Ther term Genesis refers to the origin or mode of formation. This newness of life opens the door for human nature to enter the hearts and minds of God’s Creation. Subsequently, this opening book of the Bible is filled with mistakes, learning by trial and error. As each new generation began to stumble and fall, one truth remained: the God of your father Abraham.
It is in my power to do you harm; but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, Be careful that you do not speak from good to bad to Jacob [peaceably, then violently], Genesis 31:29.
As the book of Genesis unfolds, God’s way of communication transitions from taking a walk with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to taking a backseat by delegating this to others. While God sent angels to warn Lot, from time to time, God spoke directly to individuals in dreams. Although God did not stop Cain from murdering his brother Abel, a dream is used to prevent Laban acting upon his anger.
For although there may be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many of them, both of gods and of lords and masters, 6 Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist], 1 Corinthians 8:5-6.
One of the ways Jacob was introduced to the God of his Father was through answers to prayer. Abraham and Isaac each dedicated wells to the Lord after struggling to find water in the desert. While God rarely speaks to individuals directly today, the Holy Spirit gives modern day Christians everything we need in life to know with full assurance the God of our Fathers, 2 Peter 1:3-4.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 