THE PURPOSE SERIES

I started a series of posts about purpose in the Bible, but discovered that it was to ambitious to look at the whole Bible. I have therefore concentrated on the book of Genesis – my favourite book in the Bible – and tried to focus on the purpose of what is written there. Everything written in the Bibel is there for a reason – a purpose, if you will – and has some spiritual significance. The purpose vary, but there is always more to the Bible then what meets the eye. Here I will post about the purposes that I see in Genesis, and share them with you.

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PART 1: PURPOSE IN CREATION

Text: Genesis 1:1-2:3

I. The state of disorder (v. 2)

When we look at verse 2 we see that in the initial creation – creation of the buildingblocks of the universe – was a complete mess with kaos all around. We will look at creation more thoroughly underneath, step by step:

A. CONFUSION

“the earth was without form…”

The first thing we read about the earth after God created it, was that it was “without form“. The Hebrew word means “to lay waste”, “a desolation” – a worthless thing. There was no order, no harmony, nothing was perfect yet, like creation was when God had finished His creation (1:31).

This compares to our lives before we got saved as well. We had no order, no harmony, and we were far from perfect. At first we are enemies to God, and He has not done anything in our lives yet. You might say that the unsaved is a formelss wasteland untouched by Gods Word. We had no comprenhension for spiritual things, and His will for us was “foolishness”.

B. EMPTINESS

“…and void…”

Therer has been much discussion about the hebrew word translated as “void” her i verse 2. It is made up from a root word meaning “vacuum”, and is normally translated as “empty” or “void”. It could also be translated as “an undistinguishable ruin”, something that has given fuel to the fires of Gap-theorists and Ruin-and-construction-theorists. There are many reasons to why this could not be an accurate translation here.

The spiritual importance of this word is that there was barrenness here, nothing could grow that would be considered good. Life and fruitfulness is the gift of God, and there was none of that here. Our lives were completely empty before we got saved. Emptyness can also be spiritual, not just physical.

Paul wrote: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18). This is a fitting description of the unsaved people in the world.

Even in Job we read: “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?” (Job 14:4). The answer is, off course, that only the Lord can do this, and untill He works His wonderful creating powers, we will remain empty.

C. DARKNESS

“…and darkness was upon the face of the deep”

When god created the earth, there was darkness all over it. This is a very obvious metaphor for sin. There can be nothing but darness untill the Lord shines His light upon us. If God had not given us the Light, we would still have been in darkness – and this is also true spiritually.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6 Paul wrote: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” We remember that Jesus was “the light of the world” (John 8:12). He was the Light that God sent to us in John 1.

II. The work of the Spirit (v. 2)

“The Spirit moved…”

The earth is floating in space, ever turning, but it is not able to fix itself. Someone needs to work on it, and that “person” is God – in the Holy Spirit. Regeneration doesn’t happen by itself. The natural heart is not able to fix itself or change for the better.

Only God can create out of nothing – ex nihilo. God is also the only one who can regenerate a sinful heart. Only God can change our lives and give us salvation. The presence of the holy spisrit in this vers is not only desirable, but necessary.

Paul wrote: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). And in John 6:63 we read: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.“

III. The power of Gods Word (v. 3)

“God said… and there was…“

When God spake, it happened! Nothing is too hard for Him when He decides to do something. Gods Word is quick and powerful. This powerful, lifechanging, and re-creating energy is the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ. It is God’s power for salvation. When Jesus shouted “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43), He demonstrated how mighty and powerful God’s Word is.

IV. The divine seperation (v. 4-5)

“God divided the light from the darkness”

Here we see how God’s Word, through the Spirit, works in the heart of the newly saved, We know that the Word of God is powerful enough to separate soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). There will always be a seperation between light and darkness, carnal and spiritual.

Paul put it like this: “what communion hath light with darkness?” (read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). This act in Genesis 1 is important to understand as it applies to spiritual things, and spiritual growth is dependant upon it.

