Creation Mandate
What truth of God’s creation did Cain deny?
(Gen. 1:26-31; 2:1-3, 15-17; 3:6-21; 4:1-11) Blog June 30-July 6, 2019
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: This quarter we will consider what the Bible says about helping the needy. Jesus said: “For ye have the poor always with you.” Matthew 26:11. And Solomon shows that to help the poor is to honor God when he writes: “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” Proverbs 14:31.
The creation of human beings (Gen. 1:26-31)
1. When God expressed the desire to create human being what did his words imply about himself? That the Godhead is a family made up of three divine beings united in purpose, character, & nature
2. When the Triune God created humanity which of his characteristics did he implant in them? Those of family relationship & power to think, to communicate, & to do. With these gifts they could oversee creation & reproduce after their kind.
3. When were Adam and Eve given responsible work to do? As soon as they were created for God had given them the responsibility of subduing the earth, having dominion over all other life forms, & of reproducing their race.
4. What provision did God make for his creatures so they could fulfill his commands? He gave to human beings plenty of fruit to eat and to the animals plenty of greens to eat.
5. What was God’s estimate of his finished creation? He saw that it was very good.
6. What provision did God make for human beings to acknowledge his goodness in their creation and as a change from their daily duties? He gave them the Sabbath as a weekly memorial of his creative goodness & provisions, as well as a rest day from their weekly labor.
The Entrance of Sin (Gen. 2:15-17; 3:6-21; )
7. In Genesis 2:15 how did God reemphasize humanity’s duties? God put Adam into the Garden of Eden “to dress it and to keep it.”
8. For what did the tree of knowledge of good and evil make provision? It provided Adam & Eve the opportunity to exercise their free will and reject God’s will.
9. In choosing to eat the forbidden fruit what were Adam and Eve choosing? They were choosing to doubt God’s Word, to doubt God’s goodness, & to grasp for more than what God had generously provided them.
10. When Adam sinned what new necessities confronted Adam and Eve and all their posterity? The need of clothing & a remedy for their guilt.
11. When God told Eve the results of her bad choice what did that include? That she would experience sorrow in conception & conflict in the home.
12. When God told Adam the results of his bad choice what did that include? That he would experience sorrow & increased effort in order produce food & it would all end in death.
13. How might we summarize the results of Adam and Eve’s bad choice? There would be no fruit (of womb or field) produced without diligent human effort & the resistance of nature.
14. How would this principle of effort and resistance apply to spiritual fruit? It would mean that the fruits of the Spirit & the conversion of sinners would require diligent human effort & would be resisted by Satan & the natural world.
The Results of the fall (Gen. 4:1-11)
15. How did Adam and Eve’s children manifest the results of the fall? They both needed a blood sacrifice for their sins & Cain killed his brother out of envy.
16. What truth of God’s creation did Cain deny? That as human beings we are responsible for the welfare of our fellowmen.
17. What can we learn from Genesis 4:10? That God sees everything that human beings do & holds them accountable for their actions.
18. According to Proverbs 14:31 and 22:2 what members of the human family are not included among those for whom we should show loving care? There are none – both rich & poor are our brothers & sisters by creation.
19. In light of the above who is responsible for all the suffering, misery, & want in the world? Sinful human beings are, for God has provided for all but his gifts are hoarded by some & not shared with their fellowmen.