Genesis 2:4-25 2011 Larry F.

Hodges
What is the deal with the two trees?

First we should notice that Genesis 2:4-4:26 is all one story. Genesis 2:4-25 is providing
background Ior what happens in Genesis 3. Two trees are at the center oI the garden: the tree oI
liIe and the tree oI the knowledge oI good and evil. 'And the LORD God commanded the man,
'You are Iree to eat Irom any tree in the garden; but you must not eat Irom the tree oI the
knowledge oI good and evil, Ior when you eat oI it you will surely die. (Genesis 2: 16-17)

Tree of life. Outside oI Genesis 2 and 3, this phrase only appears in the books oI Proverbs and
Revelation. In Proverbs the phrase is a tree oI liIe.
O isdom is a tree oI liIe and a source oI blessing. (Proverbs 3)
O The Iruit oI the righteousness is a tree oI liIe. (Proverbs 11:30)
O A longing IulIilled is a tree oI liIe. (Proverbs 13:12)
O The tongue that brings healing is a tree oI liIe (Proverbs 15:4)
In Revelation the phrase is the tree oI liIe. Revelation 2:7 says that the tree oI liIe is the paradise
oI God. Chapter 22 adds that the tree is Ior the healing oI the nations and the end oI the curse.
Those that have the right to the tree oI liIe may enter the City oI God.

Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Outside oI Genesis 2 and 3 there are no other
reIerences to the tree oI the knowledge oI good and evil. One interpretation oI what this tree
represents is 'thinking that you are as wise as God. In Ezekiel 28 the King oI Tyre is thrown
out oI Eden, the garden oI God, because he thinks he is as wise as a god. hatever this tree was,
the point is that to eat oI it was to disobey God.


Genesis 2:4-25 2011 Larry F. Hodges
What relationship did God intend between man and woman?
The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man (adam) to be alone. I will make a helper (e:er)
suitable for him.` (v. 18)
O an (mankind) without woman (women) is 'not good!
O The Hebrew word translated helper is ezer which literally means 'a help or 'helper.
4 OIten used to reIer to God as our help (e.g. Exodus 18:4; Psalm 33:20).

ow the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of
the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man
called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the
birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. (vs. 19-20a)
O otice the verb tense: '.the LORD God had Iormed.. This verse is not trying to
imply a creation order. The point is that God created beasts and birds (Genesis 1:20-25).
O aming the animals reIlects man`s rule over them (Genesis 1:26).

ut for Adam (the man) no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall
into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took one of the mans ribs (or part of the mans
side, Hebrew tsela, which is usually translated as side) and closed up the place with flesh. Then
the LORD God made a woman from the rib (side) he had taken out of the man, and he brought
her to the man. The man (adam) said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she
shall be called woman, (ishshah. woman, wife, female) for she was taken out of man (ish. man
as an individual).` For this reason a man (ish) will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife (ishshah), and they will become one flesh. (vs. 20b-24)
O oth male and Iemale were created in the image oI God (Genesis 1:27)
O oth genders are to rule over all the earth. (Genesis 1:26)
O LiIe lived with our proper counterpart is deeper and more IulIilling. e are part oI each
other.
O The marriage relationship takes precedence over other relationships.
O hat does it mean to be two separate genders (male and Iemale) who are also one flesh?
4 arriage: God`s intention at the beginning oI creation was that marriage is a
partnership between a man and woman who are both one Ilesh and who reIlect
diIIerent aspects (male and Iemale) oI the image oI God. e will learn in Genesis
3 that mankind can choose not to obey God which results in something less than
what God intends Ior us. (e.g. atthew 10:2-9).
4 $ociety: y belieI is that all aspects oI society should also reIlect this
male/Iemale duality to be healthy. This includes the church. Jesus is the example.
Genesis 2:4-25 2011 Larry F. Hodges
In a society that severely limited the behavior and status oI women, Jesus was
radical in his treatment oI women
1,2
.
He taught women. (Luke 10:38-42)
He had women disciples who supported him Iinancially. (Luke 8:1-3)
He talked to Ioreign women with dubious reputations. (John 4:7-30)
He Iirst appeared aIter his resurrection to women. (ark 28:1-10)


The man (adam) and his wife (ishshad) were both naked, and they felt no shame. (v. 25)
O A sexual relationship between husband and wiIe was part oI God`s good plan.
O Procreation and physical intimacy were intended Irom the beginning and part oI God`s
blessing. (Genesis 1:28)



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