| Genesis Study # 2 |
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LEADER’S NOTES: STUDY #2: CREATION OF MAN by Ben Stuart WOULD YOU EAT A PIZZA IF THE MEAT TOPPING WAS MADE OF PEOPLE? WHAT ABOUT A MAN-FLESH TELL THEM: Last week we saw that God ended creation with His masterpiece, the one thing He made in His image, man. To man God gave dignity, authority & responsibility. Now in Genesis 2, the story zooms in on us and discusses God’s dealings with His special creation – this is a chapter about how God deals with man. As we look at this we’ll write out to the margin attributes of man we see exposed in the text. DID YOU NOTICE ANYTHING REPEATED IN THIS TEXT? WHAT WAS IT? The LORD God (9x) IS THIS NAME FOR GOD ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE USED IN CHAPTER ONE? Chapter one uses the name God (Eloyhim), where chapter 2 uses LORD God (Yahweh Eloyhim) Here’s where you’ve got to do a little teaching: EL is a general word that can be used of any kind of god – it’s like our English word god – it is nondescript. ELOHIM is the plural form of El, but it is usually translated in the singular - the plural represents an intensified form for the supreme God – it conveys the sense of the one supreme being who is the only true God. It’s focus is the might of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. This is the name used in chapter one. YAHWEH is different. (When YAHWEH is translated into English it’s translated “LORD” in all capitals) This word occurs 6,828 times. The word appears in every period of biblical Hebrew. God chose it as His personal name by which He related specifically to His chosen or covenant people. Its first appearance in the biblical record is Gen 2:4: "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens." Apparently Adam knew Him by this personal or covenantal name from the beginning, since Seth both called his son Enosh (i. e., man as a weak and dependent creature) and began (along with all other pious persons) to call upon (formally worship) the name of YHWH, "the Lord" Gen 4:26. The covenant found a fuller expression and application when God revealed Himself to Abraham Gen 12:8, promising redemption in the form of national existence. This promise became reality through Moses, to whom God explained that He was not only the "God who exists" but the "God who effects His will": "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord [YHWH] God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord [YHWH] God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites..." Ex 3:15-17. So God explained the meaning of "I am who I am" Ex 3:14. He spoke to the fathers as YHWH, but the promised deliverance and, therefore, the fuller significance or experienced meaning of His name were unknown to them Ex 6:2-8. (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers) Translation: the name YHWH suggests both His power and His commitment to covenantal relationship. It is a name of STRENGTH and a name of LOVE and He uses it when He talks about His people. (Ex 34:6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;) WHY DO YOU THINK THE AUTHOR SWITCHED TO THIS NAME IN THIS PASSAGE? Make them really think awhile on this one – I think they can get it Answer: because in God’s dealings with man, God’s desire is not only to be a powerful Creator and Sustainer, He wants to be a lover & friend! He doesn’t want to be the Landlord, He wants to be the husband! It is a wonderful thing for God to do. The most loving thing possible. If He is infinite in joy and love and happiness and fellowship then the most wonderful gift He could possibly offer mankind is HIMSELF – and He does it right here: the LORD God. 1st attribute of man: loved by God in a unique way THE INTRODUCTION (4-6) 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven. Look at the commentary (page 22) to learn about the word “account” (tolªdot) – it’s pretty interesting and makes this verse make more sense. “In the day” is a Hebrew idiom that is the same as saying “when” – this verse is not suggesting that God created in one day and thus giving a conflicting creation account from chapter one as some have suggested. (I am not expecting you to go into this with kids unless they ask – if they don’t care then I’d keep moving). 5 Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. SOMEBODY DESCRIBE THE BACKDROP HERE WHEN GOD MAKES MAN. Answer: it is a negative situation (4 no’s in one verse!) Commentators debate this one, but most agree that the “shrub & plant of the field” refer to grains requiring cultivation. Plants were here and watered, but man was needed to work the ground. ______________________________________________________________________________________ THE ACTIVITY OF THE LORD GOD (7-9) HAVE THEM RE-READ THESE 3 VERSES. ASK: WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS SECTION? Answer. God. He is the active one in this section. HAVE THEM LIST ALL THE THINGS THAT THE LORD GOD DID. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THE LORD DID? 7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, WHO ELSE DID HE DO THIS WITH? Animals WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT HOW HE DOES MAN? and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Differences:
