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#1 of the
tishbyte Foundational
Bible Study series:
Old Covenant section ©1997 Tishbyte Publishing
Key concepts introduced in this lesson: justice mercy knowledge of good and evil covenant q Gen 1:1-5 — In the Beginning • In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth m The Old Testament portion of the Bible, in its original form, was written in Hebrew. From the Hebrew we can learn some things about the character and nature of God. t One, and yet, a plurality — The word for "God", "Elohim", is actually in the plural. This could have been taken to infer "many gods", except for the fact that the verb that follows, "...created...", is in the singular (in Hebrew, verbs also have plural or singular forms). This is in agreement with the Old Testament proclamation in Deut 6:4 that God is one, and yet it does suggest a plurality, which we find described in the New Testament. t Justice and mercy — We also notice in the first two chapters that the name of God has two forms: 1 "Elohim" — (as used in this passage) This is usually translated in English Bibles as "God". This usually refers to God in His attribute of justice. 2 "YHWH" or "the Tetragrammaton" (meaning "name with four letters" — the exact pronunciation is unknown) — This word first appears in chapter 2. In most English Bibles this is written as "the LORD" (in capital letters). In some Bibles the word "Jehovah" is used. God is usually referred to with this name in reference to His attribute of mercy. Thus, the first two chapters of the Bible, in introducing God by these two names, reveal His attributes of justice and mercy. The entire Bible is a complete explanation of how these two attributes work together in God's plan for man. v The universe in all its intricate parts runs on justice like clockwork — "In the beginning ELOHIM created Heaven and Earth" v At the creation of man, God combined His attribute of mercy - as man was to be a creature of free choice — not a robot. Y If there were only justice, the universe could operate, but man could not live in it because the moment he made a wrong choice there would be no forgiveness. Y If there were only mercy, all the world would be in chaos. There would be no standard of order, and sin would know no bounds. m Throughout the rest of the chapter, we see yet more detail of God's character. For instance, we see that all the aspects of creation were spoken into existence with "Let there be..." Matter came into being simply through God speaking it into existence. m The whole chapter also repeats the phrase, "And God saw that it was good" (vs 4,10,12,18, 21, 25, 31). The Earth and universe were created in perfection. The "law of entropy" was not in effect as it is today. q vs 24-31 & 2:4-9 — Creation of man • Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea... Here, we begin to see some fundamental differences between man and the rest of God's creation: m And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground...(2:7) Man was not simply created with "let there be..." as the rest of creation, but rather, God formed man out of the earth — as though taking extra care to man's form, as an artist would a work of art. m Man was made in God's own image and likeness. In forming man, it's as though God were expressing Himself — revealing His own being through the new creation. m ...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life...(2:7) Man was made alive with God's breath — with the very life of God. "Breath", in the Hebrew, or ruach, is the same word as "spirit". When God breathed into man's nostrils, His own Spirit went into him. m Man was given rulership over the world and everything God made. He was given authority. m Man was created to be the same order of being as God — to be God's close friend, drawing his very life from God, and exercising God's authority over the world. m The Midrash says man was of superior intelligence even than the angels, who served him, bringing him fruit and roasting meat (of a spiritual type) for him. m It must, however, be remembered that man isn't God. Man differs from God in the following ways: t Man is not to be worshipped as God. God, alone in all the universe is to be worshipped t God is omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent (is everywhere), and omniscient (all knowing). With God, there are no limits. Man has limitations in all areas. t Man will never find fulfilment nor successfully sustain himself apart from God as unconditional Lord of his life. However, when totally submitted to God in obedience and total reliance, and dead to one's own ambitions and ego, man can begin to partake of God's limitlessness. t Many passages in the Bible warn us not to apply the title "God" to anyone but God the creator: Ex 20:3; Deut 6:4,5; Isa 43:10-13; 45:18-24 (In a later lesson, we will look at how God's Son, the Word made flesh (John 1:1-4) is both with God, is God himself, and yet there is only one God). m Man's capacity of free choice is a necessary part of being in the image of God. t This is the basis of relationship. In entering into a relationship with another, one accepts that the other party has the capacity to choose contrary to one's own wishes. Otherwise it isn't a relationship, but a system of control. God's intention was not to have a "robot" that He could control, but a friend He could relate to. t God knew the possible complications that could result from man's free choice — in fact knew the future t God, however, knew that to have a creature in His own image that could relate to himself as a personal friend, He must also accept the potential bad as well as the good. t That's why God combined His attribute of mercy at man's creation m As long as mankind was in willing obedience to God and totally reliant on Him, man could exercise the authority God had given him and all creation was submitted to man. This is the pattern God intended from the beginning. For the purpose of this series of lessons, we can call this the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God can be defined by the following diagram: God = King and Creator of the universe has ultimate sovereignty, and authority over ... || Man = ruler over God's creation as he submits to God, he effectively exercises authority over ... || Creation
