Written by Paul J Bucknell on February, 16, 2024
CCW05 Five Alternate Biblical Themes for Genesis 2:15-17 (3-5)
Section 1 introduced the Covenant of Works, while Section 2 presented evidence against the Covenant of Works. This last part of Section 3 explores alternative biblical themes that provide deeper insights into Genesis 1-3, especially 2:15-17. These models better highlight the dangers and benefits of theological frameworks.
A Critique of the Covenant of Works (Part 5/5)
A theological and biblical analysis of the Covenant of Works and Genesis 2:16-17
The Covenant of Works imposes an incorrect theological framework on Genesis, hampering an open exploration of the passage’s rich meaning. While the idea of covenantal continuity is correct, it only starts after the presence of sin, not before.
Other biblical themes are preferable because they relate the passage to a Bible theme. Biblical themes unfold a theological viewpoint throughout the Scriptures. These themes enhance our interpretation of the Bible by identifying how each verse fits into the grand redemptive scheme. These beginnings are not fully developed in Genesis but are powerful seeds bringing rich hope, finding their ultimate fulfillment in eternity’s new Garden.
I suggest the last three of five overarching themes in the Old and New Testaments to help provide a cohesive framework for understanding Genesis 2:15-17.
3) The Servant and Obedience
The father-son image is first derived from God’s creation of Adam in His image. The Master—servant image, too, is consistently presented throughout the Bible. Each metaphor allows us to gain more insight into God’s unique treatment of human beings. Being God’s slave does not minimize His care but heightens our respect for God’s authority and will over our lives.
We could ignore this motif, but it is strongly presented in the Bible. It’s rooted in God’s substantive relationship with His people. The words servant and slave are not first introduced with positive pictures (Gen 9:25-27; 39:17,19). Perhaps they are first used positively with Abraham when referring to “My servant” or later as the honored “the servant of the Lord” (Josh 1:1,13).
“The Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.”” (Gen 26:24)
The apostles described themselves as bond-servants of the Lord probably because they could not place themselves above their Master, the Lord Jesus, who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant” (Phil 2:7).
We agree that the word servant is not mentioned in the early chapters of Genesis, but the theme popularizes itself as progressive revelation continues. Revelation 22:3 interestingly points to this redeemed and glorified status as a slave. The curse is removed, yet this aspect of faithful service, first seen in Genesis 1-3, remains constant through eternity as we reign with Him (Rev 22:5).
“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him” (Rev 22:3).
Servitude involves submission to a master with an emphasis on faith and work.
4) Description of Works and Faith
Genesis chapters 1-3 provide much insight into God’s relationship with Adam. God’s instructions and Adam’s expected obedience are presented upfront. Belief and trust lay hidden behind the scenes. To obey, one must first know and trust the one giving the words. Let’s look at the sequence:
God commands > Adam hears > Adam believes > Adam obeys > Adam is blessed
While faith is not explicitly spoken of in Genesis 2, God anticipates it. God’s words prompt Adam’s actions. God created a beautiful paradise where all their needs were met to instill trust in them. Adam and Eve had no reason to doubt God’s good purposes.
In Genesis 3, the serpent’s devious temptation of Eve exploited this trust, striking at her undergirding belief in God’s goodness. Eve knew God’s Word; she stated it, though slightly distorted. But the crafty serpent insinuated God could not be trusted. His first cunning statement was, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” (Gen 3:1).
Obedience rests on knowledge, in this case, of God’s command. Trust in God’s words makes a person agreeable to His instructions and willing to obey. By causing Eve to question God’s trustworthiness, the serpent led her heart away from trust and obedience to God’s Word. Ultimately, this led her to disobey God, believe Satan, and eat the forbidden fruit, bringing catastrophic consequences. Although Satan was incriminated in this cosmic-sized treacherous act, Adam and Eve sinned because they questioned or chose not to believe God’s words and disobeyed Him. We see these two patterns exemplified early in the Bible.
- •Listen to God > Believe God > Obey God > Blessed by God
Satan perverted this proper response.
- •Listen to God > Believe God > Hear serpent > Disbelieve God > Believe serpent > Obey serpent > Cursed
Faith plays a crucial part in obedience. It runs in the background like a perfect water system, enabling us to have water when needed. We ignore the hidden engineering and piping until the water doesn’t flow from the tap. Satan tinkered with the hidden valve of faith.
Adam and Eve had faith in God from the beginning. They learned God’s will as He revealed His words. They believed God and obeyed Him. They enjoyed their obedience and were able to eat whatever they desired. Trust and faith are closely connected to obedience, both in the Garden of Eden and today.
