First, we discussed God’s punishment of the serpent, Eve, and Adam, and mentioned that God began the plan of salvation in a prophetic way, and continued to discuss the concept of obedience. Then we talked about the concept of substitution in the plan of salvation, and saw that being similar to God means having the same logical deduction. Finally, we talked about the meaning of God being a trinity, its biblical basis, and why from the perspective of both God and man, there are exactly three. Although the Bible does not explicitly use the word trinity, it definitely has this concept.

1. God’s punishment on the serpent, Eve, and Adam and His plan of salvation

     “The LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural) said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.”(Genesis 3:14-20)

     First of all, we notice that LORD God is in singular and plural separately. What exactly does this mean? We will leave it to the last part to share. Now let’s look at the rest of the scriptures. This serpent is the ancient serpent, which is what the Scripture says, “…the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, …”(Revelation 20:2) Some people may be confused about the punishment of the serpent, which is to eat dust for the rest of their lives, because some snakes are seen coiled on trees, but they hunt on the ground by walking on their bellies, so how can they not eat dust for the rest of their lives?

     Then, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”(Genesis 3:15) The Scripture says very clearly, “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.”(Galatians 3:16) Jesus Christ finishes the plan of salvation is a big blow to Satan in his head, then Satan can only bruise her offsprings on the heel by prowling “…around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) This is because God is a gracious and merciful God, so He began the plan of salvation in the form of prophecy at that time. Therefore, the Old and New Testaments must be added together before we can possibly get a glimpse of the full picture of the salvation plan, which means that what we can do is to give an introduction to it. Therefore, we are doing this in “1063 Introduction to the Christian Faith.” Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article. In this article, the article itself and the notes are integrated, but in the hope that both non-Christians and Christians can understand this introduction, it is divided into two parts. The article itself can be regarded as an expanded large summary, and the details that Christians should know are placed in the notes.

     The punishment of women is the pain of pregnancy and childbirth, but the scriptures say that there are exceptions to this, “But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”(1 Timothy 2:15) As for “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”(Ephesians 5:22) Speaking of obedience, we have to talk about this verse, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”(Romans 13:1-2) In fact, we do not have to obey under all circumstances, but must follow the principles stated by Peter and John, “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.””(Acts 4:19-20) 

     Let’s take a look at the situation at that time said in this verse, “…And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”(Acts 8:1) Because they made this choice to escape, the gospel was spread and God’s will was fulfilled. Being persecuted is not a good thing from the viewpoint of human, but it is just as the scripture says, ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55:8-9)

     Based on this principle, it goes on to say, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”(Ephesians 5:23) Whether the husband or the wife is obeying the Lord, so the wife chooses to obey her husband means choosing to obey the Lord’s words. But this verse does not mean that the husband as the head can do whatever he wants and that the wife should listen to her in everything. In fact, the Bible has more requirements for husbands, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”(Ephesians 5:25) When Paul said, “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”(Ephesians 5:32), it does not mean that husbands should not have self-sacrificing love, but the Bible often uses the relationship between husband and wife to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the church, such as “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”(Revelation 19:7) Some say that this means that the husband must put to death the old self, as Paul said in two passages, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) And “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”(Romans 8:13) But this is what every Christian should do on the road to sanctification, and it has nothing to do with the position of husband or wife. This usually does not refer to real death, although the husband must have this rare determination and really do it when necessary.

     The reason for Adam’s punishment was because he did not obey God, but had “…listened to the voice of your wife, …”(Genesis 3:17). The earth was also cursed because of Adam, which is what the scripture says, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, …”(Romans 8:20) The earth only then grew thorns and thistles, which is the best proof. After a man sins, he usually has to work hard all his life to get enough food and clothing. Before he sinned, he only needed to reach out and pick fruits. It also said that now he can eat vegetables from the field, not just fruits. Like Adam, people will return to the dust after death, because “then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7)

2. The plan of salvation and logical deduction

     “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”⁠— therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”(Genesis 3:21-24)

     The plan of salvation did begin at that time, “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”(Genesis 3:21) That is, animals were sacrificed for them, “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”(Hebrews 9:22) So we see that the animal substituted them because of their sin. When Abraham offered Isaac, it was the ram that substituted his son (see Genesis 22:13). The same is true for sacrifices, the sacrifices died for the Israelites. Today, it is Jesus who went to the cross and substitute us, because Jesus is the one who did “…not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”(Hebrews 9:12) So Paul said very well, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”(Galatians 2:20) 

     Then they were driven out of the Garden of Eden, because “…he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.”(Genesis 3:22) Some people may ask, wouldn’t it be great if people could live forever? Please note that when the Scripture says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”(John 3:16) The eternal life here does not only mean to live forever, but to live forever in Jesus Christ, because everyone will live forever after the judgment of the great white throne, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15) Hence, those people will live forever in hell and suffer.

     The problem is that people who are tainted by sin can only know but not do the truth, just as Paul said, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.”(Romans 7:18-20) Paul is not making excuses, it is indeed the sin in us that does it. Evil is so evil that we can only say, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”(Romans 7:24) Fortunately, we will not stop there, because “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

(Romans 8:1-2) So in salvation, it is Christ Jesus who substitutes us. Let’s look at what actually happened and we will know that it is indeed the case that sinners do not die is terrible. Before the flood, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”(Genesis 6:5) It is confirmed that it is a terrible thing for people who have committed sins to live forever.

     Let’s look at the verses that say “…the man has become like one of Us, …”(Genesis 3:22) The verses clearly say that the similarity is because of “…knowing good and evil; …”(Genesis 3:22) So how do we know good and evil? We use our logic. Mathematical logic is divided into two parts: axioms and logical deduction. What we can see are always limited examples, and we must expand and generalize them to be valid for infinite examples. This is the axiom of logical deduction input. Although different fields have different axioms, everyone’s logical deduction is the same all over the world, so people who do research can publish articles. If it is a personal decision, we can regard it as expanding personal views to be applicable to all situations, that is, having personal axioms for a certain thing as the input of logical deduction. In terms of good and evil, everyone’s standards of good and evil are different. For example, cannibals will not regard cannibalism as evil, even though cannibalism is absolutely evil according to our general standards. This is equivalent to different personal axioms of logic. Once set, we will use the same logical deduction to judge good and evil, and there will be different results.

     Logical deductions were created by God and discovered by us, so our logical deductions are the same as God’s, because “Then God said, “Let Us make (H6213) man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …”(Genesis 1:26) Here, the word “make (H6213)” is used, and it means that it is made from existing things. So the logical deduction already existed in God and thus man had it, but God’s axioms and our personal axioms are absolutely different. For example, as far as performing miracles is concerned, God has absolute sovereignty to perform miracles, and we can at most become a channel for performing miracles, so at most we can only be similar to God, and we cannot be the same as God. As long as God opens our eyes and allows us to see things we have never seen before, our personal axioms will be changed accordingly! For example, God opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant, so that he could see the mountains full of chariots of fire and horses surrounding Elisha, and then his personal axioms could include this fact after this event. (See 2 Kings 6:8-17) Although he told others, the others would most likely not believe it, because they didn’t see it, but his personal axiom now includes the fact that Elisha was surrounded by chariots of fire all over the mountain.

     Finally, I want to give a small testimony about the Holy Spirit leading us to study the Bible, which is related to logical deduction discussed before. I used to believe that our logical deduction is the same as God’s logical deduction, but I have never found direct evidence in the Bible. When preparing for the similarity topic in the topicwise Bible study, I could only pray to God and say that if there is no direct evidence, I really can’t share like this. God made me see this just shared verse, “Then God said, “Let Us make (H6213) man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …”(Genesis 1:26) Then, I had the direct evidence about this.

     That the Holy Spirit leads us to study the Bible is the promise in the Bible, and what we need to do is to truly open our hearts. In the Book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea locked Jesus out, but He still promised, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20) He not only dines, but also works, otherwise there would not have “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, …”(Revelation 3:21) Please note that this promise does not mention the time about when. God has absolute sovereignty, and He will choose the best time to do it.

     I am not giving this testimony to say that I am special, but just want to give you an example to show that the promises in the Bible are true. This is what we have constantly said, topicwise Bible study can only bring knowledge at most. If a person wants the Holy Spirit to lead the Bible study, he must go before God himself, because life can only come from God, which is what Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

3. The meaning of God being a Trinity and its biblical basis

     The word ‘LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural)’ appears repeatedly because there is only one God, so it is singular, and God is three, namely, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, so it is plural, that is, God the Father is God, Jesus Christ is God, and the Holy Spirit is also God, this is the Trinity.

     It is unquestionable that God the Father is God. There are many scriptures about Jesus Christ being God, we will only give two examples. In the New Testament, such as “I (Jesus) and the Father are one.”(John 10:30) In the Old Testament, we give a more complex example that shows that “What God tells us through the Bible is consistent”, which is in the verse, “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I (Isaiah) saw the Lord (H136, singular) sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.””(Isaiah 6:1-3) 

     The meaning of the word Lord (H136) can be seen from this typical verse, “Abram (Abraham) said, “O Lord (H136) GOD (Jehovah, H3069), what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?””(Genesis 15:2) And this word Jehovah (H3069) is just a variant of Jehovah (H3068), with the same meaning, so the word Lord (H136) is God. This singular Lord Jehovah refers to Jesus, because “…Moses said to the LORD (H3068), …”(Exodus 33:12) “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) So Moses could only “…see My 

(Jehovah’s) back, but My face shall not be seen.”(Exodus 33:23) That Jehovah refers to God the Father. And Isaiah was still alive and well after seeing this Jehovah in Isaiah 6:1-3, so He cannot refer to God the Father, but can only refer to Jesus Christ. No wonder the New Testament says, “These things Isaiah said because he saw His (Jesus’) glory, and he spoke of Him.”(John 12:41) Haven’t we seen an example of “what God tells to us through the Bible is consistent”?

     Regarding the Holy Spirit being God, these verses directly say, “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.””(Acts 5:1-4) 

     Let’s look at the verses about one God, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD (H3089, singular) is our God (H430, plural), the LORD (H3089) is one (H259)!”(Deuteronomy 6:4) Paul also repeatedly said that there is only one God (see 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5).

     Finally, we will discuss why it is a Trinity, rather than more persons. Let’s first look at this from God’s perspective. We have already discussed in “1. Creation of the heaven on the second day” of “1144 Made, created and separation principle – Genesis(1)6-25,” that the three persons are all related to the creation of today’s world, so I will not say more. You can find this article in the same way as I mentioned before.

     When Jesus was baptized, we know that the three persons were all involved. “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit ) descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens (God the Father ) said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””(Matthew 3:16-17) There was an order in the incarnation, the Father sent the Son, as the scripture says, “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.””(John 20:21) And “……if I (Jesus) do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”(John 16:7) “…the Helper …is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, …”(John 15:26) This is also exactly three.

     Looking at this matter from a human perspective then, the plan of salvation is in human time, and the three persons each have their own duties. God the Father is the source of everything, just as the scripture says, “yet for us there is but one God (G2316, singular), the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord (G2962, singular), Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”(1 Corinthians 8:6) That is what the Book of  Revelation says, “Worthy are You, our Lord (G2962, singular) and our God (G2316, singular), to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”(Revelation 4:11) Please note that the Strong’s Concordance does not have the word our God (G2316). This word here is also in the other original version I mentioned, which is based on the version of “https://interlinearbible.com/“. It is Christ rather than God the Father that is mentioned here. According to what God tells us through the Bible being consistent, we will clearly know that the Strong’s Concordance is correct here. Because there are different versions of the original text, we still need to discern even with the original text.

     Let’s look at Jesus’ incarnation. He completed salvation. He was crucified for us and died. He was resurrected three days later. “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:25) In other words, Jesus said it was accomplished on the cross, which means that the death part of salvation was accomplished (see John 19:28-30). During this period of time, He and God the Father were different, because the Bible clearly says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”(Matthew 24:36) The Holy Spirit “…comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”(John 16:13) Every Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit as said in this verse, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”(1 Corinthians 6:19) Everyone has the indwelling Holy Spirit, three are just right, why do we need a fourth?

     Some people try to explain the concept of the Trinity with examples. A common example is that water can exist in three different forms, namely ice, water vapor, and ordinary water, and under certain pressures and temperatures, all three can co-exist at the same time, and each is water, similar to the Trinity, but it cannot be said that they are connected by love. The Trinity is like this, as the scripture says, “…You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”(John 17:24) As far as I know, under normal temperature and pressure, only humans are composed of three parts: soul, spirit, and body. In ” 1. Creation of man on the sixth day to govern and manage the earth” of “1145 God created man in His image and likeness and Sabbath – Genesis(1)26-(2)3,” we discussed in detail why the Bible says that when a person’s physical life dies, the spirit goes first, then the soul goes, and then the body dies. Therefore, the trichotomy is correct.

     Please note that this applies to both Christians and non-Christians. In the end, “…the dust will return to the earth as it was, …”(Ecclesiastes 12:7) The difference between Christians and non-Christians is that non-Christians only have the old dead spirit, while Christians will be like Ezekiel prophesied, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”(Ezekiel 36:26-27) It does not say that it is the revival of the old spirit, so Christians have not only the old spirit, but also the new spirit and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Because all are given by God, so “…the spirit will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7) This also reminds me of Jesus on the cross, “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.”(Luke 23:46) He only said about spirit not soul. From what God tells us through the Bible being consistent, we can see that God the Father does not have a soul.

     In this example, we cannot say that any one of the soul, spirit, and body is a person, but all three of the Trinity are God. In short, there is no example that can fully explain what the Trinity is. This is a mystery to us. We are finite, and God is infinite. We don’t know how God is accomplished this, and we can only believe in what the Bible says by faith. We know that although the Bible does not explicitly use the term Trinity, as we have discussed, there is definitely this concept.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

First, we saw that Satan used a mixture of right and wrong to tempt Eve. It is still the same way today. If we are not careful, we will see the right part and thus accept everything which includes the wrong part, and fall into Satan’s trap. We really should not distort our interpretation of the Bible. We should use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard to discern. Second, we discussed how Eve and Adam disobeyed God and fell into sin. We also briefly discuss why the Bible says that the definition of sin is disobedience to God. Today, we should obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not quench the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Even if we feel that we do not have the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we should always stand on the side of God. Finally, we see the reaction of Eve and Adam after they sinned, which was to blame others instead of talking about the real reason, which was disobedience to God. It is still the same today. We often argue about some superficial facts without touching on the real reasons behind them.

