In the Beginning
Genesis 1:1-31
Today as we begin our Bible study, we start with the book of Genesis. The first four books of the Bible are attributed to Moses, but scholars have discovered that there are different forms and traditions of these books: the Yahwehist tradition, the Eloist tradition, the Deuteronomist tradition. Men of different times added and at times repeated things. There are no myths in the Scripture, but there are stories and legends. In order to reveal to finite minds something of the beauty of God and creation, we now have a written account--but we must remember as we read this that the Word was passed on orally for many, many centuries. Some think that Scripture is as old as creation. Moses merely wrote what had been passed down for generations, thousands of years perhaps--who knows. For the sake of future generations, Moses began to put down in writing the marvels that God had worked. So we have the book of Genesis. In the beginning_._._._(1:1).

Now when you read Scripture, you must first of all read it as a prayer. It is more than a historical document. It is revelation. We as finite creatures have no concept of God, His love, His mercy, or His forgiveness. This book is a revelation of how much God loves you. You must read it slowly, as a prayer, and you must read it with your imagination.

Never read Scripture unless you engage your mental faculties: your memory, your understanding, and your will. Now I want you to do this: as I read the Scripture and comment upon it I want you to picture the entire scene in your mind. And when you read Scripture alone, you must see a picture. You've got to use your mental faculties. The best way to read Scripture is to put yourself in that ...