Day 6: Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen 2:4-25)

2:4       This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

 

*Does Gen 2:4 begin a second and contradictory account of creation?

            Many have claimed that Gen. 2:4 begins a second and contradictory account of creation compared to Genesis 1.  The major driver for this view arises from the differences, and apparent differences, in the texts of Gen 1 & 2.  Scholars who reject the inerrancy of the Scriptures use these issues as a basis to build their separate and contradictory account doctrine.  Additionally, modern science built on naturalistic assumptions has weakened the authority of the text even among Christians.  This has led to a secular approach to Gen. 1 & 2 that has worked to destroy the authority of the Scriptures in the eyes of many.  The most widespread contradictory theory that denies the authorship of Moses is the hellish ‘documentary (JEDP) hypothesis’ doctrine being taught in many Bible colleges and seminaries today.

            This is a major problem.  Christianity is a revelatory religion.  That is, the Christian faith is built on the assumption that God has revealed Himself to His creation.  Man has not been groping around in darkness looking for the light, but instead God has continued throughout history to reveal His plan to His creation.  This began with Adam & Eve and continued with Abraham and the nation of Israel.  God continued to use Israel through the prophets until His coming in the Person of Jesus Christ.

            The foundation of the Christian faith clearly rests upon the person of Jesus Christ.  Not only is He the Savior, but He is also the Creator (John 1, Colossians 1, Hebrews 1, and see the ‘Who Created?’).  He was there in the beginning and knows all things.  Yet, He stood on the earth and completely affirmed the truthfulness of Genesis chapters 1 & 2 by quoting from them both in the same statement.  Additionally, He referred to this time as “at the beginning”.  The words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 19:4&5 are “⁴And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female, (Genesis 1)’ ⁵and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh (Genesis 2)’?”  We should take the admonition of Jesus (‘Have you not read’) and read Genesis!  Actually, we should do more than read, and believe Genesis!  Jesus stated in John 5:46-47 “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. ⁴⁷But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

      Additionally, the apostle to the gentiles, Paul, who frequently quoted from Genesis stated the following in 2 Timothy 3:16&17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” For this reason the true Christian response is to stand on the authority of the word of God and to pray that God will change the hearts of those who fight against it!

            Given this background, Gen. 2:4-25 is understood as providing further details consistent with Genesis chapter 1, but with expanded information for day 6 (Gen 2:7-25).

 

*Are there differences between the texts of Genesis 1 & 2?

The short answer is yes.  The leading differences are as follows:

·         Difference #1: Genesis 2:4 begins with the Hebrew word tôl^edôt which does not occur in Genesis 1, but does appear throughout the rest of Genesis as apparent headings to following passages.

·         Difference #2: The name for God in Gen. 2 is expanded from just ’Elohiym to Yahweh ’Elohiym.

·         Difference #3: Gen 2:7 apparently lists the creation of Adam first followed by plants (verse 8 & 9) and land animals and birds (verse 19).  An apparent contradiction to chapter 1.

Each of these differences will be dealt with below.

 

*Difference #1: tôl^edôt

            The difficulty arises as to what exactly is meant by the use of this word in Genesis 2:4 and the beginning of the remaining major sections of Genesis.  The NKJV translates this word as “history”, whereas other translations use the word “account” or “generations”.  Significant to this discussion is the consideration of how Moses would have received such explicit detail of each of these remaining accounts/generations/histories.  The Lord could have given this detail directly to Moses supernaturally.  Therefore, it could be that the use of this word is simply an introductory statement to each of the sections of Genesis. 

            However, an alternate and more compelling view is that Moses was drawing from existing material that had been handed down through the generations.  After all, Adam was created with full knowledge and understanding of language; and the desire within man to understand his history is innate.

            Adam had only been gone a little over a hundred years before Noah was born.  Noah would have had easy access to the account of Adam from his father/grandfather/etc.  Noah would have no doubt taken the account handed down from Adam with him on the ark.  Noah passed away about the same time Abraham was born.  Although Abraham was called out of paganism from the east, there would have easily been people on the earth that received the true accounts handed down from Noah.  For example, Noah’s great grandson Eber lived a long life, even past the death of Abraham.  Abraham could have easily received the accounts from Eber after hearing the voice of God and leaving the land of Ur.  Hearing the voice of God would be the type of thing that would put one on a path to learn the truth!  Eber, a living ancestor close to Noah would have likely been a good source of historical truth.

