Genesis
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.
Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
God creates heaven and earth. (1, 2)
The creation of light. (3–5)
God separates the earth from the waters, and (6–13)
makes it fruitful.
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)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, at the beginning of the sacred volume,
we read of that Divine Spirit, whose work upon the heart of man is so often mentioned in other
parts of the Bible. Observe, that at first there was nothing desirable to be seen, for the world was
without form, and void; it was confusion, and emptiness. In like manner the work of grace in the
soul is a new creation: and in a graceless soul, one that is not born again, there is disorder, confusion,
and every evil work: it is empty of all good, for it is without God; it is dark, it is darkness itself:
this is our condition by nature, till Almighty grace works a change in us.
Verses 3–5