Since the Bible says that creation and history speak of God, we need to take the time to stop and listen, or we will miss what they have to say. To learn more about God, we will spend a whole year going through the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and other scriptures to expand our understanding.
Genesis means beginning and the first three words of the Bible in the book of Genesis are “In the beginning…”,giving us the name for this year’s study. We will examine the accounts creation and the beginning of human history contained in the book of Genesis.
The Purpose of Genesis
Before we begin the study of Genesis, we want to establish the purpose for its writing. Ten times in Genesis the phrase “This is an account of…”, occurs, dividing the book into sections of history. The first time is in Genesis 2:4 where it says, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.”
If someone gives you an account of something that means they are carefully relating a correct description of what took place. Genesis is a correct account or report of creation and the beginning of history. It is a narrative or description of both the creation of the physical world and the beginning of human society. The account of Genesis was given by Moses.
Moses was a prophet of God. He led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and was the one to whom God gave the Ten Commandments. The first five books of the Bible are attributed to Moses and are called the Pentateuch. (Penta in Greek means five.) The Israelites were the people through whom God chose to reveal himself more fully to all mankind. They are referred to by different names, the Jews, the Hebrews and the people of God.
Human History
Besides the story of creation, the book of Genesis includes the account of human history, starting from the very beginning, the creation of man. It is important to study history because in order to be wise we need to learn from those who have lived before us. Deuteronomy 32:7 says, Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. If we are smart, we will study the Bible and learn from those who have lived before us. We become better educated through learning about their failures and successes.
Jorge Santayana, a famous Spanish philosopher, said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” If we don’t study the past and the things people have done before us and see the consequences of their actions, we will make the same mistakes they did.
Moses carefully related the story of creation and the history and genealogy of Adam and Eve and their offspring so we could know and follow the truth. Moses, who spoke with God, passed on what he knew to be true so that we would have a means to know God more fully.
The Power and Wisdom Of God
Through the general revelation of God, in creation we can know the power and wisdom of God. The voice of creation speaks to all people everywhere revealing that there is a creator God who has all power and wisdom. When we have eyes to see, we understand the design and intricacy of creation and are amazed at the majesty of God.
Through the written revelation of God contained in the Bible, we can know the character and heart of God. The voice of history and of truth written in the Bible reveals to us the nature of God and the consequences of going our own way rather than God’s way. History shows us how people are fallen and need a savior.
Jesus, the Son of God, entered human history and made a way for all people who believe in him to escape the burden of their sin. Knowing and entering a relationship with Jesus Christ is the means by which we are saved. Knowing, understanding and living out the Word of God is the means by which we become wise.
Wisdom is knowing what is right to do and doing it. Having wisdom leads to living a good life. Proverbs 9:10 says, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. The fear of the Lord is understanding who God is, that he knows and sees everything, and that we are accountable to him for our thoughts, words and deeds.
When we study the Bible, we learn to know and fear God. We learn to put our trust in God and can see his faithfulness. Without the fear of God we will do what we want, live a life of folly and be separated from the source of all that is good, true and right.
- Overview Questions: What is an account? What is Genesis an account of? Who wrote Genesis? Why did he write Genesis?
- Thought Questions: How do we know we can trust the account of creation and history related in Genesis? What is the result of trusting the Genesis account? What is the consequence of not trusting Genesis?
- Prayer: Thank God for the history of creation and his people that is recorded in the Bible. Thank him for the evidence in creation itself and other recorded history that substantiates the truth of the Bible. Pray that as you study the Bible you will grow in understanding of him and man’s tendency to rebel against him. Pray that this study would cause you to devote yourself more fully to God.
- Week’s Memory Verse: Proverbs 9:10
How do we become wise? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Click below to listen to “God’s Fingerprint” a great sermon that pairs well with this study.
Without the fear of God we will do what we want, live a life of folly and be separated from the source of all that is good, true and right.