1. Satan’s strategy of mixing right and wrong to seduce Eve

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural) had made (H6213). And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle (H8432) of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””(Genesis 3:1-5)

First, we notice that the term “Lord God” appears again, both in the singular and in the plural. What does it mean? In Genesis 1:1, it says, “In the beginning God (H430, plural) created (H1254, singular) the heavens and the earth.” The subject is plural, but the verb is singular, which means a multi-personal God, and the same is true here. Next time, we will discuss the meaning of God being a trinity, its biblical basis, and why there are exactly three.

We noticed a small place where the word in the middle (H8432) appears again, and it also appears in this verse, “…the tree of life also in the midst (H8432) of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”(Genesis 2:9) Because the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil could not be planted in the same place, no matter how far or close they are, the Garden of Eden has two centers. In geometric shapes, only an ellipse has two foci, that is, two centers. In short, the Garden of Eden should be an ellipse.

We have said before that only humans can eat the fruit of trees. The command God gave to Adam was clearly related to the fruit of trees. This command is recorded in the Book of Genesis, “The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat (H398) freely (H398); but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day (H3117) that you eat from it you will surely die.””(Genesis 2:16-17) We have said before why the word “day (H3117)” refers to today’s one day, so I will not say more. However, we should pay attention to one point that “So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.”(Genesis 5:5) So his body and soul lived for a long time. To die for sure in that day means that his spirit died and lost the ability to communicate with God, but his spirit did not die immediately and indeed died on the same day. Because after they ate the fruit that they should not have eaten, they could still see God’s face, as the scripture says, “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”(Genesis 3:8) 

God has absolute sovereignty. After man was driven out of the Garden of Eden, He could still choose to communicate with Cain, as the scripture says, “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?”(Genesis 4:6) In the Old Testament, God took the initiative to communicate with the prophets. In fact, it is the same today. God is proactive because life can only come from God, as Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”(1 Corinthians 3:6-7) 

 Another point to note is that the word H398 is used twice to strengthen the tone, which is the usage in Hebrew. We note that the serpent was made (H6213) by God and was created (H1254) in the previous world. No wonder the Book of Revelation says, “…the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, …”(Revelation 12:9) Satan knew that God did not tell Eve His command, but told Adam directly, so he was very cunning and only tempted the woman.

 From the conversation between Satan and Eve, we know that she did know the command from Adam’s mouth, but not very clearly. At the beginning, the serpent used “Indeed, has God said” to deepen Eve’s confusion. From her answer, we know that she did not understand God’s command, because God did not say that you shouldn’t touch it. We also see that the serpent wanted to deepen her confusion by using the words “You surely will not die!” and tempted her with the right benefit that your eyes would be opened. This is indeed true, because after eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”(Genesis 3:7) But it is not “exactly like” God, who can know good and evil, but only “similar”, because “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; …”(Genesis 3:22) 

 Here we see one of Satan’s strategies, which is to use true things to make people believe, and to put false things in between. When people see the true things, they will easily take the false things as true. Satan also used mixed words of right and wrong to Eliphaz the Temanite in the Book of Job (see Job 4:12-21). We have discussed these scriptures before and will not discuss anymore. It is the same today. If we are not careful, we will accept everything and fall into Satan’s trick. We really should not distort the interpretation of the Bible, but use the words of the Bible as the absolute standard to discern.

2. The fall of Eve and Adam

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”(Genesis 3:6-7)

 We saw that Eve was tempted first, but Adam knowingly committed the sin because he knew God’s command very well. No wonder it is said, “…through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12) Today’s temptations also come from three aspects, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”(1 John 2:16) Doesn’t this correspond to the three aspects when Eve was successfully tempted? Is not good food the lust of the flesh? Is not pleasing to the eyes the lust of the eyes? Is not wisdom the pride of this life? After their fall, we can indeed prove that Satan’s words are a mixture of truth and falsehood, because “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, …”(Genesis 3:7) 

 We have said in the previous section that the Garden of Eden is oval, and the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil should be some distance apart. Even if they are quite close, at least for Eve, the attraction of the tree of life is obviously not as great as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, otherwise she would eat the fruit of the tree of life, because God did not forbid her to eat the fruit of life.

 In the New Testament era, we clearly know that the tree of life represents Jesus Christ, because Jesus clearly said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(John 5:39-40) We also know, “…I (Jesus) came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:10) Doesn’t the fruit of the tree of life enable people to live forever? After Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned, “Then the LORD God said, “…and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever””(Genesis 3:22) The attraction of the tree of life was not enough at that time, and isn’t it the same today? God is a merciful and gracious God. “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18) Didn’t Isaiah prophesied clearly about the lack of attraction? “For He (Jesus) grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”(Isaiah 53:2-3)

 “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”(Isaiah 53:4-5) In the end, he was nailed to the cross for us, but was resurrected three days later. “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”(Romans 4:25)

 Please note that we have shared that Jesus was scourged, but not every time the worldly life was healed, but not every time the spiritual life was healed. Only the spiritual life was healed for sure as long as we believe, because we have a new spirit and the Holy Spirit lives in us (see Ezekiel 36:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:19) The forgiveness of the body will wait until Jesus comes again, which is what the scripture says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

L(Philippians 3:20-21) In this world we need to be conformed to the image of Jesus and obtain the salvation of the soul. (See Romans 8:29) This is what the scripture says, “But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”(Hebrews 10:39)

 Here we are going to discuss what is the definition of sin? First of all, the scripture says, “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, …”(Romans 5:12) This implies that Adam’s disobedience to God means sin, and all people are descendants of Adam, the same as him, so disobeying God means sin. In order to define sin, logic requires us to prove that sin means disobeying God, that is, to prove that obedience to God means no sin. The latter does not really need to be proved. How can obedience to God be a sin? But we can also use the scriptures to prove this. “…One (Jesus ) who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) How did He obtain the fact being without sin? “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) So obeying God does not sin.

We have proved that in the present world, the definition of sin is disobedience to God, but we have said that Satan was created before the present world. In “1096 Yu Hongjie’s Discipleship of Newself – Unbiblical Places (1) ,” we have proved in detail that in Satan’s previous world, the definition of sin was also disobedience to God. We will not repeat the discussion here. Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click “Understanding of Spiritual Life” to find this article. 

 Today, we must obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Even if we do not feel the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, we must choose to stand on God’s side. It is mentioned before that Adam was created in the image of God, and God’s image is holy. Therefore, Adam had a share in God’s holiness when he was created, but he still sinned. Therefore, man has holiness but also having free will, and thus can still disobey God and sin. This is different from God’s holiness. God’s holiness cannot sin, “…for He cannot deny Himself.”(2 Timothy 2:13) How could God not obey Himself?

 Some people say that according to the English translation of the Strong’s Concordance, Adam was beside like this (and gave also H1571 unto her husband H376 with her; and he did eat. H398). That is the original text of the Concordance only uses the word eat (H398), which used in its typical verses such as “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate (H398) and drank, and rose and went on his way. …”(Genesis 25:34) So it does not say that Adam was beside. Unless Adam and Eve were always together, there was really no need for the serpent to choose Adam’s presence to tempt Eve, because the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field. Not only that, according to the Scripture, Adam should not have been there, because the Bible clearly says: “And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”(1 Timothy 2:14) But this is not the point to argue about. The point here is “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, .. “(Romans 5:12)

3. Eve and Adam’s reaction after they sinned

“They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.””(Genesis 3:8-13)

 First we saw, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”(Genesis 3:7) Can they make really cover them up or keep out the cold? In the end, it still needs that” The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”(Genesis 3:21) 

 We also saw that the result of sin entering is to blame each other and find excuses to shirk responsibility. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve said it was because of the snake, but they did not touch the real reason, which was disobeying God’s command and eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

 God is omniscient, how could He not know that their eyes were opened because they ate the forbidden fruit and thus knew that they were naked? But He still asked them, so that they could face their true selves after being stained by sin! We saw that they blamed others, although what they said was also true, but it was only part of the truth. It is the same now. We often argue about some superficial partial facts, but forget the real reason behind them! I don’t know if it’s because we really don’t know, or because ““The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”(Jeremiah 17:9) We are sometimes deceiving ourself without even knowing it!

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先，我们看到撒但引诱夏娃是用对错相杂的策略。今日也是如此，一不小心我们就会全盘接收，中了撒但的诡计，真的不要强解圣经，要用圣经的话作为绝对标准的去分辩。第二，我们讨论了夏娃和亚当是如何的不顺服神，而堕落有罪，也很简短的讨论了为什么圣经说，罪的定义就是不顺服神。今日是要顺服圣灵带领，不要消灭圣灵的感动，即使我们觉得没有 圣灵的感动，也要永远的站在神那边。最后，我们看到了夏娃和亚当犯罪后的反应，就是怪罪别人，而不讲真正的原因是因不顺服神。现在也是如此，我们常争一些表面的部份事实，却不触及背后真正的原因！

1. 撒但引诱夏娃的对错相杂的策略       

    『耶和华(H3068, 单数)神(H430, 复数)所造(H6213)的，惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇对女人说：「神岂是真说不许你们吃园中所有树上的果子吗？」女人对蛇说：「园中树上的果子，我们可以吃；惟有园当中(H8432)那棵树上的果子，神曾说：『你们不可吃，也不可摸，免得你们死。』」蛇对女人说：「你们不一定死，因为神知道，你们吃的日子眼睛就明亮了，你们便如神能知道善恶。」』(创世记 3:1-5)       

    首先我们注意到「耶和华神」这辞又再次出现，又是单数又是复数，到底是什么意思呢？在创世记 1:1 说到，『起初神(H430, 复数)创造(H1254, 单数)天地。』主词是复数，而动词却是单数，这意谓著多位一体的神，这里也是一样。在下次，我们会讨论到神是三位一体的神的含意，及其圣经的根据，和为什么正好是三。       

    我们注意到一个小地方，当中(H8432)这个字又出现了，也出现过在这经文里，『…园子当中(H8432)又有生命树和分别善恶的树。』(创世记 2:9) 因为生命树和分别善恶树是不可能种在同一个地方的，所以不论它们的距离有多远或多近，伊甸园是有两个中心的，在几何的形状中，只有椭园有两个焦点，也就是有两个中心。简言之，伊甸园应是椭园形的。        

    我们以前说过只有人能吃树上的果子，神给亚当的命令很清楚和树上的果子有关，这命令记载在创世记  2:16-17，『耶和华神吩咐他说：「园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意(H398)吃(H398)，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』  我们以前说过为什这日子(H3117)这字是指今天的一日，就不多说了。不过我们要注意一点，因『亚当共活了九百三十岁就死了。』(创世记 5:5) 所以他的体和魂还活了很久，必定死是指灵死了，失去了和神交通的能力，但灵不是立刻就死，而是当天死了。因为在他们吃了不该吃的果子后，仍可见神的面，如经文所说，『…那人和他妻子听见神的声音，就藏在园里的树木中，躲避耶和华神的面。』(创世记  3:8)    

    神有绝对的主权，在人被赶出伊甸园后，祂仍可选择和该隐交通，就如经文所说，『耶和华对该隐说：「你为甚么发怒呢？你为甚么变了脸色呢？」』(创世记  4:6) 在旧约中，神是主动和先知们交通，其实今日也是如此，神是主动的，因为生命只能从神来，如保罗说，『我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。可见栽种的算不得甚么，浇灌的也算不得甚么，只在那叫他生长的神。』(哥林多前书 3:6-7)    

    另一点要指出的是这字H398用了两次去加强语气，是希伯来文中的用法。我们注意到蛇是神所造作(H6213)的，是在先前的世界就已创造(H1254)的，难怪启示录会说，『大龙就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，…』(启示录 12:9) 撒但知道神没有告诉夏娃祂的命令，是直接告诉亚当的，所以牠很狡猾只对女人说，去引诱她。       

    从撤但和夏娃的对话中，我们知道她的确是从亚当的口中，不很清楚的知道了这命令。开始时蛇就用「神岂是真说」来加深夏娃的困惑，我们看到她的回答就知道她没搞清楚神的命令，因为神并没有说，「也不可摸」。我们也看到了蛇要更加深了她的困惑而用了「不一定」这些字，并用正确的好处「眼睛明亮」去诱惑她。这的确是对的，因为吃了分别善恶树上的果子后，『他们二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露体，便拿无花果树的叶子，为自己编做裙子。』(创世记 3:7) 但不是「如」神能知道善恶，而只是「相似」而已，因『耶和华神说：「那人已经与我们相似，能知道善恶。…』(创世记 3:22)      

    在这里我们看到了撒但的一个策略是，用真的事情去使人相信，把假的事夹在其中，人看见真的事，就很容易把假的事当作是真的，撒但对约伯记中的提幔人以利法，也是如此的使用对错相杂的话语(参约伯记 4:12-21)，我们以前讨论过这些经文。今日也是如此，一不小心，我们就会全盘接收，中了撒但的诡计，真的不要强解圣经，要用圣经的话作为绝对标准的去分辩。

2. 夏娃和亚当的堕落       

    『于是，女人见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目，且是可喜爱的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子来吃了；又给她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。他们二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露体，便拿无花果树的叶子，为自己编做裙子。』(创世记 3:6-7)                 

    我们看到了夏娃被诱惑在先，但是亚当是明知故犯，因为他很清楚的知道神的命令，难怪罗马书 5:12 会说，『…罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』。今日的诱惑也是如此从三方面来的，『因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲，眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。』(约翰一书 2:16) 这不是对应于夏娃被成功的引诱时的三个方面吗？好作食物不是为肉体的情欲所诱惑吗？悦人的眼目不是为眼目的情欲所吸引吗？能使人有智慧不是因为今生的骄傲吗？在他们堕落后，我们的确可证实撒但的话是真假混杂的，因『他们二人的眼睛就明亮了…』(创世记 3:7)      

