Garden of Eden

Published on March 2017 | Categories: Documents | Downloads: 39 | Comments: 0 | Views: 222
of 5
Download PDF   Embed   Report

Comments

Content

Garden of Eden

1. Location. It is impossible to locate the Garden of Delights. Even if the ravages of time
left a dim outline of its glories for a few centuries, everything would have been blotted out by the flood. The thoughtful student will readily conclude that it covered a large territory. Its products were varies, and were those peculiar to every zone ( Genesis 2:8 Genesis 2:9 ). The portion of the garden over which Adam and Eve roamed in sinless bliss was doubtless in a tropical climate, for they lived there without clothing ( Genesis 1:25 ), and the fig tree grew in primitive luxuriance ( Genesis 3:7 ). 2. Inhabitants. It appears that Adam was the first and lonely inhabitant of Eden. He was required to dress and keep it. To him the law involving life and death were given. All the inhabitants of earth and air passed before him, and he named them all; but for him there was not found a suitable companion, and to meet this want, the woman was created and placed in the garden with him ( Genesis 2:8-23 ). 3. Law of Marriage. When the woman was presented to the man, the Lord declared, in view of the fact that she was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, a man should leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they should be one flesh ( Genesis 2:21-24 ). This law has never been repealed ( Matthew 19:1-9 ). Encampment at Sinai

1. Date. Taking the hints that have already been dropped, it is easy to determine the
date of the beginning of the encampment at the mount of God: a. It was (130 + 105 + 90 + 70 + 65 + 162 + 65 + 187 + 182 = 1056) one thousand and fifty-six years from the creation of Adam to the birth of Noah ( Genesis 5:3-29 ). b. It was (500 + 102 = 602) six hundred and two years from the birth of Noah to the birth of Arphaxad ( Genesis 5:32 ; Genesis 7:6 ; Genesis 11:10 ). c. It was (35 + 30 + 34 + 30 + 32 + 30 + 29 = 220) two hundred and twenty years from the birth of Arphaxad to the birth of Terah ( Genesis 11:12-24 ). d. It was (130) one hundred and thirty years from the birth of Terah to the birth of Abram ( Genesis 11:26 Genesis 11:32 ; Genesis 12:1-4 ; Acts 7:1-4 ). e. It was (100) one hundred years from the birth of Abram to the birth of Isaac ( Genesis 21:5 ). f. It was (60) sixty years from the birth of Isaac to the birth of Jacob ( Genesis 25:26 ). g. It was (91) ninety-one years from the birth of Jacob to the birth of Joseph ( Genesis 41:46 Genesis 41:53 Genesis 41:54 ; Genesis 45:4-6 ; Genesis 47:1-9 ). h. It was (110) one hundred and ten years from the birth of Joseph to his death ( Genesis 50:26 ). i. It was (64) sixty-four years from the death of Joseph to the birth of Moses ( Genesis 12:1-4 ; Genesis 21:5 ; Genesis 25:26 ; Genesis 41:46 Genesis 41:53 Genesis 41:54 ; Genesis 45:4-6 ; Genesis 47:9 ; Genesis 50:26 ; Exodus 7:7 ; Exodus 12:40 Exodus 12:41 ; Galatians 3:17 ). j. It was (80) eighty years from the birth of Moses to the exodus ( Exodus 2:110 ; Exodus 7:7 ; Exodus 12:36-41 ). k. It was (48) forty-eight days from the exodus to the encampment at Mount Sinai ( Exodus 12:37-41 ; Exodus 16:1 ; Exodus 19:1 ; Numbers 33:3 ).

(1056 + 602 + 220 + 130 + 100 + 60 + 91 + 110 + 64 + 80 + 48 days = 2513 years and 48 days). It was therefore two thousand five hundred thirteen years and forty-eight days from the creation of Adam to the encampment at Mount Sinai.

