THE HISTORY OF MAN

In our study of this book of beginnings we have witnessed God’s glorious power in creation. He spoke everything into existence, then briefly we say that God created man and woman. Then, following the ways of God, Moses describes the establishment of Sabbath, of rest. We looked at the theological significance of rest, that, as God has blessed us with an entire day of rest and worship, it points to the ultimate goal of eternal rest and worship with our gracious, Triune God, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Tonight, then, we turn our attention to man. Not because we are proud, but because our passage focuses on man. I have mentioned several times that the book of Genesis is a foundational book. It provides us with the very basis of our understanding of everything, including our understanding of man and woman. In fact, Jesus, in teaching on man and woman and divorce goes back to creation, not the Mosaic Law, to provide instruction in . It is evident, then, that the Scriptures treat this passage with enormous weight.

People often complain about their spouses not coming with owner’s manual. They say, “If only she came with an owner’s manual!” Or, “I wish I could read a book and know what he is thinking!”

With this chapter, though, we are given the instruction manual of humanity, our relationship with God, and the role of marriage. That is, we have before us an enormous passage and goal in understanding it.

I. OVERVIEW OF HIS CREATION- 2:4-7

Chapter two provides some additional details to the week of creation. God has completed the creation of everything else, but now Moses provides additional details about how God created man. God had fine tuned the world, and in particular the Garden of Eden, and now all that remained was the crown of God’s creation: man.

God formed man out of the dust of the ground. This is such a humbling picture, is it not? We, as people who have a sin nature, are prone to sin, and in particular the sin of pride. So, while we cannot definitely say why God made us out of dirt, I think it at least helps us remain humble considering our origin.

Another interesting point is that God breathed into our nostrils the breath of life. Before, God simply spoke life into existence, but in this case His breaths into man’s nostrils. One final point before we move on, man (that is, man and woman) are completely unique creatures. Angels are spiritual beings, and though they can take physical form they are completely spiritual beings. All life and matter in our universe is completely physical, as in there is not spiritualness. Humanity, though, is a combination of the physical and spiritual. We are spirit-embodied beings. This will be important as we move on, not only in Genesis but in our understanding of Scripture.

II. PRESENTATION OF HIS CHOICE- 2:8-9

After the overview of the creation of man, God moves onto the presentation of Adam’s choice. As God is bringing up trees of all kinds, for food and beauty, He specially crafts two trees in this Garden “eastward in Eden.”

These two trees, the three of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil have enormous significance. First, the tree of life is described in . In Revelation this tree provided healing for the nations. In the Garden of Eden, however, it seems that this tree symbolized eternal life, especially if you compare it with .

There is also this mention of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. There are many views as to what this tree may be. Some have suggested it related to sexual awareness. Others have commented that it focused primarily on moral discernment. Still others find it relates to everything, in other words, it was a tree that seemed to offer omniscience. However, though some biblical proof can be offered for all these views, there is nothing concrete about any of them. And, perhaps, we miss the forest for the trees. The focus would eventually center on man and woman either trusting God with their whole heart or leaning on their own understanding (). We will touch on this choice more in a few minutes.

III. VIEW OF HIS LOCATION- 2:10-14

Next, Moses offers a view of the location in which Adam and Eve would live. To say it is paradise almost seems incomplete. This land was well watered, allowing plant life (which provided beauty and food) to thrive. This, in turn, would allow the diversity of animal life to explode as well. In addition, Moses mentions several minerals of beauty: gold, bdellium, onyx. Now, without getting too nerdy, these three items mentioned are also found in the breastplate of the High Priest of Israel (see ), possibly Satan (), and the throne of God (see ). We can deduce, then, that not only was this a physical paradise, it also had connections to the worship of God. Like the Temple, the Garden of Eden was a place in which God and man would meet. I think this is made clearer in our next point.

IV. ISSUING OF HIS COMMAND- 2:15-17

The issuing of God’s command has several parts to it. Like a shopping list given by a wife to a husband, there are several things we need to pick up.

God places man in the Garden to “tend and keep it.” Both of these words convey the idea found in many passages of Scripture dealing with worshipping and serving God. So, while there is a practical nature to the work (tilling soil, cultivating, etc.), there is also a priestly nature to the work.

V. A DESCRIPTION OF HIS NEED- 2:18-20

VI. EXAMINATION OF HIS CREATION- 2:21-23

VII. DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE OF MARRIAGE- 2:24-25