Taken from the Earth

Genesis 1 gives a broad brush overview of the Earth’s creation, culminating with the creation of humanity and the Sabbath day, a day ‘made … holy’ because God rested on that day from his creative work (Gen.2:2.) Genesis 2 compliments the creation account, giving greater focus to humanity's relationship with each other, the earth, and the other creatures that we share it with.

Adam is formed ‘from the dust of the ground’ (Gen 2:7), as were ‘all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky’ (2:19). Both Adam and the other creatures are all formed of the same substance, taken from the earth. However Adam is created differently. Here we have a very intimate picture of God breathing ‘the breath of life into the man’s nostrils ...’ (v.7). It reminds me of the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation procedure as practiced by life savers and first aiders. In this way Adam is set apart from all the other created things.

Taken in the Domain, Melbourne

The Scripture says that Adam ‘became a living person’ or, as it says in the King James Version, ‘a living soul’ (v.7). The same Hebrew word translated ‘living person’ in v.7 is translated ‘living creature’ in v.19, referring to ‘all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky’. We are in many ways no different to the other creatures with whom we share the planet. All are formed from it, dependent on the same air, the same water and the same source of nutrients. Creation connects us to this planet and offers us no life apart from it.

There is a significant difference. Adam was also created without a companion, something God says ‘is not good’ (v.18). The animals are brought to him to name. In ancient cultures the act of naming something or somebody implied ownership or authority over that which was named (See the NIV Study Bible comment on Gen. 1:5). This reiterates the Genesis 1:26 account that humans were created in God’s image and likeness, to ‘reign over’ the other creatures. But there is still no suitable companion, and so the work of creation is not yet complete.

Adam is put into a deep sleep, God removes one of his ribs, and a companion is formed and presented to him. "At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called 'woman,' because she was taken out of a man." (v.23).

Just as the description of Adam’s creation is so much more intimate than that of the animals, so is the account of Eve’s creation. In fact, it is even more intimate, for she was taken from him. Her bone is his bone, her flesh is his flesh. For this reason says the Bible, a man leaves his parents ‘and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one’ (v.24)

Now the image and likeness of God in humanity is completed. Genesis 1:27 says: ‘So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’

Jesus often spoke of His oneness with the Father. For example, in John 10:30, ‘The Father and I are one.’ The image of God cannot be represented by one, for God is a plurality. The closest representation of we have on this planet, imperfect as it may be, is in the ‘oneness’ of a husband and wife, living together in a loving, united relationship.

Genesis 2 represents the Creator’s ideal. The authority given to male and female to reign over the earth is not an authority to exploit, or degrade. Adam was placed in the Garden ‘to tend and watch over it’ (v.15). This became a shared reign with the creation of Eve. Man is not given authority over the woman, nor the woman over the man. Of the word ‘helper’ the Expanded Bible says  ’in the sense of a partner or ally; the word does not imply subordinate status’. They were created to support, or to assist, one another.

So what does this mean for the Christian today?

First, with the exception of Revelation 21 and 22, Genesis 2 is the only picture we have of God’s ideal. The picture in Revelation is of a new earth which will be the eternal home of the saved. It is a restoration of the original, a return to God’s intent. So if we want to understand God’s will for our future, we must look to the past. And that is a humanity that is one with each other and with God caring for, or acting as stewards of, His creation.

God’s plan is to restore in men and women the image that was broken by rebellion. Knowing our future, if we are to allow the work of restoration to begin in us today we must live out our lives in a way that anticipates future. In that future men will not exercise authority over women, nor will women exercise authority over me. For we were created to help and support one another, to partner with or to work together.

We must also think about our relationship with the rest of creation. This does not mean living in harmony with nature, for nature is in a state of decay. It has been out of harmony with God since Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. So whatever we do we cannot save the earth, for only God can do that. Yet we must look for ways to limit our impact on the planet and our overconsumption of its resources, for our lifestyle choices do have implications for all living things. And we must recognise that in the Old Testament exploitation of others and indifference to their plight is associated with environmental degradation. While there are no easy answers, and we may not all agree on what those answers are, we must recognise that it is for this that we will be held accountable to God.

Bible Quotes: From the New Living Translation unless stated otherwise.