V1-3    The principle of separation is continued, with the seventh day being set apart. This reflects God’s character, and provides rest for man’s well-being.

            God rested, not because He was tired, but because His work of creation was completed. See Heb 10.11-12.

V4-6            Summary verses, introducing the detailed description of man’s creation. Water comes by a mist, rather than by rain. The first rain comes later at the time of Noah.

            The description here of man’s creation all happens on day 6. Whilst some state that the evening-morning of chapter 1 is 24 hours, there seems no necessity to insist on this.

V7       Man is formed of the dust of the ground. Ground is ADAMAH, man is ADAM; he knows his humble origin, 1 Cor 15.44, 47-49.

            Man also has a divine origin, for God breathed life into him. In this way also he is set apart from the rest of creation. He is a soul, a living being.

V8-9    God’s on-going provision for man, as in 1.29; “every tree” is given for him to enjoy; they are abundant and pleasant and good. God never needed man (Acts 17.25), but He made man to be dependent on Him.

            The garden is in the east; later pagans began to worship the sun in the east, as the ways of God are corrupted by sinful mankind. Jews in Babylon worshipped towards the temple in Jerusalem, facing west.

V10-14            The four riverheads in Eden, to water a vast area beyond the garden.

V15     Man’s responsibility to work, to keep and tend the garden. Here is useful, God-given work, with man exercising his God-given authority, see 1.26. Through the fall, this work becomes a burden, 3.17-19; man’s responsibility is neglected, as he pursued other vocations.

V16-17            The single prohibition, to keep from one tree. Adam knows which tree he must avoid.

            There is no reference to a sacrifice for sin, for there is no sin yet. Death here means separation, between God and man, and between soul and body.

V18     The need for companionship; and this is God’s initiative, not man’s; the need is only satisfied by one like man, a “helper suitable for him.” The meaning implies one to protect and help.

            One great privilege of the church is that we know the man Christ Jesus. We are not alone, we have a helper perfectly suited; Heb 4.14-15; 7.26.

V19     The animals come to Adam, as in 6.20, that he might name them, indicating his authority, and even his imagination and creativity.

V20     Of all the animals that Adam names, none is found suitable for him as a helper. This reflects the distinction God made between mankind and the animals.

V21-23            Man is incomplete without woman, for she is taken from him.

            Although Adam named the animals, his first recorded words are about Eve, the woman. Here is God’s plan, that man and woman dwell together, enjoying each other, and enjoying God together.

V24     The principle of marriage, leaving and cleaving; an exclusive relationship. This principle is laid down here before they become parents. These words are also quoted by the Lord Jesus in Mark 10.6-8.

V25     There is no shame, for there is no sin.

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