V. The manner of fruitbearing (v. 11)

“…yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself…”

Fruitbearing is the result of the work of the Spirit in our hearts. But this is the result of a condition, not an effort. It is a result of what we are, not what we do. The fruit of Christ in our lives should give us Christ-likeness. After all, that is what the word “Christian” means – like Christ. When we see fruit in our lives, it will be fruit “whose seed is in itself” – seed that can be spread about everywhere.

It is the Spirit that yields forth fruit, and the fruit of the Spirit is: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23). As the Spirit takes over more and more of our lives, these qualities should shine through.

VI. The position of the lights (v. 15)

“…in the firmament to give light unto upon the earth”

If these lights are supposed to have their propper function, they are tro be placed above the earth, so that they can shine upon it, and the humans can see them. The sun and the moon could not shine upon the earth unless they were above it.

Jesus said “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Just like those lights mentioned, we are also above the earth, shining our lights upon a sinful world as ambassadors of Christ. We are not of the world, just in the world. We are above the world spiritually. In the future we will be seated in heaven – also above the earth. In our glorified bodies we will shine even more.

VII. The image of God (v. 27)

“…God created man in His own image”

The creation of man was the cherry on the top, the ultimate climax of His creation. Man was created in “His own image“, something that has caused a great many theories to surface, most of which are non-biblical. I believe that just like God was a triune beeing – Father, Son, Holy Spirit- man was also created a triune beeing – body, soul, spirit. Humans are the only creations with a spiritual part, and it’s that part that makes us able to cummune with God.

When Paul says “...seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Colossians 3:9-10), he is telling us how we put on Guds image when we are born again. The task of the Holy Spirit is to renew us after God’s own image. Both God and man will be satisfied when we’re perfect in His likeness.

VIII. The crown of honour (v. 28)

“…and God said… have dominion”

God gave Adam and Eve the task of ruling the earth, included everything that lives on this planet. When we are made like Him, we are given strength and authority. We are not only His stewards here on earth, but we will also rule the earth in the future. ‘Revelation 20:6 says: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

We don’t have any honour in ourselves, but when we put on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are perfect in His eyes. We have whatever honour He has bestowed upon us.

Is your life empty, of has God created beauty in you?

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PART 2: PURPOSE IN THE SABBATH

Text: Genesis 2:1-3

God rested when He had finished His creation. He didn’t rest untill everything was finished. The Sabbath – or “God’s work” – means perfect satisfaction with what has been accomplished. Here it was the Lord – and only Him – who was the Worker.

I. The Sabbath ordained

We see that the seventh day was fixed and settled by God to be a time of rest and joy to Himself and all creation.

A. IT IS A DAY OF REST

The Lord Himself had decided that no work should be done on this day. That God rested does not mean that He was tired. He rested because His work was finished and everything was perfect. he had either done everything that He would do or was suposed to do. This day of rest is not something the good Lord needed, but something that we needed.

B. IT WAS A DAY OF BLESSING

Genesis 2:3 says that “God blessed the seventh day…” This means that God had made this day special, different from all the other days, and God found pleasure in it. This day was a day of satisfaction, a day for great joy. The Lord didn’t need this day as a blessing for Himself, but it was to be a blessing for us, so that we could rejoyce over it.

C. IT WAS A SEPERATED DAY

When it’s added “…and sanctified it...” to the words above, it means that God chose it and set it apart from the others, as His own property and inheritance. This day, God manifested His great goodness, wisdom and power. The entire Sabbath was for us, even if it was the Lord who made it, blessed it and sanctified it. But we especially note this next point:

C. IT WAS A DAY OF BLESSING

We know that God made man on the sixth day. This means that the very forst day of Adams life was the first Sabbath Day, God’s Sabbath. This means that man (Adam) straight away could go into the joy that the rest of God gave him. This was a soft start to Adam’s life. God finished His work, and man was allowed to share this joy with Him. Adam could rest and enjoy all the beauty that the Lord had made.

