It is a common assumption that Moses co-authored the book of Genesis along with the Holy Spirit. I was recently challenged with the questions; 1) to whom was he writing it and 2) what was his purpose or message when writing it? Surprisingly, I had never considered those interesting questions. How would you answer those questions?
Moses obviously was not present when the earth was formed, when life on earth as well as Adam and Eve were created. Neither was Moses yet alive when the flood occurred, in the time of Abraham, Isacc and Jacob or in the first 3 hundred years of the 400 years of Hebrew Egyptian slavery. Yet he wrote about them. How can this be? What might be your answer to that question?
When pondering such questions, something my wonderful wife said triggered the release of insight I had never considered. The summary of the new thought was this. John, Jesus’ youngest disciple, at the time was in his late 80’s and exiled on the isle of Patmos. It was here, over 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit inspired him to write of things that would happen in the future. We easily accept the fact that much of that Spirit inspired prophesy still remains unfulfilled.
Why is it easy to acknowledge that the Holy Spirit can inspire someone to write what is yet to come but struggle when trying to apply how the same Holy Spirit could have inspired Moses to write what had happened perhaps thousands of years before he was born? The fact is the Bible begins with a revelation of what had happened in the past and ends with a revelation of what is yet to come with both being perfect and having a tree of life and a river!
David wrote in Psalm 119, “Teach me your statutes!”; “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law”; “Oh how I love your law!”; “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”; “Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!” (verses 12,18,97,103,125, ESV). Remember, the only books available for David to read were the first five books of the Old Testament, at least two of which we tend to avoid reading! Perhaps the most fascinating of David’s words were Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me (Psalm 119:98, ESV) because after reading these books at times I have struggled at times to understand what gave him joy. He obviously had a unique perspective I lack.
I have found God’s deeper and more invigorating truths require an open mind and heart, serious initiative, and faithful, diligent efforts to discipline the body, will, mind and emotions. With so many distractions around us it is hard to CARVE OUT TIME in our busy schedule time to encounter God through His Word. From what I have learned about God’s ways, He purposely designed that His revelations will come to us especially when we persevere in seeking Him above ALL other attractions.
In the midst of that, like David and every sincere believer, there is a gentle but deep desire within to know more about our heavenly Father—His core values, His ways, His character, and truth. But like the old gold miners who had to dig to find the gold, by us digging more deeply into the Bible, Old and New Testaments, we find SO MANY MORE big gold nuggets. It is in the process of digging out these nuggets that we personally are energized, fulfilled and hopeful about whatever we may encounter. I have experientially found this verse to be true to life, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart…. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!” (Psalm 119:1,2,5, ESV) If ever there is a time now and in our near future that we must be filled with His power, life, hope and truth, it is today! If we are not, it will be our own neglect that results in not being able to endure to the end. (Matthew 24:13)
I feel it was written for us . Life revolves yet stays the same. Ecclesiastes 1:9. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.