sf399 - The Creation Of Man (Genesis 2 4-17)

Genesis 2:4-17

Introduction

Genesis 2 records the details about God’s creation of man.

In this section we see these truths communicated in three pairs.

Two accounts

Two people

Two trees…

1A. Two Accounts – One Creation (2:4-6)

1B. What the liberals claim

Genesis 1 and 2 represent different and contradictory accounts of creation.

They base their view on the use of the different names for God, specifically Jehovah and Elohim.

2B. What the Bible teaches

In chapter 2 the emphasis is on the creation of man.

There is more detail given about the creation of man.

Ø The chronological sequence is different.

Ø Details are given on man’s nature.

Ø The special attention of God to his creation.

There is an emphasis on God’s special provision for man.

Ø God prepared the garden for man.

Ø God gave man a special job, cultivating the garden and naming the animals.

Ø God gave man Eve.

2A. Two People – One Implication (2:7)

Man is God’s special creation.

1B. Formed from the dust

Dust speaks of humility

Genesis 18:27 (NASB) 27 And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.

2B. The breath of life

Breath, (ruach) literally to breath, wind.

Ø In this context it carries the idea that man was specially created by God’ breathing some of His own breathe into him.

Ø Man has a special relationship to God by virtue of the divine spirit.

3B. A living being

The same phrase is used for animals (Genesis 1:24); but in this context it carries a different meaning.

Man knows he is alive.

Man also knows that he depends on God for life.

Job 34:14-15 (NASB) 14 "If He should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, 15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.

3A. Two Trees – One Salvation (2:8-17)

1B. The placement of the trees

The first tree was in the Garden of Eden (2:8-9)

“Eden” = Garden of pleasure, life

The second tree was in the garden of Golgotha

John 19:17 (NASB) 17 They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.

John 19:41 (NASB) 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

The first Adam and the second Adam (Christ) both died in a garden

Ø The first Adam chose to sin in perfect environment and died spiritually.

Romans 5:12 (NASB) 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Ø The second Adam chose righteousness in a sinful environment and died so we might live.

Romans 5:15 (NASB) 15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

Galatians 3:13 (NASB) 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"—

2B. The purpose of the trees

The first tree brought the knowledge of good and evil by experimentation

Ø Adam experienced the absence of good

Romans 3:12 (NASB) 12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."

Ø Adam experienced the presence of evil (Genesis 3:7-9)

Ø Adam experienced the power of evil (Genesis 3:10)

Ø Adam experienced the penalty of sin (Genesis 3: 23-24)

The second tree brought the knowledge of good and evil by grace and revelation.

Ø Christ revealed the presence of evil

The same crowd that had cheered Him now cursed and crucified Him

Ø Christ revealed the power of grace

Jesus had to die.

Hebrews 9:22 (NASB) 22 …without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Ø Christ removed the penalty of sin

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB) 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

If God did not spare Christ when He bore the sin of man. He cannot spare you when you bear your sin.

Your sin will be pardoned in Christ or punished in hell.

3B. The power of the trees

The first tree put a thief out of Paradise

Ø Adam became a thief when he took the fruit.

Before he had eaten he had stolen.

Ø Adam was banished from the Garden and God’s presence.

The second tree brought a thief into Paradise (Luke 23:39-43)

Ø Everyone is looking for the way to paradise

Jesus is the way

Ø The thief could do nothing for himself!

He simply trusted Jesus!

Application

We are all thieves looking for paradise!

We can get there only by the second tree.

God forbade eating from the first tree – Satan encouraged it.

God calls us to partake of the second tree – Satan discourages it.

We are thieves when we keep the gospel to ourselves.

We rob ourselves of God’s blessings and others of God’s grace.

Genesis 2:15-17

1A. Two ___________________ – One Creation (2:4-6)

1B. What the liberals claim

2B. What the ____________________ teaches

There is more detail given about the creation of man.

There is an emphasis on God’s special provision for man.

2A. Two People – One Implication (2:7)

1B. Formed from the __________________________

Dust speaks of humility (Genesis 18:27)

2B. The _______________________ of life

Breath, (ruach) literally to breath, wind.

3B. A living ____________________________

Man knows he is alive.

Man also knows that he depends on God for life. (Job 34:14-15)

3A. Two Trees – One Salvation (2:8-17)

1B. The _________________________ of the trees

The first tree was in the Garden of Eden (2:8-9)

The second tree was at Golgotha (John 19:17, 41)

The first Adam and the second Adam (Christ) both died in a garden (Romans 5:12, 15; Galatians 3:13))

2B. The ____________________ of the trees

The first tree brought the knowledge of good and evil by experimentation

Ø Adam experienced the absence of good (Romans 3:12)