A Mandate for Image-Bearers

Today begins another telling of the description we’ve examined the last 4 weeks. Some have attempted to highlight the differences between the two accounts in an attempt to conclude, “since they are different they must both be fantasy.”

When I go to a sporting event, I’m usually seated in the nosebleed section. (I remember our family going to Royals’ games on Monday evening when the $4 tickets were only $2). Occasionally, I have been blessed with field level seats and the experience is quite different! Now, through the Television I am given the player’s view with helmet cameras.

Just because the 3 perspectives are different, does NOT mean that any of them are fictional.

Today we turn from a cosmic view of creation to a man-centered perspective.

The man’s identity (vv.4-7)

I wrote the outline for this message on Monday, then later in the week, on Thursday and Saturday, I saw 2 perfect illustrations of identity. Today we are told by some that identity is fluid—I can identify however I feel. But we must always find our identity in how God sees us!

Yesterday morning Ann was watching a cooking show by a famous wife of an Oklahoma rancher. I wanted to sing, “One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn’t belong” Now I don’t have anything against Cauliflower. I’ve eaten smothered in cheese sauce, and I’ve eaten it plain. I’ve had it steamed, I’ve eaten it roasted, I’ve eaten it raw. I know some people use it like rice. Some use it like mashed potatoes. I read a friend uses it to make pizza crust. But I have to draw the line when it is called “steak”. Perhaps I am being too critical, I have nothing against cauliflower, I actually like it.

Similarly, I have nothing against this student athlete. I have no objections to him (or “it” as she may prefer) as a person. I have nothing against this person as a swimmer. He/she/it is no doubt better at swimming than I am. But I DO have a problem with calling him/her the fastest women’s swimmer in the NCAA.

If your identity is based upon personal feelings, it will always be situational. How many times have you heard of a suicidal person whose view of self is not based upon reality? I have a nephew who was shot to death by his wife. I have a 1st cousin who was stabbed to death by his brother. I have a child whose feelings of worthlessness prompted an attempt on her own life. I don’t deny that these feelings are real, or that they are strong. I just don’t think identity is driven by our feelings.

On the other hand, we find stability if we view ourselves as God sees us. I know people who view themselves as “basically good” who are bound for a Christless eternity. I know people who are in Christ and covered by His grace, and seated with Him in the heavenlies who struggle with feelings of inferiority.

We must identify as God sees us!

Transition: The first 4 verses of today’s text tells us 3 important things about the way God sees us.

Generations (v.4a) - replication

In the first telling of Creation (the Cosmic view) we saw the systems that God put in place. In v.4 God begins the (human view).

Humans are not an inflexible system! Each human is put into a place and time. “How did we get here?” is a common philosophical query. The Bible says that humanity is NOT caused by random mutations or impersonal systems.

Generations speaks of beings who exist within time and space who reproduce temporal beings who may live in a different time and space. The individuality sets us apart. Text

If you look to the East of our building, you can observe several Bradford Pear trees. Some of you may be able to identify which nursery supplied these trees, but could you possibly identify the “parent” that produced that specific seedling or cutting?

4. None of the other items or animals is identified by Generations.

LORD God (v.4b) - relationship with our Great Creator

1. Up until this verse the word for God is the plain word for any deity. The plural is used to identify Him as the greatest God, but other religions may claim that their god is the greatest deity as well.

2. In this verse you will see that the English Lord appears before God. This is because that in chapter 2 the name YHWH is added to the name Elohim.

3. YHWH is the name God used to identify Himself to Moses at the burning bush. YHWH is the God who cut covenant with Abraham and promised land, people and reputation to his descendants. YHWH is the God who took notice of those descendants in Egypt and delivered them to the Promised Land. YHWH is the God who relates with His chosen people.

4. YHWH is the God who wants a relationship with you today that will carry into eternity through repentance and faith in the only Son of God, Jesus.

formed (v.7) - reflection of our Divine God

1. We begin by His view of us when He creates us. Genesis 2:19 says that God formed the first man, in 2:22 we read that He made the first woman. And in Psalm 139:13 we read that He is involved in the formation of EVERY human being.

Psalm 139:13 ESV:2016

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

2. Some commentators see this forming of dust from the ground as a hint toward man’s value.

3. However, The Hebrew word used three times in Gen 2 for “formed” is yatsar, the same word that describes the potter and his activity in Isa 29:16[i]

4. I think this forming the dust as a potter shapes clay is a hint that God is giving man the opportunity (in working the Garden) to be a reflection of the God who made us.

