Doc Notes - Part 3 Gleanings from Genesis

Part 3 Gleanings from Genesis

Structure

Gentle reader,

We pointed out previously that all that goes before the third chapter of Exodus was already past when the writing of the Bible began (In fact in of chronology the book of Job would be first written in terms of historicity).

But let us stand, then at that third chapter of Exodus and look back over what has been recorded for us in Genesis, getting the main lines of perspective. It will be readily seen that Genesis is divided into two main parts. All Bible students will agree that the call and response of Abram constitute a quite new departure in the narrative, and mark off the two main divisions of this first book- the first part covering chapters one through eleven, and the second part chapters twelve to fifty.

As this is the case , we can see at once how each part is arranged according to a four fold plan. In the first part we have four outstanding events -the Creation, the Fall, The Flood, the Bable crisis. the second part we have four outstanding persons- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph . The entire contents of Genesis are arranged around and in relation to these four pivotal events in the one part, and these four pivotal figures in the other.

Seeing the pivotal events and figures of Genesis thrown into bold relief, at once we can quickly perceive also the unifying idea runing through what has been recorded for us. A first prinicipal if you will, begining right at the start of these 66 books. Genesis would have us on our knees in reverent obeisance before God as it exhibits to our eyes, and thunders in our ears, that first truth which is to be learned before all others, in our dealings with god, in our interpretation of history, and in our study of Divine revelation, namely- THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY.
Looking back over the four great events of part one, and the four great figures of part two, we see that they constitute an impressive demonstration of Divine Sovereignty. The first of the four events, we have the Divine Soverignty in the physical creation. In the second we have Divine Sovereignty in human probation. In the Third we have Divine Sovereignty in historical retribution. In the forth we have Divine Sovereignty in racial distribution. In these great events we see the Sovereignty of the Creator God first in His eternal Priority, seconed in His Moral authority, third in His judical severity and forth in His Governmental supremacy.

Turning to the second part of Genesis, we see the Sovereignty of God in regeneration. The process of regeneration here outlined stands in sharp contrast to the process of degeneration in the first part of the Book. From Adam to Abraham we see the course of degeneration: first in the individual -Adam-; then in the family -Cain and his descendants; then in the nations-the antediluvian civilization; and then persisting through the race, as such, at Babel.

Then there comes a new departure. We see the process of regeneration operating: first in the individual- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; then in the family- the sons of Jacob; then in the nation-Israel; all with a view to the ultimate regeneration of the race. In Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob we see Divine Sovereignty in election. Abraham, although the youngest son is chosen in preference to his two elder brothers. Isaac is chosen in preference to Ishmael, the elder son of Abraham. Jacob although second to Esau, is chosen in preference to his brother. Running through it we see the principle of Divine Election. God chooses who He will, in sovereign grace. Then, in the wonderful biography of Joseph, we see the Sovereignty of God in direction, - in the overruling and infallible directing of all happenings, however seemingly contrary, to the predetermined end.

In the case of Abraham we see this sovereign election expressed by a supernatural call for it is clear that God had directly intervened ( Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Gen 12:1-3)

In the case of Isaac, we see it expressed by a supernatural birth. “And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!”(Gen 17:18) But No! When Abraham is 100 and Sarah 90, the miracle-babe Isaac comes to them.

In the case of Jacob it is shown in supernatural care. First God saves him from Esau’s knife; then meets him at Bethel; prospers him despite Laban’s guile; saves him from the revengeful ire of his brother who comes to meet him with 400 men; and so it goes on, until at last when Jacob is dying, he blesses young Manasseh and Ephraim, “ The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. (Gen 48:16).

Finally in Joseph, we see the Divine Sovereignty in direction, exhibited in supernatural control, making all happenings to contribute to the predestined issue.
Thus in these four men, we can see a fourfold development- 1) a supernatural call, 2) supernatural birth, 3) supernatural care, 4) supernatural control.
The dominant ideal and the first principle in the book of Genesis is Divine Sovereignty.
Until next time Gentle readers,

Todays question: When Adam and Eve discovered that they were naked before God and clothed themselves with fig leaves. What were they clothed with before?

Denis

Next time we will look at the first 2 verses of Genesis Chapter one and the implications of the principle of “First usage”.