And Adam knew his wife, again, Genesis 4

Genesis 4:1a

Now Adam knew Eve his wife…

Knew, is a polite way of referring to marital intimacy.  

So, in a perfect world, Genesis 4:1 would follow the last verse of chapter two. It would sound something like this.

 They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. And Adam knew Eve, and she conceived, and bore lots of children, and they all lived happily ever after.  Genesis 2:25, 4:1.

But, this isn’t a perfect world because a snake slithered between the perfect marriage, in the perfect paradise, in Genesis three.

So, now, instead of our first family looking like, Father Knows Best, it looks like the Adam’s (dysfunctional) Family. 

Adam knew his wife and she conceived…

Finally, the manifestation of God’s first command to man. Be fruitful and multiply. Genesis 1:28. 

We don’t know if this is the consummation, the first time; but it is the first time mentioned. That is no accident.

The timing is interesting. 

After giving her a name (Genesis 3:20), she gave him a child.

After paying attention to her–he knew her. 

After he got to know her–then, he got to know her.

Look closer.

After leaving home, to make a home of their own, she conceived. (At the end of chapter three, God gave them a new wardrobe, and an eviction notice.)                                      

This pattern and principle was prophesied in the pre-fall picture perfect paradise of chapter two.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.  Genesis 2:24. 

Man shall leave and cleave to his wife.

After leaving and cleaving, she received and conceived, and conceived again, and again… The mother of all living. The definition of Eve; living. 

The die is cast.

The very first son, good or bad, for better or worse, follows the pattern. After leaving home, Cain knew his wife and she conceived, Genesis 4:16-17.

The foundation is laid. 

Man shall leave and cleave to his wife.

This principle projects all the way to Jesus. He mentions it when questioned about marriage (divorce). Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7-8.  And then He adds: What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

The leaving and cleaving principle is also quoted in a teaching about marriage in Ephesians 5:31.

Here in Genesis, the seed is planted, we see the first sprout, but in Ephesians we can see the whole tree. 

It’s worth turning there to look. 

The fruit is hanging in verse twenty-five:  

Husbands love your wives as Christ loves the Church and gave Himself for her. Ephesians 5:25. 

Have you ever noticed, when it comes to God’s love, there’s a common thread?

 

Selfless, giving. 

• Husbands love your wives as Christ loves the Church and gave Himself…

• For God so loved the world that He gave, His only…John 3:16.

What does God’s love look like? 

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 
8 Love never fails… 1 Cor. 13:4-8a. 

We’d do well to feed on those lines until we become them.

Notice the middle of verse five. Love does not seek its own. Selfless. Godly loving is not about what I can get, but about what I can give.

Now back to Ephesians five. 

The next two verses in Ephesians 5:26-27, reveal there’s a Divine Eternal Purpose for husbands to love like Christ. (It’s more than just staying out of the doghouse; more than happy-wife-happy-life). 

that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26-27.

It is to prepare the bride to meet her Savior; as a glorious bride without spot or wrinkle. 

Which fits the very definition of Adam’s original role to tend and keep the garden, a husbandman. 

A husband’s love is to give himself to preparing his wife and family so they are gloriously ready, without spot or wrinkle, to meet their Savior.

Now if you’re thinking, HA! That’s the biggest secret of all time, a great mystery. I’ve never seen anything like it. Never saw my dad, or husband, or any man live like that. 

Don’t get discouraged. You’re right. It is a mystery. But notice directly following our leave and cleave verse in Ephesians 5:31 the mystery is revealed. 

Ephesians 5:32.  

This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 

The love between a husband and wife, is really meant to be a picture and pattern of Christ and the Church. The Bride of Christ. 

Wives, don’t shoot your husband because he doesn’t measure up. 

Husbands, don’t beat yourself up, for not measuring up. 

This is not a prerequisite that must be acquired, but one to which you should aspire.

Okay, back to Genesis.

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived…

Do you think God had the talk about the birds and bees? 

Did Adam and Eve watch and wonder why her belly was getting so big? 

Was Adam thinking, she ate us out of house and home, now she’s eaten herself out of her new wardrobe. 

Was Eve saying, “I don’t know what they are, but I sure could go for some pickles and ice cream?” 

 …and bore Cain, and said, “ I have acquired a man from the Lord.”

Cain means, acquired. They were probably thinking, we’ve acquired the Seed that will crush the serpent and reverse the curse. 

They held their baby boy thinking they were raising up the deliverer, but actually, they were raising the very first murderer. 

Eve conceived again and gave birth to Abel. Genesis 4:2. The meaning Abel is uncertain, but said to mean, breath, or vanity (as in waste). 

Well, his life on earth was but a breath.

Cain killed him. 

Adam and Eve only thought they were raising the Seed, to deliver them, but they were actually just, raising Cain. As long as they were able. 

