The first and most important observation to be made as we enter into our study of the Bible is that all the Old Testament Scriptures speak of Christ in some way, even if it is not quickly and easily visible to our finite minds (Luke 24:44; John 5:46). Therefore, as we begin with the five Books of the writings of Moses, we may safely say that Jesus is here. Surely we ought we to bow our knees in prayer for light and direction from above! Let us say with David, “Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Ps. 119:18).

In this first Book of Moses, we have the history of the Creation of the world, the original innocent state of Man, his Fall into sin, the gracious promise of Redemption, and the chronicles of the lives of the Lord’s people over the first 2,400 years of earth history.

Genesis is the Book of beginnings, and its first chapter is one of the most wonderful portions of the Bible. It takes us back to the very beginning – to the Creation of all things by the hand of God, in six days, about 6,000 years ago. Its first words are among the sublimest that have ever been written: “In the beginning God!” We are now in the midst of a vast universe full of life, but there was a period when there was nothing – not a grain of sand, a blade of grass, a flower, a leaf, or even a tiny insect. There was nothing but God, and there never was a time when God did not exist; He had no beginning. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Ps. 90:2). Only Faith can read this chapter rightly; for since no human was there, we are relying upon the authority of the Word of God alone, Who was present at the time when the events transpired. It is by faith that we understand that the world was framed by the Word of God (Heb. 11:3). This chapter contains the substance of our creed concerning God as the Creator. This universe was created; it did not create itself, nor did chance create it, nor did it exist eternally. Its Creator was God – not any god; but the one living and true God, Who calls Himself Elohim and Jehovah. Its Creator was “the Word,” the Son of God and the second Person of Godhead (John 1:2; Col. 1:16). He made all things by His miraculous and Almighty power, out of nothing. He simply spoke, and they sprang into existence. He commanded the light to shine out of darkness (2 Cor. 4:6).

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth … he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Ps. 33:6, 9). Little by little each day, for six days, He fashioned and formed the earth into a beautiful place to be inhabited by human beings, with blue skies, clear atmosphere, sparkling stars, bright sun, soft moon, green grass, blossoming trees, lovely flowers, and all manner of animals – all beautiful, just like He Who formed them; for He Himself is the Fountain-head of all beauty, the perfection of perfection, and the infinitely loveable One.

The Lord gazed upon the things that He created, and pronounced them all “very good.” Hence there could be no death, disease, or suffering in His original Creation, as would have been the case if all things had arisen from the random processes of evolution. God delighted in His handiwork; and even though it is now much marred and defaced because of the curse of sin, it still exhibits a large amount of its original excellence. But at the time of the final restoration of all things, the Lord will create a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1).

Let us observe the first words which the Creator ever addressed to living creatures, in verse 28; and let us here learn about His character: “God blessed them.” He did not wait until all living creatures were called into existence, nor did He delay until “man became a living soul” that could hear and appreciate the mercy; but immediately, and before a single command was ever given, He prefaced all His commands with one universal blessing. He solemnly pronounced a benediction upon His creatures. His first thoughts to them were thoughts of mercy; His first words were words of love: “God blessed them.” How happy it is for us that we are reconciled to God by the blood of His Son, and that we can still behold Him speaking only blessings! How happy we are to still hear the accents of our Father’s voice, proclaiming a Father’s blessing – abundantly above all that we can ask or think. May we learn more and more to delight ourselves in His Word – every chapter of which conveys blessings to His sons and daughters! May we value those portions of it which we are privileged to read from day to day; and may the Holy Spirit carry them to our souls, so that they may give us comfort and blessedness!

Lord, we praise You for making Man in Your image, after Your likeness. Well might David exclaim, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” Give us grace to live for Your glory until the day when we join the innumerable host of the faithful ones before Your throne, singing, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive all glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created!” Amen.

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