v.1-15
1. repeated word v.1-3, the concept of sabbath is related to the completion of work v.1,2,3.
The heavens and the earth were completed with everything that was in them
God finished the work that he had been doing
and he ceased on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing
he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation
(NET) he Hebrew term שָׁבַּת (shabbat) can be translated “to rest” (“and he rested”) but it basically means “to cease.” This is not a rest from exhaustion; it is the cessation of the work of creation.
(BKC) Here before the Fall it represented the perfect Creation, sanctified and at rest
Made it holy/Sanctified (NET) within the context of the Law, it means that the day belonged to God; it was for rest from ordinary labor, worship, and spiritual service. The day belonged to God.
Reflection: What God had made is perfect. When we remember Sabbath, that means we acknowledge that fact and we trust in Him. Our lives are provided by God both spiritually and physically. We have no need to add anything to it by our own effort
2. The new beginning of a section v.4, "This is the account of the heavens and the earth"
The difference between ch 2 and 1 is that, it starts with what were missing v.5 and the 2 explanations are provided: (1) the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth and (2) there was no man to cultivate the ground. (2) would happen to all mankind starting at Adam's judgement in ch 3 while (1) would happen to the generation of Noah as judgment to all mankind in ch 6-8.
In other word, ch 2:4 is the account of man's sin and judgment. (NET) The subject matter of each תּוֹלְדֹת (tolédot, “this is the account of”) section of the book traces a decline or a deterioration through to the next beginning point, and each is thereby a microcosm of the book which begins with divine blessing in the garden, and ends with a coffin in Egypt. So, what became of the creation? Gen 2:4–4:26 will explain that sin entered the world and all but destroyed God’s perfect creation.
3. The action sequence from v.4 on started at v.6 The spring would well up and water the whole surface and God formed the man...breathed into his nostrils...the man became a living being...God planted an orchard...he placed the man he had formed...God made all kinds of trees grow
The spring watered the ground then God formed the man from the soil. Therefore, man is closely related to the soil and God prepare the soil suitable for forming the man. After the creation of man, God prepared a place a perfect place for the man to grow. Every details show the love of God towards man.
The orchard was filled with all kinds of trees and every tree was pleasing to look at and good for food. The orchard was water by the river God. Not only water was provided, but along the first headstreams the land had pure god, pearls and lapis lazuli (precious stones).
Reflection: It was unfitted for the kind of love God has given us and our sin against Him. How myself enjoying the blessings of God and not appreciate Him and turned my back to Him? My life could not be better, but I did not follow God Who provided all these to me. I am too proud and not seeing the goodness of God to me. I sinned in my anger, controlling, and not living in harmony with others. These do not meet the will of God to me.
Questions: (This morning with God)
1/ What seems to be God's view of the "natural"? What are your views? They were made by God and belongs to Him. His work of creation is completed. Nothings is needed. It is perfect.
2/ Describe man's setting. Why, do you think, does God give man work to do before his fall?
3/ How are you approaching today's manual and mental tasks?
4/ Does God create evil (ie the experiential knowledge of it)? Give reason for his allowing such a possibility here.
5/ How do you know that God is interested in your loneliness? What difference, practically, does knowing God make in this area?
v.16-25
1. 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.”
God did not explain why, but the consequence was very clear. Eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will die.
knowledge (BDB) knowledge with moral quality...the knowing good and evil
A. the kind of death (resulting from the eating of the tree of k of g/e) is related to the knowledge of our nakedness and and wanting to be hidden from God
3:10 was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. 11 And the LORD God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
B. The kind of death (resulting from the eating of the tree of k of g/e) is related to curse we brought to the ground and our resulting painful life.
3:17 But to Adam he said,
“Because you obeyed your wife
and ate from the tree about which I commanded you,
‘You must not eat from it,’
the ground is cursed because of you;
in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
Even though God did not explain to us the reason behind the eating and the death, but the consequences of shame, separation from God, and judgment had clearly indicated that the violation of the command of God is death/judgment. It may be just a test to show our obedience to His authority.
(EBC) The inference of God’s commands in vv.16–17 is that God alone knows what is good (ṭôḇ) for man and that God alone knows what is not good (raʿ) for him. To enjoy the “good” man must trust God and obey him. If man disobeys, he will have to decide for himself what is good (ṭôḇ) and what is not good (raʿ). While to modern man such a prospect may seem desirable, to the author of Genesis it is the worst fate that could have befallen him. Only God knows what is good (ṭôḇ) for man. Only God can know what is good
2. The relationship between finding a companion for man and the naming of the animal.
v.18 starts with finding the companion who corresponds to him (NET) The man’s form and nature are matched by the woman’s as she reflects him and complements him. Together they correspond.
v.19-20 naming of the animal and the failure to find a companion for Him v.20b
v.21-23 the forming of the companion
v.23b after they were introduce the man called the companion, "woman"
In both v.20 and 23 the naming and the finding of the companion are mentioned side by side
20 So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air, and the living creatures of the field, but for Adam no companion who corresponded to him was found.
(ZIBBC OT) Adam’s naming of the animals is his first step in subduing and ruling. He is fulfilling the role that he had by virtue of being in God’s image, but it also leads him to realize that among the animals there is no social equal to share his function and place.
23 Then the man said,
“This one at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one will be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
at last (NET) “now, finally, at last.” The expression conveys the futility of the man while naming the animals and finding no one who corresponded to him
this one will be called (NET) the one naming discerns something about the object being named and gives it an appropriate name (See 1 Sam 9:9; 2 Sam 18:18; Prov 16:21; Isa 1:26; 32:5; 35:8; 62:4, 12; Jer 19:6). Adam is not so much naming the woman as he is discerning her close relationship to him and referring to her accordingly. He may simply be anticipating that she will be given an appropriate name based on the discernible similarity.
3. Reflection: No matter we understand or not, God has the authority to set the rule. When I dont understand why disease comes to me I do not need to figure out. My response should be to obey God whether in things I like or not like, understand or not understand.
Wife is the companion corresponds to her husband. Marriage is not just a physical union, it is someone so suitable for you that they fit right in where you needs are.
God already stated that Adam needed a companion, but He did not give her to him right the way. Instead He put Adam in a situation for him to realize that animals did not correspond to him as his companion. Then God especially made woman from Adam and then Adam realized that woman corresponds to him. God knows our needs very well and maybe He puts me in a desperate situation that I cannot find my own solution. He wants me to know that I am helpless. I just need to trust in Him Who knows my need and will provide.
Questions: (This morning with God)
2/ Describe man's setting. Why, do you think, does God give man work to do before his fall?
He was placed in the orchard where food is abundant and have variety. He was not asked to cultivate them, but just to care and maintain it. Although some labor might be involved, but there were no painful toil, or sweat of the brow until the Fall 3:17-19.
Man was given a job so that he knew how to serve what God has given him.
3/ How are you approaching today's manual and mental tasks?
I need to realize that the tasks are given to me so that I can serve God faithfully
4/ Does God create evil (ie the experiential knowledge of it)? Give reason for his allowing such a possibility here.
God has prohibited man to eat from the tree of k of g/e. He did not intend for man to eat from it but He had given man a choice to obey Him.
Man was not given the experimental knowledge by God, but by our own choice.
5/ How do you know that God is interested in your loneliness? What difference, practically, does knowing God make in this area?
God is interested in our loneliness just like what He said about Adam's loneliness. When we feel alone we can turn to Him and ask for help. God will provide for our needs.
Comments