GRIFFIN COMMENTS—GEN 2 (Gen 2:1) Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. God now came to the end of any work He would do on this particular project. He may have had another project in eternity past, and He may do so in eternity future, after all, eternity does not end and it seems something ought to be going throughout all that spaceof time. The term finished here leaves the idea of Biblical perfection which usually means mature, complete in its purpose, adjusted, equipped, etc. The dictionary definition for perfection is misleading as far as I am concerned and I feel it would have been better for translators to avoid it in most places becausethe words do not imply perfection as found in the dictionary. There are around a dozen words in the Old Testament translated perfect, and about the same amount or Greek words in the New Testament. But here God finished the work, not making it a perfect work like in the dictionary, but a mature and complete and equipped work that can continue to change into greater development. Finished does not mean that there will be no more work on it or from it, but that it has now reached its full potential for the purpose God made it. (Gen 2:2) And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Somehave said that becausethis scripture says, “On the seventh day God ended His work,” that He worked on that day. But here again we have a problem with language. This is simply saying that on the seventh day God was ready for rest becauseHe had finished His work. But the finishing was done on the sixth day, not the seventh. We understand that God resting from His work did not mean He was tired, but that He was finished. (Gen 2:3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. God blessed this day and set it aside for a day of rest for all the world and for all time. He did not establish the seventh day Sabbath on this day for GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 1
Israel. He did that when Mosesgave them the commandments, and at that time He entered into covenant relations with them and the seventh day will forever be a part of their covenant (Exo_31:14-17). Paul tells us in Col_2:16-17 that we are not to allow anyone to judge us in this matter of keeping the Sabbath that was a shadow of things to come. However, the entire world recognized the value of a weekly day of rest, and it is generally recognized among all Christians and Jews,that they should take off one day in the week and sanctify that day as a day of worship. Some, like the Seventh Day Adventists still adhere to keeping it on Saturday. (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, Up to this verse God described creation as starting with nothing and culminating in the greatest creature of all—man, created in God’s image. Nothing else in God’s creation is in His image. From this point on through the second chapter we have another view of the same creation. This time it is taken from the perspective of man being the starting point. We begin with man’s creation and show how that act has developed into the plan of God for the ages. It is the same creation from the opposite view to perfect the picture God wants man to have of himself, and of God. He wants man to first understand that he is the final result of God’s creative act. Then He wants man to understand why he is the center stage of the redemptive plan. Every man is either in the first Adam or the second Adam. Adam was lord over creation—father of all (Isa_9:6) • Then it was eat and you will die—Now it is "eat and live" • First Adam yielded to sin—Second Adam became sin for us • First Adam was disobedient unto death—Second Adam was obedient unto death • First Adam was tempted by his bride—Second Adam was tempted for His bride • First Adam left a curse—Second Adam lifted the curse • First Adam was the causeof the curse of thorns—Second Adam wore the curse of thorns as a crown GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 2
THESEARETHEGENERATIONS[H8435 tol̂ edah ̂ to-led-aw'] product of, or development of the heavens and earth when they were created. Chapter one gave you the chronology to show how man was created, this gives you the product and development of creation to show the results. If God would put Adam out of Paradise for one sin, do you think He will let you go to heaven with 10,000sins? (Gen 2:5) And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. In these last two verses we have the entire creative processdescribed that was involved in the entire first chapter. He added to it the fact that when this was complete, it had no rain system, but had instead a mist that kept things watered. This is explained by those like Morris and Wehwinkle who disprove the evolution theory by showing that this was caused by a canopy of water above the earth until the flood in the days of Noah. (Gen 2:6) But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. This is why the people in the days of Noah would not believe him when he built a boat and said it was going to rain. They had never seen such and man had been on earth over a thousand years. Though as yet there was no rain, God made a mist equivalent to a shower, and with it watered the whole face of the ground. Thus he choseto fulfill his purpose by the weakest means, that the excellency of the power might be of God. Divine grace descendslike a mist, or silent dew, and waters the church without noise, Deu_32:2.
(Matthew Henry) (Gen 2:7) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. All kind of strange doctrines have been formed becauseof this verse being placed here. Somefeel that becauseGod created man in His own image in Gen_1:26, and now creates again, that the first creation was destroyed and God starts over with a new man.
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They fail to recognize what I have in the notes above. When you read the Bible from God’s vantage point—from the idea of the Drama of Redemption as the major theme, it can be seen why God would want creation to be recorded from two vantage points. To regard this as a second creation requires a lot of speculation and conjecture that results in some strange doctrines. Heb_11:1FOUNDATIONSOFFAITH Joh_17:3UNDERSTANDINGOFGOD Rom_1:20STUDYOFTHEOLOGY A. THEDOCTRINEOFMAN I. ORIGIN OF MAN 1. Special creation • Genesis 1:1--2-3 General account of creation Man is a direct product of God's creative act. This chapter (Genesis 1) speaks of the man as an ideal work of God that was created after all else was well prepared for him. This chapter is of man as the climax of God's creative work. • Isa_45:18 God created the world to be inhabited
The words "to be inhabited" tell us that the reason the earth was formed was so that man might have a dwelling place. There is an implication that it was deliberately made for this purpose. • Gen_2:4-25 Particular account of creation
This time man is not looked upon as the climax, but as the center of creation. Whereasthe first account was a generic account, this is the production of the actual man, the historical Adam. This is an individual. He is a creature of the dust with the breath of God in his nostrils to become a living soul (Gen_2:7).
