Genesis Principles

As we read Genesis, we need to understand how it fits into the Old Testament and within God’s plan.

Genesis is the first book of Moses, of the law, of the Pentateuch, of the Torah. How does Old Testament law relate to Christians? It applies in spirit and not in the letter.

“who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV)

For instance, we are circumcised of the heart, not the flesh.

“... True circumcision is something that happens deep in your heart, not something done to your body. And besides, you should want praise from God and not from humans.” (Romans 2:29 CEV)

None of us may have committed murder literally, but hatred and verbal abuse are the same spirit of murder.

“You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22 CEB)

Faithfulness to a spouse is laudable, but lust in our hearts is the spirit of adultery.

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27–28 KJV)

A day to rest to worship God is good, but the Sabbath only points to our true rest in Jesus.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NASB)

A day to rest and worship is wise, but a specific day is not commanded in the New Testament.

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.” (Romans 14:5-6 NIV)

We are not to judge one another over such things as food choices and worship days.

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17 NKJV)

The Old Testament is built on a series of covenants: e.g. Noahic, Abrahamic, Sinaitic (Mosaic), the Davidic and Levitical covenants. As we read Genesis, let’s look at it as having two parts. First, human failure in sin along with God’s grace in continuing to provide for us, followed by a second part, the story of a covenant between God and the successors of four faithful generations.

Genesis 1-11 Sin & Grace

Finish reading Genesis 1-11. The first part of Genesis reveals God and a family line of people who loved Him. It also records sin, human corruption, disobedience, murder, lust, immorality, violence and how God dealt with these issues in two ways: punishment and grace. God’s punishment included being expelled from the garden, limited life spans, the flood, the tower of Babel and physical death. God’s grace included the death penalty often being withheld, Cain being protected with a mark, Noah being preserved, and despite sin God is still gracious, allowing people to reproduce and have rain to produce food.

2 Ways

We can discern two overall directions which people took: the way of Cain in which people became worse and worse (Genesis 4), and the way of Seth in which people called upon God’s name and walked with God.

“Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.” (Jude 1:11 WEB)

The way of Seth and his descendants was different.

“When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name.” (Genesis 4:26 NLT)

“Enoch walked with God. After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch lived 300 years; and he had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 5:22 CEB)

Walking with God pictures a day of continual prayer, talking over every part of the day with God as a constant companion. These two ways, one of life and the other leading to death, are summarized so well in Psalm 1. Please take time to read it.