A new series in Genesis. Why God phased creation over six days; why the particular order; the full glories of light; the higher purpose of night; the picture of a divine craftsman working to the pinnacle of all - mankind. How the literal view deepens faith.

Proving there are no contradictions between Genesis 1 and 2; the Sabbath established, and its purpose; the Garden located; its central trees; the covenant test of man; the profound method for forming the woman and its lessons for marriage throughout time.

The arrival of guilt and sin, shame and conscience. The serpent's method then (and now), the choice of disobedience, the compound sin, the consequences, the beginning of enmity between the church and world, and the Gospel of the promised seed; with observations and application.

As Genesis 3 foretold, the ages-long history of hostility of the world toward the church begins, Abel then Seth representing the godly. Here also is the first death, God's call of mercy to Cain, the warning, the curse, and the defiance of unbelief.

By Noah's time the church of Adam and Seth had so degenerated that it became intertwined with the world - the line of Cain, and the moral breakdown of both was complete. Heroic Noah and family would alone survive. Here are the lessons of the Flood.

In this historical event is the first imperative 'come' of the Bible, a rich type of faith, judgement to come, grace and eternal security. Here too are attributes of God, persisting human depravity, and the theme running through Scripture - the gulf between the world and the church.

The line of Shem (seed of the woman) had become too close to the line of unbelief when mankind rebelliously built Babel. Judgement forced dispersal to predetermined locations and called out God's people. Here is the meaning of the dramatic event. 

Abraham responds to God's four 'I will' promises despite impediments to faith. Sarai's view of marriage. A nomad for God - principles for today. The lie to Pharaoh to preserve the promised seed a momentary loss of the four promises; lessons for us. 

Abram's renewed faith; how Lot, though godly, gradually declines in commitment to his earthly hurt; God's enlarged promises to Abram and the condition of faith met; faith in the rescue of Lot; Abram discloses his vow to God and his refusal of earthly help, with lessons.

Here is the first prophet of the Bible, the first vision, the first mention of justification by faith, and other ‘firsts’. How Abram’s seed resemble stars, and how Abram saw Christ as chief among them and believed God. Here also is the meaning of the burning furnace and lamp.

At a time when many evangelicals want to be part of worldly culture, we take note of the sorry results of Abram and Sarai's identical mistake – seeking a godly outcome by worldly means. Then the rich lessons for the Lord's renewed covenant.

God disclosed to Abraham the destruction of Sodom because his descendants (the church) would ever need to be out of the culture of a world due for destruction. The deliverance of Lot pictures the embarrassment that believers may be found immersed in the world when judgement comes.

Unknown to Abraham God prepares for him a believing royal neighbour, but the patriarch repeats an old failing. Then Ishmael at 17 persecutes infant Isaac and Sarah realises the seed of the serpent aims to seize the inheritance. God restores separateness to the church. The lessons.

Abraham's mature faith – noble, magnificent trust; why he received such a hard test; the lessons for us; his reasoning and conclusion; his secret of submission to God; Isaac's heroic faith and young believers; Jehovah Jireh – the Lord sees ahead and provides; exercising precious faith.

Two distinct peoples were born to Rebekah. Isaac though godly never accepted that Jacob should have the entire heritage. He wanted Esau to head the family, while Jacob bore the seed royal. But God once again separated church and world. Here are the lessons.

The theophany at Bethel and Jacob's response. A sense of God the goal of preachers. The shocking fraud in marriage - what should Jacob have done? His spiritual virtues. His preparations for home; were his breeding methods credible? Lessons for posterity, and church and world again separated by God.

Jacob, enriched, returns to the Promised Land after 20 years greatly afraid that Esau will attack him. His two prayers are here examined, especially the hours in wrestling and pleading with God. Here are God's purposes with the encouragements and challenges for our praying.

Teenager Dinah goes into the Hivite town only to be seduced by the prince. Her motive; the hypocrisy of her brothers; their terrible revenge; the family imperilled. Why were Jacob's offspring so wayward? The purpose and lessons to the church of this record. God's restoration.

14 chapters cover Joseph's history! How can such a deliverer not be a type of Christ? We must reject trivial ideas that Jacob spoiled Joseph, who was disloyal and naive in reporting his brothers' sins and telling them his dreams. Here are the realities of his spiritual training.

Joseph in Egypt being prepared by the Lord: the young man's patience, diligence and integrity; plus fifteen ways in which he is undoubtedly a type of the Great Deliverer, with remarkable examples of God's providential oversight of His own. Spiritual lessons for today from events.

While the guiding providence of God is notable in Joseph, equally vital is his life-long goal for the repentance and restoration of his brothers (a church typified). Here his strategy is traced for securing conviction, change, reconciliation and provision, mirroring (perhaps including) evangelical conversion.

Jacob's sons and their tribes are formally blessed and assured of God's future presence. Warnings are included and positive tribal traits listed, which would combine to equip all Israel. Here also are prophecies of Messiah, and lessons for Christ's people today, which Israel typified.

The funeral of Jacob shows the gratitude of Egypt toward him, the reformed character of his sons and the supreme importance in his life of the future promises. Here also is the training of Joseph and his legacy, and how we must always live for eternity.