II. The Sabbath destroyed

Man didn’t enjoy the rest with the Lord for very long. The tempter entered the stage, man fell in sin, and the close fellowhip with Gos was broken. Adam fleed for God, and sin ruined man’s rest with God that they had enjoyed up till then. Today it looks like we have forgotten that the Sabbath was made for man’s benfit. Remembering was crucial in Exodus 20:8 where it says “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.“

There fell no manna on the seventh day in the wilderness, when the Jews were to have their day of rest. But there was a price for the day of rest. They had to pick twice as much manna on the sixth day so that they could rest on the seventh day. What earlier had been a gift to man, was now a law to be obeyed. Today, the day of rest is nota day of mercy, but comes after having worked a week.

III. The Sabbath restored

Through the redeening work and sacrifice of Christ, we can now once more enjoy the rest that the Lord wants to give us. Through Christ…

A. ANOTHER WORK HAS BEEN FINISHED

“I have finished the work” (John 17:4).

Christ put away sin. He has completed the work of salvation – everything was finished at the cross! God has said that it is “very good“. When God has done it, the result is as good as it ever can be.

B. ANOTHER REST IS ENJOYED

God is now resting on the mercyseat after that Christ’s blood has been shed as a perfect sacrifice, so that the Father is resting on the work of the Son. In the Old Testament, the offerings were an eternal ring-of-roses because theblood of animals could not give a lasting sacrifice, but had to be given each year – but the blood of Christ payed it once and for all (se Hebrews 9:11-22).

C. ANOTHER ANOTHER DAY OF GRACE IS PROCLAIMED

“Come unto me, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Just like Adam entered into God’s rest,we can enter into the rest of Christ through faith in Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 4:1-9 we read “There remained a rest (Sabbath) for the people of God. Enter into His rest” (4:9). This rest means the same to us as it meant to Adam:

1. a ceasing from work

2. continual fellowship with God

3. to bear His Holy image

4. to find our all in His possession

5. to rejoice in God

There is a serious warning for us in Hebr. 3:19:

“They could not enter in because of unbelief”

Can you enter into the rest of Christ?

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PART 3: PURPOSE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Text: Genesis 2:8-19

The Garden of Eden speaks of grace upon grace. The man who God created was invited to enter into and enjoying all the fullness of God. The garden may be regarded as a type of the provision God has made for man in Christ Jesus.

I. God’s gracious provisions

A. IT WAS A GARDEN

The garden was a special enclosure, a place prepared for man. We are reminded of the covenant made with Christ before the world was made. He was the lamb slain before the foundations of the world – all for us.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

Ephesians 1:4

God’s salvation plan was put into motion even before the garden of Eden

B. IT WAS PLANTED BY THE LORD

Man had no hand in the making of this inheritance. This, like the work of salvation, was the work of God. The work of salvation is also the work of God. Man can not save himself. Only the blood of Christ is good enough to bring us salvation.

“Salvation is of the Lord”

Jonah 2:9

Both the plant and the planting were His alone.

John 3:16

C. IT WAS PLANTED FOR MAN

God had the good of man in mind when He planted each tree. He considered all of man’s need, and made ample provision for his complete satisfaction. All the eternal forethought of God in our behalf is seen in the fullness that dwells in Christ. It is in Christ is God’s provision for the needy man is found.

1. The tree of life

This tree stood in the midst of the garden (v. 9). Life is man’s first and most important need. John 10:10 says “I am come that ye may have life,and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This was the tree of eternal life to Adam. It was the cross of Christ in the midst is the tree of life for fallen man. Before Adam could die he had to be driven from the tree of life. To be without Christ is to be without hope.

2. Every tree that was pleasant

Here Adam found his pleasure. Everything looked good to Adam and Eve. In God’s provisions for us in Christ there is life and every pleasant thing. In Him we find every pleasure worth having. Things that are not of Him is not good for us.

3. Every tree that was good for food

There are many pleasures which doesn’t satisfy us. Everything God has prepared for us is good for food. They build us up and strengthens us. You could say that every promise of God is a fruit tree, and the garden of the Lord is full of them.

4. The tree of knowledge of good and evil

You might ask: would it have been better without this tree in the garden? There is a deep truth here. We cannot know good and evil, in a real sense, till we have been planted into Christ. Sin and grace are well known there.

