Chapter 2.
The Garden of Eden

GOD FINISHES WHAT HE STARTS—2:1

After the sixth day, God's creative work was finished. Evolutionist claim we are still evolving, but this is not so. God ALWAYS finishes what He starts. He is the Alpha (beginning) and Omega (ending), the Author and Finisher of our faith. We need to finish what we set out to do and not quit or give up. The Scriptures consistently challenge us to finish.

John 17:4—Jesus finished the work His father gave Him to do.

John 19:30—Jesus cried on the cross, "It is finished!" The root word of finished is teleo, which means to set out and reach a goal. Jesus reached His goal of doing His Father's will.

2 Timothy 4:7—Paul finished his course.

Philippians 1:6—The work God has begun in our life He will also perform or finish it. The Lord is not done with us yet.

James 1:15—The finishing work of sin is death. The word for finish here is apoteleo. It is formed by two words, apo meaning departure and teleo, the root of which means to reach the goal. Sin always causes us to depart from reaching the goal of serving God and doing His will.

GOD DEMONSTRATED THE IMPORTANCE OF REST—2:2

God rested on the seventh day after He finished His creation. The Hebrew word for rest is shabath which sounds like sabbath. It can mean to cease from working, to put down, to rest, and to celebrate. When the Scripture says the Lord rested on the seventh day, it means He ceased from His work for it was completed. God did not stop because He was tired. In celebration He looked at His creation and said, "It is good!"

This is the first time the word "rest" appears in the Scriptures. Rest is an important topic found in God's Word. Notice some principles taught in the Bible concerning "rest."

Psalm 16:8, 9—When I set the Lord before me, I can rest in hope.

Psalm 37:7—We are to rest in the Lord and wait patiently.

Psalm 125:3—The rod of the wicked shall not rest.

Proverbs 29:9—There is no rest for a wise man who contends with a fool.

Proverbs 29:17—Correct your son and he will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28, 29—Rest is found in Jesus Christ. Your burdens are too heavy for whiskey, beer, and drugs. They can't handle your heavy load, but Jesus Christ can. Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there.

Revelation 14:13—Christians who die may rest from their labors.

As Christians, I believe we should set aside Sunday for the Lord as our day of rest, of putting down, of celebrating our salvation and joy in Jesus Christ with other believers. You and I should do all we can to work with our employer in letting us off on Sundays so we can go to church.

GOD BLESSED THE SABBATH DAY—2:3

A day of rest has existed in many cultures. The Romans had a day of rest every ninth day. The Lolo women of S.W. China refrain from sewing and washing every sixth day. The Sabbath was observed every seventh day in memory of God's deliverance from Egypt giving Israel a place of rest in the nation (Deuteronomy 12:9). It was also observed because God rested (Exodus 20:11).

Particular work was forbidden on this day such as lighting fires (Exodus 35:3). A man was stoned for collecting wood in Numbers 15:32-36. Outside of the nation of Israel, the seventh day was known as the Day of Saturn, the dark planet. Fire forges on this day were considered very bad luck. In Amos 5:26, the false god Kevan or Chiun was being worshiped in the desert. This is one of the Assyrian names for Saturn.

After the return from Babylonian captivity, the Sabbath became distorted as rigid prohibitions were introduced such as no carrying loads, no business or travel, or the removal of items from the home (Jeremiah 17:21, 22). It became so oppressive that under the Maccabees, a group of Jews let themselves be slaughtered by the Syrians rather than violate the Sabbath rest by defending themselves (1 Maccabees 2:32-38). This was corrected later. The Jews who defeated Nicanor halted the pursuit when the Sabbath began and did not share the spoils until the day after the Sabbath (2 Maccabees 8:25-28).

In the New Testament, the Pharisees forbade men who were healed by the Lord to carry a bed; nurse a sick person or walk further than a Sabbath days journey of two thousand paces. Jesus claimed that the Son of Man is the lord of the Sabbath.

