God’s Words to Adam

Text: Genesis 1-3

Adam was the first man, created by God. The first three chapters of Genesis record Adam’s beginning up until his fall. In these chapters, God made several statements directly to Adam. In this lesson, we will consider what God said to Adam and see what we can learn from these statements.

God’s Charge to Adam (Genesis 1:28-30)

  • Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28) – sexual relations should be had with the understanding that children can come from this union; therefore, sexual relations are necessarily for a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27-28) in marriage (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4)
  • Fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28) – related to childbearing; this would obviously not be completed in Adam’s day; all descended from Adam (Acts 17:26), but not in one generation; we must do what we can, no matter how insignificant our efforts may seem in the big picture (1 Corinthians 15:58)
  • Subdue it; and rule over…every living thing” (Genesis 1:28) – man holds the chief position in God’s creation (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:3-5); but man is still subject to God (cf. Genesis 2:16-17)
  • I have given…food for you” (Genesis 1:29) – God is the giver of all good things (James 1:17); this continues today (Genesis 8:22; Acts 14:17; Matthew 6:11)

God’s Command to Adam (Genesis 2:16-17)

  • From any tree of the garden you may eat freely” (Genesis 2:16) – God started with the permission (cf. Genesis 1:29); many focus on God’s restrictions (cf. Genesis 3:1); God gives us much liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 John 5:3)
  • But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:17) – God clearly stated His law; we can understand God’s commands (1 John 5:3; Ephesians 3:4); we must obey even when we have “good reason” to disobey (Hebrews 11:17-18)
  • In the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17) – God punishes sin (Colossians 3:5-6; Romans 1:18); when we sin we stand to be punished (Romans 6:23); this was spiritual death, not physical (Genesis 5:5; cf. Isaiah 59:2)

God’s Questions to Adam (Genesis 3:9-12)

  • Remember that when God asked these questions, He already knew the answers – He was not looking for information
  • Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) – God knows where we are (Proverbs 15:3; Psalm 139:7-12)
  • Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11) – God knows what we’re thinking (Hebrews 4:12-13)
  • Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” (Genesis 3:11) – God knows what we’ve done (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:16; Numbers 32:23)

God’s Condemnation of Adam (Genesis 3:17-19)

  • Because you have listened to the voice of your wife” (Genesis 3:17) – husbands are to be the head of the family (Ephesians 5:23; 1 Timothy 2:11-13) and provide spiritual direction (Ephesians 6:4; Joshua 24:15); he was not wrong to listen to his wife (1 Peter 3:7), but was wrong to listen to her over God (1 Corinthians 7:32-34; Galatians 1:10)
  • Cursed is the ground because of you” (Genesis 3:17-18) – sin has far-reaching consequences (Exodus 20:4-5; Isaiah 24:5)
  • By the sweat of your face you will eat bread” (Genesis 3:19) – work is necessary in order to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10); must be willing to work hard (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
  • You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19) – reminder of man’s creation (Genesis 2:7); also now of his temporary life on earth (James 4:14; Ecclesiastes 12:7)

Conclusion

  • After Adam was expelled from the Garden, no other record of God speaking to him
  • Sin brings condemnation – through Christ we have hope (Genesis 3:15; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
  • Spiritual death comes to us for our own sin (Romans 5:12; Ezekiel 18:20) – we must make sure we take advantage of the gift of salvation in Christ (Romans 6:23)