Genesis

The one theme that comes to mind while reading Genesis is that God has a plan which is good and perfect for the universe. This is to have a harmonious relationship with humanity and creation in general. The Lord gives us all the choice to love and respect him. Thus the whole story of the origins of the world and of people tells the story of the human race disobeying God and being separated from him. However God’s plan involves bringing salvation from death and separation from him through Jesus Christ who will crush the serpent Satan. Genesis tells the story of those people who follow him and in doing so work to bring about his plans for the world. Aside from this central theme I discovered 5 other themes or insights in my reading.

Insight 1 : In the creation and fall stories I gained the insight that faith requires us to make choices and that we need to trust and obey God even when it does not make sense to us. This was most evident to me in the reading of Noah and the Ark.

Insight 2: When we obey what the Lord has commanded us to do and follow him where he leads us , our lives will be fruitful and encourage and bless others. This is seen in the story of Abraham whom blesses the people of Sodom by saving them from slavery and returning their goods. The neat part about this is that God works with imperfect people who make mistakes and take matters into their own hands. Abraham lies to 2 kings about Sarah being his wife for example.

Insight 3: To trust means that we do not understand everything about life and at times will have to live by faith and obey what we have been told by Christ. This will involve taking life changing risks. Even Jacob whose has made deals and cheated his brother Esau meets God and commits his life to following and obeying God , promising to give him 10% of all his wealth.

Insight 4: Our attitude is key to our being used by the Lord to fulfill his mission. Those who are willing to listen to him and to humbly follow him will hear from him and be used by him. Jacob when he hears from God on various occasions built altars to thank him and urged others to do so as well. Joseph is careful to diligently obey the Lord even when he is being tempted by Potiphar’s wife.

Insight 5 : God is in control of the events of the universe and of human history and uses them to accomplish his will and purposes. We are to trust and obey him in all circumstances which includes the practice of forgiving others for the wrongs they have done. Joseph forgives his brothers and says that he will not harm them after their father dies. In doing so he tells them “You intended to harm me but God used it for good”.