GOD IS THE POTTER AND WE ARE THE CLAY—2:7

God formed man of the dust of the ground like a potter forms his clay. In fact, the same elements found in man are found in the earth. The word "formed" is azure and means to squeeze into shape or mold into form like a potter. The prophet Jeremiah stated, "Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:6). If a person studies the human body, he can see we didn't just blob together. The complexity of our body reveals a Master Designer. For example, a piece of skin the size of a stamp has three million cells, one yard of blood vessels, four yards of nerves, one hundred sweat glands, fifteen oil glands, and twenty-five nerve endings. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

MAN'S FIRST HOME WAS THE GARDEN OF EDEN—2:8-14

The big question today concerning Eden is, does it still exist and if so, where is it? We are told that this garden of delight had a river flowing out of it which split into four heads. The intersection would give the location of Eden. The problem is we only know two of the four rivers.

The first river is Pison, surmised by some scholars to flow into India. We do not know its exact location. The second river was Gihon, which encompassed the whole land of Ethiopia, and possibly might be the Nile, yet we are not certain. The location of Gihon then is a mystery. What happened to them? Where are they? It is very possible they were destroyed in the Genesis Flood. The Hiddekel has been identified as the Tigris River in Assyrian monuments. The fourth is the river Euphrates.

There has been much speculation about Eden's location. One theory is it is located at the mouth area of the Persian Gulf. Other scholars believe it is north of Iraq in Kurdistan where vegetables and trees grow without being cultivated. Rhubarb, asparagus, green peas, and celery grow wild in this area. Wheat, cotton, grapes, peas, apples, figs, and walnuts are also very plentiful. Medicinal herbs are grown in abundance too. For these reasons, this area was called the Garden of Eden or Paradise, derived from a Persian word "pardesa," meaning a garden.

I see a story and a message for us in the meanings of the names of the rivers in the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden was man's first home but also where man began to work. What took place in the garden and afterwards is seen in the rivers. Please notice the meanings and the applications.

Euphrates—It means "to Break Forth or Fruitfulness"

I see Adam's beginning or breaking forth as He was created by God and his fruitful fellowship with God in the garden until he sinned.

Pison—The root word puwsh means "to Act Proudly, to be Scattered"

The pride of Adam was appealed to as he and Eve desired to be like God, knowing good and evil. His pride brought judgment from God and he was banished or scattered from the garden. The Pison River compassed the land of Havilah. Havilah comes from a root word chiyl which means "to twist or whirl in a circle, to writhe in pain and fear, to pervert, to be wounded, or have sorrow." What a picture of the business world today as pride causes some men and women to be caught up in a ferocious circle without God. Many are hurting spiritually and emotionally are wounded. Others live in pain and fear as they endeavor to make money and materialism their gods instead of Jesus Christ.

Gihon—The root word goach means "to Labor, to Bring or Gush Forth"

Men today are striving to achieve and succeed. The goal to attain more knowledge and more money consumes our society. We live in a technology explosion as knowledge gushes forth. The tragedy is we are learning about everything except the Lord. When Adam was banished from the garden, he would labor by the sweat of his brow.

Hiddekel—It means "Swift"

People are consumed in a business cyclone. We are constantly looking for ways to get things done faster. Our goal is to be first, to be the swiftest. When I think of swift in this context, I think of how Adam became impatient, ran ahead of God, sinned, and swift judgment came upon him.

Almost six thousand years later, man is still making the same mistakes. Will we ever learn? People are too busy running to and fro, leaving often the Lord out of their lives. Our priorities are in the wrong place as we serve ourselves instead of the Lord. The result sooner or later will be judgment. God delays His judgment at times and is swift at on other occasions. Our sin eventually catches up with us.

The Hiddekel was toward the east of Assyria. Assyria comes from a root word ashar meaning to be right or happy; to prosper or go forward. Folks today are striving to be happy, to prosper, to be right, but come short. If you please, they are east of Assyria, and not quite there. True joy and happiness can only be found in Jesus Christ. Money, things, fame, and popularity are nice to have and can be useful tools in God's work. My dear friend David is a business man who gets up each morning to make money for God and God has blessed him abundantly. He realizes that money is a tool for God's work and helping others. It's nice to have pretty things. All the things in the world without Christ, however, cannot fill the void in one's life. Only Jesus Christ can truly fill that vacuum in your heart. Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior?

