Genesis 2.4-4.26

God made man out of the dust of the earth Introduction Chapter 2 gives us a picture of 'life at rest'. This 'rested' state continues. Not that God was tired, simply that the work of creation was finished, and completed [cf musical rest]. v4 these are the generations of... - the importance of this structure. Point being made is, the offspring of the heavens and the earth was...Adam and Eve. 1. Man became a living creature (v4-7) Zooming in on the 6th day's creation of man (as other genealogies do, cf 4-5 or 10-11). Gives a complementary perspective on Genesis 1 . 'the LORD God' - covenantal, personal, first-name terms. v7 from the dust of the ground v7 became a living creature (a 'nephesh') Application directions The implications of knowing that we are 'dust' The implications of knowing that we are 'living' Jesus, the greater Adam, not simply a living being but a life-giving being (1 Corinthians 15). 2. He placed Man in the garden to be his priest (v8-17) v8 God's own garden in Eden, in the east. Relation of 'Eden' to 'the garden' and to 'everything else' v9 tree of life, and knowledge of good and evil v10-14 the rivers. Why aren't they in these positions today? God's placement of precious minerals etc within his creation. v15 'work it and keep it' - priestly verbs. The point is not that 'Eden is like a temple', but rather that the whole later temple system was a rehearsal of Eden. v16-17 God's law given to Adam. In what sense he was in a 'covenant of works' (as is often said). Application directions This 'garden' section is not about ecology and environmentalism, or about stripped-back, back-to-nature-ism; it's about mankind as God's priests; working to fill the earth with the knowledge of God's glory. Glory of God: He gives/breathes life! He shares his presence FCF - by choice: We pretend that we are not dust We reject life to the glory of God, as his temple priests FCF - by nature: We compulsively think that we are little gods We live and work to our own glory on this earth, rather than the priestly privilege of 'working and keeping' the presence of God. Person of Jesus: The true Adam, the true priest, comes working and keeping. Protecting and promoting the knowledge of God. Made of dust, he knew tiredness and suffering and weakness Work of Jesus: Weeps in the garden, is betrayed Destroys the old temple in his death Rebuilds a new temple in his life He is a life-giving person, not just a living one Union with Jesus: Come to Jesus and have life Come to Jesus and participate in the presence of God Come to Jesus and serve the living God Wrap-up Dust brought to life; dust brought to imperishable life through Jesus; dust brought to life to behold and enjoy the glory of God forever.

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