    我们在上一部份讲过伊甸园是椭圆的，生命树和分别善恶的树应该是有一些距离的，即使它们相当近，至少对夏娃来说，生命树的吸引力显然比不上分别善恶的树，要不然她会吃生命树上的果子的，因为神没有不准她吃生命上的果子。       

    在新约的时代，我们就很清楚知道那生命树是代表耶稣基督，因耶稣明说，『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经。然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』(约翰福音 5:39-40) 我们也知道，『…我(耶稣)来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。』(约翰福音 10:10)   而生命树的果子不是能使人永远活著吗？因在亚当和夏娃不顺服神犯罪后，『耶和华神说：「…现在恐怕他伸手又摘生命树的果子吃，就永远活著。」』(创世记 3:22)        

    那时生命树的吸引力不够，今日不也是如此吗？神是有怜悯有恩典的神，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。』(约翰福音 3:18) 对于吸引力不够这件事，以赛亚不是预言的很清楚吗？『他(耶稣)在耶和华面前生长如嫩芽，像根出于干地。他无佳形美容，我们看见他的时候，也无美貌使我们羡慕他。他被藐视，被人厌弃，多受痛苦，常经忧患。他被藐视，好像被人掩面不看的一样；我们也不尊重他。』(以赛亚书 53:2-3)       

    『他诚然担当我们的忧患，背负我们的痛苦；我们却以为他受责罚，被神击打苦待了。哪知他为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因他受的刑罚，我们得平安；因他受的鞭伤，我们得医治。』(以赛亚书 53:4-5) 最终祂为我们钉上了十字架，但三日后复活，『耶稣被交给人，是为我们的过犯；复活，是为叫我们称义。』(罗马书 4:25)    

    请注意，我们分享过耶稣已受鞭伤，但不是每次属世的生命都得医治，每次都得医治只有属灵的生命，因为只要一信，我们就有一个新灵，并有圣灵住在我们里面(参以西结书 36:26-27; 哥林多前书 6:19) 身体的得赦要等到耶稣再来，就是经文说的，『我们却是天上的国民，并且等候救主，就是主耶稣基督从天上降临。他要按著那能叫万有归服自己的大能，将我们这卑贱的身体改变形状，和他自己荣耀的身体相似。』(腓立比书 3:20-21) 在今世我们需要模成耶稣的形像而得到魂的救恩。(参罗马书 8:29) 这就是经文所说，『我们却不是退后入沉沦的那等人，乃是有信心以至(灵)魂(G5590, soul)得救的人。』(希伯来书 10:39)              

    在这里我们要讨论一下罪的定义是什么？首先经文说，『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，…』(罗马书 5:12) 这经文明讲了亚当的不顺服神意味著罪，所有的人都是亚当的后裔，和他相同，所以不顺服神就意味著罪。为了要定义罪，逻辑要求我们还要证明罪意味著不顺服神，也就是要能证明顺服神意味著没有罪，后者实在不需要证明，顺服神怎么是犯罪呢？但我们也可用经文证实这一点。『…他(耶稣)也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。』(希伯来书 4:15) 祂是如何做到没有犯罪呢？『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…』(约翰福音 14:31) 所以顺服神就不犯罪。     

    我们已证明了在现今的世界中，罪的定义是不顺服神，但我们说过撒但的创造是在现今的世界前，在『2096 于宏洁的新人门训  –  不合乎圣经的地方  (1)』中，我们详细的证明了，在撒但的先前世界中，罪的定义也是不顺服神，我们就不重复其讨论了。请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

    今日是要顺服圣灵带领，『不要消灭圣灵的感动。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19) 即使没有感觉到圣灵的感动，也要选择站在神那边。要提的是，亚当是照著神的形像造的，神的形像是圣洁的，所以亚当创造时和神的圣洁有份，但仍然犯罪，所以人有圣洁但有自由意志，仍可不顺服神而犯罪，这是和神的圣洁不同处。神的圣洁是不能犯罪的，『…因为他不能背乎自己。』(提摩太后书 2:13) 神怎么能够不顺服祂自己呢？       

    有人说，照汇编英文的翻译，亚当就在旁边 (and gave also H1571 unto her husband H376 with her; and he did eat. H398)，但汇编的原文只用了吃(H398)这个字，它的典型经文如『于是雅各将饼和红豆汤给了以扫，以扫吃了(H398)喝了，便起来走了。 …』(创世记 25:34) 所以并没说亚当就在旁边。除非亚当和夏娃总是在一起，蛇实在是没有必要选择亚当在的时候去引诱夏娃，因为蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。不只如此，照经文看，亚当应该是不在的，因为圣经明说：『且不是亚当被引诱，乃是女人被引诱，陷在罪里。』(提摩太前书 2:14) 不过这不是重点，没有什么好争论的，重点是『…罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，死又是从罪来的，…』(罗马书 5:12)

3. 夏娃和亚当犯罪后的反应       

    『天起了凉风，耶和华神在园中行走。那人和他妻子听见神的声音，就藏在园里的树木中，躲避耶和华神的面。耶和华神呼唤那人，对他说：「你在哪里？」他说：「我在园中听见你的声音，我就害怕，因为我赤身露体，我便藏了。」耶和华说：「谁告诉你赤身露体呢？莫非你吃了我吩咐你不可吃的那树上的果子吗？」那人说：「你所赐给我、与我同居的女人，她把那树上的果子给我，我就吃了。」耶和华神对女人说：「你做的是甚么事呢？」 女人说：「那蛇引诱我，我就吃了。」』(创世记 3:8-13)             

    首先我们看到了，『他们二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露体，便拿无花果树的叶子，为自己编做裙子。』(创世记 3:7) 这样的裙子真能遮羞或御寒吗？最后还是要『耶和华神为亚当和他妻子用皮子做衣服，给他们穿。』(创世记 3:21)                 

    我们也看到了罪进入的结果是会彼此怪罪，找借口去推卸责任。亚当怪罪夏娃，夏娃则说是由于蛇，但他们都不触及真正的原因，就是不顺服神的命令，吃了分别善恶树上的果子。            

    神是全知的，祂怎么会不知道他们因吃了不可吃的果子而眼睛明亮，知道自己是赤身露体呢？但祂仍然问了他们，让他们面对被罪玷污后真实的自己！我们看到了他们怪罪别人，虽然说的也都是事实，但只是部份事实。现在也是如此，我们常争一些表面的部份事实，却忘了背后真正的原因！不知道是因为我们真不知道，或是因为『人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？』(耶利米书 17:9) 自己在欺骗自己都不知道！

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

        首先，我們看到撒但引誘夏娃是用對錯相雜的策略。今日也是如此，一不小心我們就會全盤接收，中了撒但的詭計，真的不要強解聖經，要用聖經的話作為絕對標準的去分辨。第二，我們討論了夏娃和亞當是如何的不順服神，而墮落有罪，也很簡短的討論了為什麼聖經說，罪的定義就是不順服神。今日是要順服聖靈帶領，不要消滅聖靈的感動，即使我們覺得沒有 聖靈的感動，也要永遠的站在神那邊。最後，我們看到了夏娃和亞當犯罪後的反應，就是怪罪別人，而不講真正的原因是因不順服神。現在也是如此，我們常爭一些表面的部份事實，卻不觸及背後真正的原因！

1. 撒但引誘夏娃的對錯相雜的策略

       『耶和華(H3068, 單數)神(H430, 複數)所造(H6213)的，惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇對女人說：「神豈是真說不許你們吃園中所有樹上的果子嗎？」女人對蛇說：「園中樹上的果子，我們可以吃；惟有園當中(H8432)那棵樹上的果子，神曾說：『你們不可吃，也不可摸，免得你們死。』」蛇對女人說：「你們不一定死，因為神知道，你們吃的日子眼睛就明亮了，你們便如神能知道善惡。」』(創世記 3:1-5)

        首先我們注意到「耶和華神」這辭又再次出現，又是單數又是複數，到底是什麼意思呢？在創世記 1:1 說到，『起初神(H430, 複數)創造(H1254, 單數)天地。』主詞是複數，而動詞卻是單數，這意謂著多位一體的神，這裏也是一樣。在下次，我們會討論到神是三位一體的神的含意，及其聖經的根據，和為什麼正好是三。

       我們注意到一個小地方，當中(H8432)這個字又出現了，也出現過在這經文裏，『…園子當中(H8432)又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。』(創世記 2:9) 因為生命樹和分別善惡樹是不可能種在同一個地方的，所以不論它們的距離有多遠或多近，伊甸園是有兩個中心的，在幾何的形狀中，只有橢園有兩個焦點，也就是有兩個中心。簡言之，伊甸園應是橢園形的。

        我們以前說過只有人能吃樹上的果子，神給亞當的命令很清楚和樹上的果子有關，這命令記載在創世記  2:16-17，『耶和華神吩咐他說：「園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意(H398)吃(H398)，只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』  我們以前說過為什這日子(H3117)這字是指今天的一日，就不多說了。不過我們要注意一點，因『亞當共活了九百三十歲就死了。』(創世記 5:5) 所以他的體和魂還活了很久，必定死是指靈死了，失去了和神交通的能力，但靈不是立刻就死，而是當天死了。因為在他們吃了不該吃的果子後，仍可見神的面，如經文所說，『…那人和他妻子聽見神的聲音，就藏在園裏的樹木中，躲避耶和華神的面。』(創世記  3:8) 

    神有絕對的主權，在人被趕出伊甸園後，祂仍可選擇和該隱交通，就如經文所說，『耶和華對該隱說：「你為甚麼發怒呢？你為甚麼變了臉色呢？」』(創世記  4:6) 在舊約中，神是主動和先知們交通，其實今日也是如此，神是主動的，因為生命只能從神來，如保羅說，『我栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有神叫他生長。可見栽種的算不得甚麼，澆灌的也算不得甚麼，只在那叫他生長的神。』(哥林多前書 3:6-7)

    另一點要指出的是這字H398用了兩次去加強語氣，是希伯來文中的用法。我們注意到蛇是神所造作(H6213)的，是在先前的世界就已創造(H1254)的，難怪啓示錄會說，『大龍就是那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，…』(啓示錄 12:9) 撒但知道神沒有告訴夏娃祂的命令，是直接告訴亞當的，所以牠很狡猾只對女人說，去引誘她。

        從撤但和夏娃的對話中，我們知道她的確是從亞當的口中，不很清楚的知道了這命令。開始時蛇就用「神豈是真說」來加深夏娃的困惑，我們看到她的回答就知道她沒搞清楚神的命令，因為神並沒有說，「也不可摸」。我們也看到了蛇要更加深了她的困惑而用了「不一定」這些字，並用正確的好處「眼睛明亮」去誘惑她。這的確是對的，因為吃了分別善惡樹上的果子後，『他們二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露體，便拿無花果樹的葉子，為自己編做裙子。』(創世記 3:7) 但不是「如」神能知道善惡，而只是「相似」而已，因『耶和華神說：「那人已經與我們相似，能知道善惡。…』(創世記 3:22) 

        在這裏我們看到了撒但的一個策略是，用真的事情去使人相信，把假的事夾在其中，人看見真的事，就很容易把假的事當作是真的，撒但對約伯記中的提幔人以利法，也是如此的使用對錯相雜的話語(參約伯記 4:12-21)，我們以前討論過這些經文。今日也是如此，一不小心，我們就會全盤接收，中了撒但的詭計，真的不要強解聖經，要用聖經的話作為絕對標準的去分辨。

2. 夏娃和亞當的墮落

       『於是，女人見那棵樹的果子好作食物，也悅人的眼目，且是可喜愛的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子來吃了；又給她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。他們二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露體，便拿無花果樹的葉子，為自己編做裙子。』(創世記 3:6-7)

                 我們看到了夏娃被誘惑在先，但是亞當是明知故犯，因為他很清楚的知道神的命令，難怪羅馬書 5:12 會說，『…罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』。今日的誘惑也是如此從三方面來的，『因為凡世界上的事，就像肉體的情慾，眼目的情慾，並今生的驕傲，都不是從父來的，乃是從世界來的。』(約翰一書 2:16) 這不是對應於夏娃被成功的引誘時的三個方面嗎？好作食物不是為肉體的情慾所誘惑嗎？悅人的眼目不是為眼目的情慾所吸引嗎？能使人有智慧不是因為今生的驕傲嗎？在他們墮落後，我們的確可証實撒但的話是真假混雜的，因『他們二人的眼睛就明亮了…』(創世記 3:7) 

       我們在上一部份講過伊甸園是橢圓的，生命樹和分別善惡的樹應該是有一些距離的，即使它們相當近，至少對夏娃來說，生命樹的吸引力顯然比不上分別善惡的樹，要不然她會吃生命樹上的果子的，因為神沒有不准她吃生命上的果子。

       在新約的時代，我們就很清楚知道那生命樹是代表耶穌基督，因耶穌明說，『你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而你們不肯到我這裏來得生命。』(約翰福音 5:39-40) 我們也知道，『…我(耶穌)來了，是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。』(約翰福音 10:10)   而生命樹的果子不是能使人永遠活著嗎？因在亞當和夏娃不順服神犯罪後，『耶和華神說：「…現在恐怕他伸手又摘生命樹的果子吃，就永遠活着。」』(創世記 3:22) 

        那時生命樹的吸引力不夠，今日不也是如此嗎？神是有憐憫有恩典的神，『信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。』(約翰福音 3:18) 對於吸引力不夠這件事，以賽亞不是預言的很清楚嗎？『他(耶穌)在耶和華面前生長如嫩芽，像根出於乾地。他無佳形美容，我們看見他的時候，也無美貌使我們羨慕他。他被藐視，被人厭棄，多受痛苦，常經憂患。他被藐視，好像被人掩面不看的一樣；我們也不尊重他。』(以賽亞書 53:2-3)

       『他誠然擔當我們的憂患，背負我們的痛苦；我們卻以為他受責罰，被神擊打苦待了。哪知他為我們的過犯受害，為我們的罪孽壓傷。因他受的刑罰，我們得平安；因他受的鞭傷，我們得醫治。』(以賽亞書 53:4-5) 最終祂為我們釘上了十字架，但三日後復活，『耶穌被交給人，是為我們的過犯；復活，是為叫我們稱義。』(羅馬書 4:25)