Note: Abraham was the seventh from Eber.  However, even though Abraham was so far removed from Eber, the genealogies show that Eber was the only direct male ancestor alive at the time of Abraham’s death.  Significantly, Gen 14:13 reveals that Abraham was called a Hebrew (Strong’s definition: “an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber”).  Why?  Because people identified themselves by their family lines and probably knew Eber or knew of him.  Abraham and his descendents carried his name onward.

Given the above note, Eber would have been a likely source of the accounts of Adam and Noah.  However, other truthful sources, such as Melchizedek king of Salem (Jerusalem) were also available to Abraham.

            The Israelites (Hebrews) would have preserved the accounts they received from their father Abraham.  Therefore, it is very easy to see how very accurate accounts could have been kept since creation from Adam to Noah to Eber to Abraham and passed down to Moses.  Also, Luke 1:70 states that God “spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began.”  There has never failed to be a witness to God’s truth since the world began.  Additionally, Acts 3:21 declares since the world began God spoke through these prophets proclaiming a future day of restoration for all things.

            Given the above, it is very likely Moses could have started with accounts that had been faithfully handed down from the time of Adam onward.  The use of the word tôl^edôt is therefore the likely specific starting point and designation for each of the accounts Moses compiled into the book of Genesis.

            The following commentary discusses the use and place of this word tôl^edôt in the book of Genesis.

[The structure of Genesis is marked by an initial section and then 11 sections with headings. The major structural word is tôl^edôt (“these are the generations of . . . ”). It is a feminine noun from yālad (from the causative form of the verb “to bear, to generate”). The noun is often translated “generations, histories,” or “descendants.”……

This word has been traditionally viewed as a heading of a section. According to this view the book has the following arrangement:

1.     Creation (1:1-2:3)

2.     Tôl^edôt of the heavens and the earth (2:4-4:26)

3.     Tôl^edôt of Adam (5:1-6:8)

4.     Tôl^edôt of Noah (6:9-9:29)

5.     Tôl^edôt of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (10:1-11:9)

6.     Tôl^edôt of Shem (11:10-26)

7.     Tôl^edôt of Terah (11:27-25:11)

8.     Tôl^edôt of Ishmael (25:12-18)

9.     Tôl^edôt of Isaac (25:19-35:29)

10.   Tôl^edôt of Esau (36:1-8)

11.   Tôl^edôt of Esau, father of the Edomites (36:9-37:1)

12.   Tôl^edôt of Jacob (37:2-50:26)]^[1]

 

            The natural breaks within Genesis appear to occur as shown by the use of the word Tôl^edôt.  Significantly, Genesis 1 does not contain this introductory tôl^edôt word.  Only God could have known the details of Genesis 1 and Moses likely received them directly from God.

 

*So are Genesis chapter 1 & 2 different accounts of creation?

            The discussions above as well as the differences that will be discussed below indicate the answer is yes!  There are differences between the texts of Genesis 1 & 2, but there are NO contradictions.  However, these differences can be easily understood with the view proposed above that Genesis 1 was the account Moses received directly from God, whereas Genesis 2 was the account handed down from Adam given his 'accurate' perspective.  Genesis chapter 1 gives the high level overview of the creation week including a short synopsis of the creation of Adam and Eve, while Genesis chapter 2 provides the details of the specific order and other specifics concerning their creation on day 6.  There are differences between the two chapters because they are describing different levels of details of the creation event, but no discrepancies.  This structure for Genesis is similar to the structure of the New Testament.  God used 4 separate accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to provide different perspectives on the life of Jesus, and yet they are without contradiction.  Each account provides additional details the other accounts leaves out.  Similarly, Genesis 1 & 2 fit together to provide the full picture of the creation week.