More attributes of man: unique in creation. Possesses a God given dignity. WHAT IS THE NEXT THING THAT GOD DID? 8 The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in In the Jewish mind “toward the east” would communicate hope & life – east is hope – where the sun rises – On the east of the Nile the temples were built, on the west the tombs were built – in the East where the sun rises, not the West where the sun sets. The temples of THEN WHAT DOES HE DO? and there He placed the man whom He had formed. WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT THE WAY GOD FEELS ABOUT US? God loves man! He makes us the head of creation, intimately breathes into us life, in the midst of an already beautiful creation He builds a garden of delights, and it is here that He places man. He is a good Father. WHAT DO WE FIND OUT IS IN THIS GARDEN IN VERSE 9? 9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 3 kinds of trees: 1. every tree that is good pleasing to the sight & good for food (this is a great side note too: God plants trees that meet man’s physical needs – good for food – and also man’s desire for beauty – pleasing to the sight. He is a good God). So we’ve got the banqueting table of trees. 2. the tree of life in the midst of the garden 3. the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Why a tree of life? The best interpretation I’ve heard is this: 1 Timothy 6:16 says that God alone possesses immortality. The thought is that plants and animals had a life cycle even here before the fall. That they would grow, mature, reproduce & die. The tree of life was a sacrament (physical object with spiritual grace) for man – He would eat from it and continue to live. Man did not inherently possess immortality, but as he reached out in dependence and trust toward this provision from the LORD, he would find life. Why a tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Because all professions must be tested. Love is not truly love unless it willingly chooses to love. God will give man a choice: live in dependence and trust in me or go your own way – don’t spend much time here though – this is next weeks topic. ______________________________________________________________________________________ THE RIVERS (10-14) 10 Now a river flowed out of 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole 12 The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole 14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Read the commentary on these for your own information. The things of note I would point out to the kids: 1. the rivers flow from 2. though we don’t know the geography of this pre-flood world, the locations suggest that the garden is in the middle east – some commentators suggest that the Promised Land that God would establish Israel in and from which He would raise up His Messiah and salvation for all the earth is where Eden was once located – Jesus will reclaim paradise and win us back on the very soil where we were lost in Genesis 3. 3. Revelation 21&22 uses similar language about heaven – the trees, rivers & precious stones – paradise lost will one day be paradise regained. ______________________________________________________________________________________ THE COMMAND OF GOD (15-17) WHY DID GOD PUT MAN IN THE GARDEN? 15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. “to cultivate it” – to work the soil and make things grow, “keep it” – to preserve it and maintain it WHAT DOES THAT SOUND LIKE? It sounds like WORK! IS WORK EVIL? No! Attribute of man: made to workWHAT IS THE FIRST COMMAND THE LORD GOD GIVES TO MAN? 16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; (underlines added for emphasis) The “eat freely” is in the original Hebrew “eat eat” – the repetition seeks to emphasize that this is a strong command – God wants man to thoroughly enjoy creation – a relationship with God is not asceticism. Attribute of man: made to enjoy life DOES THIS ALTER YOUR VIEW OF GOD IN ANY WAY? Stop here with them for a while. I think most of these kids get into that trap of feeling like God is authoritarian and intimidating and demanding and that is just not reality. Is He strong? Yes – He is Elohim. Is He holy? Yes! But He is love also, and He loves beauty and creativity and intimacy – and us! God did not build the earth like He was playing SimCity – just looking for mindless drones to do His bidding – He is a fountain of life and He loves to bless, so it makes sense that His first command is a blessing. WHAT IS GOD’S SECOND COMMAND TO THE MAN? 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." The “surely die” is “die die” (lit. “dying you will die”) – it is just as emphatic as the first command. God is serious about life and death issues – sin is not a joke to Him! So God gives man, this creature with a conscience and a will, moral responsibility – “I have set before you life & death, now choose life…” Attribute of man: given responsibility ______________________________________________________________________________________ THE PROVISION OF GOD (18-23) 7 TIMES IN CHAPTER 1 GOD CALLED HIS CREATION “GOOD” – NOW IN VERSE 18 WE GET THE FIRST “NOT GOOD” – WHAT IS IT? man alone 18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." WHAT IS GOD’S SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM? A helper suitable for him (literally a “help meet” that