Adam

List of related Scriptures:

Genesis 1:26-29, 31

Genesis 2:7-9, 15-25

Genesis 3:1-12, 17-24

Genesis 4:1, 25-26

Genesis 5:1-5

Deuteronomy 32:8

1 Chronicles 1:1

Job 31:33

Matthew 19:4-6

Mark 10:6-9

Luke 3:38

Romans 5:12-14

1 Corinthians 15:22, 45-50

1 Timothy 2:13, 14

Hebrews 1:3; 2:6-9

James 3:9

Jude 14

 

Outline

-Created on day six

            -Name means “Red Earth” (Fausset’s Bible Dictionary) Easton’s Bible Dictionary says it is a Babylonian word

            -Name kin to Edom

            -Also the generic name for mankind--makes sense

-The first human in the world (Deuteronomy 32:8)

-placed in the garden to tend and keep it (Genesis 2:15)

-God told him not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:16-17)

-Named the animals--ancient naming took into account how the animal functioned, its habits and character as part of the description of it. These names were carried into new languages after the flood in different ways--So Adam not only named them, but named them according to those attributes, which means he had insight into the nature of the animals. (Genesis 2:19-20)

-saw need for a mate (Genesis 2:20)

-God created woman and marriage was created (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9)

-Adam watched as Eve ate the forbidden fruit and ate it himself (Genesis 3:1-6)

-They had the first taste of sin (Genesis 3:7)

-He tried to hide from God (Genesis 3:8; Job 31:33)

-God confronted them and drove them from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:9-24)

-Had children (Cain, Abel, Seth--likely many more)

-Lived to an old age (930 years--Genesis 5:5)

A few questions to consider:

1. Given that he had no background, was he a mature adult? It seems reasonable that God created him mentally and emotionally mature.

2. What was he like, as far as we can tell?

            -created to tend the Garden--or could do it after created

            -he was creative--came up with names for the animals--sign of intelligence (look at couples trying to name a baby and you’ll see the complexity!)

            -possibly vegetarian, along with all animals at the time

            -much like us in character--succumbed to sin, allowed Eve to take the bait to see if she would die

            -innocent until then--meaning behind the point made that they were naked and did not know it

            -free moral agent

            -direct fellowship with God--God came in the cool of the day, evidently in some human form to relate to Adam

3. What lessons does the Bible give us concerning him?

            -Marriage: Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9

-quality of man before sin: Genesis 1:26, 31; 2:17--note, knowledge at the time only of good;  Hebrews 1:3; 2:6-9; James 3:9; (Ezekiel 28:15--related to the King of Tyre)

            -roles of men and women: 1 Timothy 2:13-14

            -relationship of death and life to mankind: Romans 5:14, 17--speaking of revealed laws of God; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45-50

            -character of Adam: Genesis 3:12, 17; Job 31:33; 1 Timothy 2:13-14

 

Application:

1. How do we see ourselves acting as Adam acted?

2. Do we try to hide sin?

3. Why do you suppose he watched while Eve ate the forbidden fruit? Why is it easier to sin if we know others have done the same thing?

4. What lessons can we learn about consequences for our actions?

            -Do you suppose Adam had any thought to what would happen to future generations?

            -Do you suppose he had any thought as to how God would respond when He found out?

            -What is different in Adam’s sin and Eve’s sin?

            -Why do the Scriptures say it was ADAM who brought sin and death into the world and not Eve? (See Romans 5:12)