This helps us understand the consistency of God’s dealings with mankind. It also explains why God prized the faith found in Noah, Abram, and other saints mentioned in Hebrews 11. Instead of viewing Genesis 1-3 as a period of works, we see it as a time when God built trust and delight. We should ask ourselves, “Why did they disobey God?” This discussion on faith continues throughout the Old Testament and is renewed in the New Covenant. Faith always precedes obedience and salvation. God’s Word plays a crucial role in instilling faith in our souls.
“You have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Pet 1:23).
The Gospel returns us to the original pattern.
- •Listen to God > Believe God > Spiritual new life > Obey God > Blessed by God
Paul does not teach that we can gain salvation through our works, but rather that we rely on His grace through faith, which brings us the righteousness we need.
“Not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith” (Phil 3:9).
The emphasis on renewing our minds helps us understand the importance of resisting Satan’s age-old temptation to foster doubt in God’s Word. Doubt interferes with our thinking process and leads to disobedience. Renewing our minds helps us reject any doubts that come our way.
5) The Marriage Covenant
Let’s take a different perspective of God’s design for man in the garden, a marriage covenant. It seems quite possible that God had more in mind when describing Adam and Eve’s intimate and rewarding relationship in Genesis 2. The Lord intimated what kind of relationship He desired to have with mankind.
- God made man in His own image. They could intimately relate to each other (until spiritual death entered the scene). God pointed out this need for relational intimacy by bringing the animals before Adam to name them.
- God brought the beautifully prepared Eve to Adam for an ongoing, rewarding relationship. We can only expect that God wanted Adam and Eve to be thoroughly delighted in each other and God, who provided so gloriously for them. Eve was not to distract from Adam’s affection for God but to heighten his trust and worship.
- God would create many glorious works through His relationship with His people. Though now marred by man’s waywardness, this vital motif is restated in the New Testament. God finds a bride for His only Son, Jesus Christ, in the church, the bride of Christ (i.e., God’s people). Their heightened, delightful worship would proceed through eternity. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready” (Rev 19:7).
Summary
The Covenant of Works from Genesis 2 has many weaknesses and lacks support. Its interpretation arises from the desire to provide continuity for tracing the covenants over time. While the idea of covenantal continuity is correct, it only starts after the presence of sin, not before.
Its teaching improperly shapes the passage’s meaning and forces our minds to engage in needless debate. Systematic theology must guard itself against projecting its understanding onto particular verses and instead help unfold a verse’s meaning and place in Scripture.
The other themes suggested enhance the interpretation of Genesis 2:15-17 by identifying its part in God’s grand redemptive scheme.
Here’s a brief review of these five themes.
1) God’s goodness and mercy
God demonstrates His goodness from Genesis 1 onwards. God is good! His goodness should lead to faith and obedience. But because of the enormity of God’s grace, even when people reject and doubt God’s goodness, the Lord reveals a more profound side of His goodness—His mercy. His patience is seen from Genesis 3 onwards, where sin opens a new arena for God’s mercy. God’s abounding mercy is most evidenced when He sacrifices His only Son, Jesus Christ, for His people, though it will be celebrated forever.
2) God’s Fatherhood
God’s creative action brought man into existence and placed him in a unique position to know and experience His Fatherly care in early Genesis. Being made in God’s image, God subtly introduces this father-son relationship. God’s heart of fatherhood is best seen by providing the best for His children (Genesis 2) yet patiently working with them when they blunder (Genesis 3 onwards). Our Heavenly Father shows the extent of His care by sending His Son so that we could become His adopted children, once again restoring His holy nature in His people, sharing the “riches of His grace which He lavished on us” (Eph 1:7- 8), and calling us to live in the image of Christ.
3) The Servant and Obedience (Gen 1-3)
Obedience is crucial. God originated a spectacular proving ground. Man failed, yet God’s perfect Son, Jesus, demonstrates the Obedient Son and restores Adam by obediently sacrificing His life so that all who believe can become children of God and carry out God’s will.
4) Description of Works and Faith
God desires to overwhelm us with His goodness, but we must guard our hearts and minds lest the evil one tempts us to go astray. Man doubted God at a critical point, becoming vulnerable to Satan’s deception. God restores our faith by reconciling us with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit fosters further faith by which we can serve the Lord and do His good works (Titus 2:7).
5) The Marriage Covenant (Gen 2:17-25)
God initiated the most idyllic situation possible to woo man’s heart and faithfulness. God pursued our hearts despite how man broke his intimacy with God in the Edenic paradise. He made us His Son’s bride through faith in Christ. We will never cease discovering the degree of God’s love for His people.
1. A Brief Introduction to the Covenant of Works
2. Evidence Against the Covenant of Works (1-9) (10/10)
3. Five Alternate Biblical Themes for Genesis 2:15-17 (1-2) (3-5)
