The Kingdom of Eden

Introduction

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provides an overview of creation; focuses specifically on details of 6th day creation. is like looking at earth from space; zooms into a specific land that focuses on the history of humanity ().

Also, skeptics would

“The differences in the order of the creation events are due to the narratives’ respective purposes. The first gives a loosely chronological account, gathering creation events into a discernible pattern to show the symmetry of creation’s purpose. The second is topical, focusing on the sixth day by expanding on the creation and the relationship of the man and woman.”

[1] Ted Cabal, “Are the Days of Genesis to Be Interpreted Literally?,” in The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith, ed. Chad Owen Brand et al. (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007), 5.

Talk about how verse 4 begins a new series of topic

Understand the word “generations.” This is now a record of subsequent events in history.

Big Idea: God Created A Kingdom

Kingdom of God - a kingly and authoritative rule of God in the lives of people and nations.

Give an explanation of why I use the word, “kingdom.” Arguably, the Garden of Eden is the kingdom of God.

1. The kingdom is ruled by God.

a. God created the universe and the earth.

b. God is the ultimate ruler of His kingdom

b. God created the land for humanity to dwell in.

c. God created a garden (or home) for Adam and Eve.

Talk about marriage briefly.

Q: seems to contradict the creation account in . How can we resolve it?

provides an overview of creation; focuses specifically on details of 6th day creation. is like looking at earth from space; zooms into a specific land that focuses on the history of humanity ().

Also, skeptics would specifically point out 2:5 where man was created before there’s plant and bush of the field, which, they say, is a contradiction to chapter 1 where man was created on Day 6 and plants and vegetation were made in Day 3. Chapter 1 says man was created AFTER the plants; Chapter 2 says man was created BEFORE the plants.

However, if you read it carefully, it actually doesn’t contradict. As I mentioned, chapter 2 zooms into a specific land. If you look at verse 5 more carefully, there was no bush of the field and no small plant of the field YET…but it gives us a reason.

It doesn’t say, “For the LORD God skipped day 3 and jumped to day 6 and then jumped back to day 3.”

It says, “For the LORD God had not caused it to rain ON THE LAND, and there was no man to work the ground...”

What is the reason why there’s no bush and small plant of the field? Two reason: no rain and no man to work on the ground. Hence, God created man to work on the ground so that there would be bush and plant of the field ON THE LAND.

Chapter 1 is God created vegetation on the earth where chapter 2 is specifically man being a gardener on the land in a specific field.

“The differences in the order of the creation events are due to the narratives’ respective purposes. The first gives a loosely chronological account, gathering creation events into a discernible pattern to show the symmetry of creation’s purpose. The second is topical, focusing on the sixth day by expanding on the creation and the relationship of the man and woman.”

2. The kingdom is inhabited by humanity.

a. God created us to work.

Man was created to work.

Work only became harder in chapter 3:17-19

Naming animals

b. God

b. God created us in His image.

We will talk about this specifically, but you need to know that Adam and Eve are different than animals. There is something about Adam and Eve…you and I that are somewhat like God because we are made in His image.

c.

This is especially important when it comes to understanding male and female and marriage.

3. The kingdom is located in the land.

a. The land – Eden – was historical because there are two of four identifiable rivers.

Elaborate on the fact that this was written for the Israelites. These lands actually did not exist because all these lands were named after people.

The lack of archaeological evidence for the garden of Eden

Perhaps we can’t identify Pishon and Gihon due to geographical and topographical change in the landscape (perhaps due to the Global Flood or other means).

4. The kingdom has rules.

Focus on .

a. God commands us to obey Him.

b. God gives dire consequences for disobeying Him.

b. God’

Expect a difficult question: “Why did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?”

God gave them the free choice to obey and disobey Him.

c. God forbid them from