q 2:15-25 The forbidden fruit, Naming the animals, Creation of woman • "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil..." ... Adam called each living creature, that was its name ... the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman m Adam's naming of the animals shows that he had a great mental capacity. t Today, even top scientists don't have names for all the animals. Nor can any one person name, from memory, all species of animals known to science. t According to rabbinical sources, Adam had intuition into the character of each animal, and named them accordingly, giving them names containing sounds that carried the appropriate value and power. (Speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance gives us similar ability— Acts 2:1-4; I Cor 14:2) m God created woman from Adam's side. One rabbinical opinion is that Adam originally had both sexes, and when woman was taken from out of his side, the two sexes were divided between the two. m Man was fulfilled in every way — t in a unique relationship with God for which he was created t had a human companion t Nature and the universe operated perfectly so that man's environment was perfect. t Man had insight into the mysteries of the universe. m Despite all of man's knowledge and wisdom, the "knowledge of good and evil" was absent. Man's self-consciousness was at a low level, perhaps like a child. t The world was not measured in terms of "good" and "evil." Either word only has meaning when compared to the other - i.e. - formula: good = opposite of evil evil = opposite of good If evil doesn't exist, there is no need for the word "good." Thus, the man and woman were naked and not ashamed about it, because neither thought of their own body as "bad" or something to be ashamed of, because the concept of "bad" didn't exist. t Knowledge of good and evil also infers desire to participate and experience the forces one has gained a knowledge of. Not knowing about good and evil, man's interests in evil and destruction had not been aroused. Therefore, no law was necessary, outside of the one commandment, "Don't eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Contemplate for a moment: Q Why are there no laws against eating rocks and soil? After all, doing so would be quite harmful to the body! A Because no one wants to eat rocks! Laws are only in existence regarding things humans have the tendency to do, but shouldn't. Because man, in his original state, had no knowledge of good and evil, and thus no desire for evil, no laws were necessary t knowledge of good and evil belonged to God (Gen 3:5,22) ... you will be like God, knowing good and evil ... the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil ... God knew where evil did in fact exist. Therefore, God could see His own creation as "good" (Gen 1:4,10 etc.) q 3:1-7 — The temptation • Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made — It is generally accepted by Christian tradition and a portion Jewish rabbinical tradition that it was Satan, an evil angel, that took the guise of a serpent, or a snake, to approach Eve. "Satan" means "the adversary". He is not an all powerful force of evil, but simply a created being who rebelled against God, also called Lucifer (see Isa 14:12-21; Ez 28:11-19). In this section, we can observe the method by which Satan attempts to destroy God's plans: m vs 1 — Satan always looks for the weak point • ... the serpent ... said to the woman — in this case, by singled out Eve for deception t Adam had been around longer and knew better. We saw that Adam had knowledge into the mysteries of the universe. The serpent couldn't hope to deceive Adam as he did Eve. t Eve, just recently created, was more vulnerable. We don't have any way of gauging how long the man and woman were in the garden, nor when Eve was created. However, it appears that Adam knew significantly more, having been around longer (I Tim 2:13,14). m deception — The method Satan used here is similar to the method he always uses to tempt and deceive: t Has God indeed said...? (vs 1) He casts doubt on God's Word — "did He really say that?" t You will not surely die. For God knows ... (vs 4,5) He casts doubt on God's intentions — i.e. as being selfish, withholding a potential advantage from man; in this case, god-status, and special knowledge t ... your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God ... (vs 5) He appeals to self — "you can be as God" t He uses half truths — a 100% lie rarely convinces v No one can convince another that black is white. However, grey, a mixture of black and white can pass for either. v Satan mixed a little bit of truth: "the fruit brings knowledge that belongs only to God," with the lie: "God's motives for forbidding the fruit are impure and selfish" and "you won't die." Man was already created in God's image, and had everything going for him. What limitations God had set were all for man's own good, but when one responds to Satan deception, it becomes natural to forget the positive aspects of God's rule, and to dwell on the negative. m vs 6,7 — manipulative control • She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate ... Adam was not deceived, but was drawn in by his desire for Eve — or fear of losing her. This demonstrates another means by which Satan influences mankind, through manipulative control. t He allowed himself to be manipulated by his wife. God said later, "because you listened to your wife..." This passage doesn't tell us what Eve said to influence Adam. It could have been by any of the persuasive techniques people use today to seduce others, or draw them into things they shouldn't. Whatever the case, Adam had the knowledge and the authority to deal with the situation, but he didn't. (This doesn't mean one mustn't accept one's wife's suggestions, but rather, one must not follow suggestions that go contrary to God's command, as Eve's advise did.) t When this kind of test comes, one is faced with the decision to choose between God's way, and something or someone one has grown to love. It can be an ambition, a strong desire, possessions, or as in Adam's case, a relationship. All these things may not be bad in themselves, but when one's love or desire for that person or thing becomes greater than one's love for God, or grows to the point where one finds one can no longer follow unreservedly after God's ways, one becomes double-minded. Double-minded individuals are especially easy for Satan to manipulate. t Adam's sin was greater than Eve's, because he wasn't deceived as Eve was (I Tim 2:13,14) but he ate the fruit anyway. In fact, given his knowledge and authority, and what resulted from the act, it was tantamount to high treason. q 3:8-24 The effect of Disobedience m man's authority lost its effectiveness — God, in His attribute of Justice, would not retract the authority He had already given to man. However, two factors complicated man's exercise of that authority: 1 Man was out of favour with God. Because Adam had left his position of submission to God's Kingship, God's kingdom order was disrupted, and Adam's authority lost it's effectiveness. 