Back To The Basics: Study Of Genesis (INTRO)

Introduction

Each and everyone of us have at one point been curious about our family history. Some time ago I began looking into the history of my family. I’m not sure what it is about studying your family history that is so intriguing. Perhaps it’s the stories you learn, the place your family has gone, or the characters you discover. We all have a unique story, family history, and memories. Inside each of us I’m sure there is a desire to learn more about who we really are.




I remember the excitement I felt when I was able to trace my lineage back to the 1600s and laughed as I couldn’t pronounce the names of my relatives. It has long been an interest of mine to hear the many sides to the stories of the past. When I was a little boy I would sit on Father’s lap and beg him to tell me stories of his younger days. I enjoyed sifting through the black and whit photos of my grandparents looking at the people they were. Learning about the world that my ancestors grew up in was to me among the most fascinating discoveries. One day I sat in my great grandparents kitchen listing for hours as they told me their story of survival love and beginnings during the Great depression. 
Learning from history can be one of the most important ventures of our lives. Classical American Philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” It is vital we learn from the failures, mistakes, and successes of those who have gone before us. To get a picture of where you are going, we ought to look at where we have been. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “there is nothing new under the sun… whatever has been shall be again… There is nothing new under the sun.” In other words we ought to examine the lives of those who have gone before us follow in the footsteps of those who began a great work and carry it out. On the other hand, we ought to take heed that our steps don’t fall to closely to those who have walked down a slippery slope of destruction. 
That is what this book is all about, learning from those who have gone before us. In a way the book of Genesis is the story of the generations of our family. It is the story of how it all began. There are stories of heartache, failures, successes, love, and faith all found in the pages of these great book. We read vivid descriptions of  the greatness and glory of our Creator. We read firsthand accounts of God’s concern, involvement, and creativity. In the first chapter God reveals to us his personality, creation, and plan for the new creation.