“Can you see the picture that is being put before us?” I asked the young man studying the Bible with me. Being able to understand words is one thing, but to see the picture God is painting is altogether another dimension.

If you are a regular Bible reader, you will have read the early chapters of Genesis many times over the years, probably at times feeling perplexed, and at other times excited and encouraged. So much of what we read in early Genesis is foundational to the rest of the Bible. We have the beginning of God’s great creative work of the heavens and the earth, the beginning of the first man, then first woman, the beginning of marriage and family. And, sadly, also the beginning of sin and its evil companion, death.

The rest of the Bible stands on these foundation stones; appreciating the lessons that are here can help our appreciation and understanding of what follows these early chapters. This book arises from my own personal meditations over many, many years on these early chapters of the Bible. I have found the lessons to be deep and powerful. You may already have lessons you have found and marveled at.

I hope this book will help you see the picture put before us in the early chapters of Genesis. I hope the book will add to your understanding and appreciation of God’s word, but more, I hope it will provide encouragement in those things that keep us strong in our faith and love of the Eternal One.