---

First:

Light. Because God said - His Word brought us light. (Psalm 119:130 ).

---

Second:

Divided the light from the darkness, (Hebrews 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Ephesians 5:8 ). Spirit renewed, to rule the soul and body.

---

Third:

Divided the waters - called the firmament. Just so, He fashions those born of the Spirit and makes them partakers of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23 ). As He provided naturally (Genesis 1:9-11 ) so He gives us all we need in Christ. (Philippians 4:19 ).

---

Fourth:

The sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night - setting forth Christ "The Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2 ), and the church - moon - borrowing its light from, and reflecting him. During the night the church is light to this dark world. At His coming again the world will know the full blaze of His light, as day.

---

Fifth:

The new creation in Christ commanded to multiply, by fulfilment of His commission (Matthew 28:19,20 ).

---

Sixth:

Created man - new creature - blessed with all spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3 ). To know dominion over sin, Satan and the world. (Romans 5:17 ).

---

Seventh:

God's rest of satisfaction - His regenerate are invited to enter His rest. (Psalm 95, Hebrews 3:7 to 4:11 ). Cease from one's own works (Hebrews 4:9,10), know the rest of faith.

This is given in Genesis 2. In this chapter God is called YHWH (probably pronounced YAHWEH). The name occurs 6,823 times in the Old Testament Used in covenant relationship with man. From verse 7 we learn that man's body consists of the common elements of earth. But His spirit came from God.

Genesis 2:7 "And the Lord God ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

God planted a garden for man to live in. (Genesis 2:8 ). God warned man not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-17 ). Man was tested as to obedience and commitment to God's will. God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. He decided to make a helper suitable for him (Genesis 2:18 ). First He brought all the birds and beasts to Adam for him to name - no helper comparable to him was found. (Genesis 2:19,20 ). The first operation on man was performed by God (Genesis 2:21, 22 ). Adam realised that woman was part of his body (Genesis 2:23 ) and that Eve was his true counterpart.

Just as Adam was not complete without a wife - so the Son of God will not be satisfied until His Bride the church is with Him - at His side forever. (Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 19:7-9 )

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

---

God's designed permanency in marriage

(Matthew 19:5,6; Mark 10:6 ) Moses made a concession (Deuteronomy 24:1-4 ) - God's intention was lifelong.

---

Becoming one flesh constitutes marriage in God's eyes

(1 Corinthians 6:16 ). Marriage as to its sanctity is emphasized on the ground that it is the picture of Christ's relationship to the church, (Ephesians 5:22 ).

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you see in the days of creation a picture of your re-creation in Christ Jesus?
2. In the account of man's creation given in Genesis 2, what does it tell you of what his body consists, and where did the spirit of man come from?
3. How was man tested as to obedience and commitment to God's will? What do you learn about yourself?
4. God performed the first operation on man so that woman was part of his body, comparable to man, and his true counterpart. What do you learn from this about the true relationship of husband and wife?
5. What do you learn about God's intention for marriage, from the declaration of Genesis 2:24?
6. In which way would you describe marriage as a picture of the Church?
7. What meaning does this have for your marriage?