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2. Terms used to describe man. A. Adam • This was the name of the first man (compare Luk_3:38; Rom_5:14; 1Co_15:45-49). • This term is used as an appellative--THEMAN (Septuagint: anthropos; vulgate: homo). • The origin of the name "Adam" is obscure. In Gen_2:7Adam is connected with Adhamah. He is named Adam becauseof the earthly part of man's nature. He is dust out of "Adhamah" as the earth-born one. B. Son of man [children] (Num_23:19; Job_25:6; Eze_2:3). • This denotes the frailty and unworthiness of man in the sight of God
(Psa_11:4; Psa_12:1, Psa_12:8; Psa_14:2). C. Enosh (Psa_8:4; Psa_10:18; Psa_90:3; Psa_103:15). Man in his impotence, frailty, or mortality, as against ISH, man in his strength and vigor. D. Ish This speaks of the male as against the female. This is man in his dignity and excellency (Gen_7:2; Jer_5:1; Gen_2:23-24). E. Gebher (Deu_22:5) This is man in his strength. This is applied to man in contrast with women and children. In Deu_22:5 it applies to a man who is not to wear a woman's apparel (Jdg_6:12"man of valor;" Pro_30:19). F. Anthropos (Mat_12:12; Mar_10:27) This is man in General in the New Testament Greek. It is the human being as such. Anthropos is that which shows the contrast between perishable and the imperishable (See2Co_4:16) The "outward man" is represented as passing away and the inner man is renewed (1Co_2:14; Rom_6:6; Col_3:9-10). G. Aner (1Co_11:3; 1Pe_3:7) GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 5
This is man in his vigor as contrasted with woman in her weakness. 3. All come from one man Modern theories try to make man an evolved creature with perhaps many originals. Even some who do not subscribe to evolution believe God created more people than Adam. However, the Bible acknowledgesa common ancestry. • Act_17:26 Paul definitely affirms the unity of the human race from a
single parent. He says we were from "one blood." • Joh_3:16 That men are from a common sinful line is the foundation
of the Biblical scheme of redemption. • Mat_19:4 The original was made from a male and a female. • 1Ti_2:13-14 Adam was first formed, then Eve.
The human race in the Old Testament is described as "sons of Adam" (Deu_32:8) as derived from one pair (Gen_1:27) as having its origin in one individual (Gen_2:18; compared with 1Co_11:8where woman is described as "from man"). Notice in Gen_9:19where the world was repopulated from the sons of Noah. • Gen_1:26; Gen_2:5-7; Gen_3:22-24; Gen_5:2 Adam is applied to the race and to the individual. • 1Co_15:21-22, 1Co_15:47-49 Adam is connected with the history of redemption. Christ is the second Adam restoring what the first Adam lost. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 4. Man is made higher than other creatures, but lower than the angels. • Psa_8:3-8; Gen_1:28-29; Heb_2:8 Man was made for dominion, but he does not have it yet. • Psa_33:6-9 Man was made by God's breath. • Heb_11:3 Man was made by God's Word (thinking). • Pro_8:22-30 Man was made by God's wisdom. This creation was made with the goal in mind that one day God would have a MASTERPIECE! This plan for a Masterpiece went through several stages: A. Genesis 1-2 Six day preparation. B. Gen_1:27Created in His image. C. Rom_5:14Adam to Moseswithout law.
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D. Psa_135:4Under the law (Israel with Moses). E. Eph_2:10A Church (God's Masterpiece). The program of God is to take man from below the angels to a place above them. They were created servants originally, and when God has finished His Masterpiece, they will be still be ministers to the "heirs of salvation" and we will reign with Christ (Heb_2:5-9; Heb_2:10-13). Eph_2:10WORKMANSHIP II. THE NATURE OF MAN 1. (Gen_2:7) The material part of man. From the dust of the ground God compacted a body together. The chemicals He used were calcium, carbon, chlorine, flourine, hydrogen, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese,nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium, and sulphur. This is only 6%of the body. The rest is water and gases. • 1Co_15:47-49 We are "of the earth, earthy." • Gen_3:19 "Dust thou art." Man is both material and immaterial. The
material is not the man, and the immaterial is not the man. Both the material and immaterial are required. Man is one unit of material and immaterial that can only be separated by physical death. This material part of man operates by fives senses. Through these sensesthe body draws data from the physical world around us. These sensesare: A. Sight. B. Hearing. C. Feeling. D. Tasting. E. smelling Psa_139:13-16 "We are fearfully and wonderfully made." • The Lord "set me up" or made me erect.
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• He fashioned me to grow. You were once only about .125 of an inch in diameter. Your body is made up of parts that need each other. Your body is a regular city with carpenters, masons, plasterers, and plumbers. There are electricians, ordinary laborers, scavengers, gardeners, cooks, servants, policemen, soldiers, lawyers, merchants and doctors. They work independently and yet very dependently. It is one big, busy, peaceful, harmonious city. If one group stopped work all the other groups would die. There is no jealousy, no schism, and no strikes (see 1Co_12:12-26 for Paul's description of the body members). • Each member nourishes the other and each is needed. The body is not one member, but many. The Psalmist said, "My substance was not hid from thee" (Psa_139:15). My frame and my bones were well put together. The skeleton, and external covering of muscular flesh, tendons, veins, arteries, nerves, and skin were curiously wrought (Hebrew: RAQAM). They were "embroidered together." He refers to the intricate weaving and growth of the human body to full development. SKIN: Works as a repeller and killer of germs. It is an umbrella from the sun and rain. It is a sunshade. Thirty-five to forty miles up there is a blanket of ozone gas about 1/8 of an inch thick. It registers and exercisescontrol over the temperature. It works as both a thermometer and as a thermostat. CHEMISTS: Hydrogen is taken from the water, and salt from the blood to form hydrochloric acid when needed. Anywhere else in the body it would destroy it. SCAVENGERS: There are cells in the kidneys, skin and lungs that carry away the garbage from our body. POLICEMEN: The white blood cells remain on the alert for any enemy and immediately destroy them, usually taking their own lives in the process. CONTROLof some things is not given to us. Breathing and heartbeat are left out of our control becauseit is done while sleeping and must be kept going at all times.
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The body is a self-regulating, self-repairing, and self-reproducing machine. New cells are born and sent to their life's work. There is no grumbling, no complaints, no strikes, no learning the job. The houseswe inhabit are pulled down stone by stone, brick by brick, and rebuilt as rapidly as they are destroyed. THEBODYHASOVER: 200 bones 600 muscles 970 miles of blood vessels 400 cups on the tongue to taste the food we eat 20,000hairs in the ear to pick up any sound 40 pounds of jaw pressure 10,000,000nerves and branches 3,500sweat tubes in every square inch of the skin extending to the length of 40 miles 20,000,000mouths in the intestines to eat the food 600,000,000air cells in the lungs inhaling the air 2,400gallons of air are being pumped daily by the lungs 12 tons of blood is pumped daily through the heart which beats 4,200 times every hour. The body has a telephone system that relates to the brain instantly any known sound, taste, sight, touch, or smell. It is housed in a unit you could hold in your hand. To keep the same machinery for a modern telephone system of comparable quality, you would need a six-story building filled with modern equipment. This body contains life and is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1Co_3:1617; 1Co_6:19). 2. Immaterial part of man. • Jam_2:26; Ecc_12:7Without the immaterial art of man the body becomesa corpse. All of life is merely this earth (dust) transformed. The dead earth has been moved upon by the Spirit of God to come to life (Gen_1:2). A. The image of God (Gen_1:27). "God created man in His own image." One difference between all other creatures and man, was that man was to be "in His image." This could
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not be merely flesh, for all the animal world has flesh, some very similar to our own. It could not be merely spirit for the angels are spirit and neither angels nor animals are in God's image. All of nature expressesthe character and deity of God (Rom_1:20), but they are not in His image. a. To be in His image is to be in the likenessof the Spirit of God. • Joh_4:24 Since God is a Spirit, man in God's image cannot be a
material thing. • Deu_4:14 God has no form. They saw no similitude.