 

*Difference #2: Yahweh ’Elohiym is used in Genesis 2 instead of just ’Elohiym

            Given the logical fit for the two separate accounts being that Gen 1 was given directly to Moses by God and Genesis 2 reflects the account Adam handed down to his children; the more expanded name for God in the account from Adam likely reflects the personal (Covenant) nature in which God first revealed Himself to Adam.  It also begins the process in which God is revealed throughout the Bible by many different names that each highlight a distinct characteristic of God’s attributes.  The following discussion captures this well:

[The word ’Elohim …… has the idea of an awesome and faithful Being, having creative and governing power, majesty and omnipotence, who is above the material world He created. It is a lofty title (= ‘God’) and is the appropriate word for Moses to have used for the first factual report of God’s creative activities.  In Genesis chapter 2 from verse 4, the Hebrew uses the letters YHWH to refer to God. Sometimes translated ‘Jehovah’, it is more often translated ‘Lord’ (in small capitals), and is the most commonly used term for God in the Old Testament (6,823 times). It means ‘the One who always was, now is, and ever shall be’ and is the deeply personal name of God. It is therefore used in His personal and covenant relationships with people. Genesis 2:4b ff is the detailed account of how God made Adam and Eve, and of the setting He prepared for them. Here they were meant to live and work in loving covenantal fellowship with Him and with each other. It was entirely appropriate therefore that Moses should have used YHWH in writing this section of Genesis. In Genesis 2, YHWH is joined to ‘Elohim to form the compound name YHWH-’Elohim (= the Lord God). This identifies the covenant God YHWH as being one and the same as ’Elohim, the almighty creator.][2]

 

*Difference #3:  Gen 2:7 apparently lists the creation of Adam first, followed by plants (verse 8 & 9) and land animals and birds (verse 19).  An apparent contradiction to chapter 1.

            Genesis 1 is written chronologically in the order the creation events happened, which is clear from the context of the passage.  Whereas Genesis 2 is written in the order in which Adam experienced them.  In Hebrew the context of the passage must be used to determine the proper tense of the verbs.  The apparent difficulty with verse 8, 9, & 19 is easily removed assuming the better reading is to translate the verbs in the past tense.  Therefore, the readings would be as follows (Note: some modern translations do translate these verbs in the past tense, unlike the NKJV we are using in our study):

verse 8: “The LORD God had planted….

verse 9: “And out of the ground the LORD God had made every tree….

verse 19: “Out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast….

The following article does a good job describing this point:

[Because in Hebrew the precise tense of a verb is determined by the context. It is clear from chapter 1 that the beasts and birds were created before Adam, so Jewish scholars would have understood the verb ‘formed’ in Genesis 2:19 to mean ‘had formed’ or ‘having formed’. If we translate verse 19 as follows (as one widely used translation does), ‘Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field …’, the apparent disagreement with Genesis 1 disappears completely.

The question also stems from the wrong assumption that the second chapter of Genesis is just a different account of creation to that in chapter 1. It should be evident that chapter 2 is not just ‘another’ account of creation because chapter 2 says nothing about the creation of the heavens and the earth, the atmosphere, the seas, the land, the sun, the stars, the moon, the sea creatures, etc. Chapter 2 mentions only things directly relevant to the creation of Adam and Eve and their life in the garden God prepared specially for them. Chapter 1 may be understood as creation from God’s perspective; it is ‘the big picture’, an overview of the whole. Chapter 2 views the more important aspects from man’s perspective.…. Genesis 1, the ‘big picture’ is clearly concerned with the sequence of events. The events are in chronological sequence, with day 1, day 2, evening and morning, etc. The order of events is not the major concern of Genesis 2. In recapping events they are not necessarily mentioned in chronological order, but in the order which makes most sense to the focus of the account. For example, the animals are mentioned in verse 19, after Adam was created, because it was after Adam was created that he was shown the animals, not that they were created after Adam.][3]

 

            The Bible believing Christian can rest assured Genesis chapters 1 and 2 are not contradictory accounts of creation. Chapter 1 is the chronological account of creation, and Chapter 2 is a more detailed account of the creation of Adam and Eve and the sixth day of creation.

 

*What about the use of the word day in verse 4?

            The same Hebrew word YOM that was used in Gen. 1 for day is also the word used here in Gen. 2:4.  YOM, just like the English word day can have several meanings.  Such as an ordinary 24 hour day; or the word day can be used in the sense of saying ‘back in my day, we did lots of great things’, where day is referring to a time in the past.  The second description is the correct interpretation for YOM used here in Gen. 2:4.  This is why it is so important to look at the context of the passage to derive correct interpretations.  The context shows the correct interpretation for YOM in Gen. 1 is a literal 24 hour day.  This is from the use of the numbers first, second, third, etc. and the use of ‘evening and morning’ as well as clarifying passages in Exodus 20 & 31.  For further details on the word YOM, see the ‘World History According to the Bible’.

