InstaStudy

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.