When the Bible usesterms of body members in expression of God's activity (anthropomorphism), it is conveying to your mind what His Spirit does in correlation with what you do with your body members. Yet God is all eye, all ear, etc. His sensesare not localized as ours are. The angels are often represented in bodily form but they are not mentioned as being in God's image. They are called "sons of God," becauseGod is their creator. The creatures around us are the works of Divine wisdom, and therefore are the realized thoughts of God (Pro_3:19; Psa_92:5). They are the substantial proofs of the eternal power and Godhead of their author (Rom_1:20); but, though Scripture presents God as compared with the sun, and His spiritual operation to the light of the sun, we read nowhere that God created the sun after His image. The Scripture says this only of man. There is a vast difference between the spirit of a man and the Spirit of God. b. To be in God's image is to have the personality of God (God's natural likeness). Those attributes which distinguish God as God are in man: Holiness, mercy, love, justice, wisdom, truth, and discipline. "Nor have we far to go to find some of the traces of this Divine in human nature. (1) We are told that God is just and pure and holy. What is the meaning of these words? Speak to the deaf man of hearing, or the blind of light, he knows not what you mean. And so to talk of God as good and GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 10
just and pure implies that there is goodness,justice, purity, within the mind of man (else we could not understand the concept of color. (2) We find in man the senseof the Infinite; just as truly as God is boundless, is the soul of man boundless; there is something boundless, infinite, in the senseof justice, in the senseof truth, in the power of self-sacrifice. (3) In man's creative power there is a resemblance of God. He has filled the world with his creation. It is his special privilege to subdue the power of nature to himself. He has forced the lightning to be his messenger, he has put a girdle around the earth, has climbed up to the clouds and penetrated down to the depths of the sea. He has turned the forces of Nature against herself; commanding the winds to help him in braving the sea. And marvelous as is man's rule over external, dead nature, more marvelous still is his rule over animated nature. To see the trained falcon strike down the quarry at the feet of his master, and come back, when God's free heaven is before him; to see the hound use his speed in the service of his master, to take a prey not to be given to himself, to see the camel of the desert carrying man through his own home; all of these show the creative power of man and his resemblance to God the Creator. Once more, God is a God of order. The universe in which God reigns is a domain in which order reigns from first to last, in which everything has its place, its appointed position; and the law of man's life, as we have seen is also order." --F. W. Robertson: Genesis-Numbers, page 4. c. Jesusis the expressimage of God (Heb_10:5; Joh_1:14; Heb_1:3; Col_1:15-16). The body of Jesusis the vehicle whereby God in His invisible essence reveals Himself to man. • His life was "God-life" (Joh_5:26).
• Man received God's image, but Jesusis the inherent image. • Jesusoperates the image, we only reflect the image.
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• Jesusis God's self-reflection of His own thought, [Word]. Thus He reinacted creation when He was on earth: making an eye of clay, turning water into wine, and breaking the bread and fishes. He controlled the wind and waves. God may bestow on us the power to make the sun stand still, as He did to Joshua, or multiply bread in his hands, like Elisha (2Ki_4:42-44), or walk on the water as Peter, but JesusWASthe authority to do those things. He did not have to receive power, He was the power. He could forgive sins becauseHe was God. d. Adulteration of God's image. Man still retains God's image. However, there was something of that image which was either lost, or made dormant when man fell into sin. This adulterated image is renewed when we are born again (1Co_11:7; Jam_3:8-9; Col_3:9-10; Eph_4:24). Man has self-consciousness;God-consciousness,and worldconsciousness(a senseof morality). This is enhanced when we receive the Holy Ghost. Man has lost immortality through sin and it took the redemption of Christ to restore this (2Ti_1:10). B. Body of man The body was made to be the temple of the Holy Ghost (1Co_6:19-20). Thus it was to be respected. Man was not to cut his body (Lev_19:28), or neglect his body (Col_2:23), nor use his body in any way which would be an abuseto its original purpose (1Co_6:9; Rom_1:26-32). We must keep in mind-• This body is made of dust (Gen_3:19). • This body is corrupt (1Co_15:42-50). • This body cannot enter heaven (1Co_15:50). • This body is different from animal flesh (1Co_15:39). • This body is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psa_139:14). ASSIGNMENT ONE : Creation of material man 1. What is the difference between the creation story of Genesis one and the creation story of Genesis two?
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2 Describe the various Hebrew and Greek terms which are used in the Bible for our word "Man." 3. How do we know that all human beings were created from one couple? 4. For what purpose, and how was man made? 5. What steps has God made toward development of a Masterpiece? 6. What is God's Masterpiece? 7. What is the system by which man communicates with the physical world? 8. Study Psa_139:13-16 and record your observations of what this passageof Scripture teaches about man's formation. 9 Describe the harmony of the body with all of its parts. BODYSOULAND SPIRIT 1Th_5:23 (Gen 2:8) And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. He does not mention what Eden is east of, but God has always regarded what we know as the land of Canaan, or Palestine, or Israel, as His property and sanctuary (Psa_78:54). Therefore we know that this property is involved. Eden means delight, or pleasure, so it is literally the Garden of pleasure. Moreover, the climate was such that clothing was not needed for warmth. (ISBE)
(Gen 2:9) And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We know that in this eastern land where the Garden of Eden was there were two trees that were special. The tree of life that is mentioned here
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and in Gen_3:22-24 where man is barred from it, and not again until the Book of Revelation where John says the overcomers will eat of it; and there was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which is the causeof the fall of man into sin. He says here that all these trees were good for food. (Gen 2:10) And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. This is the only river mentioned. That does not mean there were no more in the world, but it is interesting that in the New Earth there is only one river mentioned, and there is no more seathere. This river had four heads, which is unusual. Usually a river will branch off into four channels instead of having four heads. (Gen 2:11) The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; The area discussedhere is what is known now as the Arabah. It is the valley floor that goes up to the beginning of the Jordan River and goesall the way down to the Dead Seaand beyond to the Red Sea.Thesefour rivers had to be formed before the earth was divided and the formation of the Mediterranean Seaas can be seen by looking at a map of that part of the country.
