Adam & Eve: Life as God Intended It
Genesis 2:4 - 25
For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: "It might have been!"
For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: "It might have been!"
These words take on special meaning when we look at life as the Creator originally intended it.
GROUP DISCUSSION. In what ways have we failed to be good stewards of God's earth?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. In your own life, what "might have been" situations do you recall?
Genesis 2 moves from the earth at large to the smalleer stage of "a garden of the east." Here there is a collorful picture of plant and animal life. This narrative is different from the first in both content and style. Yet it continues to be historical rather than parable or myth. Its focus is on Adam and Eve. This record is a basis for understanding who we were meant to be in relation to God, nature and each other.
Read Genesis 2:4-25.
1. In verses 4-6 how is the condition of the earth different from the picture we saw in the first chapter?
2. How is the creation of the man in verse 7 unique in comparison with the rest of God's creation?
3. What more do we learn about God's creativity from verses 8-14?
4. Note the responsibility and instructions given to Adam in verses 15-17. What do they reveal about the life God originally intended for us?
5. What does verse 18 show about the depth of God's concern for his human creation?
6. Note the social dimension of being created in the image of God. What implications does this have for our relationship with others?
7. In verses 19-20 how is the man's relationship to the beasts and the birds demonstrated?
8. What do we learn about the woman from this account of her creation in verses 20-23?
9. How does Adam's statement in verse 23 reflect his appreciation of his new partner?
10. In your own words explain what you think verse 24 teaches about marriage.
11. What light does verse 25 throw on the relationship between the man and the woman?
12. How does this passage help you understand who you were created to be?
Pray for guidance in strenghtening a relationship that has been weakened.
Now or Later
Bring any "might have been" situations in your life to the Lord for his healing.
posted by Christinewjc at
7:52 AM
3 Comments:
GROUP DISCUSSION. In what ways have we failed to be good stewards of God's earth?
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Some examples include the fact that we have created substances that pollute the air, water and land. Disposal of garbage is a big problem. It took a long time to develop a recycling mindset. Some people still refuse to recycle. People litter our land without a thought about how it ruins the landscape and, in some cases, can be hazardous to our health and the health and lives of animals.
Wasting food is also a problem.
Building cities in potentially dangerous areas (e.g. New Orleans below sea level; houses on sea cliffs that are in danger of mud slides etc.) is not wise.
Using and depending on fossil fuels which pollute our air and cause environmental and health problems. All this when we do have the technology (e.g. hybrid cars) to run vehicles without using much of this type of fuel.
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PERSONAL REFLECTION. In your own life, what "might have been" situations do you recall?
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I would have to say that my biggest "might have been" involves ignoring the invitation to know Jesus Christ earlier in my life when I had been presented such an opportunity many times by Christians I knew back then. I also regret not reading and studying the Bible sooner. I may have avoided many of the pitfalls in life if I had.
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1. In verses 4-6 how is the condition of the earth different from the picture we saw in the first chapter?
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These verse show that before the shrubs and plants appeared, streams of water sprang from the earth and watered it. There had not yet been any rain. The LORD God mentioned man in the passage even before he was created and the fact that there was no man to work the ground.
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2. How is the creation of the man in verse 7 unique in comparison with the rest of God's creation?
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Man was formed by God from the dust of the ground, but man didn't become a living being until God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils.
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3. What more do we learn about God's creativity from verses 8-14?
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God planted a garden and placed man there. God made many types of trees grow out of the ground that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. Several rivers watered the garden. Gold is mentioned as being there and it was good.
In the middle of the garden were two trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
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4. Note the responsibility and instructions given to Adam in verses 15-17. What do they reveal about the life God originally intended for us?
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Man was originally intended to work and take care of this garden in the beautiful place called Eden. God also wanted Adam to obey Him. He gave Adam just one limitation - not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam was told if he did, he would surely die. God wanted Adam to obey, but also gave him a choice. Without that free-will choice Adam would have been like a robot and his obedience would have been hollow.
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5. What does verse 18 show about the depth of God's concern for his human creation?
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God didn't want man to be alone. He wanted to create a 'helper' suitable for him. Love is something to be shared with another. Being alone does not allow love to be expressed.
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6. Note the social dimension of being created in the image of God. What implications does this have for our relationship with others?
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Love is important in our lives both spiritually and physically. Love can only be expressed when we have someone to love. An important part of God's Creative Call is to love others!
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7. In verses 19-20 how is the man's relationship to the beasts and the birds demonstrated?
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Man is to have dominion over the animals. Man was given the task of naming all of them. Notice that God didn't breath "the breath of life" into the animals which could indicate that animals are unlike man; man does not only contain flesh but also has a spirit. Man is the only creature created who has 'the image and likeness' of God.
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8. What do we learn about the woman from this account of her creation in verses 20-23?
Woman was taken out of man and God brought her to man. Adam named her as "woman" because she was taken out of man and not formed from the dust of the ground as all other animals were formed. Because the woman is 'bone of his bones' and 'flesh of his flesh' this indicates a very special relationship invented by God which we now understand and call marriage.
