18. The Cross in Genesis
The Cross in Genesis
Let us look at the first book, Genesis. What is the truth that shines out in the book of Genesis? It is just this, in a few words, God at the back of men and things; and the keynote of Genesis 45:8, and four words in that verse, “Not you … but God.”
You can take the life of any saint mentioned in this book, and opposite his faith and his faithfulness, his strength and his obedience, write down as the secret of it all these words, “Not you, but God.” This book explains exactly what Calvary proclaims, the mighty working of God in the world through men and for men and all towards redemption. As the source of all His dealings with the world, hidden in itself, and yet apparent in its results, there stands the cross, and we see in the foreshadowing of the cross the power of the coming, eternal Son of God. The ark of Noah is just the symbol of the cross which saves. Noah in the ark is just the type of the New Testament believer in Christ. Abraham, called out to follow God, is just the picture of the believer who, in any age, takes up the cross to live a pilgrim life in dependence upon God. The offering of Isaac on Mount Moriah is a foreshadowing not only of the atoning Savior but of the inspiration which the cross can give to men to lead a life of complete sacrifice at the command of God. When Joseph stood before his brethren with the memories of wrongs committed, of injustices meted out, and yet with his heart full of forgiveness, what have you but the Old Testament revelation of the believer indwelt by the Spirit of God, and the Old Testament prediction of the power of the Holy Spirit to create in a man an atmosphere of love, and to keep in the place of death every desire for retaliation and revenge? And that is just the message of the cross in the New Testament.
So, broadly speaking, the whole message of Genesis may just be said to be this: it is the message of sacrifice which procures salvation, and forgiveness, and acceptance, and forms in man the character of Christ; and that is just the message of the New Testament cross (Galatians 2:20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me ….”