(Gen 2:12) And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. The translators have a problem with the description of this river because the well-known Havilah is in Southeast Palestine and they cannot see how a river could be down there that is also a part or the Euphrates and Tigris. But the description fits the Jordan River valley. Thus all of these rivers could only have a common head when the topography of the earth was different from what it is now.
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(Gen 2:13) And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. The description of this river can be of no other than the Nile. Here again, the commentaries have a problem with it becauseit would make the Garden include hundreds of miles, down through Egypt into Ethiopia. But there is no problem when you look at the map and see what the topography of the earth was before there was a Mediterranean Sea. (Gen 2:14) And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. Theselast two rivers are easy to identify. They are the Tigris which goes toward the east of Assyria, and the Euphrates which is the only one named of the four in the Bible. One thing noticeable here is that the Bible record itself identifies the Euphrates and indicates clearly enough the Tigris, while it is the other two that can never be fit into a pattern where all four begin from a common source. But if you look at a map of the area it will be easy to see where the Mediterranean Seais now in the way and if you pushed the land massback up from Africa so that the seais no longer there, it is obvious that the Nile and Jordan both would then begin where the Tigris and Euphrates are. So this was apparently before the flood and the division of the land massthat caused the Mediterranean Seato be formed and change the geographical site of the Garden of Eden. (Gen 2:15) And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. Remember when it came time in chapter one for the animal kingdom to obtain their food source, God told them that He gave them all the plant kingdom for their food. This time He is telling the man where his food source comes from but He tells him in a totally different way. He tells the man to take care of the garden. This is how he will obtain his food, but God tells him in such a way that teaches a lesson; give to the trees and they will give to you. God does not set the man down in paradise and say, “Sit here and enjoy all this and do nothing. God put the man to work in the very beginning. GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 15
WORK Work: effort to achieve objectives. WORK Gen_2:15Jos_1:8 (Seealso Vocation Gen 2:15) LEOTOLSTOY: "Work is the inevitable condition of human life, the true source of human welfare." • "Learn to like your work" is the first law of successand happinessin life. WEAREALL CUT OUT TO WORK • Eden had work • Heaven will have work • Gen_2:15"Dress it" • Gen_1:28"Dominion" Work is man's divine heritage: TOIL IS A LAW • If you want food you must toil for it • If you want knowledge you must toil for it • If you want pleasure you must toil for it Work is a kind of psychological glue which holds us together • There is no state which unconditionally guarantees security • • The law of our world; physical, social, mental, and spiritual, is the homely, almost crude dictum pronounced upon a certain two-toed animal—root hog or die! Man devotes nearly one half of his waking hours to work • Work is a paradox, simultaneously a curse and a blessing.
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• • Man cannot free himself from work, nor would he if he could. • • Abraham Lincoln was not great becausehe split rails, he was great becausehe would split rails rather than be idle on his way to greatness. • • You are happiest when you are doing something you like to do, something you are good at. Galen observed 1800 years ago that doing things with one's hands will releasenervous tension and relieve the oppressed mind. • Everyone needs the discipline of work. This may or may not be actual physical labor. It is the direction of accomplishment in the cycle of a day and is necessary for our well-being. • Someone asked a successful businessman the secret of his success. "It is a small trick I played on myself. I pretended that I owned the company. No matter where I worked, I pretended I owned the place, lock, stock, and barrel. • When people are good at something they usually want to be as good as they can at it—that means special training. • • • • • •
Why work? Becausewe need to. It is a need as great as physical hunger We need the discipline of a demanding hunger We need to feel needed I need to express myself in a meaningful effort I need to share with others the products of any skills and energies I possess, SOI WORK! • It engagesmy mind and hands. • It is a safeguard against depraved inclinations "By the sweat of your face" is the established order.
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• By-products of work are health, stability, character, and wealth; as well as happinessand satisfaction CHARLESKINGSLEY: "Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance, self-control, diligence, strength of will, and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know." MONTEPERT: "I have never known a man who was successful at a job he disliked. True, there are many distasteful duties to perform; long, tedious hours of drudgery to endure; and discouragement piled upon discouragement. But a mature person who has basically enjoyed what he was doing, has learned to expect occasional setbacks and will take them in stride, with never a thought of giving up." • When people recognize that careful planning and hard work are keys to achievement--material, intellectual, and spiritual, then it is much easier to overcome the natural aversion to labor that plagues most people. • Nature has written everywhere her protest against idleness • Everything which ceasesto struggle, which remains inactive, rapidly deteriorates. • It is the struggle toward an ideal, the constant effort to reach higher and further, which develops manhood and character. THUSJESUSSAID— Luk_13:24"Strive to enter in" Mat_6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom" Mat_11:12"The Kingdom suffereth violence" Luk_16:16"Every man presseth into it" Phi_2:12"Work out your salvation" Rom_2:7"patient continuance" Heb_11:6"who diligently seek" GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 18
Jam_5:16"Effectual...prayer" Hannah (1Sa_1:4-17) • The most unhappy people on earth are those who have nothing worthwhile to occupy them, whether it is a hobo, or a wealthy "Club woman." • Anything that is to be kept in good condition is to be exercised. • Work is the regulator of the human machine. • Idlenesshas always and everywhere bred mischief—physically, mentally and morally. • Better to attempt a great deal and reach only half; than to attempt nothing and reach your goal. • We advance in the school of life according to our ability and inclination; moved forward by the gentle but insistent proddings of the greatest of all teachers—THELAW OFNECESSITY! Satisfaction is— • Surgeon laboring to save a life • Electronics engineer clearing some complicated trouble • Author finishing a new book • Salesman getting the big order • Craftsman completing a difficult and skilled job • Preacher baptizing a convert • Man comes into the world owing a debt, and leaves owing a bigger debt. • Man is born in debt becauseso many have sacrificed so much for the conditions he has. • Doctors, scientists, educators, inventors, working men, etc. brought the comforts he enjoys. Somefought and died for his freedom
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• His health, brain, special capacity, he inherited. Theseare the gifts of humanity. He dies with a greater debt becausemany helped him in his journey through life. He is expected to make a contribution while here as a created being, and is supposed to advance the art of living to some degree by having lived. • Render a service if you would succeed. This is the supreme principle of life. Be among the great servers, the benefactors of mankind. "Give and it shall be given you" WHAT DOI CONTRIBUTETO LIFETO JUSTIFYMY EXISTENCE? George Bernard Shaw offered this cure for the problems of society: "A proposal that every citizen be required at reasonable intervals to appear before a properly qualified jury to justify his existence." If he could not justify it, his existence would be swiftly and efficiently terminated. • Victory goes to the persistent and faithful, to those who live by right principles. Even a mosquito does not get a slap on the back until he starts working Paul could say when his life was over, "I have fought a good fight." • The sum total of each man's value is his accomplishments. Let every man be occupied, and occupied in the highest employment of which his nature is capable, and die with the consciousnessthat he has done his best. HORACEMANN: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for man" • The common denominator of successful men lies in the fact that they formed the habit of doing things that failures do not like to do. • The biographies of men who left a mark on the world are a record of incessant work.
