Strangers & Pilgrims: A Study of Genesis

This commentary on the study of Genesis is designed primarily to teach the believer, rather than to refute or to convince the unbeliever. Any remarks dealing with the antagonism between the Bible and scientific theory are directed toward the upbuilding of faith. The author expresses the hope, in some measure, of exposing the follies of unbelief, but only with the preceding goal in view. As another has said, “Man’s mind leaves God out, and wearies itself in endless speculations; faith brings Him in, and everything is simple.” “Strangers and Pilgrims” applies principally to the latter portion of Genesis, chapters 12-50. Of the saints of Genesis, Hebrews 11:13 states: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” And here begins the journey to discover more about these strangers and pilgrims, and about the beginnings of their world. While notice is taken of critical or technical matters pertaining to Genesis, it is the spiritual lessons to be learned which emerge as more significant. God’s word feeds our souls, not merely our intellects – and that is the best apologetic that can be offered to justify the approach taken in this book. While thankful for the labors of scholars in the fields of linguistics, archaeology, and history, this author notes that this work is not intended for such experts, but for believers who need to be fed from Scripture itself.