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Adam to Noah

by Paul George  
9/26/2008 / Bible Studies

Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-16 WEB).

The living Word of God is Jesus Christ. The written Word of God is the Scriptures. The Scriptures were written by humans; however the Scriptures did not originate with the will of the humans. The authors were moved by the Holy Spirit. Because they were moved by the Holy Spirit the Scriptures, in their original form did not contain the opinions and speculations the authors. The authors of the Scriptures recorded the events that had a major impact on the history of humanity from God's viewpoint. When we encounter a problem with what is written in the Scriptures the problem is not with what was written by the authors of the Scriptures but the interpretation of the Scriptures that contain the opinions, speculations, and pre-conceived ideas of the interpreter.

The accounts of the events that occurred from the days of Adam to the days of Noah are eye-witness accounts that were written at least two thousand years after they occurred; can they be trusted? As the accounts of the events passed from one generation to the next opinions, speculations, and pre-conceived ideas were added to the event or events. Under normal conditions this would create a problem for the author in recording the accounts of past events.

Prior to the writing of the Genesis account of the creative acts of Elohim (the Hebrew name that has been translated as God in the English Bible) there were hundreds of pagan accounts and myths of the beginning of the heavens, earth, the filling of the heavens and the earth. The written account of the creation of the heavens and earth and the filling of the heavens and earth as described in Genesis chapters one and two are inspired written accounts of the beginnings of the heavens, earth, and humanity. In the Genesis account of the beginning of the heavens, earth, and the filling of the heavens and earth, Moses does not include the opinions, speculation, and pre-conceived ideas of man.

Since the Scriptures are inspired writings it is reasonable to state the writings of men and women that contradict the Genesis account of the beginning of the heavens, earth, and the filling of the heavens and earth are inspired writings and teachings by those that have and are contradicting the Genesis account of the beginning of the heavens, earth, and filling of the heavens and earth are inspired. Since the Holy Spirit inspired and overseen the writing of the Scriptures it is reasonable to say the writings and teachings of those who contradict the Genesis account of the beginning of the heavens, earth, and the filling of the heavens, and earth are not inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Prior to the revealing of the creation of the heavens and earth, the responsibilities given to Adam and Eve, the revealing of the deceiving of Eve by the serpent, the disobeying of the command not to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the cursing of the serpent, the revealing of the enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, the affect of man's disobedience upon the animal kingdom, the change in the relationship between the Creator and created, what did the sons of Jacob know about these things. They knew what they were taught in the land of Egypt by the Egyptians. In this generation what do our children know about the creation of the heavens and earth, the beginning of the history of the world and humanity? What do our children know about the origin of the evil, wickedness, violence, pain and suffering in the world? Our children know what they have been taught in the secular education institutions and sad to say in some of the religious education institutions, by the ungodly and unrighteous men and women and by professing Christians who for the sake of job security will not defend the Scriptures. They know what was taught to the sons of Jacob in the land of Egypt.

Yahweh Elohim had a purpose in revealing what happened in the beginning of time. The sons of Jacob have left a pagan environment and was about to enter into another. In this pagan environment the faith of the sons of Jacob will be tested. Without the writings of Moses the sons of Jacob will have uninspired teachings and writings to build their faith on. There is a second reason and this reason has to do with the foreknowledge of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, concerning these last days of history.

We are living in a day when our nation is falling deeper into the darkness and bondage the sons of Jacob were in when they were brought out of bondage in Egypt. We are living in a day when men and women are involved in activities that brought the wrath of God down upon the evil activity and wickedness of men and women in the days of Noah and the days of Lot. We are living in a day when religious leaders are following the same course of action they did when Jesus walked among His people, and heaven help those who will stand up and defend the faith that has been handed down through the ages to this present age.

Read Genesis Chapter 3

Before anyone hits on Adam it must be understood Adam did not have the advantage we have today. Adam could not turn to past history and view the impact the decisions made by humans had on the world and humanity. Adam entered life in a perfect environment. In his world there was perfect peace, unity, and harmony between God and man, between man and nature. In the Garden of Eden, Adam was totally dedicated and devoted to his Creator; he enjoyed and looked forward to the fellowship with his Creator. Alone in the garden this was not a difficult thing to do; he obeyed the Word of God and there was no peer pressure. While peer pressure played a role in the decision Adam made to disobey the Word of God and turn from God-centered to self-centered he was not able to use peer pressure as an excuse for his actions and avoid the penalty for his disobedience; no more than we can use peer pressure as an excuse for our disobedience.

