The Book of Genesis
THE CREATION OF MAN
As we have already observed the creation of man was climacteric, and God rested on the seventh day.
Man was created for the enjoyment of this Divine sabbath, but, alas, because of his sin the rest was broken, and man brought upon himself the toil and travail which have been his portion ever since.
There are three different view points from which we ought to consider the creation of Adam for he is a responsible man, a representative man, and a typical man.
RESPONSIBLE MAN
There are several salient points we must consider briefly in this study:
THE DIVINE COUNCIL (26a):
“Let us make man in our own image.” While the expression, Holy Trinity, is not found in the Bible, the fact it represents is. It has been stated before that the Trinity is inferred in the Old Testament, and manifested in the New. It is, therefore, inferred here in Genesis chapter 1. First, in the name, God (Elohim), which is in the plural number; and, again, in this conversation within the Godhead.
THE DIVINE IMAGE (26b):
“Our own image,” “Our likeness.” The word “image” suggest: first, resemblance; and in second place, representation. Whereas, “likeness” suggests similarity. Could it be that “image” intimates that man was, in his glorious and superior appearance and in his positional excellency, the Divine expression and representation upon earth? Moreover, could “likeness” refer more to his constitution? If so, then man has lost the first, although he still retains the second, for as God is a tri-unity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, man is a tripartite being of spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess. 5:23).
The lost image eventually will be recovered in redeemed man, “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). “Who is the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15).
THE DIVINE PURPOSE (26c):
“Let them have dominion.” What a remarkable commentary Psalm 8 is upon this creative intention of God. “Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hand” (Psalm 8:5-6). An appreciation of the supremacy in which God had placed man, makes more dismal and dreadful the depths to which he has fallen.
THE DIVINE BLESSING (28):
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.”
The Apostle Paul tells us, “The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10). There is no question but here, in these details of God’s work in creation, we have many of the deep things of the Lord. May the Holy Spirit take of the things of Christ and, as it may please Him, reveal them unto us. There are two words here which merit our attention, “replenish” and “subdue.” Is it possible that the first intimates a repopulating of an earth that had previously had been inhabited? Is it, also, possible that the second word, “subdue” intimates a state of confusion beyond Eden over which man was to make his government extend?
The Word of God does not substantiate the teaching of certain that there was a pre-Adamic man. Adam definitely was the first man. Could not other creatures have dwelt upon the earth, and could not these have been destroyed? Could not man have been given a reconstructed earth to people, and to subdue, that is supress any remaining disorder, and govern for the glory of God?
THE DIVINE PROBATION (2:15-17):
“And the Lord God commanded the man saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Let us notice:
HUMAN GUILT
“Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Tim. 2:14).
DIVINE GRACE:
“And the Lord said… lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever… God sent him forth from the garden of Eden… So he drove out the man and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Gen. 3:22-24). The Tree of Life was the symbol of man’s blessedness; the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the symbol of his probation. He failed under the latter; so, consequently, he forfeited the former.
THE DIVINE CONSIDERATION (2:18-25):
“It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for Him.” A helper corresponding to him, an assistant suitable to him, was God’s intention. Thus Adam was first formed (He has a priority through creation) then Eve” (1 Tim. 2:13), and the woman was created for the man (1 Cor. 11:8-9). “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” (Eph. 5:31). “Let every one of you in particular so love his wife as himself, and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Eph. 5:33).
It is said of Stephen in Acts 6, “All that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of angel.” Stephen, gazing upon his Lord in glory, meets the stormy waves of a world that hated his Lord before it hated him; and the vessel, broken by the stones of the multitude, only emits the beauteous light of his glorified Lord as he tastes the fellowship of His sufferings .—Extracted.