p. 6 (614) | THE BOOK OF GENESIS by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 25, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 39.

THE BOOK OF GENESIS.

By G.

The Hebrew title of the book of Genesis is Bereshith, which means “in the beginning.” The name is pertinent, for in this book we have not merely the only authentic account of the beginning of earth’s history, but we have the beginning of three dominions that were set up with the glorious prospect before them of being permanent in the earth’s population. The only reliable history of the earth until the death of Joseph in Egypt is the book of Genesis. The importance of this fact is but faintly appreciated even among those who profess to believe the Scriptures.

It is because we have no other history covering this great period that the enemy of all righteousness is making such strenuous endeavors to have men discredit it. If men would remember the purpose of all Scripture, they would not be so easily misled by those who would attribute to Genesis a design foreign to the object of the divine Author. Paul tells us that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

In all this divinely-revealed purpose of “all Scripture,” there is no intimation that it is designed to gratify curiosity, or to give minute or detailed narrative or description, other than the history of God’s dealings with men with a view to furthering the work of salvation. The written Word is a proclamation and history of the operation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom is revealed “the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Cor. 1:24. In Him is “all wisdom” (Col. 3:16); therefore His Word is given for instruction, but it is for “instruction in righteousness.” Those who go to it for instruction in things which it does not reveal, will be disappointed. And those who go to it for corroboration of theories which they have conceived independently of it, will be disappointed.

Then when we come to the study of the Word of God, we must study it to find out what it teaches in the lines wherein it is designed to give instruction. No one expects a text-book on chemistry to reveal the mysteries of the science of astronomy. Moreover we must study the Word with implicit faith in its Author, for it is given through the Holy Spirit, and is “spiritually discerned.” Those who come to it in their own wisdom will fail to receive even that which it is designed to teach. Therefore when we study the book of Genesis, we must study it as the revelation of God’s providence through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whatever of history and biography it contains is given as necessary to illustrate the workings of the great plan of salvation.

In the beginning God created the earth, and creatures to live upon it. Adam, the first man, was given dominion over the earth and everything in it, subject only to the Creator. His was the first dominion, and had he not yielded to a spirit of rebellion, his dominion would have been perpetual. When he fell, the plan of salvation stepped into the breach, and the antediluvian age was a practical illustration of its principles. The effect of sin upon the race was demonstrated in the general wickedness that prevailed in Noah’s time; the certainty of judgment was shown in the flood of water, and the power of God to save through faith in His Word was manifested in the preservation of Noah and his family in the ark. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Heb. 11:7. Noah was a preacher of righteousness by faith, and showed his faith by his works.

After the flood, Noah was given the dominion over the earth; but, notwithstanding his faith before and during the flood, he failed to continue as the recognized human head of the faithful. His descendants degenerated in the scale of morality and departed from God until He called out Abraham as a representative of true faith, in whom all families of the earth should be blessed. Gen. 12:1–5. This promise was to Abraham and his seed. But it was not to his natural seed as such. The Gospel was preached to Abraham, by the Lord (Gal. 3:8); he was there told of Christ. In making the promise “He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy Seed, which is Christ.” Verse 16.

The promise was not fulfilled in Abraham’s day, but Abraham remained steadfast. Even when told to offer his son Isaac as a burnt-offering, he did not fail, though he had been told that in Isaac should his seed be called. “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Rom. 4:20, 21. The Gospel included the promise of a resurrection; so Abraham believed that God was able to raise Isaac then and there in order to fulfil His promise; and this was done “in a figure” (Heb. 11:19), for Abraham was accredited with having “offered up Isaac” (verse 17 and James 2:21). The obedience of faith was accounted to him for righteousness. So Abraham, the third one that had been taken and tried, not only endured unto the end, but has an enduring Seed, Jesus Christ. Therefore Abraham became the one who is designated as the “father of all that believe,” the “heir of the world.” Rom. 4:11, 13. And all who shall obtain any part in the inheritance must become inheritors by virtue of being of the seed of Abraham; not of the natural seed, but of the spiritual Seed, which is Christ. Gal. 3:7–9, 26–29.

When Abraham passed away, the Gospel promise was repeated to Isaac, and reposed in him during his lifetime. Then his son Jacob bore the honor and responsibility until his death, when it passed to his children.

Now where do we learn that man is a sinner?—In the book of Genesis. Where do we find how he became a sinner?—In the book of Genesis. Where do we find the initial proclamation of the Gospel?—In the book of Genesis. Where do we find the account of its practical demonstration?—In the book of Genesis. Where do we find the promises upon which we are to rely as the basis of our faith in the Gospel?—In the book of Genesis. Then the book of Genesis is the substructure of the Gospel story. Its genealogies are essential to a recognition of the personality of the Messiah. No wonder the enemy of souls would fain have us believe that it is unreliable, that its theory of creation is untenable; that its history is not authentic; that its characters are mythical;

that its story is allegorical; that its facts are nullified by science. Such reasonings are the very essence of infidelity, subversive of the whole plan of salvation.

The book of Genesis gives us a synopsis of history, enough to show us the goodness of God to the children of men; enough to demonstrate that it was always true that “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord;” enough to show the long-suffering patience of God with His erring creatures, and that in every age it has been true that Christ is not only willing but “able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” The book of Genesis is fraught with evidence of God’s special care for His people, and His ability, in the face of any emergency, to subvert the enemy and defend His cause. Genesis is the voucher for the remainder of the story of redemption. G.