 

2:5       before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground;

2:6       but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

 

*The above likely represents a short synopsis God explained to Adam of the world before He created plant life, which clearly occurred on day 3.  Additionally, the mist that watered the earth could very well be a description of the pre-flood weather pattern.  The earth (and atmosphere) would have been dramatically different as a result of the catastrophic effects of the flood.  This also provides an explanation for why a rainbow was only visible after the flood.  Interestingly, air bubbles trapped inside amber within the fossil record (caused by the flood) have shown oxygen and carbon concentrations more than twice that of today’s levels.  This could have contributed to a more constant weather pattern that did not have the winds, storms, and rain showers we experience today.  Adam and Eve walked around naked day and night without discomfort.  Also, there was only the “cool of the day” as mentioned in Gen. 3:8, no apparent extreme temperatures.

 

2:7       And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

 

{The work of the Lord in creating human life involved both fashioning from the dust and inbreathing. The word formed (from yāsar, 2:7) describes the work of an artist. Like a potter shaping an earthen vessel from clay, so God formed man from clay. Man was made by divine plan; also he was made from the earth. He is “earthy” in spite of subsequent dreams of being like God (3:5). The Hebrew for man (’ādām, whence “Adam,” 2:20) is related to the word for ground (’ădāmâh; compare 3:17).

God’s breathing the breath of life into man transformed his form into a living being (literally, “a living soul”). This made man a spiritual being, with a capacity for serving and fellowshiping with God. With this special Creation in mind, the reader can see the significance of the Fall. Since the Fall, regeneration by the “inbreathing” of the Holy Spirit is essential in order for people to enjoy fellowship with God.}^[4]

 

*Paul quotes verse 7 in 1 Corinthians 14:45-49.  He states that through Adam we received our physical, or natural bodies.  Through Christ, the second Adam, we receive our spiritual bodies. “⁴⁴It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ⁴⁵And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. ⁴⁷The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”  1 John 3:2 shows that we do not yet know what we will become in the resurrection “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

 

*Man is far from being just another animal.  Adam was created special in the image of God with a soul that will live forever.  Also, man has a unique physical design different from any other being.

I Corinthians 15:39 “All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals.”

Zachariah 12:1 “Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.”

Every individual person is likewise a special individual creation of God, as stated in Psalm 139:13-16:

¹³For You formed my inward parts;

   You covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

   Marvelous are Your works,

   And that my soul knows very well.

¹⁵My frame was not hidden from You,

   When I was made in secret,

   And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

   And in Your book they all were written,

   The days fashioned for me,

   When as yet there were none of them.”

 

            Science has recently discovered that each individual’s physical body is a combination of the DNA from their father and mother.  DNA, the basic building block of all living things, is the most complex set of information in the universe.  Each living thing has its own DNA code.  This complex information set could not have happened by chance.  For example, mankind’s DNA is so complex that any given man and woman could have as many children as there are atoms in the universe and not have any two of them be the same genetically.

The variability God programmed into Adam and Eve’s DNA is mind boggling.  Interestingly, one can now see how God determines the characteristics of each individual person by divinely selecting from the variability available in the parents DNA.

            To believe evolution means that one believes matter by itself produced information.  This is a blind faith, and logically requires more faith than the Christian religion.  Werner Gitt rightly states “There is no known natural law through which matter can give rise to information, neither is any physical process or material phenomenon known that can do this.”[5]

 

2:8       The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.

 

*Plant life came on day 3.  As previously discussed, the past tense use of the verb “had planted” is the better translation given the context of the passage.  Other translations do correctly translate the verb in the past tense.

 

*The garden was an abundant place.  As shown in Isaiah 51:3 “For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.”

 

[Bible history can be summarized with four gardens: (1) Eden, where sin entered; (2) Gethsemane, where Christ yielded to death; (3) Calvary, where He died and was buried (see John 19:41–42); and (4) the heavenly “paradise garden” (Rev. 21:1ff). Moses describes the first home God gave to the first couple. Further details given here are not included in the creation account of chap. 1; these are complementary, not contradictory.] ^[6]

 

2:9       And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

*As previously discussed, the past tense use of the verb “had made” is the better translation given the context of the passage and trees being created on day 3.

