I received and email today that contained the following questions I responded in an email and thought I would post my responses as well.
Why the word 'us' is used in Genesis? The word translated 'God' in the verses of the 1st chapter of Genesis is the Hebrew word 'Elohim'. It is the name associated with God while he's performing his great creative acts. The name itself is plural. The singular form of the name is El and it is used sparingly. Some say the 'us' is the heavenly host of angels, some say it is a hint to the Trinity, but I believe that it is the Father and the Son. Notice the verses from Colossians 1: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
Adam leaves father and mother? Genesis 2:24-25; 3:1 is the voice of the narrator. The Hebrew scriptures have three 'voices'; the voice of God, the voice of person (prophet, king, etc) and the voice of the narrator. These verses are the voice of the narrator. Notice the change in tone between the words of Adam in verse 23 and the 'Therefore' of verse 24. Then again notice the transition in 3:1 where the narrator transitions from a description of the serpent to the words of the serpent.
God was the first one to shed blood? This is a true statement. God shows in this act the preeminence of man over all the creation (established in Genesis 1:26-28). God showed that he would initiate the covering of mans sins by shedding blood. The animals that he killed were probably sheep, goats or cattle. Moses, the writer of Genesis, had these sacrifices in mind when he began to write in the book of Leviticus regarding the various sin sacrifices. It foreshadowed God shedding the blood of his son, 'the Lamb of God', on the cross for the covering of the sin of the world. (John 1, Exodus 12)
Did the serpent have legs before the curse? Yes. Originally the serpent had two legs. Eccl. 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. The serpent through the writings of Moses and interpreted in the New Testament represented the nature of man in opposition to the will of God. In Num. 21:6 it says, And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Moses was instructed by God to create a brass serpent and put it on a pole and lift it up before the people. Anyone who looked on the brass serpent would be healed. Those who didn't would die. John (3:14-15) records Jesus saying, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. When Adam and Eve listened to the voice of the serpent then 'sin entered into the world and death by sin (Rom 5). John the Baptist and Jesus called the religious leaders of their day (those who were in opposition) a 'generation of vipers' (Mt 3 and Mt 23). Paul warns believers in Rome (Rom 16), Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Compare these words from Rom 16 to Genesis 3 and see the highlighted words pop out of the text.
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Thought I'd post the full questions:
Here are a few questions that arose during my class Monday night and I am not sure of the answers.
Throughout Genesis, but especially when God is creating the world and man he uses the term “us”; different ones in class were suggesting that God was not alone; either a council of angels or someone/thing was here before God. WHY DOES GOD USE THE TERM US?
In Genesis 2:24 it says man leaves his father and mother. I know what that means now, but at that time who would be considered Adam’s mother? OR Is God just laying some basic “foundation” to the marriage concept?
Also, it says God provided skins for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness. It appears from this statement that God was the first “person” to shed blood because He would of had to kill the animals to provide the skins. Where did the skins come from?
Lastly, God tells the serpent that because of its sin it will slither on the earth from that point forward (paraphrasing). What was the serpent prior to this? One person suggested that it was a lizard and then its legs were taken away. Others suggested that it was always a serpent; it just stood up on its tail. All others were utterly confused.
Just a few questions/thoughts that I am unsure of/ not sure how to answer intelligently.
Thank you for your time and I appreciate any input.
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