GENESIS: Reboot Study
Chapter 2 - almost
By Dr. Robert Fieldhouse, Disciples Path Ministry – St. Augustine, Fla.
Last time, we shared a high-level overview of Genesis Chapter 2. This narrative will provide you with a deeper look. Please remember that I use multiple sources, which I try to remember to list throughout these narratives. However, what you read is my understanding. I encourage you to always follow up on what I believe by doing your research. To receive the messages of our Bible, you must prove everything to yourself. Okay, ready? Let's go!
Chapter 2:1 gives us the conclusion of the Creation narrative that began in Genesis 1. It states:
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." (Gen. 2:1, KJV) This verse indicates that God's Creation process was finished. He completed His work of Creating the heavens, the physical universe, the earth, and everything within them (plants, animals, etc.). It emphasizes that God's work was complete, and His universe was established as He intended.
The phrase "the heavens and the earth" is a Biblical expression that means the entire universe, the sky, and the physical earth. It represents everything that exists, everything God Created in the six days of Creation described in Genesis 1. The "host" refers to all living things, including the celestial bodies (like stars, the sun, and the moon) and all creatures on earth. The term "host" here implies that everything in Creation was fully formed and made ready for the world that would follow. God's universe was Created and was functioning according to God's perfect design.
Chapter 2:2-3 2 "And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done." (Gen. 2:2, NKJV) This Verse reiterates that God completed His work of Creation, emphasizing that He "ended" His work. The phrase "ended his work" indicates that God's Creative activity was complete. Nothing else was needed, as Creation was fully established. The most interesting point of this Verse to reflect on, in my opinion, is the mention of God resting on the seventh day. It's important to clarify that God's rest doesn't imply exhaustion because God is omnipotent and does not get tired. Instead, God's rest signifies the cessation of His activity. He stopped His Creative work, and this is a model for what He later established for humanity. Also, the author's use the words, the seventh day should not be glazed over. The number "seven" is highly symbolic in the Bible. It is often associated with completeness or perfection. The fact that God rested on the seventh day shows that Creation was not only finished but also perfect and complete. The seventh day becomes significant as a Holy day of rest in Jewish tradition and later in Christian observance. We will unpack what a Holy day of rest should entail later.
Genesis 2:3 states, "Then God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it He rested from all His work which God had Created and made." (Gen. 2:3, KJV) In this verse, God blesses the seventh day, which means He sets it apart for a special purpose. God's blessing implies that this day holds a unique status. By blessing the seventh day, He gives it significance beyond the other days of Creation, as we will unpack further later. So, what does the author mean when he writes that God sanctified the seventh day? To "sanctify" something means to make it Holy or set it apart as sacred. God blesses and sanctifies the seventh day, making it distinct and unique. This sanctification is the foundation of what will later be known as the Sabbath. These Verses, 2 and 3, emphasize that Creation was completed and perfect, and the seventh day holds both a sacred and symbolic significance of rest and completion in God's design.
Let's combine Genesis 2:4-5-6. Each Verse is significant unto itself. However, all three verses follow a central thought to me because these Verses set the stage for the Creation of humanity and the establishment of humanity's role in the world. Genesis 2:4 states, "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." (NKJV) The words "This is the history" tell us that the narrative marks a new development in the story. Here, we are provided with a more detailed account of the Creation of the earth and humanity. The phrase "in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens" suggests a more specific timeline for the Creation, focusing mainly on the formation of the earth and its immediate environment, rather than the broader, cosmic Creation described in Genesis 1. We can think of this as transitioning from the general Creation account in Genesis 1 to the more detailed account of humanity's Creation in Genesis 2. It is significant for us to notice that the term "LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim in Hebrew) is used here for the first time. In Genesis 1, God is called "God" (Elohim), a more general term. In Genesis 2, the use of "LORD God" emphasizes a more personal and relational aspect of God's character, which is particularly relevant as the chapter begins to focus on God's relationship with humanity. Verse 5 (read) notes that certain plants and herbs had not yet grown on the earth. The text points out that the earth, in its early state, was not yet fully populated with vegetation, particularly those plants that rely on rain for growth. The reason for the absence of plants is that God did not cause rain to fall on the earth. This point is significant because, in the Genesis 2 narrative, there is no mention of rain until the Flood story in Genesis 6:9. The earth was watered by a mist or stream that rose from the ground (see Genesis 2:6), sufficient for the early plants. We also read that there was no man to till the ground. This prepares us for the Creation of humanity in the later verses. It underscores the idea that humankind is Created with a purpose in mind. We were Created to tend and care for God's Creation. This Verse implies that God's plan for Creation is not yet fully realized until humanity appears, with its role in the cultivation and stewardship of the earth.
