In this chapter we have first of all the rest of God.
The work of creation was finished. Compare also in this connection the word “finished” in Exodus 40 with regard to the tabernacle, in 2 Chronicles 7:22And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. (2 Chronicles 7:2) as to the temple; also John 17, and our Lord’s last words John 19 Also at the end of all, Revelation 21
We do not get simply God and His creatures as in Chapter 1 but Jehovah God, that is, God in especial relationship with man.
Ver. 9. Here we have the purpose for which trees and flowers were formed, a purpose told us before the entrance of sin. Compare this with Chapter 3:6, where we find Satan’s addition to “pleasant to the sight” and “good for food” is “a tree to be desired to make one wise,” which suggests a something which God had withheld; namely, wisdom.
Eve, not content with innocently enjoying what God gave, seeks to use these things, harmless in themselves, for the gratification of human pride, and for the denial of God’s love. Ponder carefully these two verses in this connection.
Ver. 10. Christ is the giver of life, seen as one and undivided in the paradise of God (Revelation 22) but here as flowing out to the earth for the benefit of man, parted into four heads, just as Christ is presented in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in four distinct aspects.
Ver. 11-14. The three rivers that are not now generally known, and whose course had probably been changed when Moses wrote, after the Deluge, are here specially described for their identification. The fourth does not need a detailed description.
Ver. 17. We have in this chapter the two great principles from which everything flows as to man-man’s responsibility, fulfilled by obedience, and God’s sovereignty, in giving and preserving life. The first man failed as to the first and hence forfeited the second; the Second man perfectly glorified God as to the first and therefore in Him we get the second. Hence in Revelation, (the tree of responsibility having been fully met by Christ), we only have the tree of life.
In the garden the knowledge of good and evil did not yet exist, obedience in refraining from an act, which was no sin had it not been forbidden, constituted the test. Man was in direct relationship with God, inasmuch as he became a living being through God Himself breathing into his nostrils the breath of life. All animals are called living souls, and are said to have the -breath of life, but God did not breathe into any in order that they might become living souls. Upon Adam therefore rested the duty of obedience. His blessing consisted in dependence on and intercourse with God: this he forfeited, and became the craving center of his own wishes and ambition, which he could never satisfy.
That he might not be alone here, but have a companion, fellowship, and the enjoyment of affection, God formed, not another man—for then the one would not be a center—but out of the one man himself, his wife, that the union might be most absolute and intimate, and Adam head and center of all.
Such is the beautiful picture of Christ and the church. Adam slept and awoke to receive his bride. Compare John 12:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24). This answers to Christ’s two comings; first by His sleep of death, when out of His side flowed the blood and water by which the church, His bride, is redeemed and cleansed; secondly-, when He comes in the morning at the close of the long night through which she is being built up and completed, to receive her unto Himself. Observe that this relationship of the woman and the man was constituted by God before sin came in, and is in no way the result of the fall.
Such then was Adam in innocence,—blessed with a perfect nature, in relationship with God by creation, enjoying divine intercourse, the head of all earthly things, with a companion suited to him, a source of eternal existence and (all being dependent on his obedience) a means of putting him to the test. In this latter he failed and lost all, as we may see in the next chapter.