AN IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP—2:15

God knew it was important for man to work and stay busy. God placed Adam in the garden to dress it and keep it. The word "dress" means to work or till the garden and to "keep" meant to attend to it. Hard work and accomplishment can be very fulfilling. Idleness and laziness can be very frustrating. The Lord has a lot to say about the subject of WORK. I find God not only wants us to work, He wants us to work and serve Him daily no matter what we do in life. Notice some of these insights on WORK.

• The Reputation of Work: Proverbs 18:9—He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
• Proverbs 20:11—Even a child is known by his doings whether his work be pure and whether it be right.
• The Restrictions in Work: John 9:4—...night cometh when no man can work. We have limited time to work for the Lord before death comes our way or Christ returns.
• The Revealing of our Work: 1 Corinthians 3:13—Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. Our motives and service for Jesus Christ will be revealed some day at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
• The Realization of God's Work: Philippians 1:6—...he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ The work that the Lord has started in your life, He will finish it.
• The Requirements in Work: 2 Thessalonians 3:10—...if any would not work, neither should he eat This is God's motivation to get man to work. An empty tummy is a great motivator.
• The Rewards of Work: Revelation 22:12—...and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

IT IS NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONE—2:18

God anticipated Adam's need for companionship and love. We are creatures of fellowship. We need the Lord and also the company of others. God created Eve as a help meet for Adam. The root word for help meet is azar, meaning to aid or succor. This is an important role for a woman. In fact, this same word is used to describe the Lord. God is our helper (Psalm 33:20; 70:5; 115:9).

As Christians, we need to strive to be a blessing, comfort, and help to others. There are a lot of lonely, neglected people living around us that could benefit from our love and kindness. Many of these people are unsaved. Why not tell them of Jesus Christ who loves them, died for them, and wants to change their life.

MARRIAGE IS ORDAINED AND BLESSED BY GOD—2:21-25

God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep and removed one of Adam's ribs to make a woman. The term rib metaphorically means support or a helper to stand by man in a hostile world. The Arabic root word for woman means to be soft. The root word for man means to exercise power. Notice again she came from his side. She was not taken from the head to rule man nor from the feet to be trampled upon like a rug. She was taken from an area that was protected under the arm and close to the heart of man. The woman was to be man's partner, protected and loved by him. If you are married, do you treat your wife this way? Notice these Bible principles on MARRIAGE.

• The Origin of Marriage: Marriage was instituted by God, not man. The Bible gives us a blue print for a successful marriage.
• The Oneness of Marriage: Marriage was to be monogamous. God gave Adam one wife. The marriage bond was to be broken at death as husband and wife were bound for life (1 Corinthians 7:39; Romans
• 7:2, 3).
• The Opposites of Marriage: Marriage was to be a heterosexual relationship. God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Homosexuality is an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13).
• The Openness of Marriage: A husband and wife are to be unified physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The term one flesh involves a relationship with a person, not just a sexual union. This unity involves openness and communication in the marriage and a sharing of each other's life. Your wife or husband should be your best friend as well as your lover. A sexual relationship with a person does not constitute a marriage to that person. A genuine marriage involves several important elements.
  1. A Consent—Both people must agree to join their lives together.
  2. A Commitment—Some form of marriage agreement must be made before witnesses and validated in a legal way.
  3. A Conforming—Marriage involves conforming to certain social customs and recognizing God-ordained authority. In our country this involves a marriage license and registering a valid marriage certificate.
  4. A Consummation—This involves a consummation of the physical union between a man and his wife. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:1-6 that single men should not behave like married men and married men should not behave like single men in their relationship with their wife. Only in marriage can man's sexual desires be righteously fulfilled.
• The Order of Marriage: The husband is to be the head of the home. Adam came before Eve and she was created as his helper. This was God's blueprint for happiness for a husband and a wife (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23). The husband was to leave his parents and cleave to his wife. The word leave means to abandon or sever one relationship before establishing another. It does not mean to disown, dishonor, or cut off ties with your parents. When a man set up his own home he was to cleave to his wife. Cleave means glued together. It was used to describe the dirt clods stuck together after rain (Job 38:38). Joshua used this word for a military alliance (Joshua 23:12). The word cleave was also used to describe leprosy that would cling to dishonest Gehazi (2 Kings 5:27). I highly recommend that if a couple gets married, not to live with your parents but get your own place to live.