Note: others view the vegetation of verse 8 & 9 as different from that of day 3, in that this vegetation was planted and needed tending to.  This is acceptable.  However, it still stands that the garden was put in place before God put the man there (verse 8).  Irregardless, the growth of the garden would have been clearly supernatural to have gone from seed to fully mature edible vegetation in one day.  Although this interpretation works for verse 8 & 9, the only interpretation that appears to work for verse 19 is that the verb should be translated in the past tense given the animals were created on day 6 before Adam.  Additionally, the “Let the earth bring forth” from day 3 is consistent with God planting (verse 8) and making grow (verse 9).  Also, fruit trees are included in the description of the plant life God created on day 3, and verse Gen. 2:9 states “every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.”  Surely this description would include fruit trees?

            Therefore, it appears the interpretation of the verbs in verses 8, 9, & 19 being translated in the past tense is the single most consistent understanding of Gen. 2.  God had already created these things on days 3 & 6 before Adam.  However, the text in Gen. 2 is showing us the order in which Adam was introduced to God’s creation, not the order they were created.

 

*What were the two trees?

            These two trees in the middle of the garden represented the blessing and testing of God.  God is the one who provided the blessing of Eden and the tree of life, and He is also the one who provided the test.  God will test the heart of man (Gen. 22:1, 1 Peter 1:7, Rev. 2:10).  However, God is not the tempter and does not tempt men to sin (James 1:13).  There was nothing evil in the creation of the test (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), as this was part of the creation God collectively called “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

            Adam and Eve were created perfect, yet with free will to choose good and evil.  They could have chosen to obey and remain in fellowship with God in Eden forever.  Given their perfect state, the temptation could not have come from within, but had to come from without; and it did.

 

2:10     Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.

2:11     The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

2:12     And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there.

 

[The trees (verse 9), the river (verse 10), and the precious gold and gems (verses 11-12) in the garden will also be in the new earth in its eternal state. The new Creation will be endowed with all these elements (Rev. 21:10-11, 21; 22:1-2), thus indicating that paradise will be restored in the new earth.]^[7]

 

2:13     The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush.

2:14     The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

 

*The above represents pre-flood geography.  Although some of the names of the rivers and places match that of post-flood geography, the locations are not the same.  This is evident as these descriptions above do not match that of current geography.

 

2:15     Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

 

*Work is a dignified part of God’s creation.  Man represented the image of God in his work, even before the curse.  The curse brought frustration to this God glorifying activity, and sin moves one to laziness.  Believers should represent a strong work ethic in our efforts to glorify the savior.  A lazy Christian is an oxymoron - Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

 

2:16     And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;

2:17     "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

 

*{Adam was a perfect creature, one having never sinned, but he had the ability to sin. God made Adam a king with dominion (1:26ff). But a ruler can only rule others if he can rule himself, so it was necessary for Adam to be tempted. God has always wanted His creatures to love and obey Him of their own free will and not out of compulsion or because of reward.

            This test was perfectly fair and just. Adam and Eve enjoyed liberty and abundant provision in the Garden and did not need the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.}^[8]

 

*{To “die” has the basic idea of separation. It can mean spiritual separation, physical separation, and/or eternal separation. At the moment of their sin, Adam and Eve died spiritually, but because God was merciful they did not die physically until later (5:5). There is no reason given for this prohibition, other than it was a test (see note on v. 9). There was nothing magical about that tree, but eating from it after it had been forbidden by God would indeed give man the knowledge of evil—since evil can be defined as disobeying God. Man already had the knowledge of good.}^[9]

 

*What is meant by “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”?

            This particularly comes into question as Adam and Eve did not physically die the day they ate of the forbidden fruit.  This could be referring to the spiritual death they experienced in their disobedience.  Or as some translators note, a translation of the phrase could be “dying you shall die.”  Irregardless, the process of death began the moment Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit.

 

2:18     And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

 

*Why was it not good that man should be alone?

            It was not a matter of being evil, or corrupt.  It was not good in the sense that it was not complete.  This passage illustrates that Adam’s lonely state was not good, or complete, without Eve.  Likewise, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.” Prov 18:22

 

*What does it mean to be a “helper comparable to him”?

            Actually, the NKJV translates the two Hebrew words used for this phrase very well.  The woman is not the man’s servant, but a comparable partner.  The first Hebrew word used is `ezer (ay'-zer) and has the Brown-Driver-Briggs definition: a) to help, to succor b) one who helps.  The second word is neged (neh'-ghed) with the Strong’s definition as follows: a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate. 