I’ve heard some of you mention in recent weeks about how anxious you are to get some plants in the soil. As you transplant, weed, water, and harvest in the upcoming months. I hope you can remember that God shaped the earth to make it productive, and you are reflecting that ability as you work the earth.

Transition: Because God values man and identifies Him as blessed, He put’s man in a prepared place.

The man’s environment - a garden (vv.8-17)

It was pleasant to the sight (v.9a)

1. There is nothing wrong with noting the beauty of the setting sun. As the pastures begin to green in the next month, God want you to notice the depth of blue in the sky and the richness of green in the grass. He wants you to notice the variety of the blossoms. When that old brown tree puts on buds and those buds turn into luscious foliage and cool shade. Remember God made the trees and plants to reflect beauty.

2. As we rejoiced with the moisture on Friday that will aid in the change of seasons, vv.10-14 focuses on the abundant water that makes the garden lush.

3. Not only was it pleasant to the sight, but it was also good for food.

It provided food & required discernment (v.9b)

With so much to choose from, Adam had to exercise discernment in which fruits to eat and which ones to just watch.

The radish, the beet, the turnip, and the carrot look very similar above ground, but the root tastes very different so that man had to discern which he would eat and which he would feed to the lifestock. The beet and the tomato are both round and red, but they are not interchangeable. Man was permitted to work with each to nourish his body. Some trees had yellow, green or red fruit. The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were both examples that each variety of tree served a specific purpose.

It required participation. (v.15)

Before woman, Before sin, Before sleep, man was given the task of working and keeping the Garden that God had provided.

Again, just like forming of dust, this is God’s invitation to reflect or to share in god-like activity.

Transition: Man had an identity and a purpose, but what he didn’t have was…

The man’s Partner - (vv. 18-25)

Made for relation (v.18)

1. Helper > alone.

A helper is not someone to boss around or do all the chores you don’t want to do. A helper is someone who makes you better.

23 months ago, while many of us were living under “stay-at-home” orders, The Green Bay Packers (who seemed to be set at Quarterback) traded up from their spot at #30 to pick 26 and draft Jordan Love out of Utah State. The drafting of Aaron Rodgers’ heir apparent did not sit well with him. However, having competition on the roster prompted Rodgers to work harder and improve his own performance.

2. The Chiefs just committed this week to spend $2 Million over the next year to have a helper who is unlikely to see the field behind Patrick Mahomes. Another set of eyes, an addition set of ideas, and competition that spurs excellence are just a few reasons why it is not good for man to be alone.

lesser creations (19-20)

Immediately after the declaration that man needed a helper, the next verse says that God cause a huge parade of animals.

Adam supposedly saw several creatures in the horse family that could breed with each other. He saw a few varieties of cattle that could breed with each other. I presume he named monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas, but notice the last phrase of v. 20 - But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.

after naming the parade of animals, the man realized he was missing something—a suitable partner. God had enjoyed eternal fellowship in the Trinity, but man was missing fellowship with an equal.

suitable creation (21-22)

1. The helper that man needed, would have to reflect the same divine image that Adam possessed. Since none of the animals were made in God’s image, they were all deficient to be the help He needed.

2. Why do I say this helper needed to reflect God’s image? The noun ezer(helper) occurs 21 times in the ot. More than 60 percent of the occurrences refer to God’s ability to come to the aid of His people.[i]

3. Adam didn’t only need a helper, he needed one who was fit for him.

4. [kenegdo(Fit for him)] indicates the aspect of mutual assistance with the sense of man and woman completing or complementing one another.[ii]

5. Just as mankind is helpless to save himself until the appearance of the perfect God-man—Jesus with 2 natures, Adam needed a helper who both reflected God to him and truly understood him.

Any man who finds a woman who both truly understands him AND reminds him of God is a blessed man.

Unfortunately, too few men look for a woman who reminds him of God. That is too low on the priority list. The more men who find this woman (and the more women who make this their priority) the lower the divorce rate will go in the church.

Conclusion:

At the risk of sounding old-fashioned, every man present (including those just entering manhood) need to hear God’s verdict—It is not good for you to live without someone who makes you a better man.

Every woman present (and those just entering womanhood) needs to know that your highest (not your only role, but your highest) is to understand, to compliment, and to remind others of God. Whether in the home, the community, or the workplace.

Brothers and sister, we are not animals! Each of us has an identity formed by God, and we have been appointed from our heritage to this place and this time in order to move the next generation to become better men and more godly women.

Song of Response #370 “I’ll Live for Him”

Benediction: Philippians 4:7 (ESV:2016) —7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.