Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024
Welcome to the fifth study in our series, where we continue exploring Biblical characters and their significance in understanding our relationship with Elohiym (God) and His Son, Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.
In this session, we will explore the first created couple, A’dam and Chuah (Eve), as foundational characters in the Hebrew Scriptures. Their story gives us deep insights into the purpose and responsibilities Yahuah intended for humanity. The lessons from their lives can still guide us in fulfilling the responsibilities set forth by Yahuah’s Word for all of us to follow.
There are many life lessons and guiding principles that we can glean from this first created couple which can help us understand our mission in life. Below are six that I believe to be the most critical, with scriptural references found in both books. So put on your Berean mindset and let’s get into it!
1. Reflecting Yahuah’s Image
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 1:26-27: “And Elohiym said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So Elohiym created man in His own image, in the image of Elohiym created He him; male and female created He them.”
The creation of A’dam and Chuah in the image of Elohiym teaches us that humanity’s primary purpose is to reflect Yahuah’s character and nature. We are called to live in a way that demonstrates His love, wisdom, and righteousness in all aspects of life. This reflection of His image is not only about physical resemblance but also about spiritual, moral, and relational attributes.
Cross References:
Tehilliym (Psalms) 8:4-6: “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet.”
This passage reflects the honor and responsibility Yahuah gave to humanity as His image-bearers, placing all of creation under mankind’s dominion.
Romiyim (Romans) 8:29: “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Here, the image of Yahuah is seen in Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, and believers are predestined to be conformed to this image, reflecting the righteousness and character of Yahuah.
Lesson: Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Brit Ha’dasha emphasize that humanity was created to reflect Yahuah’s image. The fall distorted that image, but through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, believers are renewed and conformed to the image of Yahuah once again. Reflecting Yahuah’s image is about bearing His character, righteousness, and glory in all aspects of life.
2. To Be Fruitful and Multiply
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 1:28: “And Elohiym blessed them, and Elohiym said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.”
A’dam and Chuah’s first commandment given to them was to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth with their descendants. This teaches us that Yahuah designed humanity to procreate and nurture life, ensuring that His creation flourishes. The command to multiply also includes raising children in the knowledge of Yahuah, contributing to both physical and spiritual growth.
Cross References:
Tehilliym (Psalms) 127:3-5: “Lo, children are an heritage of Yahuah: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”
Qolosiym (Colossians) 1:10: “That ye might walk worthy of Yahuah unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Elohiym.”
Lesson: The command to be fruitful and multiply begins with the physical aspect of multiplying life and filling the earth, but it extends to a spiritual dimension throughout scripture. In Psalms it says that the fruit of the womb is Yahuah’s reward. Wow! Yahuah’s reward!! It makes no distinction about the fruit so it is all fruit from the womb! In both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Brit Ha’dasha, the principle of fruitfulness includes raising offspring to fear Yahuah, making disciples of all nations, and increasing in spiritual maturity and good works. Both physical and spiritual fruitfulness are central to Yahuah’s design and purpose for humanity.
3. Stewardship of the Earth
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 2:15: “And Yahuah Elohiym took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”
A’dam and Chuah were entrusted with the care and stewardship of the earth. Yahuah intended for humanity to manage His creation responsibly, ensuring that the earth remains a place of beauty, productivity, and balance. This responsibility applies to our daily lives in how we care for the environment, the resources we use, and how we live in harmony with Yahuah’s creation.
Cross References:
Vayyiqra (Leviticus) 25:23-24: “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is Mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with Me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.”
1 Qorintiym (1 Corinthians) 4:1-2: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Mashiach, and stewards of the mysteries of Elohiym. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Lesson: The principle of stewardship of the earth is evident throughout scripture, both in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Brit Ha’dasha. Yahuah has given humanity the responsibility to care for, manage, and protect His creation. Stewardship involves not only using resources wisely but also ensuring that creation reflects Yahuah’s order and glory. This concept is reinforced with the reminder that we are not the ultimate owners but are entrusted with the earth as temporary stewards, accountable to Yahuah for our actions.
4. Obedience to Yahuah
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 2:16-17: “And Yahuah Elohiym commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Yahuah’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil highlights the importance of obedience. A’dam and Chuah’s choice to disobey Yahuah resulted in separation from Him, bringing sin and death into the world. This teaches us that obedience to Yahuah is foundational to maintaining our relationship with Him and fulfilling our purpose.
Cross References:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 28:1-2: “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Yahuah Elohayka, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that Yahuah Elohayka will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Yahuah Elohayka.”
1 Yahuchanan (1 John) 2:3-5: “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of Elohiym perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.”
Lesson: The theme of obedience to Yahuah is central throughout both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Brit Ha’dasha. Obedience is directly tied to love, blessings, and salvation, while disobedience leads to separation from Yahuah and negative consequences. Yahuah desires obedience more than religious traditions, rituals or sacrifices, and Yahusha Ha’Mashiach demonstrates and teaches the importance of living a life in full submission to Yahuah’s commands. Obedience remains a key expression of faithfulness and love toward Yahuah.
5. Consequences of Disobedience
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 3:6-7, 17-19:
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
17 And unto A’dam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
A’dam and Chuah’s disobedience led to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden and the introduction of pain, toil, and death into the human experience. Their actions illustrate the gravity of turning away from Yahuah’s commandments and the far-reaching effects of sin. The fall of A’dam and Chuah teaches us that our choices carry serious consequences, not only for ourselves but also for future generations. Sin disrupts the order Yahuah intended for creation, but through repentance and seeking Yahuah’s guidance, there is the promise of redemption, restoration and salvation.
Cross References:
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 28:15: “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Yahuah Elohayka, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Romiyim (Romans) 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Elohiym is eternal life through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach our Master.”
Lesson: The consequences of disobedience to Yahuah are serious and far-reaching, affecting not only the individual but often their family, community, and even future generations. The Hebrew Scriptures emphasize the immediate physical and spiritual consequences of disobedience (loss of blessings, separation from Yahuah, and physical death), while the Brit Ha’dasha focuses on eternal consequences, including spiritual death and separation from Yahuah’s presence. Despite these warnings, Yahuah offers restoration and eternal life through obedience to His Son, Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.
6. Promise of Redemption
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 3:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.
Yahuah promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head, foreshadowing Yahusha Ha’Mashiach’s victory over sin and Satan. Even in the midst of their failure, Yahuah revealed His plan for redemption through the coming of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach. This points to Yahuah’s mercy and the hope of restoration for all of humanity. No matter how far we fall, Yahuah’s plan of salvation is always available through His Son, Yahusha.
Cross References:
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 31:31-33: “Behold, the days come, saith Yahuah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Yashar’el, and with the house of Yahudah… I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohiym, and they shall be My people.”
1 Kepha (1 Peter) 1:18-19: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Mashiach, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Lesson: The promise of redemption is central throughout both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Brit Ha’dasha. In the Hebrew Scriptures, Yahuah promises a future redemption, starting from Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 3:15, and continues to declare His redemptive plans through His prophets. The Brit Ha’dasha reveals the fulfillment of these promises through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, whose sacrifice offers forgiveness, deliverance, and eternal life to those who believe in Him.
Reflection:
A’dam and Chuah’s story is foundational for understanding our purpose and responsibilities. Yahuah created humanity to reflect His image, multiply and fill the earth, steward creation, and live in obedience to His commands. While their failure brought consequences, their story also reveals Yahuah’s plan for redemption and the hope we have in Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.
These lessons continue to apply to us today, as we seek to live out Yahuah’s original purpose and align our lives with His divine plan.