1.) The Preparation of the Earth (Genesis 2:4)

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven. (Genesis 2:4).

Genesis 2:4 initiates the first of a series of ten basic genealogical units unifying Genesis. Wby a common introduction. Most of them are marked by the words, “These are the records of ….” The NASB version is confusing because it does not, like the NIV, consistently use the same translation of the same Hebrew word (toledot). What an amazing book organization for that time period it was written.

This verse shows how both creation as a whole is generated from God as well as mankind. Man is dependent upon God because he is part of creation, just as a child is dependent upon his parents. These ten Genesis sections provide a continuum of life and purpose. Each depends on the previous one. This particular section establishes man’s dependence upon God as stated in Genesis 1:26.

The ‘heavens and earth’ refers to man’s largest framework in which he lives. Today, in the western world, we call this the universe. One can debate this interpretation and instead claim the heavens to mean merely the atmosphere, but this would limit its meaning. The earth and heaven used later in the verse show that these concepts, the universe and atmosphere, merge together for the author and mean all that visibly exists.

The use of the word ‘day’ here is interesting. It seems to mean a period of time rather than a literal 24 hours. Though perhaps, if the account started on the first day, then it could refer to the first literal day. The Hebrew word ‘day’ (yom) can mean a period of time perhaps like here, but it is always used with a limited perspective. The usage is important to some because they derive their argument for a literal six day creation from the word itself.

I gain this sense from the numbering of days and the reference to ‘morning and evening’ in its context rather than to press the word to exclusively mean to always mean a 24 hour period of time. Most important is the foundational statement that God has made earth and heaven. He has made all things. This observation is important though often overlooked. Everything owes its existence to God.

Nature has been made by God for His own purposes. This is later shown in the scriptures in the way God blesses through good weather or causes storms to bring correction or judgment such as in Noah or Jonah’s case. The use of ‘mother nature’ to describe nature as an entity of itself is likewise in complete contrast to what this verse says.

Man has been made by God for His own purposes. Man is not a ruler to himself. He should not make laws without reference to God. He dare not do anything without first observing what God wants. His roots are in God Himself.

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" (Genesis 1:26, NASB).

This is will be later reinforced in Genesis 5 and Luke's genealogy where we see Adam is named as the son of God. The Chinese character for ancestor also suggests this. Man has his origins from God. Man was made in God’s image (like God).

God	Also, besides		Ancestor
Man was made in God's image (like God).

Life, motion	Ground, Dust	Person		First
Man was made a living soul from the ground.
Adam then is the first ANCESTOR, made from the ground into a living soul in God's image.
Modern Chinese word for ancestor.

2.) The Preparation of the Habitat (Genesis 2:5-6)

The Lord provides a few of the details general habitat. God was getting everything ready. The garden, however, was not 'planted' until verse 8.

Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth; and there was no man to cultivate the ground. But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. (Genesis 2:5-6).

Genesis 2:5 mention two things that were not yet, even though they were already prepared for.
     1) No shrubs (inedible fruit) on earth yet.
     2) No plants (grains) have yet sprouted.

This seems contradictory to what we see in everyday life so the Lord tells us two good reasons for it!
    1) The Lord had not yet sent rain.
    2) There was no man (literally 'Adam') to cultivate the ground.

Seeds provided for the decorative (fruitless) bushes and grain, but were held back from growing. Some suggest that this is perhaps a precursor to the fall. If man fell from grace, then these plants would be needed. For example, because of sin, man would need more substantial grains, but he would have to work hard for it. The male has the strength to care for the fields. “There was no man to cultivate the ground.”

Field	Strength		Male
The male has the strength to care for the fields. "There was no man to cultivate the ground."

Verse 2:6 serves as a pause to allow his readers to catch up with what is being said. The readers of Genesis were familiar with rain. In order not to confuse the readers, the Lord told us how at that time a mist used to rise from the earth and water the ground. Mist, not rain, was used by God to water the ground.

Some conclude from this that there was no separation in the cloud cover as of yet. One solid cloud mass protected man and earth and allowed mankind and beasts to live longer as they were better shielded from the sun’s dangerous rays. This would change with the flood. From after the flood we see the ages of man suddenly decline.

Summary

This is the world God brought into being for man. He readied everything for him. God has a purpose for all of this. Before introducing the game, He introduced the pieces. But now He will more detailed introduce man and how Yahweh made man. This will help us understand how mankind is to relate to God and how he functions. If we are going to find the meaning of life for man, we need to understand more about him. This is where the following passages play an important part in the process.