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• Outstanding successhas only been achieved at the cost of great effort and much sacrifice (cf. Nehemiah) LONGFELLOW: "Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime. And departing, leave behind us FOOTPRINTSON THESANDSOFTIME. Paul was a real man who was born in a different but exciting age. He spent his time and energy doing what he did best. The result is a treasure that will last as long as people do. Can you say the same about your life? Will the sum of your work survive a little while after you have gone? I hope so! • A successful life is not an easy life. It is built upon strong qualities: sacrifice, endeavor, loyalty and integrity. •
The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.Rom_2:6-10
• Somepeople dream of worthy accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them. • If you want a place in the sun, you have to expect some blisters. • You can tell a man's character by what he turns up when offered a job— his nose or his sleeves. • We won't go far without enthusiasm, but neither will we go far if that's all we have. • Most modern girls detest four-letter words such as wash, iron, cook, and dust. • Good luck often has the odor of perspiration about it. • No one ever climbs the ladder of successwith his hands in his pockets. • July is the time of year when the fellow who worked so hard to graduate wonders what the hurry was.
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JOBS (Effort, Service, Work) How does God want us to view our jobs? BIBLEREADING:Rth_2:1-23 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Sheasked me this morning if she could pick up the grains dropped by the reapers, and she has been at it ever since except for a few minutes’ rest over there in the shade. (Rth_2:7, TLB)
We should approach even the smallest job with faithfulness. Ruth’s task, though menial, tiring, and perhaps degrading, was done faithfully. What is your attitude when the task you have been given is not up to your true potential? The task at hand may be all you can do, or it may be the work God wants you to do. Or, as in Ruth’s case, it may be a test of your character that can open up new doors of opportunity. Our work is an important way to develop character. Ruth’s life exhibited admirable qualities: she was hardworking, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. Thesequalities gained for her a good reputation, but only becauseshe displayed them consistently in all areas of her life. Wherever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same. Whatever the task, our attitude should be consistent. Your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, in church. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities you believe in—no matter what group of people or surroundings you are in. BIBLEREADING:Neh_3:1-32 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. (Neh_3:1, NIV)
Our attitude towards work impacts others. Note that the high priest is the first person mentioned who pitched in and helped with the work. Spiritual leaders must lead not only by word, but also by action. The Sheep Gate was the gate used to bring sheep into the city to the temple for sacrifices. Nehemiah had the priests repair this gate and section of the wall,
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respecting the priests’ area of interest and at the same time emphasizing the priority of worship. Our work should be done in an attitude of service to God. All the citizens of Jerusalem did their part on the huge job of rebuilding the city wall. Similarly, the work of the church requires every member’s effort in order for the body of Christ to function effectively (1Co_12:12-27). The body needs you! Are you doing your part? Find a place to serve God and start contributing whatever time, talent, and money is needed. Lazy leadership will not be respected. The nobles of Tekoa were lazy and wouldn’t help. Thesemen were the only ones who did not support the building project in Jerusalem. Every group, even churches, will have those who think they are too wise or important to work hard. Gentle encouragement doesn’t seem to help. Sometimes the best policy is to ignore them. They may think they are getting away with something, but their inactivity will be remembered by all who worked hard. BIBLEREADING:Amo_1:1-15 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Amos was a herdsman living in the village of Tekoa. [All day long he sat on the hillsides watching the sheep, keeping them from straying.] (Amo_1:1, TLB)
God can use people, even in seemingly insignificant jobs. Amos raised sheep—not a particularly “spiritual” job—yet he became a prophet who proclaimed God’s messageto others. Your job may not causeyou to feel spiritual or successful, but it is a vital work if you are in the place God wants you to be. God can work through you to do extraordinary things, no matter how ordinary your occupation. BIBLEREADING:Eph_6:5-9 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. (Eph_6:7, NIV) Our work should be marked by integrity. Paul’s instructions encourage responsibility and integrity on the job. Christian employeesshould do their jobs as if JesusChrist were their supervisor. And Christian employers should treat their employeesfairly and with respect. Can you be trusted to do your best, even when the bossis not around? Do you work hard and GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 23
with enthusiasm?Do you treat your employeesas people, not machines?Remember that no matter whom you work for, and no matter who works for you, the one you ultimately should want to pleaseis your Father in heaven. BIBLEREADING:Col_3:1-17 KEYBIBLEVERSE:And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col_3:17, NIV)
Everything we do should honor Christ. Doing “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living. As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times—wherever you go and whatever you say. What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you? What changeswould you make in your life in order to honor Christ? Related topics: ACHIEVEMENTS,EFFORT,WORK TASKS (Jobs, Vocation, Work) What pr inciples can we bring to a l l our tasks in l ife? BIBLEREADING:Num_32:1-32 KEYBIBLEVERSE:But we ourselves will go over armed, ahead of the rest of the people of Israel, until we have brought them safely to their inheritance. But first we will need to build walled cities here for our families, to keep them safe from attack by the local inhabitants.
(Num_32:17, TLB) Cooperation will help get the task done. The land on the east side of the Jordan had been conquered. The hard work was done by all of the tribes together. But the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh did not stop after their land was cleared. They promised to keep working with the others until everyone’s land was conquered. After others have helped you, do you make excusesto escapehelping them? Finish the whole job, even those parts that may not benefit you directly. BIBLEREADING:Num_34:1-29 KEYBIBLEVERSE:And the Lord said to Moses,“These are the names of the men I have appointed to handle the dividing up of the land: Eleazar the
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priest, Joshua (son of nun), and one leader from each tribe, . . .”