    請注意，我們分享過耶穌已受鞭傷，但不是每次屬世的生命都得醫治，每次都得醫治衹有屬靈的生命，因為衹要一信，我們就有一個新靈，並有聖靈住在我們裏面(參以西結書 36:26-27; 哥林多前書 6:19) 身體的得赦要等到耶穌再來，就是經文説的，『我們卻是天上的國民，並且等候救主，就是主耶穌基督從天上降臨。他要按着那能叫萬有歸服自己的大能，將我們這卑賤的身體改變形狀，和他自己榮耀的身體相似。』(腓立比書 3:20-21) 在今世我們需要模成耶穌的形像而得到魂的救恩。(參羅馬書 8:29) 這就是經文所說，『我們卻不是退後入沉淪的那等人，乃是有信心以至(靈)魂(G5590, soul)得救的人。』(希伯來書 10:39)

              在這裏我們要討論一下罪的定義是什麼？首先經文説，『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，…』(羅馬書 5:12) 這經文明講了亞當的不順服神意味著罪，所有的人都是亞當的後裔，和他相同，所以不順服神就意味著罪。為了要定義罪，邏輯要求我們還要証明罪意味著不順服神，也就是要能証明順服神意味著沒有罪，後者實在不需要証明，順服神怎麼是犯罪呢？但我們也可用經文証實這一點。『…他(耶穌)也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。』(希伯來書 4:15) 祂是如何做到沒有犯罪呢？『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…』(約翰福音 14:31) 所以順服神就不犯罪。

        我們已証明了在現今的世界中，罪的定義是不順服神，但我們說過撒但的創造是在現今的世界前，在『2096 于宏潔的新人門訓  –  不合乎聖經的地方  (1)』中，我們詳細的証明了，在撒但的先前世界中，罪的定義也是不順服神，我們就不重複其討論了。請到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的網站後，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，找到這篇文章。

        今日是要順服聖靈帶領，『不要消滅聖靈的感動。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 即使沒有感覺到聖靈的感動，也要選擇站在神那邊。要提的是，亞當是照着神的形像造的，神的形像是聖潔的，所以亞當創造時和神的聖潔有份，但仍然犯罪，所以人有聖潔但有自由意志，仍可不順服神而犯罪，這是和神的聖潔不同處。神的聖潔是不能犯罪的，『…因為他不能背乎自己。』(提摩太後書 2:13) 神怎麼能夠不順服祂自己呢？

        有人說，照彙編英文的翻譯，亞當就在旁邊 (and gave also H1571 unto her husband H376 with her; and he did eat. H398)，但彙編的原文只用了吃(H398)這個字，它的典型經文如『於是雅各將餅和紅豆湯給了以掃，以掃吃了(H398)喝了，便起來走了。 …』(創世記 25:34) 所以並沒說亞當就在旁邊。除非亞當和夏娃總是在一起，蛇實在是沒有必要選擇亞當在的時候去引誘夏娃，因為蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。不只如此，照經文看，亞當應該是不在的，因為聖經明說：『且不是亞當被引誘，乃是女人被引誘，陷在罪裏。』(提摩太前書 2:14) 不過這不是重點，沒有什麼好爭論的，重點是『…罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，死又是從罪來的，…』(羅馬書 5:12)

3. 夏娃和亞當犯罪後的反應

       『天起了涼風，耶和華神在園中行走。那人和他妻子聽見神的聲音，就藏在園裏的樹木中，躲避耶和華神的面。耶和華神呼喚那人，對他說：「你在哪裏？」他說：「我在園中聽見你的聲音，我就害怕，因為我赤身露體，我便藏了。」耶和華說：「誰告訴你赤身露體呢？莫非你吃了我吩咐你不可吃的那樹上的果子嗎？」那人說：「你所賜給我、與我同居的女人，她把那樹上的果子給我，我就吃了。」耶和華神對女人說：「你做的是甚麼事呢？」 女人說：「那蛇引誘我，我就吃了。」』(創世記 3:8-13)

              首先我們看到了，『他們二人的眼睛就明亮了，才知道自己是赤身露體，便拿無花果樹的葉子，為自己編做裙子。』(創世記 3:7) 這樣的裙子真能遮羞或禦寒嗎？最後還是要『耶和華神為亞當和他妻子用皮子做衣服，給他們穿。』(創世記 3:21) 

                 我們也看到了罪進入的結果是會彼此怪罪，找藉口去推卸責任。亞當怪罪夏娃，夏娃則說是由於蛇，但他們都不觸及真正的原因，就是不順服神的命令，吃了分別善惡樹上的果子。

       神是全知的，祂怎麼會不知道他們因吃了不可吃的果子而眼睛明亮，知道自己是赤身露體呢？但祂仍然問了他們，讓他們面對被罪玷汚後真實的自己！我們看到了他們怪罪別人，雖然說的也都是事實，但只是部份事實。現在也是如此，我們常爭一些表面的部份事實，卻忘了背後真正的原因！不知道是因為我們真不知道，或是因為『人心比萬物都詭詐，壞到極處，誰能識透呢？』(耶利米書 17:9) 自己在欺騙自己都不知道！

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

First, we shared the creation of Adam. We saw that Adam’s creation used creation out of nothing (H1254) and was formed (H3335) from dust. Since dust already existed at that time, it was also a making (H6213). Adam’s creation was very different from other living creatures. He had the breath of life from God breathed into his nostrils. We also discussed why the breath of life includes spirit and soul. Second, we only discussed the physical location of the Garden of Eden. We left the discussion of the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the midst of Garden, as well as God’s command, until Eve was tempted, because it would be clearer then. Finally, we discussed why Eve was not made from a rib, mentioned that Adam was very powerful before Eve was made, and saw how Eve was made. There are many reasons why a couple must become one, and Eve’s making has become the most important reason why a couple must become one. The fact that a couple must become one clearly states that men and women are equally important, but have different roles to play.

1. The creation of Adam and the breath of life including spirit and soul

“This is the account of the heavens (H8064) and the earth when they were created (H1254), in the day that the LORD God made

(H6213) earth and heaven (H8064). Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man (H120) to cultivate the ground. But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. Then the LORD God formed (H3335) man (H120) of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (H5397) of life (H2416); and man became a living being(H5315, soul).”(Genesis 2:4-7)

It starts with the creation out of nothing (H1254). Each planet has its own sky, so it is the heavens. We have already shared this point, so I won’t say more. Then it refers to the fact that the present world is made by the made heaven (H8064) and earth (H6213). So no matter how vast the sky is when we look at it from Earth, there is only one sky, so it is used in the singular. At that time, there were already plants and vegetables, because on the third day, ” Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, …”(Genesis 1:11). But before they began to grow, there was only mist, no rain, and no one tilling the ground.

Then it says that man (H120) was formed (H3335) from dust, and then the breath of life was breathed into his nostrils, and he became a living soul. This is different from other creatures, all of which were made or created by ‘God said,’ but only man (H120) had the breath of life from God, and he became a living soul (H5315). Because the Hebrew pronunciation of man (H120) is Adam, so Adam is used as his name.

So man (Adam) was created out of nothing, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”(Genesis 1:27) Here it is also said that Adam was formed (H3335) from dust (H3335). Let’s look at the meaning of made (H6213) again. From this verse, “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make (H6213) him a helper suitable for him.””(Genesis 2:18) We know that ‘made’ means that Eve came from the existing Adam. Therefore, the word ‘made (H6213)’ refers to making from something that already exists, because Adam was formed from the dust that already existed at that time. Therefore, although the Bible does not explicitly say that Adam was also made, looking at the meaning of the word made, we know that Adam was also made. So in the Book of Isaiah it says, “Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created (H1254) for My glory, Whom I have formed (H3335), even whom I have made (H6213).”(Isaiah 43:7) All three words are used here. We know that man has a spirit, because “Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.””(Genesis 6:3) So when a person dies, “then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit (H7307) will return to God who gave it.”(Ecclesiastes 12:7)

Of course, without the breath of life from God, Adam would not have life. Some people will ask what the breath of life is? The breath of life is composed of two original words. This composition only appears twice. The other place that talks about breath of life is the verse, “of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath (H5397) of the spirit of life (H2416), died.”(Genesis 7:22) So there must be a spirit in the breath of life, but it does not say there is a soul here. Let’s look at this point. 

First, we know that last time we talked about “1145 God created man in His image and likeness and Sabbath – Genesis(1)26-(2)3” that there is a Soul in the likeness of the Triune God, and the scripture says, “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.”(Genesis 5:1) Since man was made from the Spirit and Soul of the pre-existing Triune God, the breath of life must also include the soul. It is not like some people think that the soul is produced by the interaction between the spirit and the dust. Of course, some people may say that God has absolute sovereignty and can create souls in this way! However, the Bible uses the word made, which means that the soul already exists and cannot be created by interaction. So where does the soul go after a person dies? At least some will go to the place as said in the Book of Revelation, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained.”(Revelation 6:9)

2. Geographical location of the Garden of Eden

“The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man (H120) whom He had formed (H3335). Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel (H2313); it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Phrat (H6578). Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate (H5647) it and keep (H8104) it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day (H3117) that you eat from it you will surely die.””(Genesis 2:8-17)

We see that God has given the Garden of Eden to man to cultivate (H5647) and keep (H8104), so the man only has two things to do, which we will talk about in Chapter 3 where the man (Adam) and his wife Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden late on the sixth day of their creation, so they could only cultivate outside the garden as the scripture says, “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.” Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”(Genesis 4:1-2) At that time they were already driven out the Garden of Eden, so Cain was a tiller outside the Garden. The man obviously did not take good care of the Garden, because he allowed the ancient serpent to take advantage of the opportunity to successfully tempt Eve, and finally he himself disobeyed God, causing sin to enter the world through him (see Romans 5:12).

Regarding this verse, “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”(Genesis 2:9) We will leave this discussion until we discuss Eve’s temptation, because it will be clearer then. Regarding the verse on God’s command, we will leave it for the same reason and share it together at that time.

Now let’s briefly discuss the geographical location of the Garden of Eden mentioned in Genesis 2:10-14. Here, it is the most detailed description. Most English versions translate the Hiddekel River as the Tigris River and the Perath River as the Euphrates River. Only a few exceptions are the same as the original Union Version translation, such as the Young’s Text Translation (YLT), which is translated according to the original text. We probably can’t find a place that completely matches the description when we look at the map, so some people say that the landform changed after the flood, which is absolutely possible. The most suitable place at present is probably near the current Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In fact, even if we find it, it won’t matter. We must know that “…at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”(Genesis 3:24)

3. The reason why Eve was not made from the rib and the couple became one

“Then the LORD God said, “It is not (H3808) good (H2896) for the man to be alone; I will make (H6213) him a helper suitable (H5828) for him.” Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one (H259) of his ribs (H6763) and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned (H1129) into a woman (H802) the rib (H6763) which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman (H802), Because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one (H259) flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”(Genesis 2:18-25)

First, we see that the translation of the Strong’s Concordance has the word “not”, but omitted H3808. The other original version has this word, which is correct, because if everything is good, why did God make Eve? Therefore, I know that the version I use omitted the word H3808, which is wrong.

From these verses, we can see that Adam was very powerful before Eve was made, because “God created man in His own image, …”(Genesis 1:27). This can be seen from his ability to name various living creatures. Because the Bible can have just mentioned this fact in a simple sentence, but it uses such long verses to describe this fact to the extent that we cannot ignore this point. We will explain later why we emphasize that these things happened before Eve was made.

We noticed that when God made Eve, he first made Adam fall asleep, and then closed the flesh, so some people say that Jehovah performed the first operation. Because of this, Adam did not know how Eve was made, but he was very clear about the result, because “The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.””(Genesis 2:23)

The word “fashioned (H1129)” is used to make Eve. The typical verse of this word is in this verse, “Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built (H1129) a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.” (Genesis 4:17) So its meaning is very clear. Eve was indeed taken out of Adam and was fashioned or built (H1129) by something called H6763. We cannot be sure what it is, but it is definitely not a rib, which is a wrong translation.

Why do we say this? Because this word H6763 appears 41 times, only these two places translate it as rib, other related scriptures are not translated in this way, basically they all mean side. For example, this typical scripture, “You shall cast four gold rings for it and fasten them on its four feet, and two rings shall be on one side (H6763) of it and two rings on the other side of it.”(Exodus 25:12) So I would agree with what some people say that this is when the Hebrew original text was translated into Latin, and the Latin Septuagint did not reflect the meaning of the Hebrew original text.

We noticed that when God made Eve, he first made Adam fall asleep, so Adam did not know how Eve was made, but he was very clear about the result, because “The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.””(Genesis 2:23) It clearly shows that it is not a rib, so he also said flesh of my flesh. If it was just a rib, there would be no need to say more about flesh of my flesh! Let’s look at the fact that men and women are symmetrical outside. However, since God has absolute sovereignty, He could have created Adam with an extra rib first, and then taken out that rib to make woman. But seeing that the Scripture also mentions flesh of my flesh, we know that He would not do this. People who have the same question as me before can answer the question by this way.

Although we don’t know what is taken out, we can be sure of one thing. The Scripture says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one (H259) flesh.”(Genesis 2:24) and “…then He took one (H259) of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.”(Genesis 2:21) The same word H259 is used for one rib and one flesh. That is to say, the husband and wife must hold together to be equivalent to Adam before Eve was made. After Adam and Eve sinned, even if the husband and wife became one flesh after the sin, no one has this ability like Adam had before. No matter what, under normal circumstances, the couple must become one in order to fulfill God’s blessing, “…Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, …”(Genesis 1:28) This is why we emphasized that naming event happened before Eve was made.

Let’s look at the word spouse (H5828), because we can see the role of the spouse from the meaning of this word. This word H5828 appears 21 times. The following is a typical verse that explains its meaning. “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help (H5828) and our shield.”(Psalm 33:20) This means that the role of the spouse is a helper, but she must be there for the two to become one. Therefore, the importance of women is the same as that of men, but their roles are different. There is also a certain order in creation. Therefore, when Jesus became flesh, Paul said, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”(1 Corinthians 11:3) It also says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”(Ephesians 5:23) And it adds, “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”(Ephesians 5:33) So Paul would say, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”(Ephesians 5:25)  Although husbands may not encounter the time to give up their physical lives in their lifetime, they must have this determination.