2 Everything outside of God's kingdom, ultimately lies within Satan's grasp. In the beginning, there was very little that was outside God's kingdom, but now, Adam had opened the door to Satan's interference in everything that was in man's jurisdiction — namely, all of creation. Being that Satan, or Lucifer used to occupy a position next to God Himself (Isa 14:12-21; Ez 28:11-19), he is naturally very strong and can easily overpower anyone who isn't operating in God's authority. Thus, everything, including mankind, eventually came under Satan's control. Effective control came by the following means: v Through knowledge of good and evil, Man became vulnerable to temptation to do evil, thus complicating things even further. v As a result, things in man's life further lost their order of priorities. The doors were further open for Satan and his hosts to interfere, which he did (and still does) each time he had/has the chance. v Through the medium of idols and witchcraft, people even began worshipping Satan as god, thus giving him that much more power over their lives. One of the saddest aspects of this is the fact that man, as he was originally created, was above all angels, spirits and even Satan himself in God's hierarchy; but now has reduced himself to worshipping and fearing Satan and demon spirits as though they were greater. v Satan is often referred to as the "god of this world": Luke 4:5-7; John 14:30; John 12:31; II Cor 4:4. Q Where did Satan receive the position and authority spoken of in these verses? A From Adam. m vs 17 — the world came under a curse • Cursed is the ground for your sake t Nature became perverse. Man was no longer in control, but rather, the victim — i.e. thorns mosquitoes, floods, famine, earthquakes, storms, etc. etc. t Man must now work hard for a living. m vs 23 — man could no longer abide in God's presence • the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden t He had to leave the garden t He must now approach God by means of a covenant. In the next lesson, we will discuss the necessity and implications of the Covenant. m vs 7 — knowledge of good and evil • the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked t His self consciousness became more acute, and he realised he was naked. t Now that the world was seen in terms of good and evil, that became the standard to gauge all his actions. Therefore, it was necessary for God to reveal his Law as part of His covenant. m 2:17, 3:19 — death now rules • the day you eat of It ... t Two animals were killed, thereby immediate physical death was transferred to innocent animals who were sacrificed. Their hides provided a covering for Adam and Eve's nakedness. t Adam and Eve's bodies became subject to disease and ageing, which would eventually bring physical death. Thus, the forces of death began to work in the human body. t The spirit of man, which was derived from God's breath, was now dead — or in a state of separation from God, its life source. m so as not to misunderstand — It's not as though God is severely limited by His attribute of justice. It's not a limitation, but rather His nature. He is holy and just, and He will not violate this principal. Along the same line, Hebrews 6:18 presents what may appear as a limitation: ...it is impossible for God to lie... However, think again: Has God ever wanted to lie? Has God ever tried to lie and found He couldn't? Has God ever wished He could lie? The answer to all of these is, "NO". It's not a limitation, but a strength. After all, who could ever conceive of being able to say truthfully, "Once I've chosen this way, it's impossible that it will ever be otherwise." God's justice is not a handicap to God's mercy so that He would wish it out of the way. On the contrary, God's infinite wisdom has found the way for God uncompromised attribute of justice, and His uncompromised attribute of mercy to find their full expression in God's plan for mankind. m vs 15 — the promise • He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel — Even as early as that, before pronouncing the curse on Adam and Eve, God's plan began to go into action. He promised mankind a deliverer. t The woman's seed will crush Satan's head t Satan would bruise his heal t justice and mercy would both be completely fulfilled. q Rom 5:12-19 The new covenant restores man to his original state he had before he sinned. m Adam's disobedience affected all his descendants. t They became spiritually dead t They received the inclination towards evil t They are separated from God eternally and have no place for their souls but in Hell. m Jesus is often called the "second Adam", in that He was tested as Adam was, and His response had repercussions on the whole human race. t He is the "seed of the woman." It was necessary for him to be born of a virgin so that he would not inherit Adam's sin. t He was pure — without sin, as Adam was at the beginning. t Where Adam failed, Jesus was victorious (Heb 4:15) t By his death and resurrection, Jesus "crushed Satan's head", as God promised in Gen 3. t Jesus satisfied the demands of justice by dying on our behalf t Jesus fulfilled God's mercy by making salvation available to all. t vs 17: By believing, we receive His righteousness, and we can "reign in life" just like our father Adam did.
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