(Num_34:16-18, TLB) Determine the steps beforehand that will facilitate the completion of a task. In God’s plan for settling the land, he (l) explained what to do, (2) communicated this clearly to Moses,and (3) assigned specific people to oversee the apportionment of the land. No plan is complete until each job is assigned and everyone understands his or her responsibilities. When you have a job to do, determine what must be done, give clear instructions, and put people in charge of each part. BIBLEREADING:Neh_6:1-15 KEYBIBLEVERSE:The wall was finally finished in early September—just fifty-two days after we had begun! (Neh_6:15, TLB) God may give us tasks that seem impossible, but they can be done with his help. They said it couldn’t be done. The job was too big, and the problems were too great. But God’s men and women, joined together for special tasks, can solve huge problems and accomplish great goals. Don’t let the size of a task or the length of time needed to accomplish it keep you from doing it. With God’s help, it can be done. Related topics: JOBS,MINISTRY,WORK WORK (Efforts, Employment, Tasks) What pr inciples does God give regarding our work? BIBLEREADING:Gen_31:22-55 KEYBIBLEVERSE:If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you. (Gen_31:42, NIV)
God wants Christians to be characterized by diligence in their work. Jacob made it a habit to do more than was expected of him. When his flocks were attacked, he took the lossesrather than splitting them with Laban. He worked hard even after several pay cuts. His diligence eventually paid off: his flocks began to multiply. Making a habit of doing more than expected can pay off. It (1) pleasesGod, (2) earns recognition and
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advancement, (3) enhancesour reputation, (4) builds others’ confidence in us, (5) gives us more experience and knowledge, and (6) develops our spiritual maturity. BIBLEREADING:Exo_16:13-36 KEYBIBLEVERSE:And he told them, “Becausethe Lord has appointed tomorrow as a day of seriousnessand rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord when we must refrain from doing our daily tasks. Socook as much as you want to today, and keep what is left for tomorrow.” (Exo_16:23, TLB)
The same God who gives us abilities and work also tells us to rest. The Israelites were not to work on the Sabbath—not even to cook food. Why? God knew that the busy routine of daily living could distract people from worshipping him. It is so easy to let work, family responsibilities, and recreation crowd our schedules so tightly that we don’t take time to worship. Carefully guard your time with God. BIBLEREADING:Exo_35:4-35 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Then Mosessaid to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezaleel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” (Exo_35:30, NIV)
God is the source of all our skills, and he wants us to use them to the best of our ability. This passage describes the blending of various artistic and construction skills in the building of the traveling sanctuary. Those who spun cloth made a beautiful contribution to the tabernacle. Good workers take pride in the quality and beauty of their work. God is concerned with the quality and beauty of what you do. Whether you are a corporate executive or a drugstore cashier, your work should reflect the creative abilities God has given you. Our work, even if it isn’t “spiritual,” can still be done to God’s glory. It is easy to think that God would provide people with “spiritual” abilities like leadership, preaching, healing. And yet Bezaleel was filled with God’s Spirit in such a way that all his artistic and design skills took on an added quality appropriate to the work he was called to do. Whatever place God
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has designed you to fill in life, ask him to make you skillful as you represent him in the workplace. BIBLEREADING:Rth_2:1-13 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Sheasked me this morning if she could pick up the grains dropped by the reapers, and she has been at it ever since except for a few minutes’ rest over there in the shade. (Rth_2:7, TLB)
God wants us to work hard and do our best, even with small and seemingly insignificant responsibilities. Ruth’s task, though menial, tiring, and perhaps degrading, was done faithfully. What is your attitude when the task you have been given does not require your full potential? The task at hand may be all you can do, or it may be the work God wants you to do. Or, as in Ruth’s case, it may be a test of your character that might open up new doors of opportunity. BIBLEREADING:2Ki_10:30-36 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Afterwards the Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the dynasty of Ahab. Becauseof this I will cause your son, your grandson, and your great-grandson to be the kings of Israel.” But Jehu didn’t follow the Lord God of Israel with all his heart, for he continued to worship Jeroboam’s gold calves that had been the cause of such great sin in Israel. (2Ki_10:30-31, TLB)
Representing God is not always serving him. As with many of the kings of Israel, Jehu did much of what the Lord told him to, but he did not obey him with all his heart. He had become God’s instrument for carrying out justice, but he had not become God’s servant. As a result, he gave only lip service to God while permitting the worship of the golden calves. We need to check the condition of our heart toward God. We can be very active in our work for God and still not give the wholehearted obedience he desires. BIBLEREADING:Luk_19:11-27 KEYBIBLEVERSE:And becauseJesuswas nearing Jerusalem, he told a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. (Luk_19:11, TLB)
Wherever we go and whatever we do, our work ought to leave behind an impression that we are seeking to serve God rather than just people. This story GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 27
showed Jesus’ followers what they were to do during the time between Jesus’ departure and his second coming. Becausewe live in that time period, it applies directly to us. We have been given excellent resources to build and expand God’s kingdom. Jesus expects us to use these talents so that they multiply and the kingdom grows. He asks each of us to account for what we do with his gifts. While awaiting the coming of the kingdom of God in glory, we must do Christ’s work. BIBLEREADING:Joh_3:22-36 KEYBIBLEVERSE:John replied, “God in heaven appoints each man’s work. My work is to prepare the way for that man so that everyone will go to him. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him—that is all.” (Joh_3:27, TLB)
God gives each person a special job to do. John explained that becauseGod had given him his work, he had to continue it until God called him to do something else. John’s main purpose was to point people to Christ. Even with Jesusbeginning his own ministry, John could still turn people to Jesus. BIBLEREADING:Eph_6:5-9 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Don’t work hard only when your master is watching and then shirk when he isn’t looking; work hard and with gladnessall the time, as though working for Christ, doing the will of God with all your hearts. (Eph_6:6-7, TLB)