Finally, we saw that their eyes were not opened at that time, and they focused on God. They did not know that they were naked at all, so how could they be ashamed?

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

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    首先我们分享了亚当的创造，看到了亚当的创造用了无中生有的创造(H1254)，也是由尘土中作成(H3335)，因尘土那时已存在，所以又是很已有的造作(H6213)的。亚当的创造和别的活物大不相同，是有由神来的生气吹在他鼻孔里，我们也讨论了生气是包括灵和魂的原因。第二，我们只讨论了伊甸园的物理位置，而我们将园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树、及神的命令，留到夏娃被引诱时再讨论，因为那时会比较清楚。最后，我们讨论了夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因，提到了亚当在有夏娃前是大有能力的，看到了夏娃是如何造成的。夫妻要成为一体是有很多原因的，也就是因为夏娃的造成，变成了夫妻非要成为一体的最重要原因。夫妻要成为一体，是明说了男女是一样的重要，但有不同的角色去扮演。

1. 亚当的创造及生气包括灵和魂       

    『创造(H1254, created)天(H8064, 复数)地的来历，在耶和华神造(H6213, made)天(H8064, 单数)地的日子，乃是这样：野地还没有草木，田间的菜蔬还没有长起来，因为耶和华神还没有降雨在地上，也没有人(H120)耕地，但有雾气从地上腾，滋润遍地。耶和华神用地上的尘土造(H3335, formed)人(H120)，将生(H2416)气(H5397)吹在他鼻孔里，他就成了(有灵的)活(H2416)人(H5315, 魂)，(名叫亚当)。』(创世记 2:4-7)        

    最开始是讲无中生有的创造(H1254），各星球有自己的天空，所以是诸天，我们已分享过这一点，就不多说了。接著是指现今的世界是由已创造的天地造(H6213)的，所以不管我们在地球上看天是如何的浩翰，也只是有一个天空，所以用的是单数。那时已有了草木和菜疏，因为在第三日时，『神说：「地要发生青草和结种子的菜蔬，…』(创世记 1:11) 只是还没长起来，那时的情景，只有雾气，没有雨，也没有人耕地。        

    接著就说到人(H120)是由尘土造(H3335, formed)的，然后有生气吹到他的鼻孔里，就成了活魂。这和其他生物不同，其他的都是由神说来的，只有那人(H120)有从神来的生气，就成了活魂(H5315)。请注意，原文中并没有「名叫亚当」这样的字，因为人(H120)的希伯来文的发音为亚当，就用亚当作为他的名字。        

    所以人(亚当)是无中生有创造(H1254)的，『神就照著自己的形像造(H1254)人，乃是照著他的形像造男造女。』(创世记 1:27) 这里又说亚当是由尘土作成(H3335)的。我们再看造作(H6213)的意义，从这经文，『耶和华神说：「那人独居不好，我要为他造(H6213)一个配偶帮助他。」』(创世记 2:18) 我们知道造作是指夏娃从已存在的亚当来的，因此用造作这字是指从已存在的东西做的，因为亚当是由那时已存在的尘土作成的，所以圣经虽然没有明讲亚当也是造作的，但看造作这字的意义，就知道亚当也是造作的。所以在以赛亚书说，『就是凡称为我名下的人，是我为自己的荣耀创造(H1254, created)的，是我所做成(H3335, formed)、所造作的(H6213, made)。』(以赛亚书 43:7) 三个字都用上了。请注意，原文中也没「有灵的」这样的字，但我们可知道人是有灵的，因『耶和华说：「人既属乎血气，我的灵(H7307)就不永远住在他里面，然而他的日子还可到一百二十年。』(创世记 6:3) 所以当人死时，『尘土仍归于地，灵(H7307)仍归于赐灵的神。』(传道书 12:7)        

    当然没有从神来的那生气，亚当是不会有生命的，有人就会问那生气是什么？生气由两个原文字组成，这样的组成只出现两次，另外一个地方说到生气的就是，『凡在旱地上、鼻孔有气息的生(H5397)灵(H7307)都死了。』(创世记 7:22) 所以生气里面一定有灵，但这里并没有说有魂，我们就来看这一点。        

    首先，我们知道上次我们在『2145 神照祂的形像和样式造人及安息日 – 创(1)26-(2)3』中说到，三位一体的神的样式中有魂，而经文是说， 『亚当的后代记在下面。 当神造(H1254, created)人的日子，是照著自己的样式(H1283, likeness)造(H6213, made)的。』(创世记 5:1) 既然，人是由已存在的三位一体的神的灵和魂造(H6213, made)的，生气里面一定也包括了魂，不会是像有些人认为的，魂的产生是因为灵和尘土的相互作用。当然有人可能会说，神有绝对的主权，可以这样造魂啊 !  但是圣经是用造作(H6213)这个字，就说明了魂已经存在，是不会因相互作用造的。那么人死后魂到了那里？.至少有些会如启示录所说的，「揭开第五印的时候，我看见在祭坛底下，有为神的道并为作见证被杀之人的(灵)魂(G5590)。」(启示录 6:9)

2. 伊甸园的地理位置       

    『耶和华神在东方的伊甸立了一个园子，把所造(H3335)的人(H120)安置在那里。耶和华神使各样的树从地里长出来，可以悦人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。有河从伊甸流出来滋润那园子，从那里分为四道：第一道名叫比逊，就是环绕哈腓拉全地的。在那里有金子，并且那地的金子是好的；在那里又有珍珠和红玛瑙。第二道河名叫基训，就是环绕古实全地的。第三道河名叫希底结(Hiddekel, H2313)，流在亚述的东边，第四道河就是伯拉河(Phrat, H6578)。耶和华神将那人安置在伊甸园，使他修理(耕种, H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)。耶和华神吩咐他说：「园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意吃，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』(创世记 2:8-17

    我们看到了神已把伊甸园交给了人去耕种(H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)，所以这人要做只有两件事情，我们将要在第三章谈到，那人(亚当)和他的妻子夏娃，在创造时的第六天较晚的时候，被赶出了伊甸园，所以他们只能在园外耕种。就像经文所说，『有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房，夏娃就怀孕，生了该隐，便说：「耶和华使我得了一个男子。」又生了该隐的兄弟亚伯。 亚伯是牧羊的，该隐是种地的。』(创世记 4:1-2) 那人显然也没有看守好园子，因为他让古蛇趁隙成功的引诱了夏娃，最后自己也因不顺服神，而致使罪从他入了世界(参罗马书 5:12)。        

    关于这经文，『耶和华神使各样的树从地里长出来，可以悦人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。』(创世记 2:9) 我们留到讨论夏娃被引诱时再讨论，因为那时会比较清楚。关于神的命令这一段，我们也因同样的原因，留在那时再一同分享。        

    我们现在就简短的讨论一下创世记 2:10-14 所说的伊甸园的地理位置。在这里，已经是最详细的叙述了，大部份的英文版本都把希底结河翻成底格里斯河，而把伯拉河翻成幼发拉底河，只有少数的例外与原先的和合本翻译相同，例如「杨氏文字翻译(YLT)」，是照原文翻译的。我们看地图大概也找不到完全符合叙述的地方，因此有人说洪水过后地貌改变了，这绝对是有可能的，目前最符合的地方大概是现在的底格里斯河和幼发拉底河附近。其实就算找到了也不能怎么样，我们要知道，『…在伊甸园的东边安设基路伯，和四面转动发火焰的剑，要把守生命树的道路。』(创世记 3:24)   

3. 夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因和夫妻成为一体       

    『耶和华神说：「那人独居不(H3808)好(H2896)，我要为他造(H6213, make)一个配偶(H5828)帮助他。」耶和华神用土所造成的野地各样走兽，和空中各样飞鸟都带到那人面前，看他叫甚么。那人怎样叫各样的活物，那就是牠的名字。那人便给一切牲畜和空中飞鸟、野地走兽都起了名。只是那人没有遇见配偶帮助他。耶和华神使他沉睡，他就睡了；于是取下他的一条(H259)肋骨(H6763)，又把肉合起来。耶和华神就用那人身上所取的肋骨(H6763)造成(H1129)一个女人(H802)，领她到那人跟前。那人说：「这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为『女人(H802)』，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。」因此，人要离开父母与妻子连合，二人成为一(H259)体。当时夫妻二人赤身露体，并不羞耻。』(创世记 2:18-25)        

    首先我们看到汇编的翻译有「不」这个字，但遗露了H3808，另一个原文的版本有这个字，是对的，因为一切都好的话，神怎么会造夏娃，所以知道我用的汇编这版本遗露了H3808这字是不对的。        

    从这些经文中，我们看到亚当在没有造夏娃前是大有能力的，因他是『神就照著自己的形像造人，…』(创世记 1:27) 在他能为各样的活物起名就可以看到这一点，因为圣经可以用简单的一句话已带过这事实的，却用这么长的经文描述这事实，要我们不注意这一点都不行，等下我们会强调为什么要强调这些事是发生在没有造夏娃前。       

    我们注意到神造夏娃时，是先要亚当沈睡的，然后又把肉合起来，所以有人说耶和华动了第一个手术。也因为如此，所以亚当是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他对结果是很清楚的，因『那人说：「这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为『女人』，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。」』(创世记 2:23)        

    关于造夏娃，是用造成(H1129)这个字，其典型经文，如『该隐与妻子同房，他妻子就怀孕，生了以诺。该隐建造(H1129)了一座城，就按著他儿子的名，将那城叫作以诺。』(创世记 4:17) 所以其意义就很清楚了，夏娃的确是从亚当中取出来，叫做H6763的东西造成(H1129)的，我们不能确知是什么东西，但绝不是肋骨，是错误的翻译。     

    为什么这样说呢？因为这个字 H6763出现了41次，只有这两个地方翻成肋骨，其他相关的经文都不是这样翻的，基本上都是说旁边(side)的意思。譬如这典型的经文，『也要铸四个金环，安在柜的四脚上，这边(side, H6763)两环，那边两环。』(出埃及记 25:12) 所以我会同意有人说的，这是从希伯来原文翻成拉丁文时，拉丁文的七十士译本就没有反应出希伯来原文的意思。        

    我们注意到神造夏娃时，是先要亚当沈睡的，所以亚当是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他对结果是很清楚的，因『那人说：「这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为『女人』，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。」』(创世记 2:23) 很清楚的说明不是肋骨，他并不知是什么东西，所以还说了肉中的肉，如果只是肋骨，就不必多说肉中的肉了！我们再看男女都是一样的这事实，除了内脏之外，都是对称的，但以神有绝对主权来说，祂是可以把先把亚当造成多一根肋骨，然后取出那肋骨造女人。但看经文又说了肉中的肉，就知道祂是不会这样做的，所以我们最多只能说是用这事实作为佐证，是为了有像我以前有这样问题的人，可以这样的回答。       

    虽然不知道取出来的是什么东西，但我们可以确定一点，经文说，『因此，人要离开父母与妻子连合，二人成为一(H259)体。』(创世记 2:24) 而『…取下他的一条(H259)肋骨，又把肉合起来。』(创世记 2:21) 一条肋骨和一体的一都是用同一个字H259，也就是说，夫妻要连合后才能相当于夏娃没有被造成之前的亚当，在亚当和夏娃犯罪后，即使犯罪后的夫妻成为一体，也没有人再有这能力。所以在正常的情况下，二人要成为一体才行，也才能履行神的祝福，『…要生养众多，遍满地面，…』(创世记 1:28) 这也是为什么我们以前要强调取名的事，是发生在没有造成夏娃之前。        

    我们来看看配偶(H5828)这字，因为我们从这字的意义可见到配偶的角色，这字H5828出现21次，以下是一个典型的经文说明了它的意义。『我们的心向来等候耶和华，他是我们的帮助(H5828)，我们的盾牌。』(诗篇 33:20) 也就说配偶的角色是一个帮助者，但非要她不行才能二人成为一体，所以女人的重要性是和男人一样的，但角色是不同的，创造时也有一定的次序，所以会在耶稣道成肉身时，保罗会说，『我愿意你们知道，基督是各人的头，男人是女人的头，神是基督的头。』(哥林多前书 11:3) 又说，『因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头，他又是教会全体的救主。』(以弗所书 5:23) 又加上『然而你们各人都当爱妻子，如同爱自己一样; 妻子也当敬重她的丈夫。』(以弗所书 5:33) 所以保罗会说，「你们作丈夫的，要爱你们的妻子，正如基督爱教会，为教会舍己。」(以弗所书 5:25)  虽然作丈夫的，一生都可能不会碰到要舍弃自己物理的生命的时候，但要有这个心志。    

    最后，我们看到了他们那时眼睛没有开启，注目在神身上，跟本不知道自己是赤身露体，怎么会羞耻呢？

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

        首先我們分享了亞當的創造，看到了亞當的創造用了無中生有的創造(H1254)，也是由塵土中作成(H3335)，因塵土那時已存在，所以又是很已有的造作(H6213)的。亞當的創造和別的活物大不相同，是有由神來的生氣吹在他鼻孔裏，我們也討論了生氣是包括靈和魂的原因。第二，我們只討論了伊甸園的物理位置，而我們將園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹、及神的命令，留到夏娃被引誘時再討論，因為那時會比較清楚。最後，我們討論了夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因，提到了亞當在有夏娃前是大有能力的，看到了夏娃是如何造成的。夫妻要成為一體是有很多原因的，也就是因為夏娃的造成，變成了夫妻非要成為一體的最重要原因。夫妻要成為一體，是明說了男女是一樣的重要，但有不同的角色去扮演。

1. 亞當的創造及生氣包括靈和魂

       『創造(H1254, created)天(H8064, 複數)地的來歷，在耶和華神造(H6213, made)天(H8064, 單數)地的日子，乃是這樣：野地還沒有草木，田間的菜蔬還沒有長起來，因為耶和華神還沒有降雨在地上，也沒有人(H120)耕地，但有霧氣從地上騰，滋潤遍地。耶和華神用地上的塵土造(H3335, formed)人(H120)，將生(H2416)氣(H5397)吹在他鼻孔裏，他就成了(有靈的)活(H2416)人(H5315, 魂)，(名叫亞當)。』(創世記 2:4-7)

