Genesis 2:4-25 Part 1

“LORD God” appears 11 times in Genesis 2:4-25. LORD God is creating, ordering, maintaining, and providing for man. And what goodness he shows! Man was created on the sixth day. His first full day was the day of rest. God did not put man to work without first giving him a gift. Also, for the first time God said, “It is not good” because Adam was alone. Before Adam was aware of his own needs, God had an answer. Consider also how this woman was valued. In the ancient world, a woman was valued for her fertility. Here, the woman is valued for her own sake, apart from bearing children. She is not a means to other ends, but a person of dignity because she, too, was formed in God’s image.

God gave man many gifts: dignity, meaningful work in paradise, and even a helper. Calling woman man’s helper does not put her down. God is most often called man’s helper in the Old Testament. Here scripture tells us, in a way that is nothing short of breath-taking, that a wife is to her husband what God is to his people! Of course, such a statement needs to be nuanced. Still, in terms of shock value, it is right up there with man being created in God’s image. God gives many other gifts as well, but the greatest is the gift of a promise.

We know what happens in chapter 3. It turns out Adam’s life in the garden could come to an end. (It did). His fellowship with God could be ruined. (It was). God’s pleasure in Adam could be replaced with wrath. (It was). The two trees in the middle of the garden reminded Adam of his blessed, but impermanent condition. The tree of life was next to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:9). Adam was forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil upon pain of death. Death was the promised penalty in case of sin. Adam’s disobedience would earn him death. (It did). But his righteousness of obedience would bring permanent blessedness. That is the point made by the two trees standing side by side. Death was promised for sin, and life for righteousness.

Well, we know how the story goes. Paul, reflecting on Adam’s sin, says, “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned (Romans 5:12).” But Paul continues, “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19)” In other words, Jesus prevailed where Adam failed. Though Adam was given a promise of life, Adam could not bring about permanent relationship with God for himself or for those who followed him. But Jesus can. And in Jesus the promise of life is fulfilled. So, all who belong to Jesus by faith receive a permanent relationship with God.

Do you have doubts about your salvation? Will God always be gracious to you? Ask yourself, “Is Christ greater than Adam or not?” There is your answer. It is the glory of Jesus Christ to give eternal life to his people. There is stability in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He can do no other. He is greater than Adam.