Genesis fundamentally shapes the rest of Scripture. It is not a saga, legend, or creation myth like those linked to other ancient Near Eastern religions. Instead, it is history. It is written to reveal how the universe came into existence and how God will unfold his purposes for his people. Genesis 1:1 reveals that God is the foundation and creator of everything. Genesis 1:1-13 shows God’s power in forming the earth. God's speech brings about God's results. God speaks and brings order to chaos.
Genesis is one of the most read yet least understood books of the Bible. As the text unfolds, it addresses issue after issue that are still relevant: creation versus evolution, gender identity, marriage, sexuality, race, capital punishment, abuse. Yet the book of Genesis is not primarily about those things. Genesis is about one thing: the kingdom of Christ.