The second account of creation

THE SECOND ACCOUNT OF CREATION

(Genesis chapter 2:4 to the last verse)

(This account is also called the Yahwist account). 

In the day that God created the heavens and the earth; there were no plants and herbs on the field because God had not yet sent any rains upon the earth. The only source of water was a mist that went up from the ground fell upon the face of the earth. God had also not yet created man there was also no man to till the land. 

Then God created man from the dust of the earth. God breathed the breath of life into the man and man became a living human being. 

Then God planted a garden in the east of Eden and placed man there. God created trees that were pleasant to the eyes and were also good as food. God also created the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

A river flowed into the garden and separated into four different rivers called Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates.

God put man in the Garden of Eden to till the land and take care of it. God told man to eat of every tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. According to God, in the day man shall eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that day shall he die. 

At this stage, God realized that man was lonely so he decided to create companions for him. God created animals of all kind. Every animal God created, He brought to man. Any name that man gave to the animal, God accepted.

In spite of the many animals that God had created as a companion to man, God realized that man was still lonely. God now decided to create a more befitting companion for him. He caused man to fall into a deep sleep. He took a bone from his ribs and covered the place with flesh. God used the bone to create a woman companion for man. 

When man woke up and saw the companion God had created for him, he shouted with joy, saying “This is the bone of my bone and the flesh of my flesh.”

HOW IS SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD ILLUSTRATED IN THE SECOND ACCOUNT OF CREATION?

1. One of the ways the sovereignty of God is illustrated in this account is that marriage is man's own idea. God's purpose for marriage is to ensure procreation.

2. Another way God's sovereignty is revealed is that God has control over all the things he created.

3. The sovereignty of God is further revealed in the fact that God has total control over all his creation.

4. The account portrays God as the creator of the universe and the owner thereof. That illustrates his sovereignty.

HOW DID GOD PROVIDE FOR MAN'S COMFORT?
God provided water
One of the ways God provided for the comfort of man is that he provided for water. There was a river that flowed out of the garden and separated into four headwaters called Tigris, Gihon, Pishon, and Euphrates.

Provision of food
God also provided food to make man's life comfortable. The food was in the form of fruits and tubers. There were also animals which man could use as food.

Medicine
God also made man's life comfortable by providing a source of healing when he falls sick. The medicine was in the form of leaves, roots, barks of trees and seeds.

Suitable environment
God provided a clean and cozy environment in the garden for man to enjoy. The garden was cool, there were tree branches that provided shade for man.

A companion
God also provided a woman as a companion to man. This was intended to make his life more comfortable.


WHAT WERE THE RESPONSIBILITIES ASSIGNED TO MAN IN THE ACCOUNT?
Tilling of the land
One of the responsibilities God gave man was that he should till the land and generally take care of the environment.

Name the animals
Man was also given the function of naming the animals that God created.

Controlled source of food
Man was directed by God to eat fruits in the garden and was warned not to eat certain kinds of fruits.

Procreation
By giving a female companion to the man, God was actually instructing man to multiply and replace himself.

WHAT ARE THE MORAL LESSONS IN THE 2ND ACCOUNT OF CREATION?
      1.    We must treat each other equally because we are unique, with the very breath of God in each of us.

2.    As human beings, we must take good care or ourselves and our environment. In other words, environmental preservation is essential for the human race.

3.    Marriage is a divine institution and must be treated as such. Marital partners must, therefore, be faithful to each other and unmarried people must avoid immoral behavior.

4.    In order to have a good relationship with God, it is required that human beings are obedient.

5.    Though man is superior to other creatures, in a certain sense, man is equal to other creatures too because they were all created from the dust.

6.    God has made provision for all that man would ever need on earth.

      (Some of these points can also be applied to the 1^st account of creation)

WHICH ACTIVITIES OF MAN CAN DAMAGE GOD’S CREATION?
1.    Disposing of human excreta indiscriminately triggers diseases.

2.    Indiscriminate killing of animals. This causes an imbalance in the ecosystem.

3.    Industrial waste, if not properly disposed of, can damage the environment.

4.    Air pollution contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming.

5.    Uncontrolled felling of trees can result in desertification.

6.    The pollution of rivers and other water bodies negatively affects marine life.

7.    Farming practices that cause the erosion of the topsoil destroys God’s creation.

     8.    The activities of small scale miners and the practice of surface mining causes harm to creation.

        IN WHICH WAYS CAN GOD’S CREATION BE PROTECTED?

1.    Man must adopt environmentally friendly farming practices to conserve the soil for future use.

2.    Another way to promote hygiene in the environment.

3.    Industrial waste must be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner, especially toxic wastes.

4.    Governments must pass and enforce laws that can help to protect forests and the animal population.

      5.    Bush fires must be avoided and there should be educated on how to prevent them.

ALSO READ
The first account of the creation

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