NIV Commentary Genesis 1

NIV Commentary Series: Genesis Volume 1

The word “genesis” means “The coming into being of something; the origin.”

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” And so begins God’s love letter to those created in His image.

God is portrayed in Genesis 1-11 as:
The all-powerful creator

• A God of order
• AGod of goodness
• AGod who desires fellowship
• A God who gives responsibility and freedom
• A God who cares
• A God who loves life and graciously gives it.
• Above all, God is a God who persists in His purposes.

The first book of the Old Testament speaks of beginnings. It functions as the introduction to the Pentateuch and is foundational to the understanding ofthe rest of the Bible. Genesis explains how the people of Israel arose and were called to be God’s people. The nation to which the Pentateuch is addressed is about to enter the promised land. There they will face the culture and religion of the inhabitants of Canaan. The polytheistic nature religion of the Canaanites is a great temptation to Israel, and the laws recorded in the Pentateuch are designed to prevent Israel from falling into the destructive patterns of life present in Canaan.

Genesis is designed to be read theologically. It is written to provide guidance to God’s people about how to conduct their lives as they face the pressures of conformity to the culture and religion of Canaan. Its center of interest seems to be God’s creational intentions for humanity and what He does in response to humanity’s refusal to submit to those intentions and go his or her own way. God’s desire is to bring humanity back to their created purpose and relationship with Him.

Genesis Volume 1has 392 pages.