My Confusion and Enlightenment When I Read Genesis

Recently I finished reading the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible and the beginning of human history and God's plan of salvation.

To be honest, I often felt confused while reading—it has a messy timeline, complex relationships, and some stories that are difficult to understand from a modern perspective:

• Why did Abraham marry his half-sister Sarai?
• Why did Sarai give her servant to her husband to bear children?
• Why did Lot's daughters sleep with their father?
• Why did Jacob’s sons slaughter all the men of a city in revenge?

These stories are shocking, and I couldn’t help but wonder: Are these really the actions of spiritual figures in the Bible? As a modern reader, how should I interpret them?

But through deeper reflection and study, I gradually came to some realizations, and I would like to share them here.

The Bible faithfully records history, but that doesn't mean it endorses every action.

The Bible is not a book that only records good people doing good things—it honestly shows human failures and darkness. This reveals something very important: God does not use people because they are worthy, but because of His grace and purpose.

The people in the Bible were not moral paragons but weak individuals used by God.

Genesis is the beginning of the salvation plan, not a handbook of moral behaviors.

· After Adam’s sin, God promised that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent (Gen 3:15)—the first sign of salvation.

· God called Abraham and promised that 'all nations will be blessed through you,' foreshadowing Jesus Christ.

· Even when people stumbled in faith, God remained faithful to His promises.

· In the story of Joseph, we see: 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done' (Gen 50:20).

Three Spiritual Reminders I Learned:

1 , God’s grace is greater than human failure: He uses the weak to accomplish His glory.

2,  Do not judge God’s work by appearances: Even the messiest histories are part of His redemptive plan.

3,  The Bible points us to Christ: From Adam to Abraham, Jacob to Joseph—each foreshadows the coming Savior—Jesus.

May these questions and reflections encourage you to keep studying the Bible—not to be defeated by confusion, but to discover the wisdom and love of God’s word with a heart of prayer.