Perfect Man<\/p>\n
Lesson 2<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:4-25<\/p>\n
Me-<\/p>\n
I have often used the saying, \u201cI am from Missouri show me.\u201d\u00a0 To me this has meant that even though a statement has been made it does not prove that it should be accepted on face value.\u00a0 Ideas must be fleshed out and theories proven.\u00a0 Just looking at chapter one I have always accepted the narrative as truth.\u00a0 It is the one thing that I have not questioned because I believe that the Bible is God\u2019s word.<\/p>\n
It is easy to naively make that last statement.\u00a0 The question of how to defend what I have believed to be true has become more critical in today\u2019s post-Christian society.\u00a0 To me that is what chapter 2 does.\u00a0 It takes the summary or Reader\u2019s Digest version and gives more detail of how the events surrounding man\u2019s creation and the responsibility given to him actually occurred.\u00a0 As I said in lesson one I will never understand all of the ramifications of what God did but at least I can get glimpse into how the events occurred.<\/p>\n
We-<\/p>\n
It cannot be emphasized too much that we must continually seek to understand God\u2019s word.\u00a0 There are enough critics that want to undermine Christianity.\u00a0 If we truly look at what God has given to us in His inspired word we will be able to build a strong well rounded faith.\u00a0 Part of the great commandment says we are to love God with our mind.\u00a0 It is therefore important to spend time in trying to understand our relationship with God and the foundation upon which that relationship is built.\u00a0 God has given us an example of determining the truth by expanding on the picture in Genesis 1 with a clearer explanation of the \u201chow\u201d in chapter 2.\u00a0 Let us open our minds to what He has to say to us.<\/p>\n
God-<\/p>\n
To keep from getting bogged down in the many different interpretations of what occurred in Chapter 1 and now in chapter 2 the focus of this lesson will be the relationships between God and man, man and the earth, man and the animals and finally man and woman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It will also be obvious that chapter 2 does not use the chronology of the first chapter but is more topical in nature as has been mentioned above.\u00a0 Man was at the center of all the creative acts and was God\u2019s highest creation.\u00a0 With this in mind the study of Genesis 2 can begin.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:4<\/p>\n
In the opening words of this verse the writer tells us what he is about to do.\u00a0 It is to be an account heavens and earth came into being.\u00a0 In his second phrase he uses a reversal of the order to indicate that emphasis would now be placed on the events that occurred on earth.<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:5-6<\/p>\n
The writer now presents the condition of the land before the creation of man.\u00a0 The terms and shrub and plant in verse five do not refer to the plants and trees of chapter one but to that which would require the cultivation of the land by man.\u00a0 The other reason presented is that God had not sent rain up to this point and the water available was in the form of a mist.\u00a0 Evidently this was not enough to allow for growth of these shrubs and plants.<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:7<\/p>\n
It is important to note the difference between the creation of animals and man.\u00a0 In chapter 1 it was written that the animals were brought forth from the earth.\u00a0 Here is seen that God gave special care to the forming of man out of the dust.\u00a0 The idea of forming comes from clay in the hands of a potter who shapes it into a useful vessel.\u00a0 The care with which God made man shows the special relationship that He was to have with Adam.\u00a0 After making the physical, God then breathed into Adam the breath of life.\u00a0 At that point Adam became a living soul or being distinct from the animals which are identified as creatures.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Not only did God create a physical being at that time but a spiritual one also.\u00a0 Paul used the term spirit more often than soul when speaking of man.\u00a0 God built into man a special relationship that the animals could never hope to have.\u00a0 There is one other example of the life giving presence of the Holy Spirit being mentioned in John 20:22.\u00a0 It says, \u201cHe breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.\u201d\u00a0 In that moment the special relationship that man had in the garden before the fall was re-established.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:8-14<\/p>\n
The garden which Moses called Eden must have been a place of extraordinary beauty.\u00a0 God put the man whom He had formed into the garden.\u00a0 From the description given it is obvious that God had made it not only adequate but one which provided for every need man might have.\u00a0 It contained:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:15<\/p>\n
