Commentary on Genesis
Introduction:
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 Commentary:
Genesis Chapter 1
God creates heaven and earth. (12) The creation of light. (3-5) God separates the earth from the waters and makes it fruitful. (6-13) God forms the sun moon and stars. (14-19) Animals created. (20-25) Man created in the image of God. (26-28) Food appointed. (2930) The work of creation ended and approved. (31) 12 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. 3-5 God said Let there be light; he willed it and at once there was light. Oh the power of the word of God! And in the new creation the first thing that is wrought in the soul is light: the blessed Spirit works upon the will and affections by enlightening the understanding. Those who by sin were darkness by grace become light in the Lord.
Darkness would have been always upon fallen man if the Son of God had not come and given us understanding 1Jo 5:20. The light which God willed he approved of. God divided the light from the darkness; for what fellowship has light with darkness? In heaven there is perfect light and no darkness at all; in hell utter darkness and no gleam of light. The day and the night are the Lord's; let us use both to his honour by working for him every day and resting in him every night meditating in his law both day and night. 6-13 The earth was emptiness but by a word spoken it became full of God's riches and his they are still.
Though the use of them is allowed to man they are from God and to his service and honour they must be used. The earth at his command brings forth grass herbs and fruits. God must have the glory of all the benefit we receive from the produce of the earth. If we have through grace an interest in Him who is the Fountain we may rejoice in him when the streams of temporal mercies are dried up. 14-19 In the fourth day's work the creation of the sun moon and stars is accounted for. All these are the works of God. The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes without telling their number nature place size or motions; for the Scriptures were written not to gratify curiosity or make us astronomers but to lead us to God and make us saints.
The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully and shine in their season without fail. We are set as lights in this world to serve God; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation? We do not: our light does not shine before God as his lights shine before us. We burn our Master's candles but do not mind our Master's work. 20-25 God commanded the fish and fowl to be produced. This command he himself executed. Insects which are more numerous than the birds and beasts and as curious seem to have been part of this day's work. The Creator's wisdom and power are to be admired as much in an ant as in an elephant.
The power of God's providence preserves all things and fruitfulness is the effect of his blessing. 26-28 Man was made last of all the creatures: this was both an honour and a favour to him. Yet man was made the same day that the beasts were; his body was made of the same earth with theirs; and while he is in the body he inhabits the same earth with them. God forbid that by indulging the body and the desires of it we should make ourselves like the beasts that perish! Man was to be a creature different from all that had been hitherto made. Flesh and spirit heaven and earth must be put together in him.
God said "Let us make man." Man when he was made was to glorify the Father Son and Holy Ghost. Into that great name we are baptized for to that great name we owe our being. It is the soul of man that especially bears God's image. Man was made upright Ec 7:29. His understanding saw Divine things clearly and truly; there were no errors or mistakes in his knowledge; his will consented at once and in all things to the will of God. His affections were all regular and he had no bad appetites or passions. His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects. Thus holy thus happy were our first parents in having the image of God upon them.
But how is this image of God upon man defaced! May the Lord renew it upon our souls by his grace! 2930 Herbs and fruits must be man's food including corn and all the products of the earth. Let God's people cast their care upon him and not be troubled about what they shall eat and what they shall drink. He that feeds his birds will not starve his babes. 31 When we come to think about our works we find to our shame that much has been very bad; but when God saw his work all was very good. Good for it was all just as the Creator would have it to be. All his works in all places of his dominion bless him; and therefore bless thou the Lord O my soul.
Let us bless God for the gospel of Christ and when we consider his almighty power let us sinners flee from the wrath to come. If new-created unto the image of God in holiness we shall at length enter the "new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."