So far the batting average for the human race isn’t so great. 

God’s first two people broke the only rule on the planet. 

The very first kid  out of the box killed the second. 

You’d think Cain would’ve been the best of the best. His parents started out knowing no sin; they walked and talked with God. Cain’s Grandpa was, God. 

But no. Even that seemingly picture perfect family blew it. 

 The die is cast. Our family tree is cracked. Dysfunctional at best.

You’d think God would squash the whole pile of clay and start over. 

But He doesn’t. God’s not a quitter, and God’s not done. With that family, or yours. 

Don't quit. No matter how bad your situation, no matter how dysfunctional; hold on. God’s not done. This is no fairytale, but there is a happy ending.

Leap frog to the end of chapter four.

And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.

And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:25-26.

No one would've blamed them if they did; but Adam and Eve didn't give up. They planted another seed.

And revival was born. Men began to call on the name of the Lord. This was the first revival.

Seth was born.

The seed from which the Seed will come. 

The Seed who crushes the serpent’s head under a stone rolled from a tomb.

The Seed who’s coming soon.

The Seed who makes all things new.

The Seed who’s knocking, waiting, watching to see if you will choose to be among the seed that calls on the name of the LORD.

The Seed who’ll one day, mournfully, say, to those who won’t answer, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” Matthew 7:21-23.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the courage to keep going, to plant one more seed. Give us a God’s eye view, an eternal perspective, so we can faithfully endure the dysfunction of today; for the joy of our Divine Destiny tomorrow.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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And Adam knew his wife, again, Genesis 4

But Now I See, John 9

 

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12.

Jesus said those words and the religious leaders attacked to the point of picking up rocks to stone Him.

The Rock of Ages, passed right by them, only to pause when He passed by a man born blind. And then, He repeats what He said before the heated debate, and the attempted stoning. I am the light of the world. John 9:5.

His disciples hurled stones of their own, “Who sinned? This man or his parents, to cause Him to be born blind?”

The law of retribution was a school of thought back then. If something bad happens to you, it’s a direct result of sin. Even prenatal sin. Some thought, that the soul could sin in the womb. How? I don’t know? Kick mommy too hard?

You may think that’s really dumb. Don’t be too quick to judge.

Imagine standing at the hospital nursery window and eyeing the beautiful babies. The doc points to one in blue and says, “He was born blind”.  

Do you say, “Who sinned? The parents, or the baby?”

Of course not. That’s dumb. But fast forward two or three decades, and now that baby is a beggar on a street corner. Now, do you have a heart of gold, or a stone in your hand?

Jesus answered the disciples’ dumb question by telling them that neither this man nor his parents sinned.

We know this man, and his parents, sinned, for all have sinned…except One. Jesus.

Jesus meant that the baby wasn’t born blind because of their sin.

His Words are as True today as they were then. Some suffer from guilt and shame, thinking that the sickness or tragedy is punishment from God for some sin in their life.

God is not sending blindness, or cancer, or diabetes, or epilepsy, or disease, or deformity, or infirmity, to punish you for your sin.

That time will come.

Judgement day is coming, soon. Sin will be dealt with. Justice will be served. Not by a temporary infirmity, but by an eternal inferno.     

For now, today, Jesus is the Light of the world, calling all out of darkness, blindness, into His marvelous light; to be washed from sin, and avoid the eternal inferno.

Furthermore, He’d like to use you, to do it. As He was sent, He sends you, John 17:18. You are the light of the world, you are a shining city on a hill that can’t be hid, let your light so shine that others see and find their way to Him, Matthew 5:14-16.

Jesus spit. Then, with the spit in the dirt, He made mud. Imagine if your doctor, or preacher, did that.

It gets better.

He stuck the mud in the blind guy’s eyes. 

Then, He who was sent, sent the blind man to the pool of Siloam, which means sent.

The blind guy went.

He didn’t throw a fit, or get offended, even though it may have been irritating; he had to leave his money making beggars post. Perhaps it was embarrassing; he had to walk, blindly, with mud on his face. Certainly, it was challenging; depending on where they were by the temple, he had to walk, a quarter, or up to a half mile, to reach the pool of Siloam.

Jesus passes by while we’re still blind. In our beggar’s corner. He touches us. Tells us. What He says, and what He does, may be irritating; may embarrass us out of our comfort zone. Will certainly challenge us.

The blind guy simply obeyed.

Obedience brings understanding.

He went and washed and saw the Light.

He’s calling you to do the same. Not just to see, but to be.

As He was sent, He sends you. To shine. Like the moon. You and I have no light of our own. Neither does the moon; but it does a good job reflecting the light of the sun. We too, are called to do the same, but our light, is the Light of the Son.

But, I can’t you say. I’m not qualified. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know Bible stuff.

That’s okay. You can say right along with the blind guy (who is now the seeing guy):

This one thing I know…

Once I was blind but now, I see.