        最開始是講無中生有的創造(H1254），各星球有自己的天空，所以是諸天，我們已分享過這一點，就不多說了。接著是指現今的世界是由已創造的天地造(H6213)的，所以不管我們在地球上看天是如何的浩翰，也只是有一個天空，所以用的是單數。那時已有了草木和菜疏，因為在第三日時，『神說：「地要發生青草和結種子的菜蔬，…』(創世記 1:11) 只是還沒長起來，那時的情景，只有霧氣，沒有雨，也没有人耕地。

        接著就說到人(H120)是由塵土造(H3335, formed)的，然後有生氣吹到他的鼻孔裏，就成了活魂。這和其他生物不同，其他的都是由神說來的，只有那人(H120)有從神來的生氣，就成了活魂(H5315)。請注意，原文中並沒有「名叫亞當」這樣的字，因為人(H120)的希伯來文的發音為亞當，就用亞當作為他的名字。

        所以人(亞當)是無中生有創造(H1254)的，『神就照着自己的形像造(H1254)人，乃是照着他的形像造男造女。』(創世記 1:27) 這裏又說亞當是由塵土作成(H3335)的。我們再看造作(H6213)的意義，從這經文，『耶和華神說：「那人獨居不好，我要為他造(H6213)一個配偶幫助他。」』(創世記 2:18) 我們知道造作是指夏娃從已存在的亞當來的，因此用造作這字是指從已存在的東西做的，因為亞當是由那時已存在的塵土作成的，所以聖經雖然沒有明講亞當也是造作的，但看造作這字的意義，就知道亞當也是造作的。所以在以賽亞書說，『就是凡稱為我名下的人，是我為自己的榮耀創造(H1254, created)的，是我所做成(H3335, formed)、所造作的(H6213, made)。』(以賽亞書 43:7) 三個字都用上了。請注意，原文中也沒「有靈的」這樣的字，但我們可知道人是有靈的，因『耶和華說：「人既屬乎血氣，我的靈(H7307)就不永遠住在他裏面，然而他的日子還可到一百二十年。』(創世記 6:3) 所以當人死時，『塵土仍歸於地，靈(H7307)仍歸於賜靈的神。』(傳道書 12:7)

        當然沒有從神來的那生氣，亞當是不會有生命的，有人就會問那生氣是什麼？生氣由兩個原文字組成，這樣的組成只出現兩次，另外一個地方說到生氣的就是，『凡在旱地上、鼻孔有氣息的生(H5397)靈(H7307)都死了。』(創世記 7:22) 所以生氣裏面一定有靈，但這裏並沒有說有魂，我們就來看這一點。

        首先，我們知道上次我們在『2145 神照祂的形像和樣式造人及安息日 – 創(1)26-(2)3』中說到，三位一體的神的樣式中有魂，而經文是說， 『亞當的後代記在下面。 當神造(H1254, created)人的日子，是照着自己的樣式(H1283, likeness)造(H6213, made)的。』(創世記 5:1) 既然，人是由已存在的三位一體的神的靈和魂造(H6213, made)的，生氣裏面一定也包括了魂，不會是像有些人認為的，魂的產生是因為靈和塵土的相互作用。當然有人可能會說，神有絕對的主權，可以這樣造魂啊 !  但是聖經是用造作(H6213)這個字，就說明了魂已經存在，是不會因相互作用造的。那麼人死後魂到了那裡？.至少有些會如啓示錄所說的，「揭開第五印的時候，我看見在祭壇底下，有為神的道並為作見證被殺之人的(靈)魂(G5590)。」(啓示錄 6:9)

2. 伊甸園的地理位置

       『耶和華神在東方的伊甸立了一個園子，把所造(H3335)的人(H120)安置在那裏。耶和華神使各樣的樹從地裏長出來，可以悅人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。有河從伊甸流出來滋潤那園子，從那裏分為四道：第一道名叫比遜，就是環繞哈腓拉全地的。在那裏有金子，並且那地的金子是好的；在那裏又有珍珠和紅瑪瑙。第二道河名叫基訓，就是環繞古實全地的。第三道河名叫希底結(Hiddekel, H2313)，流在亞述的東邊，第四道河就是伯拉河(Phrat, H6578)。耶和華神將那人安置在伊甸園，使他修理(耕種, H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)。耶和華神吩咐他說：「園中各樣樹上的果子，你可以隨意吃，只是分別善惡樹上的果子，你不可吃，因為你吃的日子(H3117)必定死。」』(創世記 2:8-17)

        我們看到了神已把伊甸園交給了人去耕種(H5647, dress)看守(H8104, keep)，所以這人要做只有兩件事情，我們將要在第三章談到，那人(亞當)和他的妻子夏娃，在創造時的第六天較晚的時候，被趕出了伊甸園，所以他們只能在園外耕種。就像經文所說，『有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房，夏娃就懷孕，生了該隱，便說：「耶和華使我得了一個男子。」又生了該隱的兄弟亞伯。 亞伯是牧羊的，該隱是種地的。』(創世記 4:1-2) 那人顯然也沒有看守好園子，因為他讓古蛇趁隙成功的引誘了夏娃，最後自己也因不順服神，而致使罪從他入了世界(參羅馬書 5:12)。

        關於這經文，『耶和華神使各樣的樹從地裏長出來，可以悅人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。園子當中又有生命樹和分別善惡的樹。』(創世記 2:9) 我們留到討論夏娃被引誘時再討論，因為那時會比較清楚。關於神的命令這一段，我們也因同樣的原因，留在那時再一同分享。

        我們現在就簡短的討論一下創世記 2:10-14 所說的伊甸園的地理位置。在這裏，已經是最詳細的敘述了，大部份的英文版本都把希底結河翻成底格里斯河，而把伯拉河翻成幼發拉底河，只有少數的例外與原先的和合本翻譯相同，例如「楊氏文字翻譯(YLT)」，是照原文翻譯的。我們看地圖大概也找不到完全符合敍述的地方，因此有人說洪水過後地貌改變了，這絕對是有可能的，目前最符合的地方大概是現在的底格里斯河和幼發拉底河附近。其實就算找到了也不能怎麼樣，我們要知道，『…在伊甸園的東邊安設基路伯，和四面轉動發火焰的劍，要把守生命樹的道路。』(創世記 3:24)

3. 夏娃非由肋骨造成的原因和夫妻成為一體

       『耶和華神說：「那人獨居不(H3808)好(H2896)，我要為他造(H6213, make)一個配偶(H5828)幫助他。」耶和華神用土所造成的野地各樣走獸，和空中各樣飛鳥都帶到那人面前，看他叫甚麼。那人怎樣叫各樣的活物，那就是牠的名字。那人便給一切牲畜和空中飛鳥、野地走獸都起了名。只是那人沒有遇見配偶幫助他。耶和華神使他沉睡，他就睡了；於是取下他的一條(H259)肋骨(H6763)，又把肉合起來。耶和華神就用那人身上所取的肋骨(H6763)造成(H1129)一個女人(H802)，領她到那人跟前。那人說：「這是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以稱她為『女人(H802)』，因為她是從男人身上取出來的。」因此，人要離開父母與妻子連合，二人成為一(H259)體。當時夫妻二人赤身露體，並不羞恥。』(創世記 2:18-25)

        首先我們看到彙編的翻譯有「不」這個字，但遺露了H3808，另一個原文的版本有這個字，是對的，因為一切都好的話，神怎麼會造夏娃，所以知道我用的彙編這版本遺露了H3808這字是不對的。

        從這些經文中，我們看到亞當在沒有造夏娃前是大有能力的，因他是『神就照着自己的形像造人，…』(創世記 1:27) 在他能為各樣的活物起名就可以看到這一點，因為聖經可以用簡單的一句話已帶過這事實的，卻用這麼長的經文描述這事實，要我們不注意這一點都不行，等下我們會強調為什麼要強調這些事是發生在沒有造夏娃前。

        我們注意到神造夏娃時，是先要亞當沈睡的，然後又把肉合起來，所以有人說耶和華動了第一個手術。也因為如此，所以亞當是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他對結果是很清楚的，因『那人說：「這是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以稱她為『女人』，因為她是從男人身上取出來的。」』(創世記 2:23)

        關於造夏娃，是用造成(H1129)這個字，其典型經文，如『該隱與妻子同房，他妻子就懷孕，生了以諾。該隱建造(H1129)了一座城，就按着他兒子的名，將那城叫作以諾。』(創世記 4:17) 所以其意義就很清楚了，夏娃的確是從亞當中取出來，叫做H6763的東西造成(H1129)的，我們不能確知是什麼東西，但絕不是肋骨，是錯誤的翻譯。

     為什麼這樣說呢？因為這個字 H6763出現了41次，只有這兩個地方翻成肋骨，其他相關的經文都不是這樣翻的，基本上都是說旁邊(side)的意思。譬如這典型的經文，『也要鑄四個金環，安在櫃的四腳上，這邊(side, H6763)兩環，那邊兩環。』(出埃及記 25:12) 所以我會同意有人說的，這是從希伯來原文翻成拉丁文時，拉丁文的七十士譯本就沒有反應出希伯來原文的意思。

        我們注意到神造夏娃時，是先要亞當沈睡的，所以亞當是不知道夏娃究竟是如何造成的，但他對結果是很清楚的，因『那人說：「這是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以稱她為『女人』，因為她是從男人身上取出來的。」』(創世記 2:23) 很清楚的說明不是肋骨，他並不知是什麼東西，所以還說了肉中的肉，如果只是肋骨，就不必多說肉中的肉了！我們再看男女都是一樣的這事實，除了內臟之外，都是對稱的，但以神有絕對主權來說，祂是可以把先把亞當造成多一根肋骨，然後取出那肋骨造女人。但看經文又說了肉中的肉，就知道祂是不會這樣做的，所以我們最多只能說是用這事實作為佐証，是為了有像我以前有這樣問題的人，可以這樣的回答。

       雖然不知道取出來的是什麼東西，但我們可以確定一點，經文說，『因此，人要離開父母與妻子連合，二人成為一(H259)體。』(創世記 2:24) 而『…取下他的一條(H259)肋骨，又把肉合起來。』(創世記 2:21) 一條肋骨和一體的一都是用同一個字H259，也就是說，夫妻要連合後才能相當於夏娃沒有被造成之前的亞當，在亞當和夏娃犯罪後，即使犯罪後的夫妻成為一體，也沒有人再有這能力。所以在正常的情況下，二人要成為一體才行，也才能履行神的祝福，『…要生養眾多，遍滿地面，…』(創世記 1:28) 這也是為什麼我們以前要強調取名的事，是發生在沒有造成夏娃之前。

        我們來看看配偶(H5828)這字，因為我們從這字的意義可見到配偶的角色，這字H5828出現21次，以下是一個典型的經文說明了它的意義。『我們的心向來等候耶和華，他是我們的幫助(H5828)，我們的盾牌。』(詩篇 33:20) 也就説配偶的角色是一個幫助者，但非要她不行才能二人成為一體，所以女人的重要性是和男人一樣的，但角色是不同的，創造時也有一定的次序，所以會在耶穌道成肉身時，保羅會說，『我願意你們知道，基督是各人的頭，男人是女人的頭，神是基督的頭。』(哥林多前書 11:3) 又說，『因為丈夫是妻子的頭，如同基督是教會的頭，他又是教會全體的救主。』(以弗所書 5:23) 又加上『然而你們各人都當愛妻子，如同愛自己一樣; 妻子也當敬重她的丈夫。』(以弗所書 5:33) 所以保羅會說，「你們作丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，正如基督愛教會，為教會捨己。」(以弗所書 5:25)  雖然作丈夫的，一生都可能不會碰到要捨棄自己物理的生命的時候，但要有這個心志。

    最後，我們看到了他們那時眼睛沒有開啓，注目在神身上，跟本不知道自己是赤身露體，怎麼會羞恥呢？

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

This time we are looking at two topics. In the topic of the creation of man on the sixth day to govern and manage the earth, we see that man was created in the image and likeness of the Triune God. We note that image and likeness are two different words, and confusing them will inevitably lead to logical errors. The Bible mentions that man’s image will be tainted and changed by the entry of sin, but likeness will not be tainted. We have discussed image and likeness in detail. We also discussed God’s original plan and the situation after it was tainted by sin. In the topic of God resting from His work of creation on the seventh day and blessing the Sabbath, we see that God has indeed rested from His work of creation, but the Triune God is still working for salvation today, because He wants all people to be saved and to know the truth. We also mentioned the creation of the Sabbath and its true meaning.

1. Creation of man on the sixth day to govern and manage the earth

“Then God (H430, plural) said, “Let Us make (H6213) man in Our image (H6754), according to Our likeness (H1823); and let them rule (dominion, H7287) over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created (H1254) man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”(Genesis 1:26-31)

We should first notice that the word God is used in the plural, referring to the Triune God. The original text of the Strong’s Concordance does not have these words ‘our,’ but it is used in the plural, so it is obviously ‘our.’ Then we notice that image (H6754) and likeness (H1823) are two different words. If we confuse the two, it will definitely lead to logical errors. The word image appears 17 times and its meaning can be seen from the verse, “then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images (H6754) and demolish all their high places.”(Numbers 33:52) In addition to the outward appearance of idols – molten images, the main thing about them is the power of Satan behind them. So when God created man in their image, it did not mean that they looked like humans, with a nose, two ears, etc. The image here refers to the spiritual image.

There are many scriptures about the image of the Triune God. For example, God is holy. The Bible says, “For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.”(Leviticus 11:45) He has absolute sovereignty, ““I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. …”(Isaiah 45:5) And it is said, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”(Psalm 89:14) The church often talks about God’s love, which everyone likes to hear, but rarely mentions the righteousness of God, which many people do not like.