Man was placed in the garden.\u00a0 He was given two specific tasks to perform.\u00a0 It was up to Adam to cultivate the land so that the other plants and shrubs could produce food.\u00a0 His other responsibility was to be a good steward of God\u2019s creation.\u00a0 He was to use it, subdue it but not abuse it.\u00a0 God knew that man needs to have meaningful work that gives purpose to life.\u00a0 Not mentioned but part of the forming of man had to be the instilling in him the abilities to accomplish the tasks given to him?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:16-17<\/p>\n
God gave man both a command and a warning.\u00a0 One had to do with calling him to obedience and the other was the consequences of disobeying the commands of God.\u00a0 He was told that he could eat of every tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.\u00a0 The consequences of disobeying would be death.\u00a0 It is hard to imagine that Adam would have any concept what death might be having never experienced it.\u00a0 God was calling Adam to trust in His words even though he might understand all that they meant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:18<\/p>\n
God had surrounded Adam with everything that man could desire except the one thing that would make it all worth having.\u00a0 That would be someone with whom to share it.\u00a0 God looked down and saw that man was alone.\u00a0 Even though He had viewed all of creation as good, He knew that that was not a good situation.\u00a0 Man needed someone. It would have to be someone suitable and equal to him in every way that would walk along beside him and be his constant helpmate.\u00a0 To be equal does not mean alike.\u00a0 This will be discussed in later verses.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:19-20<\/p>\n
Adam was given the task of naming all of the creatures of his world. This may seem strange in light of the situation.\u00a0 One idea is that by doing so he would see that every creature had a partner.\u00a0 These verses give a picture of the intellectual capabilities of man prior to the fall to carry out such awesome tasks as naming of every creature.\u00a0 Man\u2019s answer for a suitable helpmate was not to be found in the animal world.\u00a0 A couple of important facts can be drawn from these verses:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:21-22<\/p>\n
God had a unique role in the creation of woman.\u00a0 He did not take her from the ground or dust as He had the animals and even Adam himself.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s sleep in preparation for the woman was God induced meaning Adam had no part in the event.\u00a0 From him God removed a rib from his side and built or fashioned a companion from the man.\u00a0 She was to be the same as a living, spiritual being but different but different physically.\u00a0 Like every couple she would augment and complement her husband.\u00a0 When Adam had been awakened God brought her to him.\u00a0 The method of this creative act was done to:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:23-24<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s response in today\u2019s language would be WOW!\u00a0 The Scripture showed in a more poetic way Adam\u2019s understanding of what God had done.\u00a0 He immediately knew that their relationship would be one that reflected the fact the woman had been created from his body.\u00a0 This gave the example of oneness that should be present in every marriage.\u00a0 Before there were any other people on the face of the earth God\u2019s standard and definition of marriage were laid out for us.\u00a0\u00a0 Marriage was to be:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 2:25<\/p>\n
This verse must be viewed in light of the fact that it was written before the fall of man.\u00a0 Sin came with the knowledge of sin.\u00a0 Paul spoke about this in Romans and Galatians when stated that the knowledge of sin is what brought about his spiritual death. \u00a0It was the death of his innocence.\u00a0 Once sin comes into the picture guilt arrives at the same time and man immediately sees his failure. In the beginning Adam and Eve were completely innocent.\u00a0 Their relationship was pure in the sight of God and each other.<\/p>\n
You<\/p>\n
We<\/p>\n
These two chapters have shown a universe that was created for the unique place that it is.\u00a0 Throughout the process saw everything was good except that man was alone in relationship to another person.\u00a0 We have been given the privilege of being a benefactor of the work He did in creation.\u00a0 This world can be viewed from the perspective of God\u2019s love for mankind.\u00a0 The Psalmist said in very well in Psalm 8.\u00a0 He wrote, \u201cWhen I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that you take thought of him and the son of man that You care for him?\u00a0 Yet you have made him a little lower than God (or the angels), and have crown him with honor and majesty!\u00a0 You make him to rule over the works of your hands. (Psalms 8:3-5)<\/p>\n
