Genesis 1-2

What’s Happening?

The opening chapters of Genesis introduce us to the one true God and his purpose for the world. From the very beginning, we see God creating not just a world but the foundation for a family that will bless all nations and make creation flourish.

The Jewish people weren’t the only ones with a story about how the world began. Other cultures in the ancient world had creation myths, but their gods were petty, violent, and immoral. Their worlds came into existence by accident, as the byproduct of fights or even murder.

The God of Genesis is completely different. He creates the world on purpose, out of his goodness and purity, simply by speaking his word (Genesis 1:3). There is no rival god, no accident, no chaos he cannot subdue.

In pagan religions, different gods ruled over different parts of creation—sky, sea, land. In Genesis, the one true God makes them all (Genesis 1:10).

In other creation stories, humans are an afterthought, born of divine accidents or to be used as slaves to serve the gods. But in Genesis, humanity is the climax of creation. God makes people intentionally and in his own image (Genesis 1:26). This means men and women together bear the likeness of God and are entrusted with his mission to rule the world under him. Far from being a curse or lesser beings, women are equal image-bearers (Genesis 1:27). In fact, the only time God says something is “not good” in these chapters is when man is alone without woman (Genesis 2:18).

God also gives humans their purpose. Unlike the pagan gods who are indifferent to people, the God of Genesis commands humanity to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). By doing so, his image will spread over all creation, covering the world with his presence and blessing. Humanity was meant to extend Eden’s flourishing across the globe.

And unlike the pagan gods who are never finished stirring up conflict, the one true God rests after creating, because his work is complete (Genesis 2:2). Creation is whole, full, and good.

Genesis 1–2 shows us that the story of the world begins not with chaos and violence but with a God who wants to share his life, love, and presence. From the start, his goal is to create a family that would live with him, enjoy his provision, and bring flourishing to the entire earth.

Where is the Gospel?

The New Testament tells us something remarkable: everything we read in Genesis 1–2 was created through the Word of God who became flesh—Jesus Christ (John 1:1–3).

The God who made humanity in his image is the God who later came in the image of humanity. Jesus embodies the very purpose for which Adam and Eve were created: to spread God’s image, fill the world with his presence, and make creation flourish.

Every other religion tells us we are separated from the divine and must work our way back through rituals or good deeds. But the story of Genesis shows us a God who comes near. And in Jesus, he comes nearest of all. He takes on flesh and blood to bring us back into the garden of God’s presence.

What Adam and Eve prefigured, Jesus produced. He is the true Son who fulfills humanity’s purpose (Matthew 28:19). In him, the family of God multiplies to all nations. And just as God rested on the seventh day, Jesus offers us rest from our striving, because his work is complete (Hebrews 4:9–10).

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit would show you the God who is utterly different from anything else in the universe, who creates not by accident or violence but out of love. And I pray that you would see Jesus as the Word who spoke creation into being, who became like us to bring us into God’s family, and who fills the earth with his image until it flourishes in his presence.