5. The river of water

There was a river that watered the garden. Jesus said He had living waters (John 4). Psalm 46:4 says “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God”. The river is a picture of the blessings in Christ who are all made fruitful by the power of the Holy Ghost. In Christ we surely have a godly heritage.

II. Man’s wondrous privilege

A. HE WAS PUT IN BY GOD (v. 15)

“The Lord put the man into the garden”

We might not have realized it, but Adam was not made in the garden. Our engrafting into Christ is a also divine act. The provision is much, but that in itself is not enough. The soul of man must be brought into touch with God’s provision. This is only achieved through the work of the Holy Ghost.

B. HE WAS PUT IN TO ENJOY THE WORK OF GOD

What grace! We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. This was not hard work, but leasurly work to be enjoyed. Work can, as a matter of fact, be enjoyed!

C. HE WAS PUT IN TO WORK AND WATCH

Adam was told dress it and keep the garden (v. 15). In the same way is the Christian life, though a life of faith, not a life of idleness. We are expected to work for Christ. Sometimes this can be hard work. Adam was to keep the garden, which means to look out for it. We must also keep a lookout for potentially harmful things that could come our way.

D. HE WAS PUT IN WITH A DIVINE LIBERTY AND WARNING (v. 16-17)

Adam was instructed what he could and could not do. He could chose to be faithful or disobediant to the Lord’s command. Shall we sin that grace may abound? God forbid! Sin may not cut of sonship, but it will destroy fellowship with God. When a child does something bad, parents get upset, but they don’t disown their children. Our relationship with God is very similar…

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PART 4: PURPOSE IN THE FIRST MARRIAGE

Text: Genesis 2:18, 21-25

In Genesis 1:26 God said “Let Us make man in Our image.” This first man we may be regarded as a type of the Second Man, the Lord from Heaven, who is the image of the invisible God. Eve might represent the relationship of the redeemed to Christ: “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church” (Ephesians 5:32).

I. The declaration (v. 18)

God said “It’s not good that man should be alone”. God considers this man’s highest need; loneliness. Imagine God saying this to His only Son. He (Jesus) will bring many sons into glory.

II. The new creation (v. 18)

“I will make an help meet for him”

Eve was the workmanship of God, and His gift to the man in His own image. In the same way, we are His workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus. The Church is an help meet for Christ, is made by Him, and is the gift of the Father to the Son.

“All that the Father hath given Me shall come to Me.”

John 6:37

“Them which Thou hast given Me”

John 17:9

III. The operation (v. 21)

“The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam”

Sleep is the figure of death. While Adam was in this state, the wonder-working hands of the divine Operator brought forth a helper after His own likeness. It was a deep sleep the Lord God caused to fall upon the Second Advent when He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.

“It pleased the Lord to bruise” (Isaiah 53:10).

God took a rib from the first man, but nothing less than the blood of the Second Man would suffice if a helpmate is to be given Him. His Church had to be bought with His own blood.

IV. The presentation (v. 23)

“The Lord brought her to the man”

Every godlike man have his wife from the Lord. “The Lord brought her to the man” What for? To share his love, to enjoy his fellowship, to be a partaker of the blessings freely given to him by God, and to be a joy and a comfort and a help to him.

Thus the Holy Spirit brings us to Christ, that we may receive of His, and be workers together with Him. Every Christian is to be a helpmate to Christ.

V. The acceptance (v. 23)

“Adam said, his is now bone of my bones”

He acknowledged Eve, the gift of God, as a part of himself. “They shall be one flesh.” He never thought of refusing her.

“Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

How close the union! We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. Yes, “He will receive you unto Himself.”

VI. The result (v. 24)

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife”

Every relationship that would hinder us from cleaving to Christ and serving Him must be broken. The whole heart and life are to be yielded if we should be true. Be faithful!

Christ left His Father when He came to earth. He left his mother when He died on the cross. He cleaves to His wife and His redeemed people.

Leave all, and cleave to Him (Matt. 16:24).

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