“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4) The things in the Old Testament are there for us to learn and benefit from. They teach us about Jesus. If one reads the Old Testament and does not see Jesus, they should go back and read it again, because they have missed the point. Jesus said that the Old Testament testifies of Him (John 5:39). Paul spoke of the Old Testament to Timothy when he said, “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15).
We learn some things about Christ and our relationship to Him from the very first book of the Bible, and the very first chapter of the Bible. Let us notice some of these things.
1) Jesus created the world. The first verse of the Bible states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1). The Hebrew word for God in this passage is plural. This suggests the doctrine of the Trinity in the first verse of the Bible. It is enlightening to trace the phrase “in the beginning” elsewhere. John opens his gospel with these words: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:1-3). The Book of Hebrews has this informative passage: “And you, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.” (Heb. 1:10). Read the entire chapter and you will see that this verse is referring to Jesus.
So very clearly, Jesus Christ was not only present “in the beginning” with the Father, but He actually created everything. “And to make all people see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 3:9) “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Col. 1:16) In the Bible’s first statement, we find Jesus, who created the heavens and the earth.
2) God always separates light from darkness. “And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from darkness.” (Gen. 1:4) In the end, God will separate the light from the darkness again, this time spiritually speaking of the eternal destiny of every person. “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” (Matt. 25:32) Notice that it is His sheep from the goats.
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My sheep and am known by My own.” (John 10:14) “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). There are only two sides, God’s and the devil’s. Better to come out of darkness now (2 Cor. 6:14), for God will separate the two in the end.
3) Man was made in the image of God. Some people try to make God in the image of man—but man was created in the image of God. “Then God said, Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Gen. 1:26-27) “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood will be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” (Gen. 9:6) “For a man indeed ought not to cover his hand, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.” (1 Cor. 11:7)
Even though man was created in the image of God, he sinned and, in some sense, lost that image. “Truly, this only have I found: God made man upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.” (Ecc. 7:29) But thanks to the death of Christ, we can be a new “creation” re-made in the image of God. (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:10).
4) The Principle of Multiplication. “Then God blessed them and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen. 1:28) When God made man and woman, He told them to multiply. This verse might remind us of what God has commanded us who are Christians to do. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:19-20) “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who believes not will be condemned.” (Mk. 16:15-16) “And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:2)
God still wants His people to multiply. How? We procreate by physical intimacy with our spouse (Gen. 2:24; Heb. 13:4) How do we bear spiritual fruit? By spiritual intimacy with God. “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (1 Cor. 6:17) Just as we are one flesh with our mate, we are one spirit with the Lord. “Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4)
Every part of the Bible is useful for study. We have looked at but a few of the wonderful spiritual gems available in the first chapter of the Bible. (Scripture from the NJKV)
Bryan Dunaway
Grace and Peace Ministries
www.gandpministries.org |