The Manifestation of God in Genesis
A study exploring the presence and activity of Christ in the book of Genesis.
1. Christ in the Creation Account
1.1 Christ as the Creator
Verses: Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16
- Genesis 1:1 states, 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.' This act of creation was not a solitary one but involved the divine Word.
- John 1:1-3 identifies the Word as God and states that all things were made through Him. This Word is Jesus Christ.
- Therefore, Christ was active in the creation from the very beginning, demonstrating His eternal existence and divine power.
1.2 The 'Us' in Creation
Verses: Genesis 1:26; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15
- God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness' (Genesis 1:26). This 'Us' suggests a divine plurality, not of distinct persons, but of God expressing Himself.
- This expression is revealed through Christ, who is the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3).
- Therefore, the 'Us' in Genesis 1:26 can be understood as God revealing Himself through the pre-incarnate Christ, foreshadowing His full manifestation in the New Testament.
2. The Promise of Redemption
2.1 The Proto-Gospel
Verses: Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 3:8
- After the fall, God promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15).
- This is a prophecy of Christ's victory over Satan through His death and resurrection.
- The pre-incarnate Christ is foreshadowed as the ultimate deliverer from sin and its consequences.
3. Appearances of the Lord
3.1 The Angel of the Lord and Hagar
Verses: Genesis 16:7-13; Exodus 3:2-6; Judges 6:11-16
- Genesis 16:7-13 describes the Angel of the Lord appearing to Hagar. Hagar recognizes this Angel as God, calling Him 'the God who sees me'.
- The Angel of the Lord is often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, acting as God's messenger and representative.
- This encounter reveals God's personal care and intervention in the lives of individuals, foreshadowing Christ's ministry.
3.2 The Lord's Visit to Abraham
Verses: Genesis 18:1-33; John 8:56-58; Hebrews 13:2
- In Genesis 18, the Lord appears to Abraham in the form of three men. Abraham addresses one of them as 'Lord' and intercedes for Sodom.
- This appearance is another instance of God manifesting Himself in a human-like form, pointing towards the incarnation.
- Abraham's interaction with the Lord highlights God's justice and mercy, qualities fully revealed in Christ.
4. Personal Encounters with God
4.1 Jacob's Wrestle
Verses: Genesis 32:24-30; Hosea 12:3-4; Ephesians 6:12
- Jacob wrestled with a man until daybreak (Genesis 32:24-30). Jacob recognized this man as God and named the place Peniel, meaning 'face of God'.
- This encounter demonstrates God's willingness to engage with humanity on a personal level.
- The wrestling match symbolizes the spiritual struggle and ultimate victory that believers experience through faith in Christ.