriam-Webster as "the beginning of something". That being said, the opening chapter of Genesis starts with "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth". I believe God is telling us that "When time began..." or "At the beginning of time this is what happened".

Our Father, who created us all is lovingly explaining to His dear children how everything came into being. Then at the end of the first chapter He tells us how our ancestors came into being, our family tree origin:

Genesis 1: 26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

Not only that Adam was created on the sixth day, but that he was created in the image of God, which sets man apart from every other created being. This is significant.

In chapter 2 we see the beginning of the concept of man and woman, the first marriage, because there was no helper suitable for Adam and that it was not good for man to be alone. 

Genesis 2: 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 

In chapter 3 we see the beginning of man's rebellion, the "original sin", starting in the garden of Eden.

In chapter 6 we read about how God got angry enough to flood the world:

Genesis 6: 5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.

Thus the story of Noah, being the only righteous person on earth.

Genesis 6: 9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

The story of the flood is significant. We learn about a global and cataclysmic change to the earth, which explains why there is evidence of the ocean found even in the highest mountains. God also begins to limit the age of man, down to a lifespan of 120 years.

Genesis 6: 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”

This explains how Adam and those living before the flood lived to be in excess of 900 years and we see a gradual decline. Shem lived for 600 years, 500 after the flood and Abraham, 6 generations later, lived for only 175 years.

And lastly, the book of Genesis tells us the beginning of the story of the Hebrews, the beginning of the Israelite's heritage, and for the believer's in Christ today, present company included, we see the beginning of our spiritual family, our story, as explained in Galatians...

Galatians 3: 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

So there you have it, as I have listed, the book of Genesis not only details the beginning of everything, but tells of many beginnings and sets the foundation for the rest of Scripture. Without knowing about sin and how we've been separated from God, then why do we need a Savior for those sins which reconciles us to God?

I hope this answers your question.

July 20 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeff Menacher

The way the Bible is set up today, as in how the books are ordered, is done to give us readers a sense of chronological progression. The books, however, were not written in that specific order. The first book of the Bible that was actually written, as inspired by God, was the book of Job. Genesis was written much later, and was placed first since it chronicles the beginning of what we know as life, and creation.

July 20 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Doreen Lovell Evangelist and Prayer Intercessor

The word GENESIS means creation, generation or production; it follows therefore that it should be the first book of God's instruction to man, since it is the book of beginnings..The Title GENESIS or BEGINNING was applied to this book by the Septuagint. The Hebrew title "BERSHIT"comes from the first word of the Book (In the beginning)

It is the foundational book to the rest of the Bible; recording the beginning of time, life, sin, salvation, the human race and the Hebrew nation. It begins with primeval history, centered in (a) the Creation, (b) the Fall, (c) the Flood, (d) the Dispersion of the Nation. It also records the history of four e patriarchs:- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

Its important theological themes include the doctrines of God, Creation of man, sin, and salvation. It teaches of atonement and of faith in God's revelation of Himself to mankind. It also records the first Messianic prophecies of the Bible predicting the birth of the Messiah (3:15).

Genesis covers more time than any other book in the Bible. It opens with the words "In the beginning God created" (1:1) and ends with "in a coffin in Egypt" (50:26). Thus it covers the whole plight of man, who was created in God's image to live forever but because of sin became destined for the grave.

July 20 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Hairy Animals

The Bible is a complete story. When you begin reading any other story, where do you begin? At the beginning, right? That's why the Bible begins with Genesis: the Creation and the birth of God's love for mankind.

September 01 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report