Once I was lost but now, I’m found.

Once I was bound but now, I’m free.

Once I was...

but now I am...

Nothing can ever take, that...

 

Let’s pray,

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for coming to us in our blindness. We want our eyes to be opened; even if it’s irritating or embarrassing or challenging, we invite You to do what’s needed. We will obey right away. And then, dear Lord, it’d be such an honor to shine Your Light, leading others, to You.

We love you, forever.

Amen.

Watch online: But Now I See, John 9

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I AM the Light of the World, John 8:12-59

There is no better wordsmith than Jesus.

With one small phrase He saves the woman’s life; they drop the stones and walk away. John 8:7-9.

Then He utters the now famous phrase:

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12.

As usual, His timing is powerful, and perfect, in more ways than one.

It was like the day after Christmas. The lights were being taken down—the huge menorahs that lit up the night for the week-long Feast of Tabernacles.

The parallel couldn’t be missed.

Their ancestors followed God through the wilderness in a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 13:21-22.

Now Jesus tells them to follow Him, for He is, the light of the world.

Furthermore, those first two words cannot be mistaken. I AM.

Those are the words God spoke from a burning bush over 1,400 years prior.

It went something like this:

Moses, go to Egypt and tell Pharoah, ‘Let My people go.’

Who should I say sent me?

Tell them, I AM, has sent you.  

Exodus 3.

Oh, and one more thing. Jesus is headed toward a man who walked in darkness from birth, (born blind) but is about to meet, and see, the Light of Life. John 9:5-7.

Unfortunately, before He gets to the man, religion gets in the way and causes a delay.

Jesus offers an invitation to Light. Religion screams, you didn’t do it right!

 

¹³ The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

They’re saying: You’re just tooting Your own horn.

It didn’t matter that His words were powerful, His timing perfect.

John 8:14-18.

¹⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. ¹⁶ And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. ¹⁷ It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. ¹⁸ I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

 His response reveals how He maintained His identity and stayed the course walking the straight and narrow.

1.     He didn’t need any endorsement from man.

2.     He never forgot where He was from.

3.     He never lost sight of where He was going.

4.     He didn’t judge, according to the flesh (His emotions).

5.     He knew He was not alone.

6.     He knew He was a witness.

 

We’d do well to do the same.

1.     You need no endorsement from man. Your value is endorsed by God, who says you’re worth the very life blood of My only begotten Son.

2.     Never forget where you’re from. No matter where you’re at, the top line of your family tree is God. Luke 3:38.

3.     Never forget where you’re going. In a minute you’ll be in one of two places. If you’re sure the destination is heaven, stay the course. If unsure, it’s time to get sure; for a minute clicks off quick, and then, it’ll be hell to pay.

4.     Judge not. There is only one Judge. Matthew 7:1, James 4:12.

5.     You’re never alone. God is with you, Deuteronomy 31:6. Furthermore, He still walks this planet in flesh and bone—through His Body, the Church. If you’re willing and obedient, He will place you in a family (Church; Ekklesia) where He will always meet with you.

6.     You are a witness. One way or another. Good or bad. Jesus desires that you let His Light so shine through you, that others see, and glorify Him. Matthew 5:16.

 

The debate continues through chapter eight to this very day.

Some believe in Him. All in—fully committed to Him. John 8:30.

Some believe Him. Intellectually acknowledge—no commitment. John 8:31. (like the devil; James 2:19).

Jesus stays the course and extends yet again another invitation:

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32.

He weaves those two powerful words, I AM, throughout the tapestry of His words, displaying an undeniable picture that He is God in the flesh, standing right before their very eyes. John 1:1, 14. John 8:24, 28, 58.

His words pierce like a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Driving some to repentance, others to rejection.

Chapter eight ends the way it began, with the religious folks picking up stones to kill; imitating their father, the devil. (John 8:40-41,44,10:10).

This time the rocks aren’t aimed at a woman exposed in her sin, but at Jesus, who exposed them for their sin.

But no worries, the Rock of Ages, walks right through them, because He has a Divine appointment to share the Light of Life, with a man born blind, with an old rugged cross, and with…you.  

Did Adam & Eve Die the Day They Ate the Forbidden Fruit?

And they both ate. And in that day, they surely died.

But you say, wait. That’s not in my Bible. They didn’t die.

Who told you they didn’t die?

Well, the next verse says their eyes were opened, they knew they were naked, they sewed fig leaves. So, obviously they didn’t die.

Okay, I see. By the circumstances of the following verse, you determine, they didn’t die.

You’re not alone. Many agree.

Some say they didn’t die that day but the dying process began, that day.

(NOTE: After Church I was given a link to an article that does a good job explaining this idea. You can read it by clicking here: Answers in Genesis).