In the New Testament era, God’s righteousness was indeed fulfilled because Jesus died on the cross on our behalf. Doesn’t the scripture say so? “whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”(Romans 3:25-26) And again here, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”(Romans 6:4) Also, “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; …”(Luke 13:23-24) How can one enter through the narrow gate without a newness of  life? “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”(Hebrews 3:13) Don’t wait until the great white throne judgment mentioned in the Book of Revelation (see Revelation 20:11-15), when the Triune God will reveal His righteousness, it will be too late.

The Holy Spirit also has absolute sovereignty. “But one and the same Spirit works all these things (gifts), distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”(1 Corinthians 12:11) Jesus’ image is the image of the Father, because “Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”(John 14:9) In the Old Testament era, no one could see the face of Jehovah and live. Jehovah said very clearly to Moses, “…You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”(Exodus 33:20) The New Testament era is different. People at that time could see Jesus. There are many verses about images of Jesus. Let us give two examples. One is, “…I am gentle and humble in heart, …”(Matthew 11:29) The other is, “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.””(John 8:12)

As for the word likeness (H1823), it appears 25 times and its meaning can be seen from this verse, “Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar which was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the pattern (H1823) of the altar and its model, according to all its workmanship.”(2 Kings 16:10) Let us look at the following verses: “Within it there were figures (H1823) resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form (H1823).”(Ezekiel 1:5) “As for the form (H1823) of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle.”(Ezekiel 1:10) In other words, the meaning of this word is like when we say that a table basically has four legs, although the shape of the tabletop may be different, such as rectangular, oval, etc.

When the Old Testament says, “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness (H1823) of God.”(Genesis 5:1) Therefore, the likeness of man is the likeness of the Triune God. The Bible does not explicitly state what the likeness of God is, but the New Testament clearly states what the likeness of man is. First of all, we notice that the New Testament is written in Greek, so the words used are different, namely G1504 for image and G3667 for likeness, but the meaning is the same as the corresponding words in the Old Testament, so we will not elaborate on them.

Let us ask what is the likeness of man? As the Bible clearly states, man is composed of three parts: spirit, soul and body, which is the so-called tripartite theory. It is said, “…may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Thessalonians 5:23) The dichotomy says that the soul and the spirit are inseparable, but this contradicts what the Bible says, because “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”(Hebrews 4:12) If you read the Old and New Testaments together, you can see that when a person dies, the spirit leaves first, followed by the soul. After the soul leaves, the person dies. Therefore, we can be sure that the three-part division is correct.

Regarding human death, let us first look at the Old Testament, “It came about as her (Rachel’s) soul was departing (for she died), …”(Genesis 35:18) So the soul departed and the body died. Let’s look at the New Testament then, “Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her (Jairus’ daughter); but He (Jesus) said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.””(Luke 8:52) Let us look further, “And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; …”(Luke 8:55) Please note that the word “spirit” is used here. The old spirit returns to the person and can maintain life, but the soul is still in the body, so Jesus would say that she is asleep. So when a person dies, the spirit leaves first, then the soul. When the soul leaves, the body dies!

We note that the image and likeness of the Triune God already existed, and man was created in the image and likeness of that existing God, so the word made (H6213) is used first. Because the likeness is fixed, “God created man in His own image (H6754), in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”(Genesis 1:27) So man was created out of nothing, so the word creation (H1254) is used here as well.

So this is the original image of man, created in the image of God. For example, God has absolute sovereignty and of course has free will, so humans also have free will and can choose to disobey God and sin, and eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As recorded in the Old Testament, “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband (with her), and he ate.”(Genesis 3:6) Doesn’t the New Testament also clearly state, “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death through sin, …”(Romans 5:12) So the image can be changed by the stain of sin.

We have just said that the likeness is fixed. Let’s see what the Bible says about the fact that the likeness cannot be tainted by sin. First, Jesus “…emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”(Philippians 2:7) So Jesus is like us. Let’s look at the word God again. It is used in the plural, referring to the fact that the three persons of the Trinity together form the likeness of God. The Holy Spirit is pure spirit, and it is true that Jehovah is a spirit. But Jehovah said to Moses, “…“Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.””(Exodus 33:21-23) Therefore, Jehovah also has a body, both spirit and body. Because man was created in the likeness of the Triune God, Jesus, in addition to having a spirit and a body, must also have a soul, so that He can have a likeness comparable to that of a man, because the likeness of a man is likeness of Jesus when He became flesh, which is also the likeness of the Triune God.

Let us look at the fact that He and we have different images: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.”(Matthew 1:18) So He started out sinless. However, He took on human likeness, and during the period of His incarnation, He was a complete man who could sin like humans, but He was completely obedient to God, as He said, “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) So “…we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) So His image has never been tainted by sin. If likeness can be tainted, Jesus had likeness tainted by sin. If this were the case, then Jesus had flaws and could not have “…through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, …”(Hebrews 9:14) Therefore, the likeness cannot be tainted by sin. Only the image was tainted when Adam sinned.

As for our image, the Bible clearly states, “When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.”(Genesis 5:3) At that time Adam had already sinned, so Seth was sinful. It is indeed a bit like heredity. We are all descendants of Adam, so we are all sinful like Seth. No one is a Christian from birth. It takes a period of time. Because we already have the same undefiled likeness as Jesus, thus it is consistent with what Paul said, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29) We need to be conformed to His image only, because we already have His likeness. From this, we also see another example of “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.”

We see that God’s original intention was for man to fill (H4390) the earth. This word appears 16 times in the Book of Genesis. A typical passage is, 

“Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with (H4390) violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”(Genesis 6:13) So the Chinese Union Version isn’t translated correctly, since it is just a repetition of God’s blessing, “…Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, …”(Genesis 1:28) In addition, those who are not defiled by sin are also given authority to rule, that is, ““You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands; You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” …”(Hebrews 2:7-8) “…But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, …”(Hebrews 2:8-9)

After man was defiled by sin, “…the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope.”(Romans 8:20) They still have hope, ” that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”(Romans 8:21-23) This is what Paul said, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

As soon as we believe, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. “…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, …”(1 Corinthians 6:19) So at that time our spirit was already saved with a new spirit, just as the scripture says, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”(Ezekiel 36:26-27) What we can do in this life is to be conformed to the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:29) and obtain the salvation of our souls, which is what Peter said, “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”(1 Peter 1:9)

Finally, we also see that before people were tainted by sin, they were all vegetarians. Please note that only humans can eat the fruit. This is related to the command God gave to Adam. We will discuss this command later. Notice also that it was not until after the Flood that God said to Noah and his sons, “Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant.”(Genesis 9:3) At that time, people began to eat meat.

2. On the seventh day God rested from His work of creation and blessed the Sabbath

 “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created (H1254)and made (H6213).”(Genesis 2:1-3)

Please note that the Union Version uses the word ‘create’ to cover the two original words in the Strong’s Concordance, because we have shared that some of the world today is created (H1254) and some is made (H6213). So God had indeed completed all of His work of creation at that time, and “Then the LORD God took the man (Adam) and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate (H5647) it and keep (H8104) it.”(Genesis 2:15) So God gave everything He created to Adam (man), and he continued God’s work to repair and guard it. And “Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, …”(Genesis 2:19-20) In the beginning, Adam was created in the image of God and was very powerful. Who can do the same now?

Regarding the Sabbath, it is said in the Book of Exodus, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.”(Exodus 20:8-11) It is just that it is more important to pay attention to the true meaning of keeping the Sabbath rather than just observing the time prescribed by the law. This is made clear in the Book of Isaiah, ““If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the LORD,…”(Isaiah 58:13-14) Jesus did just that in the New Testament, “And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.””(Matthew 12:11-12) and “…the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”(Matthew 12:8)

Paul made it very clear in Romans 8:29 that we should be conformed to the image of Jesus. Here we can clearly see that Jesus gave us an example. What we should observe on the Sabbath is the true meaning, not the literal law. Therefore, “For truly I (Jesus) say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”(Matthew 5:18) This refers to the true meaning of the Law. Paul also said, “And do not be conformed (G4964) to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(Romans 12:2)

Some people say that Jehovah has not rested! Doesn’t the New Testament say, “But He answered them (the Jews), “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.””(John 5:17) Yes, it does say that there was rest from the work of creation, but because of Adam’s disobedience to God, sin entered the world through him, and the plan of salvation began in a prophetic way, so Jesus was referring to the Triune God still working for salvation today. That is what Paul said, “…God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:3-4) We should really be grateful, because this gives us the opportunity to receive complete salvation and to have our lives completely changed.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    我们这次是看两个话题，在第六日的创造人去治理和管理这地的话题中，看到人是照著三位一体的神的形像和样式造的。我们注意到形像和样式是两个不同的字，混为一谈一定会产生逻辑上的错误。圣经提到，人的形像会因罪的进入而玷污被改变，而样式则不会被玷污，我们详细讨论了形像和样式。我们也讨论了神原先的旨意和被罪玷污后的情景。在第七日神从创造的工安息了并赐福安息日的话题里，我们看到神的确从创世的工安息了，但三位一体的神今日仍在为救恩作工，因祂愿万人得救，明白真道。我们也提到了安息日的创立及其真谛。

1. 第六日的创造人去治理和管理这地                

    『神(H430, 复数)说：「我们要照著我们的形像(image, H6754)，按著我们的样式(likeness, H1823)造(make, H6213)人，使他们管理(dominion, H7287)海里的鱼、空中的鸟、地上的牲畜和全地，并地上所爬的一切昆虫。」神就照著自己的形像(H6754)造(created, H1254)人，乃是照著他的形像(H6754)造(H1254)男造(H1254)女。神就赐福给他们，又对他们说：「要生养众多，遍满地面，治理(replenish, fill, H4390)这地；也要管理(H7287)海里的鱼、空中的鸟，和地上各样行动的活物。」神说：「看哪！我将遍地上一切结种子的菜蔬，和一切树上所结有核的果子，全赐给你们作食物。至于地上的走兽和空中的飞鸟，并各样爬在地上有生命的物，我将青草赐给牠们作食物(food)。」事就这样成了。神看著一切所造的都甚好。有晚上，有早晨，是第六日。』(创世记 1:26-31)    

    我们首先要注意到神这个字用的是复数，是指三位一体的神，汇编(Strong’s Concordance)的原文并没有我们的这些字，但用的是复数，显然是我们的。接著我们注意到形像(H6754)和样式(H1823)是两个不同的字，如果把这两者混为一谈，一定会产生逻辑上的错误。形像这字出现了17次，其意义可以从这经文看出，『就要从你们面前赶出那里所有的居民，毁灭他们一切錾成的石像，和他们一切铸成的偶像(H6754)，又拆毁他们一切的邱坛。』(民数记 33:52) 偶像除了表面上的像外，主要讲的是牠背后撒但的势力，所以神照著祂们的形像造人，并不是说祂们长得像人一样，有一个鼻子，两个耳朵等等，所以这里的形像是指属灵上的形像。       

    关于三位一体的神的形像的经文很多，譬如说，神是圣洁的，经文明说，『我是把你们从埃及地领出来的耶和华，要作你们的神，所以你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的。』(利未记 11:45) 祂有绝对的主权，『我是耶和华，在我以外并没有别神。除了我以外再没有神。…』(以赛亚书 45:5) 又说，『公义和公平，是你宝座的根基；慈爱和诚实，行在你前面。』(诗篇 89:14) 教会常讲的是大家都爱听的的神的爱，却不常提到许多人都不喜欢的神的公义那一面。     

    在新约时代，神的公义的确因耶稣替代我们上十字架受死而成全了，经文不是这样说吗？『神设立耶稣作挽回祭，是凭著耶稣的血，借著人的信，要显明神的义。因为他用忍耐的心，宽容人先时所犯的罪，好在今时显明他的义，使人知道他自己为义，也称信耶稣的人为义。』(罗马书 3:25-26) 又说，『所以我们借著洗礼归入死，和他一同埋葬，原是叫我们一举一动有新生的样式，像基督借著父的荣耀从死里复活一样。』(罗马书 6:4) 也说，『有一个人问他说：「主啊，得救的人少吗？」耶稣对众人说：「你们要努力进窄门。…』(路加福音 13:23-24) 没有新生的样式怎么进窄门呢？『总要趁著还有今日，天天彼此相劝，免得你们中间有人被罪迷惑，心里就刚硬了。』(希伯来书 3:13) 不要等到启示录讲的白色大宝座的审判时(参启示录 20:11-15)，三位一体的神显出祂的公义时就太迟了。     

    圣灵也是有绝对的主权的，『这一切(恩赐)都是这位圣灵所运行、随己意分给各人的。』(哥林多前书 12:11) 耶稣的形像就是父的形像，因『耶稣对他说：「腓力，我与你们同在这样长久，你还不认识我吗？人看见了我，就是看见了父，你怎么说『将父显给我们看』呢？』(约翰福音 14:9) 旧约的时代，没有人能见耶和华的面而存活的，耶和华对摩面说得很清楚，『…你不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。』(出埃及记 33:20) 新约的时代是不同的，那时的人是可以看到耶稣的。关于耶稣的形像也很多，我们举两个例子。一是，『我心里柔和谦卑，…』(马太福音 11:29) 二为，『耶稣又对众人说：「我是世界的光。跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得著生命的光。」』(约翰福音 8:12)    

    至于样式(H1823)这个字，出现了25次，其意义可从这经文看出，『亚哈斯王上大马士革去迎接亚述王提革拉毗列色，在大马士革看见一座坛，就照坛的规模样式(H1823)做法画了图样，送到祭司乌利亚那里。 』(列王纪下 16:10) 我们再看看下列的经文: 『又从其中显出四个活物的形像(H1823, 样式)来。他们的形状是这样：有人的形像(H1823)。』(以西结书 1:5) 『至于脸的形像(H1823)：前面各有人的脸，右面各有狮子的脸，左面各有牛的脸，后面各有鹰的脸。』(以西结书 1:10) 也就是说这字的意义，犹如我们说桌子的样式是基本上都有四只脚，虽然桌面会不同，有长方形，椭圆形等等。       

    当旧约说，『亚当的后代记在下面。 当神造人的日子，是照著自己的样式(H1823)造的。』(创世记 5:1) 所以人的样式就是三位一体的神的样式。圣经没有明说神的样式是什么，但新约很清楚的说人的样式是怎么样的。首先我们注意到新约是用希腊文写，所以用字是不同的，就是形像用G1504和样式用G3667，但其意义和旧约中相应的字用法是相同的，我们就不多说了。        

