SOME SAMPLES OF ITS ALLEGED INACCURACIES.
The account also recorded of the formation of Eve, gives us one of the most striking types of Christ and the church found within the whole compass of Scripture. There is also the intimation, that redemption was not brought in merely to repair what man had spoiled; but that, before sin entered, God’s eternal counsel and purpose as to Christ and the church were before His mind, and, as we are afterward told, we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. The earth, however, would be the platform on which man must be tested; man innocent, and man guilty; man without law and man under law; man in Christ’s presence on earth, and now during the presence and power of the Holy Spirit come down; and man will be tested also under Christ’s reign in righteousness, and as Judge of all. And in the eternal state while the earthly people occupy the sin-cleansed earth in unchanging blessedness, the church the bride and body of Christ shall share the inheritance with the Heir of all things, and shine in heavenly glory throughout all ages (Eph. 3:2121Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)). Thus in the type Adam could say, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” “one flesh,” and all the result of the man’s “deep sleep,” so that she shares with him his dominion and glory. Few chapters have been more thoroughly authenticated by our Lord and His apostles than Genesis 2. On one occasion, when an inspired writer referred to Adam and Eve, he says, “Adam was first formed, then Eve” (1 Tim. 2:1313For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (1 Timothy 2:13)). This chapter unfolds this to us, and gives most important information as to man’s accountability, privileges, and blessings, as well as enters into detail as to what took place on the sixth day. It also gives us the divine institution of marriage, and that man and wife should now typically set forth Christ and the church (Eph. 5). Had we not all this instruction, in what darkness and uncertainly as to these things should we be; and if men were hearkening to God, and seeking to learn of Him in reading and pondering His Holy Word, instead of expressing themselves with such temerity and mistaken zeal, the alleged inaccuracies would never have been heard of.
It does not say in the first chapter (Gen. 1) that Adam and Eve were made at the same time; nor does it say in the second chapter (Gen. 2) that man was formed before the animals. Each chapter is perfect after its kind. In the first, we have the consecutive account of God having made all in six days, and then rested. In the second chapter we have the moral order of Jehovah Elohim’s relationship with man; hence the statement that, man having been formed of the dust of the earth, God breathed into him “the breath of life, and man became a living soul;” his responsibility as to the trees, his dominion, and the blessing of an help-meet, have a more fitting place here than in the first chapter.
The oft-repeated and irreverent statement, that in writing the first two chapters of Genesis, Moses copied from two different “theories of creation” which contradict each other, is a mere fable, and carries with it its own refutation. A moment’s reflection is enough to convince any fair mind, that no one could give a true account of creation unless God had revealed it. Besides, as we have seen, the second chapter, in divine perfection, follows the first in giving us further information as to Adam and Eve, which could not properly be introduced into the first, which chiefly sets forth God’s creatorial ways. We do well to remember that Moses was commanded to write, that he often gave his authority with, “Jehovah said unto Moses,” that he abode in the mount with God forty days and forty nights at a time, and is spoken of as “faithful in all His house as a servant.” Moreover we ask, Where in Scripture is there a shred of authority for such charges against the book of Genesis?
No human being, however much spiritually instructed, pretends to understand all Scripture, or to be able to clear up all the difficulties that may be presented. On the contrary, even the most gifted Apostle, when contemplating God in His dispensational actings, says, in a worshipping spirit, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:3333O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)). For any of us to suppose, that we can comprehend all the mysteries of divine truth, would only be the clearest proof of our ignorance. “If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Cor. 8:22And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. (1 Corinthians 8:2)). If apostles were wont to say, “We know in part,” how small must be the measure of any of us now! It is not by argument we advance spiritually; but humble souls God will bless. We have never yet known a child of God, who has quietly waited on God for the teaching of the Spirit as to difficulties in Scripture, but could say that some things which seemed to be inexplicable, have not only been cleared up, but have brought blessing to his soul. Jeremiah felt the need of this in his day. He said, “Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud; for Jehovah hath spoken;” for it was as true then as it is now, that, “the proud He knoweth afar off.” Logic is not faith. Happy are they who bow before God, and say, “Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Happy are those who are obedient to His word.
(Continued and to be continued)