1. GENESIS: BOOK OF FIRSTS (GENESIS 1:1 - 2:25)

Genesis means 'origin', a very appropriate name for a book that reveals the origins of all human history. Naturally the book is full of firsts - we are going to highlight the major firsts of this book.

Genesis must be understood to be the first of a larger work known as the Pentateuch - or the first five books of the Bible, which has been traditionally held to be written by Moses.

Exodus 34:27 "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.'"

(Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4-7; Numbers 33:2; Deuteronomy 31:9. ) As the Pentateuch was originally one book with five sections, to prove authorship of one is to do so of all.

	Moses wrote because God told him to write.
	Moses was obedient - a faithful, devoted servant to God.
	Names given by Moses.

By Moses the whole of the Pentateuch was called 'the book of the Covenant,' (Exodus 24:7 ); 'the book of the Law,' (Deuteronomy 28:58, Deuteronomy 31:24-26 ); and 'this book of the law', (Deuteronomy 30:10 ).

Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

	God recognized the writer of the Pentateuch to be Moses.
	God commanded Joshua and all Israel to live by the Book of Moses. (Joshua 23:6 ).

If you too would live by the Word, you will succeed and prosper. That may not be according to the world's standards - but you will be successful in God's eyes, not only for time but for eternity.

Luke 24:26,27 "'Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?' And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Mark 12:26; John 5:46,47. )

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The Lord Jesus referred to the Pentateuch:

The Lord Jesus, beginning at Moses, unfolded the prophecies of His suffering - including the fulfilment of Genesis 3:15 as well as the prophecies of His glory and power (Genesis 49:10 ). Just as the risen Lord turned to the Pentateuch and the prophets to give answers to the two Emmaus disciples, so we are given revelation answers in the Word.

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Jesus claimed all the O.T. writings pointed to Him when rightly interpreted.

How we should value God's revelation in Moses and the prophets, and the blazing light of the New Testament.

We conclude that Moses wrote the pentateuch.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How important to you is the confirmation of the Lord Jesus regarding Moses writing the Pentateuch?
2. Do you accept the book of Genesis as the word of man or as the Word of God?