All our work ought to be done with Christ in mind. Paul’s instructions encourage responsibility and integrity on the job. Christian employeesshould do their job as if JesusChrist were their supervisor. And Christian employers should treat their employeesfairly and with respect. Can you be trusted to do your best, even when the boss is not around? Do you work hard and with enthusiasm?Do you treat your employeesas people, not machines?Remember that no matter whom you work for, and no matter who works for you, the one you ultimately should want to pleaseis your Father in heaven. Related topics: MINISTRY,SERVING,WITNESSING (Gen 2:16) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 28
After God told man that his responsibility was to take care of the trees of the Garden, then He told him why. It is so that he has something to eat. He said of every tree he could eat which would include the tree of life. This is the first recorded utterance of God to man. He may have spoken to him before when he was placed in the Garden of Eden but the words He spoke were not recorded. (Gen 2:17) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Then He limited the one tree from which he could not eat and that is the tree that causesdeath. He had never seen death or experienced anything dying, unless the vegetation and animals died and he saw it. But apparently he knew what that meant, which again makes me believe he was created with a full vocabulary and language. He did not die in the 24 hour day he ate of the fruit, but he died within the dispensational day. (Gen 2:18) And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. God made a mate for each animal, but not for man. He used man's companion as an example of the Bride of Christ. It is not good for man to be alone. That is true not only in terms of matrimony; it is not good for man to be unrelated to someone. We need one another. No man lives to himself and none dies to himself (Rom_14:7). God would make a wife that would be a help, she would be fit or a complement to him; not compliment though that will also help. She would fit him, and make his life complete. In some ways they would be opposites and those opposites attract. After marriage they usually repel, but initially they draw the couple. Thus it is ridiculous for someone to say they were divorced becausethey were incompatible. Certainly they were incompatible. It was that incompatibility that got them together in the first place. Each had something lacking in their own life that could be found in the other. But after they married they did not adjust and work those things out and
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therefore gave up. That is the wrong way to go about it. We should work out our differences. A BRIDE FOR ADAM (Gen_2:18; 1Co_15:45-47 Rom_5:14) Luk_6:47 FIRSTADAM: • Born sinless (Gen_2:7) • Not good to be alone (Gen_2:18) • No animal found to be a companion for him SOGOD'SFIRST"I WILL" His last "I will" is Rev_21:9"Come, I will show you the Bride, the Lamb's wife." So His first I will and last I will are about a bride for Adam, the one in Genesis for the first Adam, and the last for the Second Man Adam. PUT TO SLEEP(Gen_2:21) • Rib taken (most of blood made in ribs) • Awoke with a bride • She had the same life • Took her to himself "Two became one" HE DELIBERATELYATE(1Ti_2:14) SECONDADAM: (1Co_15:45-47 Rom_5:14) Sinless"No guile found in His mouth" (1Pe_2:22) No bride found in the world Not good for Him to be alone •
Put to sleep on the cross (Joh_19:34) • Incision made in His side • Awoke third day with a bride (Act_20:28) • Bone of his bone (Eph_5:26-31) DELIBERATELYbecame sin (2Co_5:21) HELPMEET:Joh_14:12; 1Co_12:27; 1Co_1:1Rom_12:5; Eph_1:23; Eph_3:6; Eph_4:12; Col_1:24 GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 30
• Mirrors and springs • Manifest His life: 2Co_3:18; 2Co_1:1-11 Eph_4:10-11; Gal_2:20Rev_19:7-9 (Getting ready). Espoused Psa_45:13-14 Eze_16:8-14 TWOBECOMEONEAT MARRIAGE: (1Jo_3:2; Rom_8:29-30 Phi_3:21) We will soon march up the aisle into the New Jerusalem • Trumpet sound wedding march • Marriage feast laid out • Angels will watch Mat_25:6 Joh_14:1Mat_13:44-46 Not good to be alone: It is not good for man to be unrelated to someone. It is not good to be without responsibility. We need someone to relate with and be accountable to. No man lives to himself (Rom 14) If God would put Adam out of Paradise for one sin, do you think He will let you go to Heaven with 10,000sins • Nature forms us. • Sin deforms us. • School informs us. • Religion reforms us. • Christ transforms us. Adam and Eve had a single prohibition that seemsto be more of a friendly warning than a harsh command. In that warning lay the test of their loyal obedience to their Creator. That there was a tree of knowledge of good and evil implies that evil was already in the universe. This was proven true to Adam and Eve when satan destroyed their innocence. The name under which the tempter appears in the beginning and end of the Bible is the same (cf. Gen_3:1and 2Co_11:3; Rev_12:9; Rev_20:2; seeIsa_14:12-14; Eze_28:12-19). The same attributes are ascribed to him as he stalks throughout the Bible (Job 1, 2; 1Ch_21:1; Zec_3:1-2). He was created originally good, like all the works of God, but he abode not in the truth (Joh_8:44). He rebelled against the Almighty God, his Maker, and fell from his high estate (1Ti_3:6). From that time on he was at the head of numerous other spirits (Mat_25:41), whom he dragged
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down with him in his fall (2Pe_2:4; Jud_1:6). He arrayed himself in open hostility against the Mighty God. Through his subtle ways he caused Eve to believe God was a hard taskmaster. That He was holding something out from her that she should have. It seemed unfair. It questioned God's truthfulness, goodness, faithfulness. She could not longer have confidence that God was honest or that His Word was true. When Adam was confronted by a fallen wife he deliberately ate of the fruit, knowing the consequences(1Ti_3:14). RELATIONSH IPS RELATIONSH I PS Gen_2:18Jos_1:8 Gen_2:18—It is not good that the man should be alone Man is not made to be unrelated to others. The first thing God did was put man in relationship with his environment. He told the man to care for the garden. We might expect that God would say to the man, "Here is your source of life. The trees will supply you." Instead God said, "You take care of this." This way man learns to give in order to receive. Life is not a matter of receiving gratis. It takes effort to obtain results. When the man cared for the vegetation, the vegetation supplied his needs. Then God gave him a wife and he was to take care of her. She would then take care of his needs. When the two cared for each other their lives were complete. Then they had children, and the cycle started over again. They care for the children until they get old and can no longer care for themselves and the children then take care of them in their old days. Then a new family starts and the cycle keeps going until there are cities, then nations, then a world. If every man lived for the sake of others as the Bible commands, we would have no needs in the world. Notice Paul's admonition to care for others. Phi_2:4—Look on the things of others. 1Co_10:24—Seeknot your own, but another's welfare. 1Co_10:33—I seek not my own profit, but the profit of many. 1Co_13:5—Loveseeks not her own. Rom_15:3—Even Christ pleased not Himself. Jesusconstantly admonished His disciples to minister to others, rather than expecting ministration from others. He came to minister, not to be ministered to (Mat_20:28).
