A Journey Through the Bible, Part One

Old Testament

Genesis 1 and 2

Genesis 1—The creation account, of course. Rather than analyzing just one verse, I want to emphasize here the power of the Word of God. Eight times during the creation process, the chapter says “And God said” (vs. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26). Not only did God create the world by His word, but He is “upholding all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). I do not believe this is arbitrary or incidental. God could have created the world any way He chose (including through evolutionary processes, which He didn’t), but He did it by speaking it into existence. “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth...For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6, 9). God, through His word, formed a new material creation. And God, through His word, forms new spiritual creatures—Christians. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (I Peter 1:23). The Word of God is all-sufficient to provide for “every good work” (II Timothy 3:17). It is the tool the Spirit uses in the conviction, conversion, and guiding process (Ephesians 6:17). We do not need, nor does God provide, a direct operation of the Holy Spirit in directing us to heaven. What may be going on in the providential realm I make no claim to knowledge. But what is revealed belongs to us, and what is revealed speaks of the all-sufficiency of Holy Scriptures.

Genesis 2—verses 23-24 tell us of the creation of the family. This divine institution, second only to the church in importance for mankind, was instituted in the very creation process, before man ever removed himself from direct fellowship with God. If one does even a cursory examination of history, he will find that the greatest and most long-lasting civilizations in history were built on the foundation of a strong family (consider especially the Roman empire and the Chinese). It is no surprise, to anyone with an inkling of knowledge of the Bible and history, that the current breakdown of the family structure in America is one of the major reasons for the disintegration of the greatness of this country. The United States is doomed, and much of that is because the liberal and feminist philosophies have undermined the most important foundation of an abiding society—the family—an institution God established as soon as He finished creating the heavens and the earth. The family was intended by Jehovah as the institution which provides education, economic needs, socialization, discipline, spiritual guidance, and care in old age--most of which we today have pawned off to the government, an organization which has extremely limited competence in any of these areas, and indeed isn’t its purpose anyway. As long as we expect our government to perform duties for which it is in no way suited, and that God established the family to execute, then we should not wonder why our country is in the sorry shape it’s in. If you want a preacher to fix your electrical problems, then don’t be surprised when your house burns down. God knew what He was doing in Genesis 2, and it isn’t terribly surprising that man has mucked it up so miserably. When we get away from Jehovah’s intentions, we can expect no less.

New Testament

Matthew 1

Matthew 1—verse 15, Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit. Ladies, can you imagine the honor of being selected by God to give birth, and to raise, His Son? Indeed, the virgin Mary was the most blessed of all women.

A note on “betrothal.” We do not have this concept in our society. “Betrothal” was stronger than our “engagement,” but not full marriage. It was, however, a legally binding contract, which is why Joseph would have had to “put Mary away.” They weren’t married yet, but because they were “betrothed,” Joseph couldn’t simply “break the engagement.” There was a legal process to attend to.