Genesis 2c Commentary
Chapter 2 emphasizes a couple of lines: Work is important, and so is management. Both occur before the fall or the rebellion of man. Work isn’t punishment. Management shouldn’t be a burden. They are expectations.
It should be interesting to describe management or “taking care of” given the perfection before the fall of man! You would imagine even animals won’t be unruly, and bad plants (weeds) won’t choke up production! At this point, there are no thorns to wreak havoc!
The word “perfection” is difficult as the presence of the serpent (Satan) makes the word impossible to use. The need for management may translate into a need for control. Something could easily go wrong!
The presence of Laws (or a Law), “You must not eat from the tree of knowledge…” suggests an environment of possible error.
Chapter 2 underlines the fact that perfection existed in an environment of possible opposing options. The gospel exists in an environment of “free will”. Never mind Adam; put your name in the story. The serpent is out there, doing what serpents do. There is a Law that must be obeyed. Genesis brings the reality of life into focus.
It would appear Adam and Eve had free access to the Tree of life. It was probably another Law they had, “You must eat from the Tree of life”. We can make this bold claim as the same Creator God (appearing as Jesus later) invites humanity to eat His body, drink His blood, or be physically connected to the Vine to have life.
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil could represent “decision-making” or autonomy. It is a place where man decides what is good or bad. He defines his own path. He claims knowledge of good or evil – he has eaten the prohibited fruit.
Marriage is a pre-sin, pre-fall joy. It isn’t good for man to be alone. Verse 18. So there is something that isn’t good even before the fall! We can see the LORD is still in the workshop!
We can see how our tools fail us! Our reasoning is confined within the walls of our own environment. We think in time and space. Time is linear. Space is expansive. Chapter 2 could be a detailed version of Chapter 1. There could even be a chapter before chapter 2 (not for our eyes, consequently unwritten). Maybe a parallel chapter to Chapter 2 but hidden from our view as the LORD deems it needless to and for us – the things which aren’t for us. Deuteronomy 29 verse 29.
What we have is beautiful! It is enough for faith. We have seen the generosity of the LORD in these opening lines of the holy script.
There is only one Tree of life! You doubt if the LORD created one mango tree in Eden! There is one error – not many. Consequently, one tree of knowledge of good and evil. There is one Way; one Truth, one Life! Only one Vine exists! Only one bread of Life!
Genesis isn’t history. It is reality revealed! Soak it in; immerse yourself in it and see the Tree of Life! See more! See yourself in it!
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