Important Firsts in Genesis Chapter Two

One of God's First Commands... Eat of the Garden Trees Except One—2:16, 17

The first use of the word tsavah, the verb for command, is used in verse sixteen. God gives man a choice with positive and negative aspects. One the positive side He said to eat of the trees in the garden, and on the negative side He said do not eat of one tree. This principle is taught all throughout Scripture. For example, in Colossians 3:8, Paul tells us to put off some things (negative), and to put on some things (positive) in verse nine. A test of Adam's obedience was being waged here. Will Adam obey or fail? God wants us to live for Him because we choose to do so. We make those choices many times when we are tested. Obeying God's commands brings blessing and disobedience brings judgment. Adam found this truth out very quickly.

The Lord gives several other commands throughout Genesis. God told Noah to build an ark (6:22); bring the animals (7:16); leave the ark (8:16); and be fruitful and multiply (9:1). Abraham was told to leave his country (12:1); walk before God (17:1); be circumcised (17:10); and hearken to Sarah's voice (21:12). Isaac was told not to go to Egypt (26:2). Jacob was told to go home when the time was right (31:13). All of these commands were for man's benefit and survival. God is very interested in us and our well-being. His commands are not designed to harm or hurt us. May we be as obedient as these men were in obeying God's commands and let us learn from their mistakes.

The First "THOU SHALT NOT"—2:17

Adam was told not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This is the first situation in the Bible in which God told a man not to do something. The other example in Genesis was when the Lord told Isaac not to go to Egypt (26:2). The tree as well as Egypt were a type of sin or the world. God's desire for us is not to learn evil and live sinfully. This concept is taught all throughout the Word of God.

• Avoid the Path of Evil: Proverbs 4:14, 15—Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
• Abhor evil: Romans 12:9—... abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
• Accompany Not the Evil Crowd: Exodus 23:2—Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil...
• 3 John 11—Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good...
• Abstain From the Appearance of Evil: 1 Thessalonians 5:22-Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The First Example of Unity—2:24

God wants our relationships with our spouse to be a united one. The husband and wife should be one flesh, united physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is the first of six examples of unity in Genesis that I could find. Other examples of UNITY are given below.

• Noah and his family were united to finish God's command concerning the building of the ark. These people had to be communicating in order to finish such a task. We too should be united in serving and obeying God (6:22).
• The people of Babel were united in building a tower (11:1, 6). Though their goal was wrong, we can learn from their example and be united in our work.
• Abraham worked for unity with Lot and his clan (13:8). We should strive for unity in our family and with our relatives.
• Jacob and his wives are united in the decision to leave Laban (31:16). The trials of this family brought them together and united them.
• Esau and Jacob are finally united after twenty years of separation (33:4). We should seek unity by asking forgiveness of others we have wronged.

What brings unity? Several factors of unity are respect for one another, good communication, team spirit, selflessness, having the same goals, common trials and tragedies, and for the Christian it is knowing Jesus Christ as Savior. We as Christians are to be united in several key areas of our lives.

1. Faith—Ephesians 4:13
2. Knowledge of Jesus Christ Ephesians 4:13
3. Speech—1 Corinthians 1:10
4. Thought—2 Corinthians 13:11
5. Spirit—Ephesians 4:3
6. Lifestyle—Philippians 1:27 (Service)
7. Goals—Philippians 1:27
8. Love—1 Peter 3:8

Even though unity is important, the truth and what is right is not to be sacrificed for the sake of unity. We are not to compromise on Bible truth for the sake of unity for such unity would be shallow, unstable, and eventually fail because it is built on sand and not rock (Matthew 7:24).