Verse 6 (read) describes part of the pre-Flood world that focused on the environment before rain as we know it today. We will discuss the Flood and how it changed the environment later. Let's continue - "but a mist went up from the earth" is of interest because the word translated as "mist" in Hebrew is 'ed (אֵד), which can mean mist, vapor, or even a flow of water. It suggests a natural irrigation system that God provided for the earth. Instead of rain falling from the sky, water would rise from the ground as a mist or perhaps from underground springs. Next, "and watered the whole face of the ground" explains how God sustained plants and vegetation. The mist provided the moisture necessary for growth, showing God's provision for the earth's flourishing. These Verses all help set the scene for the Garden of Eden. It emphasizes a harmonious and Divinely designed environment where God took care of Creation personally.
Genesis 2:7 (read) is a foundational Verse in the Bible that describes the Creation of the first human being, Adam. Verse 7 highlights the physical origin of human beings. The word "formed" suggests a careful, intentional act of shaping, like a potter shaping clay. The phrase "dust of the ground" indicates that humanity's physical body was made from the earth, emphasizing our connection to the material world and the Created order. It also reminds us always to remain humble, made from the simple dust of the ground. We read that this is the moment when God gives humanity its unique capacity for life, consciousness, and a relationship with God. God breathing into Adam symbolizes the Divine mixture of life and Spirit. This unique act sets humans apart from the rest of Creation. No other creatures are described as having God's breath breathed directly into them. How amazing is Adam's transformation from dust, a lifeless body, into a living person capable of thought, emotion, and a relationship with God? The Hebrew phrase, a living being, can also be translated as "a living soul " or the union of body and Spirit in human nature. Our life comes from God, whose ongoing presence sustains our existence as it did Adam's. The last sentence of Verse 7 reminds us of our dual nature. We have a special place in Creation, both physically and Spiritually. The Creation of humans in this intimate manner stresses God's personal relationship with humanity. It advances the idea that humans are meant to reflect God in our ability to relate to Him, think, and choose.
Verse 8 (read) tells us of the Creation of the Garden of Eden and God's intention for humanity's environment. God planting a garden gives the sense of Him being an active gardener, Creating a perfect place for life to thrive. The phrase "in the east" or "eastward in Eden" probably refers to a specific geographical region, possibly within the ancient Near East, though the exact location of Eden is unclear. A little research shows us that Eden is described as a lush, fertile, and abundant place. The word "Eden" itself is thought by many scholars to be derived from a Hebrew word meaning "delight" or "pleasure," signifying the beauty and perfection of this Garden. It represents an ideal paradise where God's Creation was perfectly suited for life and flourishing. Next, we read that God intentionally placed Adam in this Garden, giving him a purposeful role in the garden, meaning Adam's placement in Eden is not accidental but part of God's Divine plan. In Verse 9, we discover the beauty and richness of the Garden of Eden. The trees in the garden are particularly highlighted, including two significant ones: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
At this point, I believe it is crucial to go into some detail about the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil are, I believe, central symbols in the Garden of Eden narrative. We are introduced to them now, but the trees are referred to in further Verses and chapters. We must understand their symbolic significance, so let's unpack them before moving on.
The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil provided fruit not meant for sustenance. God provided other trees for Adam to eat from. The two Trees provided a Spiritual fruit. The Tree of Life represents God's gift of eternal life and unbroken fellowship with Him. It appears The Tree of Life was meant to sustain an everlasting life. As long as Adam had access to the Tree of Life, he would remain immortal, meaning God Created Adam to live forever in perfect harmony with Him.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil symbolizes human choice and moral independence. In other words, it represents the knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil, and the ability to make moral or ethical decisions independently of God's guidance. Adam could choose whether to follow God's commands or act according to his own desires. These two Trees imply that God Created Adam with free will, meaning he can choose for himself. The Tree sets up a moral choice. God did not want a puppet. He Created Adam with the ability to select a relationship with Him freely or not.
The Tree of Life allowed for true love and devotion to God because love must be freely chosen. God did not force Adam to obey; He gave him the freedom to decide. For Adam to be genuinely free, there had to be a possibility of choosing disobedience. That was the reason for the other Tree -The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
We have nearly completed our look at Genesis Chapter 2. We will end this part here. Make time to reflect on what was covered up to this point.
In your journal, write any new thoughts or understandings revealed to you through this narrative. If nothing comes to mind, that's fine. Why do you believe I gave special attention to the section of the two Trees?
Disciples Path Ministry – St. Augustine, Florida