Genesis 2
Genesis 2
One of the most difficult things as a parent is the first time you see your child become self-conscious, anxious, or embarrassed. One day they’re youthfully ignorant of other people’s negativity and then their eyes open and you see shame cross their face. I cannot protect my daughter from the hurtful things her peers will say. And, as every parent of kids older than mine say, it’s only going to increase as they get older.
Of all the descriptions we read in Genesis 2, the most unimaginable statement is found in the final verse, they were “unashamed.” To varying degrees, even our earliest memories contain self-consciousness and shame. I would submit that we can’t accurately imagine this kind of shamelessness and purity. Sin has so tainted our world that the Garden of Eden is unfathomable. However, the good news of the Gospel is that, as many have said, our eternity with Christ is a “return to Eden.” While everything we read in Genesis 2 is true from humanity’s past, the purity, beauty, and bounty are true of our destiny as well.
Chapter 2 opens with God providing an example for his people by resting on the seventh day. Remember, Moses recorded Genesis while leading God’s People after the Exodus from Egypt. The Mosaic Law had been given and the physical sign of that Law was Sabbath. God does not need to rest, but gave an example that was commanded within the Law. Sabbath wasn’t reaffirmed in the New Testament and isn’t commanded for the Church under the New Covenant. However, that doesn’t mean God’s example doesn’t apply to us. God designed people to need rest.
Rest, in Scripture, is earned through work (as seen in Proverbs). And, rest is a picture of eternity, when we can finally rest in the presence of our Savior. Many times throughout Scripture rest is synonymous with deliverance. The problem with the sluggard in Proverbs, those unwilling to work, is that they’re stealing rest—they’re acting as though delivered when they should be working and striving. All of this has eternity in view. We rest because we are weak. That weakness requires rest, but it also cultivates dependence on God. Physical rest is linked to the spiritual dependency we also have. Thus, Sabbath isn’t required, but it is important and points us to eternity.
Chapter 2 also shows humanity both as individuals and as male and female to be the pinnacle of Creation. A professor in seminary pointed out in verse 22 that God “brought woman to man.” Imagine waking up, and the Lord delivering your bride to you like a father walking his daughter down the aisle. God could have allowed them to wake up beside each other and Eve just popped into existence. Instead, he presented her to Adam as a special and unique gift.
If you’re married, and especially if you’re a husband, buckle up. Do you think your wife is any less special to the Lord than Eve? Your wife may have been given away at your wedding by her father or some other close person, but that dude’s only symbolically standing in the place of the Big Guy. If you treat your wife as anything less than God’s unique and special gift, you’re going to have to deal with her Heavenly Father.
As you think of Eden, what do you look forward to most about eternity?
By: Tyler Short
One of the most difficult things as a parent is the first time you see your child become self-conscious, anxious, or embarrassed. One day they’re youthfully ignorant of other people’s negativity and then their eyes open and you see shame cross their face. I cannot protect my daughter from the hurtful things her peers will say. And, as every parent of kids older than mine say, it’s only going to increase as they get older.
Of all the descriptions we read in Genesis 2, the most unimaginable statement is found in the final verse, they were “unashamed.” To varying degrees, even our earliest memories contain self-consciousness and shame. I would submit that we can’t accurately imagine this kind of shamelessness and purity. Sin has so tainted our world that the Garden of Eden is unfathomable. However, the good news of the Gospel is that, as many have said, our eternity with Christ is a “return to Eden.” While everything we read in Genesis 2 is true from humanity’s past, the purity, beauty, and bounty are true of our destiny as well.
Chapter 2 opens with God providing an example for his people by resting on the seventh day. Remember, Moses recorded Genesis while leading God’s People after the Exodus from Egypt. The Mosaic Law had been given and the physical sign of that Law was Sabbath. God does not need to rest, but gave an example that was commanded within the Law. Sabbath wasn’t reaffirmed in the New Testament and isn’t commanded for the Church under the New Covenant. However, that doesn’t mean God’s example doesn’t apply to us. God designed people to need rest.
Rest, in Scripture, is earned through work (as seen in Proverbs). And, rest is a picture of eternity, when we can finally rest in the presence of our Savior. Many times throughout Scripture rest is synonymous with deliverance. The problem with the sluggard in Proverbs, those unwilling to work, is that they’re stealing rest—they’re acting as though delivered when they should be working and striving. All of this has eternity in view. We rest because we are weak. That weakness requires rest, but it also cultivates dependence on God. Physical rest is linked to the spiritual dependency we also have. Thus, Sabbath isn’t required, but it is important and points us to eternity.
Chapter 2 also shows humanity both as individuals and as male and female to be the pinnacle of Creation. A professor in seminary pointed out in verse 22 that God “brought woman to man.” Imagine waking up, and the Lord delivering your bride to you like a father walking his daughter down the aisle. God could have allowed them to wake up beside each other and Eve just popped into existence. Instead, he presented her to Adam as a special and unique gift.
If you’re married, and especially if you’re a husband, buckle up. Do you think your wife is any less special to the Lord than Eve? Your wife may have been given away at your wedding by her father or some other close person, but that dude’s only symbolically standing in the place of the Big Guy. If you treat your wife as anything less than God’s unique and special gift, you’re going to have to deal with her Heavenly Father.
As you think of Eden, what do you look forward to most about eternity?
By: Tyler Short
2 Comments
When I think about eternity, I think what I'm looking forward to most is the perfect peace and harmony (just like in the perfect garden at the beginning of time). No fighting, no conflict, no meanness, etc - just everyone getting along together perfectly ... forever! Jesus finally getting His dying prayer answered (John 17), and the entire Church becoming truly one like never before!
Good word Naomi. It is certainly a comfort to think that those things that separate people will end and perfect unity will come.