When Adam disobeyed the Word of God he set a standard of behavior that will end in the total destruction of all flesh upon the earth, except Noah, his family, and animals he took into an ark.

The original state of the first man and woman on this earth is summed up in the fact that both the man and woman were naked and were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25). Being naked and not ashamed implies innocency. It implies a perfect standard of moral behavior. The opening of the eyes of the man and woman is evidence of a change in the nature of the man and woman when they disobeyed Yahweh God and ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Being naked carries with it more than a lack of the covering of the body. It implies the removing of innocency and a realization Yahweh God will no longer view men and women as innocent and obedient children deserving His love, but as disobedient children deserving punishment. However, this does not mean He will no longer love His disobedient children, it means He will act toward them as a loving Father and when it is deserved, chastise them because He sees the results of their disobedience if it goes unchecked.

What do we learn from this making of lion coverings from fig leaves? Adam and Eve did what men and women have done from the dawn of civilization; instead of calling upon the Lord in their nakedness shameful condition they try do what only the Lord can do and that is provide a covering for their nakedness and shameful condition. Only the Lord can provide the covering for the nakedness and shameful condition of men and women because the problem is not the physical but the spiritual condition of men and women. In the sentencing phrase of the judgment Adam is told he will return to the ground from which he was taken (Genesis 3:19). What happens to the breath of life that was breathed into the image made from the dust of the ground; it is separated from the body. What Adam and Eve did was cover what will return to the ground.

While we are not told what was going through the mind of the man and woman knowing a time was coming when Yahweh God would come to the garden, we are told when they heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden, they hid among the trees of the garden and they heard Yahweh God call out, "Where are you?" This question has been used in the attempt to prove our God the God of the Bible is not all-knowing. Don't believe it. God knew where the man and woman were hiding. The question, "Where are you" is an invitation to look where you are or consider what you have said and come back to Him.

What would have happened if Yahweh God didn't come to the garden and asked this question? What would happen if God didn't come to where we are and ask, "Where are you" when we try to hide from God? Like Adam we are not going to where God is. If God had not come to the garden Adam and his descendants and that includes you and me, would be in the same situation the fallen angels are in, forever separated from their Creator. We would be like lost sheep wandering aimless in a troubled hostile world. Like a good shepherd God calls to the lead sheep to come back to Him. Note it is written Yahweh God called out to the man, "Where are you?" He doesn't ask the woman where she is. He knows where she is; she is with the man and will follow him when he comes to the place where God is. Here is a lesson every husband and father should learn, your family will follow in your footsteps. Every husband and father has the responsibility to lead his family into the ways of God.

There are those who claim this incident in history is a myth. Regardless of what they may think this is a historical incident. If you believe this is a myth the next time you see a snake pay close attention to how it moves from one place to another place. If you pick up that snake it is not going to act in a friendly matter, it will bite you and cause you pain, suffering, and even death.

What did Yahweh God tell the serpent; "Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. On your belly you shall go" the movement of the serpent was altered, "and you shall eat dust," it is common knowledge that a snake does not eat dust. There is more than the diet of the serpent involved in the statement, "eat dust." In the Bible dust is used to symbolize humiliation, "all the days of your life" Genesis 3:14 WEB). This curse will not be lifted as long as the world is in its present state that began when the man and woman decided to do there own thing. The good news is in the Millennium the animosity in nature will be removed (Isaiah 65:25), however, the curse upon the serpent will not be lifted.

Yahweh God told the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15). Enmity refers to the attitude or feelings of an enemy or enemies. Note the enmity is between the woman and the serpent and the offspring of the woman (children, humanity) and the offspring of the serpent. However, there is a shift in the curse. Note what the serpent is told, "He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15). Yahweh God did not say, "They will bruise your head," He said, "He will bruise you head." Here we have written in the account of the history a historical event that will take place in the future.

In the judgment Yahweh God did not ask the serpent why he did what he did because there is no redemption for the serpent. However, Yahweh God asked Adam who told him he was naked and Eve why did she do what she did because He was opening the door of redemption. Redemption begins with confession and not excuses.

What do we see happening in the world today, the same thing that happened in the Garden of Eden? Do people really know what God said or do they know only what man has said? Do they compare what God has revealed through the prophets, apostles, and above all others Jesus with what man says?