            God created man and woman as equals that together fully reflect the image of God.  In essence they are equal in value and importance before God, and yet in function God has ordained that the man is the head of the woman.  Although our feminist culture would reject this created order, the Bible clearly teaches it.  1 Corinthians 11:3 states “I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”  This verse not only shows the intended relationship between man and woman, it also provides a look into the relationship of the Trinity (see ‘Who Created?’).  God the Father is the head of God the Son.  Similarly, God the Holy Spirit is always at work to give Glory to the Father and the Son.  Although there is a practical function within the three Persons of the Trinity, they are still one in the same God and equal in essence (John, chapters 10, 14, & 17).  Likewise, Adam and Eve were one in essence yet with different functions reflecting God’s image.  Gen. 1:26&27 "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness….So God created man in His own image….male and female He created them.”  See Ephesians, chapter 5 for more details concerning the functions of man and woman.

 

2:19     Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

2:20a   So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field.

 

*Verse 19 is better translated in the past tense as “had formed” as previously discussed.

 

*How could Adam have named all of the kinds of animals on the earth in less than 24 hours?

            Adam was created fully mature with a programmed understanding of language and the ability to discern characteristics of different animals.  Adam, in comparison to modern man, would have likely had the brilliance of the best scholar, the logic of the best mathematician, the communication skills of the best writer, the musical talent of the best musician, and etc.  Adam would have used these abilities in his naming the animals.  Currently, we are suffering from roughly 6,000 years of decay and the accumulation of genetic mistakes within our DNA code.  It is said the typical person today uses less than 10% of their brain capacity.  Adam would have likely not had such limitations.  Additionally, natural selection has worked to create a myriad of different species from each of the original kinds God created during the creation week.  Also, the verse states that God only brought “every beast of the field”(not every land animal or things in the seas) and the birds for Adam to name.  Therefore, it would not have been too difficult for Adam to accomplish this task.

 

2:20b   But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

 

*Who could not find a helper comparable to him?

            The answer is Adam, the only one at this time who would have been looking for a mate.  Time and time again God brought the animals to Adam in pairs to get him to realize he was alone.  God knew His plan and had not created the woman at this point for this very purpose.

 

2:21     And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.

2:22     Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

 

*God “brought her to the man.”  Similarly, a father brings his daughter to a man for marriage (usually down a church aisle).

 

2:23     And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."

 

{Adam’s poem focuses on naming the delight of his heart in this newly found companion. The man (ish) names her “woman” (isha) because she had her source in him (the root of the word “woman” is “soft”). She truly was made of bone from his bones and flesh from his flesh. Cf. 1 Cor. 11:8. The English words man/woman sustain the same relationship as the Hebrew words, hinting at that original creation.}^[10]

 

2:24     Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

 

*“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” – Jesus (Matthew 19:6)

 

2:25     And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

*Without the presence of a sinful nature, there was no need for a covering.

Why did God create the universe?

            Genesis 2 is not only a detailed description of the sixth day of creation, but it provides a glimpse of the big picture purpose which God has for His creation.  God could have created Adam and Eve together instantly.  Instead He did the following:

 

*So why did God create the universe? 

            Gen 2 and the rest of the Scriptures indicate that God desired and chose to get married!

            From the time of Adam, God continued to reveal Himself and His purpose in more complete ways throughout history.  In Ephesians 5:22-32, Paul unfolds the mystery that marriage is a picture of Christ and His church.  Paul quotes Gen 2:24 when he states “³¹“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³²This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” 

            Man is throughout the pages of the Scriptures admonished to love his wife.  When man does this, he is reflecting the character of God.  God desires to pour out His love on His creation.  He demonstrated this by coming to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ and making a way for mankind to be reconciled to Him.  Likewise, God always planned to restore His creation to a state of paradise. In Acts 3:20-21 Peter stated “Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, ²¹whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

            God’s last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, provides the final details for the purpose of His creation.  Christ will one day return for His bride (the believers).  He will restore all things and create a new paradise.  We will be united with Him at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.  We, the bride of Christ, will dwell with God throughout eternity in the new heaven and new earth.  The picture that Adam and Eve and marriage throughout history foretold will finally be complete.

Revelation 21:1-3 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ²Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

Revelation 21:9 “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

 

Come Lord Jesus, come!

 

How about you, are you ready for the Wedding Supper of the lamb?