When we begin to understand all that God has done for us it should affect our attitudes towards others, who have been made in the same way as we. Let us not use this privilege to our own benefit but for the glory of the One to whom all of the universe belongs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Additional Notes:<\/p>\n
C = Changes in the life of the person, circumstances or church.<\/strong><\/p>\n DM = Defining moments in the life of the people of the Bible<\/strong><\/p>\n RT= Random Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n GC = Characteristics of a godly men.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n GC-Every man has been given a meaningful task according to the gift God has given him.\u00a0 Adam was to be obedient to God in cultivating the Garden of Eden and keeping it.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (Gen. 2:15; Ecc.3:10-11)<\/p>\n GC-To be within the will of God, man must stay within the limits set for him by the Father, which are always for his benefit.\u00a0 It would very detrimental for Adam to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.\u00a0 God requires our obedience.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (Gen. 2:16; 16:1-10; Ex. 2:12)<\/p>\n GC-We must take note that the command was given to the man and not the woman.\u00a0 It is for this reason that man must accept responsibility for the consequences of his sin.\u00a0 Therefore it was Adam\u2019s sin, not Eve\u2019s or satan\u2019s, but Adam\u2019s. (Gen. 2:16, 19)<\/p>\n UE-Even though God told Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, I am not sure that he had any concept of the consequences such actions would bring. The question I have is, How could he and Even know what death meant never having experienced it?\u00a0 To them it must have been some vague idea what it would be like in the same way we might understand what it would be like to walk on Mars to live in a country that you have never visited.<\/p>\n Being perfect man at this point and possessing knowledge and wisdom far surpassing that of any man living today, they should have realized that this death had to be a terrible thing for God to even speak of it.\u00a0 (Gen. 2:17)<\/p>\n WM-Even thought Adam from the beginning had a relationship with God.\u00a0 He knew that Adam needed someone like him.\u00a0 Another human being made in the image of God would provide all the characteristics that we think of when we talk of companionship and relationship.\u00a0 With the forming of the woman from Adam\u2019s rib the circle was complete, God, man and woman. (Gen. 2:18, 20-25)<\/p>\n RT-If evolution is true then why does the record we have of Adam giving all the creatures their names.\u00a0 He did not say, \u201cI am going to call cattle for now but later you may be named something entirely different? (Gen. 2:19-20)<\/p>\n UE-That God would give man the ability to name all of the creatures on the earth. (Gen. 2:19-20)<\/p>\n UE-That God would create woman so different than he had every other creature and man.\u00a0 All others were formed out of the dust of the earth.\u00a0 Woman was fashioned from a rib taken from Adam\u2019s side. (Gen. 2:21-22)<\/p>\n RT-To trace all of mankind back to one Eve, as the scientists have concluded, is to validate man.\u00a0 Man and woman originally would have had the same DNA since it was Adam\u2019s rib that was used to form Eve. (Gen. 2:21-22)<\/p>\n C-With the creation of Eve, Adam\u2019s life would never be the same.\u00a0 Instead of the animals over which he was to be steward; God gave him a companion, a helpmate, one like him made in the image of God.\u00a0 They were to share all things as the two became one flesh. (Gen 2:22-24)<\/p>\n Additional Resources:<\/p>\n \u201cDarwin on Trial\u201d by Phillip E. Johnson<\/p>\n \u201cThe Wedge of Truth\u201d by Phillip E. Johnson <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Perfect Man Lesson 2 Genesis 2:4-25 Me- I have often used the saying, \u201cI am from Missouri show me.\u201d\u00a0 To me this has meant that even though a statement has been made it does not prove that it should be accepted on face value.\u00a0 Ideas must be fleshed out and theories proven.\u00a0 Just looking at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=63"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63\/revisions\/64"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=63"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=63"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=63"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n