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9. How does Adam's statement in verse 23 reflect his appreciation of his new partner?
(see last statement above)
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10. In your own words explain what you think verse 24 teaches about marriage.
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Marriage was instituted by God and was given to Adam and Eve as a gift. They were created perfect for each other. It wasn't brought on by culture or for convenience, it is a union that was God's idea in the first place.
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11. What light does verse 25 throw on the relationship between the man and the woman?
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They weren't embarrassed in their nakedness. At this time, sin hadn't yet entered into their lives and they were not embarrassed in their innocence. They felt no shame. This is the ideal that God meant for marriage. The intimacy of the marriage bed is good! Sex in this relationship is good! They were meant not to have any barriers within their relationship.
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12. How does this passage help you understand who you were created to be?
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We were meant to not have barriers between husband and wife or between ourselves and God. We were meant to have physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual intimacy without shame or embarrassment! We were meant to live lives in goodness without any evil, sin or death to ruin it.
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By
Christinewjc, at 9:06 AM
Our Bible study discussion on "Adam & Eve: Life as God Intended It" was really interesting.
Many in our group pointed out several ways that we have failed to be good stewards of God's earth. Most mentioned how we have created substances that have led to pollution of our air, water and land as well as the gradual destruction of the the ozone layer. Some substances were created and used despite the fact that they are know health hazards. Garbage disposal and littering is a problem. Nuclear waste disposal is a concern. Making money seems to be more important than the health of our people.
When asked about examples of "what might have been" while reflecting back over the course of our own lives, many stated that they regret not accepting Christ as Lord sooner in their fives. They also would have avoided a lot of heartache and pain if they had listened to God's laws instead of "doing what is right in their own eyes".
When man was created, God did something unique. God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. When God created the animals, this was not cited. The animals do breathe, as in respiration, but man is unique in that God breathed His Spirit into man and made him in the "image and likeness" of God.
We discussed the fact that God placed two special trees in the middle of the Garden. The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If man had reached out and ate of the tree of life, he would have lived forever. However, man was given the choice to disobey. He decided to choose the ONE tree that was forbidden by God; thus, all of man suffers the consequences.
If God didn't give the free-will choice to obey or disobey, man's relationship with God would be as though he were a robot.
When discussing the creation of woman, it was interesting to note that she was taken out of man, not formed from the dust of the earth like Adam was. One person in our group shared that she was taken from man's rib which is located at his side. This represents that she is not of "lord it over" the man, neither is she taken from his feet to be trampled upon, but from his side, closest to his heart to be loved.
I had shared that when Adam stated that the woman is 'bone of his bones' and 'flesh of his flesh', this indicates a very special relationship invented by God which we now understand and refer to as marriage. Marriage was instituted by God and was given to Adam and Eve as a gift. Unlike the concept of evolutionary theory, Genesis indicates that humans are unique and special in God's Creation. We have a special relationship with God in that man and woman were created perfect for each other. Marriage wasn't brought on by culture or for convenience. It is a union that was instituted by God and was God's idea in the first place. No other union is described in this passage. No other type of union besides marriage between one man and one woman is permissable by God and His Laws.
We ended the discussion by pointing out that there were no barriers between the man and the woman or between themselves and God. They weren't embarrassed in their 'nakedness' which means more than just physical nudity. Originally, we were meant to have physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and relational intimacy with each other without shame or embarrassment! We were meant to live in complete goodness and "walk with the Lord" in that kind of life without any evil, sin or death to ruin it.
The next chapter describes the Fall of man and the severe consequences that resulted because of it.
By
Christinewjc, at 4:34 PM
Additional Notes: Study 2. Genesis 2;4-25. Adam and Eve.
Purpose: To understand who we were meant to be in relation to God, nature and each other.
Question 2. The Hebrew word for "man" (adam) sounds like the word for "ground" (adamah). Humanity doesn't "have: a body and a spirit, as frequently thought, but rather becomes "a living being," a unity.
Question 3. The Hebrew word eden means "delight." This geographical description indicates that Eden was not an allegorical or mythical setting but an actual location.
(Note from Christine: Some scholars say it was located in modern day Iraq; some have claimed the location was in Iran.)
Question 4. Since the nature of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is not explained, do not spend time speculating on its meaning. Rather point out that in the context and main point is the prohibition and not the properties of this tree.
Question 7. For the Hebrews a name usually had a special meaning. It often described the character or significance of a person or place. Adam's naming of these creatures would show insight into their nature.
In this chapter the writer uses two names for God: Yahweh (which is translated "LORD") is his personal name, and Elohim (which is translated "God") is his title.
Question 8. The term suitable helper literally means "a help as opposite him," in other words, "corresponding to him." The connotation is more cooperation with than service to another.
Matthew Henry comments on God's choice of a rib to create Eve:
Not made out of his head to top him,
not out of his feet to be trampled upon,
but out of his side to be equal with him,
under his arm to be protected and
near to his heart to be loved.
By
Christinewjc, at 11:37 AM
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