2. Maturity of Gods Purpose'. At Mount Sinai, God's purpose began to take definite
form. Moses went into the mountain, learned the will of God, returned and informed the people that the Lord had declared if they would obey his voice indeed and keep his covenant, they should be a peculiar treasure to Him, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation; and the people answered with one voice, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do" ( Exodus 19:1-8 ). Owing to the frailty of the human race it took twentyfive centuries to bring revelation up to this point of perfection. Keep in mind that the purpose of revelation is primarily to reveal God to man, and to make man understand his necessities. The only way to account for the long delay, therefore, is on the ground of man's weakness and want of interest brought about by sin. God's purpose had gradually been unfolded from the time of transgression. In passing sentence upon the serpent, He intimated his purpose to bruise the head of the serpent by the seed of the woman ( Genesis 3:14 Genesis 3:15 ). Take this sentence apart from its connection and how deep, how dark, how impenetrable it appears, and yet for two thousand years it was the only anchor of the drifting souls of the sons of men! However, taking it in connection with the thought of God's purpose, we can see the light where millions found only inexplicable mystery. Note, a. the seed of the serpent are evildoers ( Matthew 3:7 ; Matthew 12:34 ); b. the seed of the woman is Christ ( Isaiah 7:14 ; Galatians 4:4 ); c. bruising the head of the serpent refers to the triumphs of Christ and his people ( John 16:11 ; Romans 16:20 ; Hebrews 2:14 ; 1 John 3:8 ); d. bruising the heel of the seed of the woman refers to the brief triumph of Satan, sin and death ( Romans 1:4 ; Revelation 1:17 Revelation 1:18 ). The first promise of the Redeemer was made to Abram ( Genesis 12:1-3 Acts 3:25 Acts 3:26 ; Galatians 3:8 Galatians 3:16 ). This confined the development of God's purpose to an individual. God also promised to make of Abraham a great nation, and in order to do this He promise him a son by his wife Sarah, and an innumerable posterity ( Genesis 15:1-13 ). In order to the maintenance and perpetuity of this nation He promised Abraham a country, set its bounds ( Genesis 15:18-21 ), and gave him circumcision as the national mark of distinction ( Genesis 17:1-14 ). From Abraham forward therefore, these people became the repositories of the oracles of God ( Romans 3:1 Romans 3:2 ). The promises were renewed to Abraham on Mount Moriah ( Genesis 22:1-18 ), to Isaac at Gerar ( Genesis 26:1-6 ), to Jacob at Bethel ( Genesis 28:10-19 ; Lord spoke to Jacob at Beersheba ( Genesis 46:1-4 ), but at Mount Sinai He spoke to the whole nation ( Exodus 19:1-25 ; Exodus 20:1-22 ).

3. Educating the Nation. The education of the Hebrews began when Abraham became
a wanderer from his father's house ( Genesis 11:31 ; Genesis 12:1-4 Genesis 14:13 ). It was carried on in the school of adversity in the land of Egypt ( Genesis 15:8-16 ; Exodus 1:1-22 ), and it was consummated at Mount Sinai when the Lord spoke in the hearing of all the people ( Deuteronomy 5:1-22 ). 4. Earlier History Clarified. Viewed in the light of the revelations at Mount Sinai, many things in the previous history of the human race became much clearer. The brevity of the biography of many individuals is clearly accounted for in the fact that the

individuals themselves were secondary considerations. Seth, Enos, Noah, Shem, Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses were made prominent largely because of God's purpose concerning the human race. On this account Ishmael and Esau occupied subordinate places ( Genesis 16:1-15 ; Genesis 21:1-12 Genesis 27:1-29 ; Romans 9:7-13 ). On to Sinai

1. Song of Triumph. Immediately after the hosts of Israel had passed over the sea and
their safety had been assured by the destruction of their enemies, they celebrated the great event by a song of triumph ( Exodus 15:1-19 ). When we reflect that the population of Israel at this time was probably equal to the combined populations of New York and Brooklyn and that the encampment extended over a territory of several miles in circumference, and when we think of the long night of bondage through which they had passed, and when we listen to the waves of the sea as they sing the requiem of their foes, wave answering to wave, until God's vengeance is satisfied, we may well conclude that no grander burst of song ever reverberated through the hills of time or arose to the gates of Heaven! Marah. The waters were bitter at Marah. They were sweetened by the command of the Lord, and the assurance was given that the Lord would care for and protect the obedient ( Exodus 15:23-26 ). Elim. At this encampment the hosts of Israel drank of the twelve refreshing wells, and rested under the cooling shade of the trees ( Exodus 15:27 ). In the Wilderness of Sin. They arrived at Sin on the fifteenth day of the second month, which was exactly one month after their departure from Egypt ( Exodus 12:137 ; Exodus 16:1 ; Numbers 33:3 ). During this encampment, a. they murmured against Moses and Aaron ( Exodus 16:2 ), b. manna and quails were given to prove their faith ( Exodus 16:3-15 ), c. a Sabbath was kept, and it was attested by the Lord in giving a double portion of manna on the sixth day, withholding it on the seventh, and preserving the supply kept for that day ( Exodus 16:16-30 ), d. a pot of manna was filled for future generations ( Exodus 16:32-35 ). Rephidim. At this encampment, a. the people complained at Moses because of the scarcity of water; b. at the Lord's command, Moses smote the rock and the water gushed out, and the place was called "Massah" and "Meribah," because the children of Israel tempted the Lord and asked if He were among them or not; c. they fought their first battle and Joshua distinguished himself as leader; d. and Moses set up the memorial altar, and recorded the threat of destruction against the Amalekites ( Exodus 17:1-16 ). Jethro. The account of the visit of Jethro is doubtless out of its order. The fact is, the exact time cannot be determined. When Moses departed from Egypt he took his wife and sons with him ( Exodus 4:19 Exodus 4:20 ). At some point on the journey he sent them back. This probably occurred after the exciting episode at the inn ( Exodus 4:24-26 ). During the encampment at Sinai, Jethro brought the family of Moses into the camp ( Exodus 18:1-6 ). Jethro was a priest or prince, and as he was a descendant of Abraham ( Genesis 25:1 Genesis 25:2 ; Exodus 2:15-21 ), he was in all probability a worshipper of God. Indeed, he plainly showed this in his conduct at Mount Sinai ( Exodus 18:1-13 )> He found Moses engaged in the immense undertaking of judging the people ( Exodus 18:13-17 ). At his suggestion Moses