Adam and Eve didn't deny what they did but they didn't admit what they did was wrong. Their confession was not a penitent confession but an excuse. Did they think God would accept their excuses? We often make excuses for what we do or don't do what we should do. We make excuses for what other people do. We blame our short comings on the back of others. We make excuses for the immoral behavior that is spreading across the face of this nation. Do we really think God is accepting our excuses, our political correct attitude, and our tolerance of immoral behavior? Did He accept Adam and Eve's excuses? He is not accepting our excuses. Did He hold Adam, Eve, and the serpent accountable for what they did? Will He hold us accountable? We had better believe it. He did, He does, and He will.

All the evidence has been presented, the defendants are found guilty, and the sentence phase begins. The serpent's form and movements were altered and he was humbled and will be considered a vile and despicable creature, an object of scorn and contempt all the days of its life for its part in the revolt against God. The finger of justice is also pointed at Satan who used the serpent to be his mouth piece. He will be destroyed by the Seed of the woman, the Redeemer of mankind. In this passage there is a proclamation of war involving the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan, between the godly and the wicked. We are involved in this war. All the rage and malice of the persecutors against the people of God, both Jew and Christian, are the results of this war. And it will continue until the day the Prince of Peace returns to this earth and takes His place on the throne the Ancient of Days has given Him.

There are words of encouragement in the promise the Seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent. The man and woman saw a ray of hope shining in the darkness that has descended upon the earth. Here was the dawning of the gospel message. This promise is a message of encouragement and hope for all mankind. The Promised Seed has come and He has bruised the head of Satan. He has taken his power from him. Those who serve Satan are serving a defeated prince. We who are serving Jesus are serving a victorious King, the Savior of all who will come to Him. We have the gospel message and we need to take it into the entire world. On Calvary's hill the heel of the Seed of the woman was bruised and the head of the serpent, Satan received a death blow. He is slowing dying. The war is drawing to a close.

Yahweh God said to Eve, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you." Sin brought sorrow, trouble and pain into the world. The pains of child-bearing, every moan and groan, speak of the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit. All the sorrow, trouble, and pain in the world today can be traced back to the Garden of Eden. Through the ages sorrow, trouble, and pain have multiplied. They will continue to multiply until the end of days.

Then Yahweh God said to Adam, "Because you have listened to the voice of thy wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you saying, you shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground because of you; in toil shall you eat of it all the days of your life; both thorns and thistles shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return unto the ground; because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Because Adam disobeyed Yahweh God his life and the lives of his descendants are filled with misery and sorrow. Some never find any pleasure in life. Others find brief moments of pleasure. We might ask why we should suffer because Adam disobeyed God. We have inherited the only thing our parents Adam and Eve could hand down to us. We must not look at only the effect of disobedience in the garden we must see the righteousness of Yahweh God. He can never leave disobedience go unpunished. The pain and suffering we experience, even death, is a reminder of the righteousness of God. He is just. It should also be a reminder there is a day coming when all pain, suffering, and tears will be wiped away for those who have given their lives into the loving tender care of our heavenly Father.

Life everlasting is offered to all mankind. The penalty demanded has been fully paid. The Promised Seed of the woman paid the full penalty demanded. He was made a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). He was beaten, hung on a tree, crowned with thorns, humiliated, and died. The good news; He was raised from the dead and is seated on the throne of Yahweh God, interceding for us.

Court is adjourned. Then Yahweh God, "made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them." Here is an example of God's love. He corrects Adam and Eve like a loving father would do but He does not disinherit them.

Then Yahweh God said, "The man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever- therefore God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." The driving of Adam and Eve was both a punishment and an act of mercy. If they would have eaten the fruit from the tree of life they would live forever alienated from God. They would have become like the fallen angels, forever banished from the presence of God.

We are the descendants of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 5:3 it is written, "Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth" (WEB). When we came into this world like Seth we bear the image and likeness of Adam. We live in a stained and soiled world. The tendency of our heart when we came into the world was toward disobedience, separated from God, but not His love. God has a cure for what ails us. It is the blood shed by the Lamb of God for the sins of the world. Through that shed blood we can become new creatures. Today this cure is offered to all mankind. We all have to make a decision; no one can make it for us. Will we accept the cure and be healed?

The account of the life of Adam ends with the words, "All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died" (Genesis 5:5). What a sad ending.

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

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