Page 1 - ADAM IN GENESIS

ADAM IN GENESIS

Introduction to Genesis 1-11
The book of Genesis is the foundation for the theology of work. Any discussion of work
in biblical perspective eventually finds itself grounded on passages in this book. Genesis
is incomparably significant for the theology of work because it tells the story of God’s
work of creation, the first work of all and the prototype for all work that follows. God is
not dreaming an illusion but creating a reality. The created universe that God brings into
existence then provides the material of human work—space, time, matter and energy.
Within the created universe, God is present in relationship with his creatures and
especially with people. Laboring in God’s image, we work in creation, on creation, with
creation and-if we work as God’s intends—for creation.
In Genesis we see God at work, and we learn how God intends us to work. We both obey
and disobey God in our work, and we discover that God is at work in both our obedience
and disobedience. The other sixty-five books of the Bible each have their own unique
contributions to add to the theology of work. Yet they all spring from the source found
here, in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.
God Creates the World (Genesis 1:1-2:3)
The first thing the Bible tells us is that God is a creator. “In the beginning God created
the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1, NRSV alternate reading). God speaks and things
come into being that were not there before, beginning with the universe itself. Creation is
solely an act of God. It is not an accident, nor a mistake, or the product of an inferior
deity, but the self-expression of God.

God creates heaven and earth. (1,2) The creation of light. (3-5) God separates the earth
from the waters, and makes it fruitful. (6-13) God forms the sun, moon, and stars. (14-19)
Animals created. (20-25) Man created in the image of God. (26-28) Food appointed.
(29,30) The work of creation ended and approved. (31)
Commentary on Genesis 1:1-3:24
Genesis is a name taken from the Greek, and signifies “the book of generation
or production;” it is properly so called, as containing an account of the origin of all
things. There is no other history so old. There is nothing in the most ancient book
which exists that contradicts it; while many things recorded by the oldest heathen
writers, or to be traced in the customs of different nations, confirm what is related
in the book of Genesis.

Verses 1, 2
The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin
of the earth and the heavens. The faith of humble Christians understands this better
than the fancy of the most learned men. From what we see of heaven and earth, we
learn the power of the great Creator. And let our make and place as men, remind us
of our duty as Christians, always to keep heaven in our eye, and the earth under our
feet. The Son of God, one with the Father, was with him when he made the world;
nay, we are often told that the world was made by him, and nothing was made
without him. Oh, what high thoughts should there be in our minds, of that great God
whom we worship, and of that great Mediator in whose name we pray! And here,