Gen. 2:4-25 Adam and Eve

2 4This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens--5and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, 6but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground--7the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Notice that the LORD has rested in the previous chapter. Now we learn that there is nothing on the earth yet, such as trees and bushes. This leads me to believe that the first chapter is a summary of the creation. I can reconcile this with the fact that we do not know how long those evenings and mornings were. Remember, one day to us is like a thousand days to God. I do not believe there is time in Heaven. I do believe it was also created for man's benefit, so he would be able to diffirentiate between the seasons. Also, who knows God's mind or thoughts? Not I!

8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed. 9And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

I have been questioned on whether there were two trees in garden or one. Here is our evidence.

10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) 13The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. 14The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

It is important to know the names and places of things from an historical perspective. This way, we may be able to grasp the 'what' and 'where' certain events occured, and their importance according to their location and culture.

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Here we have one of the first commandments given by God. If we do not count the commandment I see in Gen. 2:2, where the LORD rested, then this is the first and only commandment given to the man. Think about that. He was given one commandment. We now have 10. If he could not keep one, how are we supposed to keep ten! No, this is not to trap us. Rather it is a way to form the way for His precious Son to enter the world in God's time.

18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20So the man gave names to all the livstock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam, no suitable helper was found. 21So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. 23The man said,

This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called 'woman,' for she ws taken out of man.

24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

That last line always get to me. Without sin in the picture, there is no shame. Oh what a relationship that must have been! Also, the whole passage means so much to me. It appears marriage is a religious thing. Wife, husband, and all that jazz. So why do those who are not religious desire what we have? Hmm. Could it be envy? Could it be to destroy what we have? I believe they care nothing the sanctity of our way of life. I do believe that Satan has thrown in this straw man to show how intolerant and inclusive we are. Is this so? Let us look to the Word of God to find the answer, always. While it is true we are to take the Good News to all who seek to hear it, it is true, as well, that we are not to waste our time on those who do not care to listen. Remember, what has darkness have in common with light? No, do not accept the false accusations based on lies. We care about everyone, for they are our neighbors. We do not fellowship with Satan, or those who do not seek our LORD. (It does not matter what denomination you belong to, for there are 7 Churches in the book of Revelations. At least that is my understanding.) If I have said anything you disagree with, please politely bring it to my attention. I am always open for further understanding on most issues. Not all, this is true! I believe God created the universe and all that is in it. If you have a disagreement with that, well we will never see eye to eye. Please move along. lol. I am speaking of issues that can be debated by other Christians. Thank you, and God bless all of you.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16 NIV