I find the first books of the Bible particularly fascinating and informative, especially the book of Genesis. How out of nothing came everything. Everything you see, touch, and interact with was established through the authority of God. You can see it in the opening of Genesis, Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” This clearly dictates that there was nothing, no light, no life, not even earth (as we know it) existed. Time itself was not even established yet. Just nothing, then order through the word of God, truly humbling. The way Genesis sets forth the creation of man, woman, and the beginning of the family is further evidence of an established order and the separation of man from everything else on earth.
Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Within the 27th verse of the first chapter of the Bible you already understand how special mankind is to God. No other form of life is created with a direct link to God, “…in his own image…”. That really is quite a powerful verse and should give everyone, young and old, words of encouragement, to be exalted above everything else. Now, that encouragement also comes with expectations on how one lives and laws to adhere by, but that should be expected when you have a direct link to God.
Another verse within Genesis that defines a certain order can be found in Gensis 2:24 “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Simplistically beautiful in its instruction and clearly delineated, yet so despised by those that do not believe in the Bible or God himself. Other than God and all that He stands for, this is probably the most despised verse of the Bible. Establishing first the family unit of father, mother, and child and then further defining those roles into man and woman, one equal entity. Again, to be included in the first book of the Bible shows how importantly God views the idea of the family; with a mother and a father. It is at the very least an ideal that all should be willing to acknowledge and strive towards.
The book of Genesis sets forth the establishment of all life and the hierarchy of God, man, animals. It shows all that is good: God, order, family, and so on. It is this goodness that has become so loathed by some, but it is exactly what we need: faith in God, practice of His law and order, and a strong family. The words of guidance and encouragement are there for the consumption of everyone. It only takes the will to do so.
In Christ,
Eric Foster