First let me answer a lingering question: Why didnt I include Genesis 1 in the story? The answer is simple: I believe that Genesis 1 truly is a separate story probably written by someone other than the author of the story in Genesis 2, 3 and 4. There are a number of good reasons for holding this opinion and I wont go into them at this time. On the other-hand, while I DO believe that Genesis 5, etc... is part of this story, I will not include them in this discussion merely because it would make for a verrrrry loooong post and discussion. I would like to limit the discussion, at this time, in order to make my point, that things are missed when we break it up into chapters and verses. I hope you took the time in the last post to read it straight through. I also hope you saw things that you had not noticed before. I will refer to chapters and verses for convenience.
The text of Genesis 2 really sets the stage for the development of the story in Genesis 3. Everything Adam has, including his very life is given to him by God. His purpose comes from God, his work pleases God and he hears the commands of God directly from the mouth of God (like Israel at the mountain). Gods provision is more than enough and so abundant that it can support many kinds of countless numbers of living creatures. But among them there is not found a "suitable helper" for Adam until God forms the woman from the man, just as He had formed the man from the earth. Adam then declares "this is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh... ." What a strong declaration, and though it is not wrong (it meets no rebuke from the Lord) I believe this is the center-piece of Adams conflict with God. What is the conflict? When Eve eats the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (which God had commanded Adam NOT to eat), Adam has a dilemma. He must choose between God and Eve. If he chooses God he will be separated from Eve (a dissolution of the marriage?). If he chooses Eve he will be separated from God. Adam must make a judgment and that judgment WILL result in a separation (a major theme found in Genesis 1 and very appropriate for the image of God to imitate his father). As the books of the law make very clear, judgment is a priestly duty that usually results in some kind of separation and is to be taken very seriously. How could he forsake the one that gave him life? How could he forsake his own flesh and bone (himself)? Adam chooses what is in front of him, Eve, his declaration anchoring his decision, and is therefore separated from God. Adam places his own declaration above the command of the Lord. Adam fails to act as the image of the living God, employing rebellion against his father and choosing what is earthly (immediate) over what is spiritual (everlasting).
But this is meant to highlight our own shortcomings (and the shortcomings of Israel). That we regard our own voices and the voices of others above the voice of God. We put cultural rules and peer pressure, that may not necessarily be wrong except when they conflict with Gods commands, above the expectations of the One who provides for us and gives us life. Jesus had direct conflict with the Pharisees over this very issue, what he called the traditions of men. It has not changed one bit and I do not exclude myself from this accusation. Many times I judge based on what is culturally right rather than what is spiritually right, mainly because that is what I am more familiar with and it is more immediate than what is eternal.
No comments:
Post a Comment