The Importance of Genesis 1-3

I'm trying to understand covenant theology. I'm reading Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored by Michael G. Brown and Zach Keele. So far it is the best introduction I have seen written in this century on Covenant Theology. The book has a nice quote about the necessity of the Christian to understand the first three chapters of Genesis.

The apostolic preaching of the gospel is the bridge that brings us to God as Savior: it is paved and clearly marked. But the pillars on this bridge, which are rooted deep into the riverbed below, belong to Genesis 1-3. The streaming water may hide the pillars from our eyes at times; yet without the Genesis pillars, the gospel viaduct would begin crumbling beneath our feet, hurling us headfirst into the water.

Genesis 1-3 forms the essential foundation for the gospel, especially because it reveals the covenant of works. The doctrine of the covenant of works teaches us more about the perfect work of Christ and, in so doing, bolsters up our assurance salvation.(p. 42)

I'm not sure what the water(sin?) is in the metaphor and the metaphor seems strained, but the quote does stress that understanding Genesis 1-3 is key in understanding the full extent of the gospel.

Holiness and the The Flood

In his commentary on p. 198 of Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the exposition of Genesis, Allen P. Ross quotes Marcus Dods on why God chose to blot out completely life upon the earth in the Genesis flood.

This event [The Flood] then gives us some measure by which we can know how much God will do to maintain holiness upon the earth. In this catastrophe every one who strives after godliness may find encouragement, seeing in it the Divine earnestness of God for good and against evil. There is only one other event in history that so conspicuously shows that holiness among men is the object for which God will sacrifice everything else. There is no need now of any further demonstration of God's purpose in this world and His zeal for carrying it out.... The Flood has not been forgotten by almost any people under heaven, but its moral result is nil. But he whose memory is haunted by a dying Redeemer, by the thought of One Whose love found its most appropriate and practical result in dying for him, is prevented from much sin, and finds in that love the spring of eternal hope. [Book of Genesis, pp. 66-67.

We must not think Noah escaped this judgment because of his righteousness. Noah received grace "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD."(Genesis 6:8 ESV). Allen comments earlier in his commentary about Genesis 6:8.

A close study of the word for grace will support that it signifies unmerited favor. If the word is given its proper meaning, it means that the recipients of grace actually deserved the judgment too. The discussion of Noah's righteousness comes in the next section. Here, Noah received sovereign grace and escaped the catastrophe. No one escapes divine judgment apart from grace.(Ross, p. 185)

John Quincy Adams's Life Purpose

I read a biography of John Quincy Adams. The man was groomed to be president by his parents almost from birth. JQA was intelligent and charming. His parents realized his uniqueness and pushed him to serve his country with every fiber of his being. This drive was passed down to his descendants and it was intentional. I am not sure what is the best way to encourage public service, but John Adams and his descendants for several generations served their country with all their ability and strength. Here is a couple quotes about passing down a legacy of public service to future generations.

Author of the renowned autobiography The Education of Henry Adams, Henry Adams passed summers with his grandparents at Quincy until he was twelve years old and would remember throughout his life "the effect of the back of the Presidents's [John Quincy Adams] head as he sat in his pew on Sundays."

It was unusual for boy to sit behind a President grandfather and to read over his head the tablet in memory of a President great-grandfather who had pledged "his life, his forture, and his sacred honor" to secure the independence of his country and so forth... The Irish gardener once said, "you'll be thinkin' you'll be President too."

p. 286 John Quincy Adams by Harlow Giles Unger

This is a quote by JQA to his children.

You must have one great purpose of existence...to make your talents and your knowledge most beneficial to your country and most useful to mankind. -- JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, "TO MY CHILDREN"

as quoted in p.313, John Quincy Adams by Harlow Giles Unger.