Read: Genesis 2
In chapter one
God was the center of the creation account, now in chapter two we see a shift
as man is the primary subject of this chapter.
In the first chapter we were given a generic name for God and now in
chapter two we see an added word, “Lord God” which is better translated
Yahweh. We also saw in chapter one that
humanity was merely seen as man and now in chapter two we are introduced to
Adam and Eve, specific people who actually lived. Genesis 2 goes back to talk about the
creation of humanity in order to emphasize Adam and Eve and their relationship
to God and each other. God wants us to
be awestruck at these realities. God’s
purpose has always been for His people to live together with Him.
The first
concept we are introduced to in Genesis 2 is that God rested on the seventh day
(v. 1-3). In our Western mindsets we
think of rest in terms of relaxing, refreshing and recovering strength but God
did not rest because He was tired or in need of rejuvenation as He lacks
nothing. The reference to rest merely
means that He ceased to work; His creating was done so He stopped creating.
In verses 4-7
we get a more detailed account of the creation of Adam, sort of a literary
flashback so that we can have more understanding about the creation of
mankind. God created man from the dust
of the earth and breathed life into his nostrils, the breath of life (v. 7). God then creates a Garden for man to live in
(v. 8), this Garden was called Eden and it was beautiful and contained food for
Adam. It also contained a special tree
of the knowledge of good and evil (v. 9).
In spite of the reference of four rivers and regions (v. 10-14), the
exact location of Eden still remains a mystery.
Verse 15 tells us that man was given work to do in the Garden as Adam
was to work and keep it. This refers to
actual physical work as well as watching, guarding, protecting and taking care
of the Garden. The same word for work
can be used for ministry, serving or worship in other passages of scripture.
This shows us that work did not come as a result of sin; it is a good thing and
part of God’s purpose for people. It
also shows us that Adam was given the responsibility of guarding or maintaining
the sanctity of the Garden, this implies that God gave Adam a leadership role
or responsibility. God then commanded Adam, prohibiting him from eating from
one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The consequence for eating of this tree was
death (v. 17).
The rest of the
chapter describes how God created woman and marriage. God said that it was not good for man to be
alone so He would make a “help meet” for him, a counterpart of himself, one
formed from him and a perfect resemblance of his, possessing neither
superiority nor inferiority but alike and equal to himself. First, God brings all the animals
before Adam for him to name. This was,
in part, to show Adam that He was without a human companion. Then, God caused a
deep sleep to fall upon Adam and as he slept, God took one of his ribs and made
woman. As God formed her out of a part
of man, Adam saw that she was of the same nature, same ingredients and
consequently would have equal rights, powers and abilities. This excited Adam as he exclaimed, “This is now bone of my
bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man (v. 23).” The creatures that had previously passed
before Adam were not suitable but when the woman came, he knew she would be the
perfect companion for him. It was then
that the first marriage was created by God. Man and woman shall leave their
parents and become “one flesh” (v. 24).
This means that husband and wife shall be considered as one body, having
no separate or independent rights.
Marriage was instituted by God and it is to be between one man and one
woman, joining together into one flesh, for the rest of their lives.
Prayer and Journaling
1. This chapter speaks of various relationships:
· The relationship between
God and humanity, who are created in His image.
This tells us that humans have the affinity to have a spiritual
relationship with God that animals do not.
· The relationship between
man and work, telling us that we have a job to do here on earth.
· The relationship between
God and moral authority. God’s moral
authority is seen in His command for Adam to not eat from the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil. In doing this
God was retaining moral authority over them.
It is God that decides what is right and wrong and He determines the
consequences.
· The relationship between
man and woman. Man needed a suitable
counterpart, so God created woman. In
doing so, God created the first marriage and it is clear that marriage was
created to be monogamous.
2. Ask the Lord to speak to
you about each type of relationship listed above. Go through each one and ask the Lord what He
wants to say to you about this relationship.
He may want to affirm you or show you your attitudes about these
things. He may want to reveal some
hidden sin in your life. Give Him
permission to tell you what you need to hear.
It takes humility to let God speak truth into your life. Be patient as you go through each type of
relationship.