corresponds to him) ALRIGHT, HOW MANY FEEL THIS VERSE DEMEANS WOMEN? Let them answer. DOES THE REALITY THAT GOD USES THE SAME WORD TO DESCRIBE HIMSELF CHANGE THAT? Have them look up and read Psalm 33:20: Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help (same word) and our shield. Read this to them: “Helper” is not a demeaning term; it is often used in Scripture to describe God Almighty (Psalm 33:20; 70:5; 115:9). The description of her as “suitable for him” means that what was said about him in Genesis 2:7 is true of her. They both had the same nature. But what man lacked (his aloneness was not good) she supplied, and what she lacked he supplied. Eve was a match to Adam spiritually, emotionally, physically in a way that no other animal could be. It is important to note however, that when God gave the commands concerning the garden and the trees, Eve was not there. Before the arrival of Eve, Adam had been given the responsibility and accountability of obeying God’s commands– 1. cultivate & work the ground 2. eat freely 3. do not eat 4. name the animals. God gave the commands to Adam, and he was accountable to God – that is why when Adam and Eve fall God calls out “to the man” (Genesis 3:9) for an answer – Eve was deceived but it was Adam who sinned, that is why we are said to have our sinful nature through Adam. Though man and women are equals (Genesis 1:27) their roles are distinct. However, since Adam & Eve were a spiritual unity, living in integrity without sin, there was no need for instruction here on leadership. Paul later discussed that in relationship to the order of Creation (1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:13). Attribute of woman: made to help man AFTER GOD NOTICES MAN’S NEED, WHAT DOES HE DO IN VERSES 19? 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. He brings the animals to Adam to have him name them. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NAMING THE ANIMALS? It is the sign of authority over them. You can’t name me because you have no authority over me. But we name the things we rule over. Parents name their kids, little girls name their dolls, boys name their cars – it is a sign of possession. God named His creation the first 3 days He created, now He gives that right over to Adam in relation to animals. God entrusts the man with the ability to lead. Attribute of man: given authority over the earth WHAT DID ADAM DISCOVER WHILE NAMING THE ANIMALS? 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. There was no helper corresponding to him. Everybody else had a mate but Adam. WHY DO YOU THINK GOD, AFTER NOTICING THE I think God wanted Adam to become aware of his solitude – to see his need. HAVE YOU EVER WANTED SOMETHING REALLY BAD AND THEN FINALLY GOT IT? Let them answer. HOW WAS THAT DIFFERENT FROM PRESENTS YOU’VE RECEIVED THAT YOU FELT NO NEED FOR? There is a different level of enjoyment at longing fulfilled – that is what God gave Adam. God produced a desire for companionship in Adam and then gave him a companion. Attribute of man: relational – it isn’t good to be alone 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. “God did not make woman from man’s head to rule over him nor from his feet to be trampled on by him, but from his side to stand alongside him, from under his arm to be protected by him, from close to his heart to be loved by him” – she is not made from the dust like Adam, but from him – there is an intimate connection between the man and the woman 22 The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, God fashions her – her uniqueness is divine. Woman has a glory that is distinct from man and it is from God. Attribute of woman: uniquely beautiful and brought her to the man. “brought her to the man” – this is called a theophany (God in human form – it will happen several times in Genesis) – God literally walks her down the isle. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of There is no command given to the man to love and care for the woman – man feels a natural tenderness toward her – he identifies her as an extension of his own body and instinctively desires to care for her as he cares for his own body ______________________________________________________________________________________ MARRIAGE LESSON (24-25) This is the first time Moses stops to instruct the reader. 24 For this reason FOR WHAT REASON? Because God has designed man and woman to so intimately fit together a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. It will be as though they are the same person 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS LAST VERSE IS INCLUDED? It describes the complete trust. There is no sin. There is no insecurity with each other. There is a complete confidence, peace and joy in this place. What God made was very good. Attribute of man & woman: uniquely designed to fit together emotionally, spiritually & physically Permission: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way, you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, and you do not make more than 1,000 physical copies. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Breakaway Ministries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Ben Stuart. © Breakaway Ministries. Website: www.breakawayministries.org. 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