Important First Words In Genesis

Soul—vs. 7

This word is formed by the root word naphash. It means to breathe or breathe upon. God energized man as He breathed life into him. The soul deals with consciousness, the mind and emotions. God directly breathed the breath of life into Adam instead of speaking it from a distance.

Die—vs. 17

This word is first used in reference to the penalty of sin for eating the forbidden fruit. When sin is finished it brings forth death (James 1:15)

Wife—vs. 25

The first use of the word wife is used in context of the husband cleaving to his wife. The husband is to love and care for his wife (Ephesians 5:25).

Lord—vs. 4

The first occurrence of the word Lord is found here in chapter two. It is the Hebrew word Jehovah. The words Lord God are Jehovah Elohim and mean the self-existent one who reveals Himself. Jehovah is the redemption name of God. It was Jehovah Elohim who sought out the sinning ones and clothed them in Genesis three. Jehovah has eight compound names which reveal God as meeting every need of man from his lost condition to the end of his life.

• Jehovah-Jireh... The Lord will provide. Genesis 22:13, 14
• God did provide for us the payment for our sin with the death of Christ.
• Jehovah-rophe... The Lord that healeth. Exodus 15:26
• Jehovah-nissi... The Lord our banner. Exodus 17:8-15
• Jehovah-M Kaddesh... The Lord which sanctifies. Leviticus 20:7, 8 As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He makes us more like Christ each day.
• Jehovah-Shalom... The Lord our peace. Judges 6:24
• In spite of trials and problems in our life, the Lord can give us peace.
• Jehovah-tsidkenu... The Lord our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:1-6 We are made righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ.
• Jehovah-rohi... The Lord my shepherd. He is our leader. Psalm 23:1
• Jehovah-shamma... The Lord is present Ezekiel 48:35 He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Special Trees in Scripture

• The Tree of Knowledge—It teaches of man's Devastation.
• The Tree of Calvary—It teaches of man's Deliverance.
• The Tree of Life—It teaches of man's Diversion.

• Adam behind the tree speaks of Spoilage.
• Jesus on the tree speaks of Substitution.
• Zacheus up a tree speaks of Seizure and Stealing.

Looking Down the Road
The River Euphrates

 

• Genesis 15:18—The Euphrates was to be the eastern boundary of the Promised Land. 1490 B.C. (About 2500 years in the future from Genesis two this promise is given)
• Jeremiah 13:4-7—Jeremiah hides a linen girdle in rocks near the Euphrates River, and later digs it up finding it has rotted. This was to be an illustration to God's people. 602 B.C. (About 3400 years in the future from Genesis two)
• Jeremiah 46:2—Nebuchadnezzar smote the Egyptian army in Carchemishnear the Euphrates. 605 B.C. (About 3400 years in the future)
• Revelation 9:14—Four angels are bound in the River Euphrates and will be loosed in the Tribulation to smite men in the earth. (Still in the future)
• Revelation 16:12—The Euphrates will dry up and the Kings of the East will cross it to attack Israel during the Tribulation. (Still in the future)

Outlines That Teach
Genesis Chapter 2

1. Rest From Creation Activity vs. 1-3
   God rested on the seventh day.
2. Rain Did Not Yet Exist vs. 4-6
   The earth was watered by a mist.
3. The Relics of Eden vs. 7-14
   God planted trees and created rivers going out of Eden.
4. The Restriction of God vs. 15-17
   He warned them not to eat of a certain tree.
5. The Realization of Companionship vs. 18-20
   It was not good for man to be alone.
6. The Raising Up of the Woman vs. 21-23
   God made woman from Adam's rib.
7. The Results of the Marriage vs. 24, 25
   Man would leave his parents and cleave to his wife.

Index Topics for Further Research

Forethought, Command of God, Shall Nots, Nakedness, Unity, Warnings

Review
Chapter 2

1. What was the purpose of the Sabbath day and how was it observed?
2. List six insights on "work".
3. List the Bible principles on marriage.
4. What was the first "thou shalt not"?
5. List six examples of unity in the book of Genesis.
6. List the eight compound names of Jehovah and their meanings.
7. What is the significance of the Euphrates River in history?