Genesis 2b Commentary
The first 3 verses commission the works of the LORD – the heavens and the Earth. Let the modern ear understand the term heavens as the expanse, the universe, or simply the skies.
The LORD (now we understand this is the LORD Jesus – John 1:1-3) completes the works in 6 days. Then the seventh day is declared as a holiday.
Verses 4 to 25 may comprise the second section which details God’s continued work among the created. The LORD God manipulates the material world that He has created and “new things” pop up.
Humanity is created (made) to continue with management and manipulation.
Importantly, the LORD God is present in the Garden. The interaction is detailed.
Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Verse 25. And why not, they could not see! They only begin to “see” after they disobey! Noah would plant his own Garden and become naked in the process. But Noah’s nakedness is “seen” and we have trouble for humanity! Genesis 9.
We shall keep these symbols in mind as we read the rest of the holy script.
In Hebrew tradition, names mean more than an “identity”. So Adam’s task looks heavier than the surface.
Of course, the LORD could create the woman using the same formula – a lamp of soil plus His own breath. But the LORD is building relationships. The woman comes from the man. Ponder. He could create (make) man the same way the Sun or the moon were created but man comes from the soil. We are connected to the soil!
We come from the soil. We must work the soil. When mining, we work the soil. When fishing, we work the soil – the soil having hosted the water and having channeled the water to the soil container (lake, ocean…) The aviation industry is all soil. The passengers are soil and so is the machine itself! It takes off from the soil and must land on the soil.
Adam also names the created female – Woman. She would be Adam’s helper. Ponder.
Chapter 2 helps us immerse our thoughts in God’s creation and His deliberate design. We can understand our roles in creation and see how it all falls back on achieving God’s plan.
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