The First Man...The First Adam

[dave c]

simpletruth #139b revisited 05NOV11 salicart@msn.com

For This Reason—Page Two: The First Man...The First Adam

by rev. dave carter

...The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Ge 2:7; NIV).

Throughout the First Chapter of Genesis the name for God is ‘elohiym [(#0430); plural of #0433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God]. Then, in Genesis 2:4 the name for God becomes “Yhovah ‘elohiym ” that is “the Lord God,” or, “the Self-Existent, Eternal Supreme God.” The Creator is not just a watch maker who built the whole Universe, set it into motion, and then walked away—He is the Divine Trinity (as Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who is intimately involved in every aspect of His creation.

It is significant that Genesis 1:27 says that God created the first man (“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him…”; NIV). The word “created” is from the Hebrew bara’ (#1254), and it suggests that God brought man into existence ex nihilo (that is, “out of nothing”). While bara’ does not exclusively indicate creatio ex nihilo, it is God alone Who has the power to bring into being “something from nothing,” and it is used in the Old Testament only as related to God’s ability to create, it is never associated with man as its subject. Bara’ appears in Genesis 1:1 (“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”), 1:21 (the creation of the sea creatures and creatures that fly), and now in 1:27 (regarding the creation of the man). All other acts to this point are described as God “formed, made, shaped,” etcetera. For example in Genesis 2:7 we are told that God “formed the man from dust, gave him the breath of life, and he became a living being.”

“Formed” is translated from the Romanized Hebrew word, yatsar [(#3335); probably identical with #3334 (through the squeezing into shape); to mold into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution)]. Interestingly, man’s body was formed from pre-existent material [dust=`aphar (#6083); dust, ashes (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud]—he was given “the breath of life” as God breathed into his nostrils (again, we must assume that “God’s breath” was pre-existent)—and “the man” ['adam (#0120); meaning, ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)] became “a living being” (nephesh chay; literally, “a living soul”). We are told in this verse that “Adam” was given a body made from dust (provided “stuff”), and a mind through the breath of God (provided “energy”)...so what part of the first man was created ex nihilo (out of nothing)? Unlike all the animals that were, and are, “nephesh chay” (i.e., “living souls”), Adam was also created (bara) as a spirit by divine fiat (solely by the spoken word of God).

Through Isaiah we hear the voice of God regarding His relationship with His people: “42:4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, `Give them up!' and to the south, `Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-- 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” In these verses we see that God created (bara) man out of nothing (giving him a spirit); He formed (yatsar) man’s body out of the dust; and He made [`asah (#6213); a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application] man’s mind.

Earlier, the Prophet Isaiah provided three-fold insight as to man’s proper response when confronted with the merciful and gracious nature of God toward His creature: “38:15 But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. 16 Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. 17 Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back. 18 For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. 19 The living, the living--they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.”

God gives us life. God loves us. God created us to love Him. God created us for His glory and His praise—He has formed us and made us because He loves us, and He desires our love. Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm (Ps 33:1-9; NIV). Amen.