2018.11.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Genesis 2:4-17

Read Genesis 2:4-17

Questions for Littles: This passage is the history of what came from what (v4)? On what day did 1:31 say that God had completed making the heavens and the earth? Plants of what and herbs of what had not yet grown (v5)? Why—what did this specific type of plant and herb growth need to be done to the ground and by whom? What had God provided in advance for watering (v6)? From what did God form the man (v7)? What did God plant (v8)? Where? Whom did He put there? What did the Lord God make to grow out of the ground (v9)? What two things does v9 say about these trees? What two special trees were in the midst of the garden? What came out of Eden to water the garden (v10)? Into what did it split? What was the first river called (v11)? What land did it skirt? What was there? What else was there (v12)? What was the second river called (v13)? What did it go around? What was the third river called (v14)? Toward where did it go? What was the fourth river? What did the Lord God put the man into the garden to do (v15)? What did God command  the man in v16? What did God forbid the man in v17? What did God say would happen if the man disobeyed?

In the Scripture for tomorrow’s sermon, we see the Lord setting for Adam an example of generous covenant headship. The first thing that we notice is that the Lord makes for Adam a situation for which he is needed. God has created all of the plant, herb, and tree kinds, but He has left for the man to cultivate coordinated production/reproduction of these plants.

Second, we see God’s provision of water—both the mist that is watering the Adamah (ground—different word than has been used for ‘earth’ or ‘field’ up until this point), and then especially the rivers, which we’ll note more about later.

Third, we see God’s provision of relationship. This is the first use of that particular word for forming, and it would be intimate enough if the man were merely the first creature that the Lord described as being crafted in this fashion. But, it’s far more intimate that the Lord Himself breathes into the man’s nostrils his very soul. This is simply unique among the creatures.

Fourth, we see the Lord’s provision for man’s mind. Did you notice that He specifies that He made trees “pleasant to the sight” even before “good for food”? God has created the man with a capacity to appreciate beauty, and He surrounds the man with beauty to appreciate.

Fifth, obviously, God provides the man with food—permitting him to eat freely of every tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Sixth, He provides the man with raw materials for making beautiful things—not just gold but of a particular quantity. Also other beautiful stones, possibly implying that there are still others as well.

Finally, he gives the man a law to obey. This may not seem like much to you, but it gives the man a clear and easy way to please God and to show that he delights to belong to God and submit to Him. Taking this together with the “third” paragraph above, we can see what an important part this was of God’s provision to Adam. And to us!

How has God provided for you in each of these ways? Praise and serve Him!

Suggested Songs: ARP145C “The Eyes of All Are Turned to You” or TPH551 “We Plow the Fields”