2. 3. 4.

5.

6.

inaugurated a system that for wisdom and practicality cannot be improved. It consisted of wise men who were to be, a. rulers over tens, b. rulers over fifties, c. rulers over hundreds, d. rulers over thousands, e. and Moses to be the final court of appeal. After leaving the impress of his mighty character upon the government of Israel, Jethro departed to his own country ( Exodus 13:17-27 ). Events of the Encampment The important events at the encampment at Mount Sinai were:

1. The people entered into a covenant with the Lord ( Exodus 19:1-8 ). 2. The people and priests were sanctified ( Exodus 19:9-25 ). 3. The ten commandments were proclaimed ( Exodus 19:1-25 ; Exodus 20:1-17 ;
Deuteronomy 5:1-22 ). 4. The people were greatly frightened by the voice of the Lord and requested Moses to speak to them ( Exodus 20:18-21 ). 5. Moses, accompanied part of the way by Joshua and others, retired into the mountain, where he spent forty days and nights with the Lord ( Exodus 24:1 Exodus 24:2 Exodus 24:9-18 ). 6. Moses received the pattern for the Tabernacle ( Exodus 25:1-40 ). 7. Moses was commanded to set Aaron and his sons apart for the priestly office ( Exodus 28:1 ). 8. Bezaleel and Aholiab were called upon to take the lead in the construction of the house of the Lord ( Exodus 31:1-6 ). 9. The Lord gave Moses two tables of stone with the ten commandments written upon them ( Exodus 31:18 ). 10. The people, led by Aaron, fell into idolatry ( Exodus 32:1-6 ). 11. Moses pleaded in their behalf but broke the tables of stone as he descended from the mountain ( Exodus 32:7-24 ). 12. The Levites showed their devotion to the cause of the Lord ( Exodus 32:25-35 ). 13. Moses had a glimpse of the glory of God ( Exodus 33:12-23 ). 14. The tables of stone were renewed ( Exodus 34:1-28 ). 15. Moses returned from the mountain, erected an altar and sacrifices were offered upon it ( Exodus 24:3-5 ; Exodus 35:29-35 ). 16. The people again entered into a covenant with the Lord ( Exodus 24:7 Exodus 24:8 ; Hebrews 9:18-21 ). 17. Moses called upon the people for a freewill offering of material for the construction of the Tabernacle ( Exodus 35:1-29 ). 18. The people gave with such liberality that it was necessary to restrain them ( Exodus 36:1-7 ). 19. The Tabernacle was set up ( Exodus 40:1-38 ). 20. Aaron and his sons were consecrated and fire descended upon the brazen altar ( Leviticus 8:1-36 ; Leviticus 9:1-24 ). 21. Nadab and Abihu were slain for desecrating the worship of God ( Leviticus 10:1 Leviticus 10:2 ). 22. The Levites were consecrated ( Numbers 8:1-26 ).

23. The second Passover was observed ( Numbers 9:1-15 ). 24. The order of the encampment was regulated ( Numbers 2:1-34 ). 25. The princes made their offerings ( Numbers 7:1-9 ). 26. The people were numbered ( Numbers 1:1-46 ).

Sponsor Documents

Or use your account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Forgot your password?

Or register your new account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link to create a new password.

Back to log-in

Close