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We sustain varied relationships as Christians: 1. To God as our Father (Joh_1:12). 2. To Christ as our Redeemer (2Co_3:18). 3. To the Holy Ghost as our Guide (Joh_16:13). 4. To satan as our adversary (Eph_6:12). 5. To the world as our enemy (Jam_4:4). 6. To each other (Eph_4:22-24). 7. To the government (Rom_13:1-7). 8. To the body of Christ (1Co_12:12-31). 9. To the unsaved (Mat_28:18-20). 10. To the church leaders (Eph_4:11-16). 11. Husbands to wives (Eph_5:22-31). 12. Wives to husbands (Eph_5:22-31). 13. Parents to children (Eph_6:4). 14. Children to parents (Eph_6:1). 15. Masters to servants (Eph_6:9). 16. Servants to masters (Eph_6:5). 17. Strong to weak (Rom_15:1). 18. Weak to strong (Gal_6:6). 19. To angels (1Co_6:3). 20. To Israel (Rom_11:26). 21. God to Israel 22. God to the Gentiles 23. God to angels 24. Angels to men. Pro_13:2—Aman shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth. Enjoyment is represented under the figure of eating. Eating is the foundation of life, the pledge of social communion. The foundation of enjoyment is in one's inward state and one's social relations. The more widely we enter into the life of others, the richer our life-joy. The unsocial life dries up the springs of joy (E. Johnson). RE LAT IO NSH I P(S) (Companions, Fellowship, Friendship) What genera l principles does the Bible give us about relationships? BIBLEREADING:Exo_33:7-11
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KEYBIBLEVERSE:Inside the tent the Lord spoke to Mosesface to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Afterwards Moseswould return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua (son of NUN), stayed behind in the Tabernacle. (Exo_33:11, TLB)
Our relationship to God is our most important relationship. God and Mosestalked face to face in the Tent of Meeting, just as friends do. Why did Mosesfind such favor with God?It certainly was not becausehe was perfect, gifted, or powerful. Rather, it was becauseGod chose Moses,and Mosesin turn relied wholeheartedly on God’s wisdom and direction. Friendship with God was a true privilege for Moses,out of reach for the other Hebrews. But it is not out of reach for us today. Jesuscalled his disciples—and, by extension, all of his followers— his friends (Joh_15:15). He has called you to be his friend. Will you trust him as Mosesdid? BIBLEREADING:Joh_16:16-33 KEYBIBLEVERSE:In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (Joh_16:23-24, NIV)
Our relationship to God is made possible through Jesus. Jesusis talking about a new relationship between the believer and God. Previously, people approached God through priests. After Jesus’ resurrection, any believer could approach God directly. A new day has dawned and now all believers are priests, talking with God personally and directly (see Heb_10:1923). We approach God, not becauseof our own merit, but because Jesus,our great high priest, has made us acceptable to God. BIBLEREADING:2Co_6:14-18 KEYBIBLEVERSE:Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness?(2Co_6:14, TLB)
Our relationships with others should not compromise our faith. Paul urges believers not to form binding relationships with nonbelievers becausethis might weaken their Christian commitment, integrity, or standards. It would be a mismatch. Earlier, Paul had explained that this did not mean GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 2—PAGE 34
isolating oneself from nonbelievers (see 1Co_5:9-10). Paul even tells Christians to stay with their nonbelieving spouses (1Co_7:12-13). Paul wants believers to be active in their witness for Christ to nonbelievers, but they should not lock themselves into personal or businessrelationships that could causethem to compromise their faith. Believers should avoid situations that could force them to divide their loyalties. BIBLEREADING:Eph_2:11-22 KEYBIBLEVERSE:We who believe are carefully joined together with Christ as parts of a beautiful, constantly growing temple for God. And you also are joined with him and with each other by the Spirit and are part of this dwelling place of God. (Eph_2:21-22, TLB)
Our relationships with others are made possible through Jesus. There are many barriers that can divide us from other Christians: age, appearance, intelligence, political persuasion, economic status, race, theological perspective. One of the best ways to stifle Christ’s love is to be friendly with only those people that we like. Fortunately, Christ has knocked down the barriers and has unified all believers in one family. His cross should be the focus of our unity. The Holy Spirit helps us look beyond the barriers to the unity we are called to enjoy. Related topics: FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP,NEIGHBOR (Gen 2:19) And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. The fact that God told Adam to give names to these animals implies that Adam had a knowledge of terms and a vocabulary well enough developed that he could intelligently say anything he needed to. This also shows God’s great concern with names. Namesindicated the identity of people in those days and meant a whole lot more than names imply today. Many people today do not even know what their name means, and some names probably have no meaning. It was quite different in those days when the name invoked the person.
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(Gen 2:20) And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. This implies that in naming these animals he was looking for one suitable for a companion. Whether that is what was happening or not, it is obvious that there is no creature on earth that could be a companion to someone made in God’s image unless that one was also in the image of God. Thus God had to produce a special companion for him. (Gen 2:21) And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; There was no bride found in the world for the Last Adam either, and He too was put to sleep on a cross, and when He was asleep His side was opened and out came blood and water. The ribs are where most of the blood in the body is made. Blood comes from the marrow of the bones, but mostly from the ribs. A person could not live long without the rib cage making blood. (Gen 2:22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. From his side came a wife as from Jesusside came a Church. Neither bride was found in the world outside. Both had a wife that was closer in relationship than any other that has ever been. The blood is made in the marrow of the bones in the human body, but the majority of it is made within the rib cage. It is said that if the ribs were lost there would not be enough blood made in the other bones to keep a man alive. (Gen 2:23) And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. This same statement was quoted by Paul (Eph_5:25-27) in speaking of Jesus Christ and His bride. She is not brought to Him, she is made out of Him. With the animal world God apparently made the male and female separate, but not man and his wife. Most likely it was becausethey were to be the type of Jesusand His bride. We complete Him and He completes us (Eph_1:22-23; Col_2:9-10)
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(Gen 2:24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Notice that there are two things here that make for a happy marriage. He is to leave his father and mother. That does not mean forsake them, but he is to leave their support baseand form his own. He should not even get married until he can give his wife security. Then he cleavesto his wife. She becomespart of him. The two become one. The purpose of putting them together is that their children would be a godly generation (Mal_2:15). (Gen 2:25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. They lived in a perfect innocence that was undefiled. They are the only couple that have had that privilege. After the fall nakednesshas brought on the greatest of shame. It is sin that has connected nakednessand shame together. No sin, no shame. There is no blush upon an angel's brow. Unfallen man had the unashamed nakednessof innocence; but with the Fall this has passed away, not to be returned to, even under redemption, but to be replaced by something higher, the glorious raiment of a righteousnessthat is unfading and divine. (H. Bonar)
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