Others make a powerful point, saying they didn’t die, that day, because God provided a substitute. Later, we’ll see how God provides a covering for their nakedness, their sin, by the shedding of blood. A foreshadow of the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

So, it’s accurate to say they didn’t drop over dead, physically, (like Ananias and Saphira. Acts 5:1-11. Another story for another time, about a couple in the beginning of the Church—that dropped over physically dead, the moment their deception was exposed).

With all that said; I still humbly submit to you that they died. That day. Just as God said.

We must believe every Word, that proceeds from the mouth of God, above our eyes, feelings, intellect, or circumstance.

I’ll never forget the moment The Lord spoke this message to me.

It was a lifetime ago; at a Prayer Conference in Mankato Minnesota. Several Churches were there. I was asked to minister, without saying a word; by way of, Mimestry. (Mime performed to music).  

The Champion, by Carmen, normally brought cheers from the crowd throughout the song, and then the climactic end always had them jumping from their seats in shouts and applause.

This time it was dead silence.

I couldn’t see them due to the stage lights.

“Well God, I guess they’re just not ready for this,” I thought, and prayed, while removing the mime makeup backstage.

The Words hit me immediately, almost audibly:

“YOU CANNOT JUDGE WHAT I AM DOING BY WHAT YOU SEE, OR HOW YOU FEEL.”

After the service, I was told they were awestruck. Speechless. They asked, “Who does your special effects?

Special Effects?

The Champion, plays out the battle between Jesus and satan, as if it were in a boxing arena. The choreography had me portray Jesus one moment, (strength, authority, joy), and then with a spin, portray the devil (anger, evil, hate).

Well, they said, precisely during the times satan was being portrayed, the darkened sanctuary was illuminated by flashes of lightning through the skylights. They thought I had special effect lighting installed on the roof before the meeting.

So, they asked, “Who did your special effects?”

All I could say was: “Jesus”.

 

Sometimes tunnel vision is the best vision. 

What did God say? 

Okay, that settles it. I don’t have to understand it, agree with it, see it, feel it…I simply need to believe Him. 

Obedience brings understanding. dougism 102.

What exactly did God say?

“but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:17.

 

The words, “surely die” in the original Hebrew are actually the same word used twice. The word is: muth. It means, death; to die; to surely be put to death.

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible. Where do we see die die, or death death, or the, second death?

Do you find it interesting that, second death is mentioned multiple times in the book of Revelation; it’s synonymous with the lake of fire. It is, death, in that it is, separation from God, who is Life. (Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 14-15, 21:8).

We could follow that Revelation trail a long way; but let’s stick close to our home in Genesis.

Okay Doug, I hear what you’re saying. But you’re splitting hairs; playing semantics. They died spiritually, but not physically. Okay I get it. Why are you belaboring the issue? Is it really that big of a deal?

Alright fine. Let’s wrap this up as succinctly as possible by addressing the question: Is it really that big of a deal?

Yes. It is. For two reasons:

1.     Knowing who you really are.

2.     Understanding the integrity of God’s Word.

Knowing who you really are.

You are created in the image of God. A triune being. You are a spirit, you have a soul, and live in a body. Your body is your earth-suit to walk this earth, your vehicle to drive this earth, your tent to camp on this earth.

When God said you shall surely die, He was talking about you, not your suit, your car, your tent.

Having the correct foundational understanding here, sets the trajectory for how you see yourself in the rest of the Bible.

God isn’t talking about your flesh, your body, your earth-suit, your car, your tent, so much as you, the eternal spirit He created in His image. He’s way, way, way, more interested in your spiritual wellbeing than minuscule, momentary, fleshly comfort.

Grasp this Truth, and eternity will come into view. Then, the trials and temptations of this earth-suit, car, tent, are minor, momentary, compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits you. Your appetite, your desire will be for knowing Him, His will, His presence. Taking care of your earth-suit, your car, your tent, will simply be a means for Him to flow through, so others can get to know Him.

Romans 13:14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Jesus shows us when tempted to turn stones to bread. His body was hungry at the end of a forty-day fast, but He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word, that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4.

Which brings us to the second key reason this is a big deal.

Understanding the integrity of God’s Word.

Jesus said life comes not from bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Every Word. Not just the ones we intellectually understand.

Every Word. Not just the ones we like, agree with, or make us feel good.

Every Word.

Having a firm grasp on the integrity of God’s Word is foundational and necessary to keep us from falling to deception, or cracking to the temptation to rewrite it to fit our desire.

Putting all of this together, I humbly submit, that when they sinned, they were immediately separated from the presence of God that once dwelt in them, radiated from them, clothed them from the inside out.

That separation is death.

And when God said:

In the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die (Gen. 2:17).

He did not mean:

In the day that you eat of it, you shall not surely die. (Gen. 3:4).

That is what the serpent said.

Who do you believe?

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 11:25

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 

John 14:6

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.