    我们就问人的样式是什么？就是圣经明说的，人由灵魂体三者构成，也就是所谓的三分法，『…愿你们的灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，在我主耶稣基督降临的时候，完全无可指摘。』(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23) 二分法是说魂与灵不可分开的，但这和圣经所说的抵触，因『神的道是活泼的，是有功效的，比一切两刃的剑更快，甚至魂与灵、骨节与骨髓，都能刺入、剖开，连心中的思念和主意都能辩明。』(希伯来书 4:12) 如果新旧约同时看，就可以看到人死时是灵先离开，接著是魂，魂离开后人就死了，因此能确定三分法是对的。          

    关于人死的这点，我们先看旧约，『她(拉结)将近于死，(灵)魂(H5315)要走的时候，…』(创世记 35:18) 所以是魂去了，肉体就死了。我们再看新约，『耶稣说：「不要哭！她(睚鲁的女儿)不是死了(G599, 动词)，是睡著了(G2518)。」』(路加福音 8:52)  然后再看看，『她的灵(魂)(G4151, spirit)便回来，她就立刻起来了。…』(路加福音 8:55) 请注意，这里用的是灵回来了，旧灵再回到人身上能保持生命不死，但魂还在身上，所以耶稣会说是睡著了。 所以是人死的时候，是灵先走，然后是魂，魂走了，肉体就死了！        

    我们注意到三位一体的神的形像和样式已存在，人是照著已存在的形像和样式造的，所以首先是用造(H6213)这个字。因样式是固定的，于是『神就照著自己的形像(H6754)造(H1254)人，乃是照著他的形像造男造女。』(创世记 1:27) 所以人是无中生有的被创造出来，所以这里又是用创造(H1254)这个字。               

    所以这是人最初的形像，照著神的形像创造的。譬如，神有绝对的主权，当然有自由意志，所以人也有自由意志，可以选择不顺服神而犯罪，吃分别善恶树上的果子。如旧约所记载的，『于是，女人见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目，且是可喜爱的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子来吃了；又给她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。』(创世记 3:6) 新约不也是明说了，『这就如罪是从一人(亚当)入了世界，死又是从罪来的，…』(罗马书 5:12) 所以形像是可以因罪玷污而改变的。                 

    我们刚说过样式是固定的，关于样式是不能被罪玷污的这一点，我们来看看圣经怎么说？首先是耶稣『反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式。』(腓立比书 2:7) 所以耶稣和我们是有一样的样式。我们再看看神这个字是用的复数，是指三位一体的神的三位加在一起才有了神的样式。圣灵是纯粹的灵，耶和华是灵没错，但耶和华对摩西『…说：「看哪！在我这里有地方，你要站在磐石上。我的荣耀经过的时候，我必将你放在磐石穴中，用我的手遮掩你，等我过去，然后我要将我的手收回，你就得见我的背，却不得见我的面。」』(出埃及记 33:21-23) 所以耶和华也是有体的，是灵和体。因人是按著三位一体的神的样式造的，耶稣除了有灵和体外，也必须要有魂，这样才能有和人相当的样式，因人的样式就是道成肉身时耶稣的样式，也就是三位一体的神的样式。          

    我们再来看祂和我们有不同的形像这一点，『耶稣基督降生的事记在下面：他母亲马利亚已经许配了约瑟，还没有迎娶，马利亚就从圣灵怀了孕。』(马太福音 1:18) 所以祂是无罪开始。可是祂取了人的样式，在道成肉身的这段期间，祂是完全的人，可以如人般犯罪的，但祂完全顺服神，就如祂所说的，『…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。 …』(约翰福音 14:31) 所以『…我们的大祭司(耶稣)并非不能体恤我们的软弱，他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。』(希伯来书 4:15) 所以祂的形像是从没有被罪玷污过的。如果样式能被玷污，耶稣就有被罪玷污的样式。如果是这样，耶稣就是有瑕疪的，就不可能『…将自己无瑕无疵献给神，…』(希伯来书 9:14) 所以样式是不能被罪玷污的，亚当犯罪时只有形像被玷污。                 

    至于我们的形像，圣经明说，『亚当活到一百三十岁，生了一个儿子，形像样式和自己相似，就给他起名叫塞特。』(创世记 5:3) 那时亚当已经有罪，所以塞特是带著罪的。这的确有一点像遗传，我们都是亚当的后裔，因此我们也都像塞特一样是带著罪的，没有人从出生就是基督徒，一定要一段时间的。因为我们已有和耶稣一样有著不能玷污的样式，所以保罗会说，『因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed, G4832)他儿子的模样(形像, image)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。』(罗马书 8:29) 我们要模成的只是祂的形像而已，因为我们已有了祂的样式。从这，我们也看到又一个例子说到，「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。                          

    我们看到神原先的旨意是要人治理(H4390)这地，这字在创世记就出现16次，一个典型的经文是，『神就对挪亚说：「凡有血气的人，他的尽头已经来到我面前，因为地上满了(H4390, filled with)他们的强暴，我要把他们和地一并毁灭。』(创世记 6:13) 所以不是和合本说的治理，而是重复神的祝福说，『…要生养众多，遍满地面，…』(创世记 1:28) 除此之外，没有被罪玷污的人也是被付于权柄去管理的，也就是『你叫他比天使微小一点，赐他荣耀、尊贵为冠冕，并将你手所造的都派他管理，叫万物都服在他的脚下。」 …』(希伯来书 2:7-8) 『…只是如今我们还不见万物都服他，惟独见那成为比天使小一点的耶稣，因为受死的苦，就得了尊贵、荣耀为冠冕，…』(希伯来书 2:8-9)        

    在人被罪玷污后，『…受造之物服在虚空之下，不是自己愿意，乃是因那叫他如此的。』(罗马书 8:20) 他们仍然有希望，『…受造之物仍然指望脱离败坏的辖制，得享神儿女自由的荣耀。我们知道一切受造之物一同叹息、劳苦，直到如今。不但如此，就是我们这有圣灵初结果子的，也是自己心里叹息，等候得著儿子的名分，乃是我们的身体得赎。』(罗马书 8:21-23) 就是保罗说的，『我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们：我们不是都要睡觉，乃是都要改变，就在一霎时，眨眼之间，号筒末次吹响的时候。因号筒要响，死人要复活，成为不朽坏的，我们也要改变。』(哥林多前书 15:51-52)     

    我们一相信，就有内住的圣灵，『岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵是从神而来，住在你们里头的；…』(哥林多前书 6:19) 所以那时灵已经得救了，就像经文说的，『我也要赐给你们一个新心，将新灵放在你们里面。又从你们的肉体中除掉石心，赐给你们肉心。我必将我的灵放在你们里面，使你们顺从我的律例，谨守遵行我的典章。』(以西结书 36:26-27) 我们这一生能做的就是要模成耶稣的形像(参罗马书 8:29)，得到魂的救恩，也就是彼得说的，『…得著你们信心的果效，就是(灵)魂(G5590)的救恩。』(彼得前书 1:9)                 

    最后我们也看到没有被罪玷污前人都是吃素的，请注意，果子只有人才能吃，这和神给亚当的命令有关，我们以后会讨论这命令。也请注意到，一直要到洪水之后，神才对挪亚和他的儿子说：『凡活著的动物，都可以作你们的食物，这一切我都赐给你们，如同菜蔬一样。』(创世记 9:3) 那时候，人才开始吃荤。

2. 第七日神从创造的工安息了并赐福安息日                

    『天地万物都造齐了。到第七日，神造(H6213)物的工已经完毕，就在第七日歇了他一切的工，安息了。神赐福给第七日，定为圣日，因为在这日神歇了他一切创造(H1254, 和H6213)的工，就安息了。』(创世记 2:1-3)     

    请注意，和合本是用创造去涵盖了汇编中的原文两个字，因为我们已分享过，现今的世界有些是创造的(H1254)，而有些是造的(H6213) 。所以神的确是那时已完成了祂一切创造的工作，并『耶和华神将那人(亚当)安置在伊甸园，使他修理(H5647)看守(H8104)。』(创世记 2:15) 所以神已将祂所造的一切都交给亚当(人)了，他继续了神的工作去修理看守。 且『耶和华神用土所造成的野地各样走兽，和空中各样飞鸟都带到那人面前，看他叫甚么。那人怎样叫各样的活物，那就是牠的名字。那人便给一切牲畜和空中飞鸟、野地走兽都起了名。…』(创世记 2:19-20) 当初亚当是照神的形像做的，是大有能力的，现在那一个人能这么做呢？                 

    关于安息日，在旧约中的出埃及记 20:8-11 说得很清楚，『当记念安息日，守为圣日。六日要劳碌做你一切的工，但第七日是向耶和华你神当守的安息日。这一日你和你的儿女、仆婢、牲畜，并你城里寄居的客旅，无论何工都不可做，因为六日之内，耶和华造天、地、海和其中的万物，第七日便安息，所以耶和华赐福与安息日，定为圣日。』只是更重要的是要留心守安息日的真谛，而不只是守律法上规定的时间。这在以赛亚书 58:13-14 就说得很清楚，『你若在安息日掉转你的脚步，在我圣日不以操作为喜乐，称安息日为可喜乐的，称耶和华的圣日为可尊重的，而且尊敬这日，不办自己的私事，不随自己的私意，不说自己的私话，你就以耶和华为乐。…』耶稣在新约中就是这样做的，因为『耶稣说：「你们中间谁有一只羊，当安息日掉在坑里，不把牠抓住拉上来呢？人比羊何等贵重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」』(马太福音 12:11-12) 而且『…人子是安息日的主。』(马太福音 12:8)    

    保罗在罗马书 8:29 说得很清楚，我们要模成(be conformed)耶稣的形像，这里清楚的看到耶稣给了我们一个榜样，在安息日上要守的是真谛，而不是字面上的律法。所以『我(耶稣)实在告诉你们：就是到天地都废去了，律法的一点一画也不能废去，都要成全。』(马太福音 5:18) 这里指的是律法的真谛。保罗也说，『不要效法(not conformed, G4964)这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。』(罗马书 12:2)              

    有人说，耶和华并没有安息啊！新约不是说，『耶稣就对他们(犹太人)说：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」』(约翰福音 5:17) 是的，这里是说从创造的工安息了，但因亚当的不顺服神，罪就因他进入了这世界，于是救恩的计划以预言的方式开始了，所以耶稣指的是三位一体的神今日仍在为救恩工作。也就是保罗说的，『他愿意万人得救，明白真道(the knowledge G1922 of the truth. G225)。』(提摩太前书 2:4) 我们实在是要感恩，这使我们有一个完全得到救恩的机会，使生命能彻底的被改变。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

    我們這次是看兩個話題，在第六日的創造人去治理和管理這地的話題中，看到人是照著三位一體的神的形像和樣式造的。我們注意到形像和樣式是兩個不同的字，混為一談一定會產生邏輯上的錯誤。聖經提到，人的形像會因罪的進入而玷汚被改變，而樣式則不會被玷汚，我們詳細討論了形像和樣式。我們也討論了神原先的旨意和被罪玷汚後的情景。在第七日神從創造的工安息了並賜福安息日的話題裏，我們看到神的確從創世的工安息了，但三位一體的神今日仍在為救恩作工，因祂願萬人得救，明白真道。我們也提到了安息日的創立及其真諦。

1. 第六日的創造人去治理和管理這地

                『神(H430, 複數)說：「我們要照着我們的形像(image, H6754)，按着我們的樣式(likeness, H1823)造(make, H6213)人，使他們管理(dominion, H7287)海裏的魚、空中的鳥、地上的牲畜和全地，並地上所爬的一切昆蟲。」神就照着自己的形像(H6754)造(created, H1254)人，乃是照着他的形像(H6754)造(H1254)男造(H1254)女。神就賜福給他們，又對他們說：「要生養眾多，遍滿地面，治理(replenish, fill, H4390)這地；也要管理(H7287)海裏的魚、空中的鳥，和地上各樣行動的活物。」神說：「看哪！我將遍地上一切結種子的菜蔬，和一切樹上所結有核的果子，全賜給你們作食物。至於地上的走獸和空中的飛鳥，並各樣爬在地上有生命的物，我將青草賜給牠們作食物(food)。」事就這樣成了。神看着一切所造的都甚好。有晚上，有早晨，是第六日。』(創世記 1:26-31)

     我們首先要注意到神這個字用的是複數，是指三位一體的神，彙編(Strong’s Concordance)的原文並沒有我們的這些字，但用的是複數，顯然是我們的。接著我們注意到形像(H6754)和樣式(H1823)是兩個不同的字，如果把這兩者混為一談，一定會產生邏輯上的錯誤。形像這字出現了17次，其意義可以從這經文看出，『就要從你們面前趕出那裏所有的居民，毀滅他們一切鏨成的石像，和他們一切鑄成的偶像(H6754)，又拆毀他們一切的邱壇。』(民數記 33:52) 偶像除了表面上的像外，主要講的是牠背後撒但的勢力，所以神照著祂們的形像造人，並不是說祂們長得像人一樣，有一個鼻子，兩個耳朵等等，所以這裏的形像是指屬靈上的形像。

       關於三位一體的神的形像的經文很多，譬如說，神是聖潔的，經文明說，『我是把你們從埃及地領出來的耶和華，要作你們的神，所以你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。』(利未記 11:45) 祂有絕對的主權，『我是耶和華，在我以外並沒有別神。除了我以外再沒有神。…』(以賽亞書 45:5) 又說，『公義和公平，是你寶座的根基；慈愛和誠實，行在你前面。』(詩篇 89:14) 教會常講的是大家都愛聽的的神的愛，卻不常提到許多人都不喜歡的神的公義那一面。

     在新約時代，神的公義的確因耶穌替代我們上十字架受死而成全了，經文不是這樣說嗎？『神設立耶穌作挽回祭，是憑着耶穌的血，藉着人的信，要顯明神的義。因為他用忍耐的心，寬容人先時所犯的罪，好在今時顯明他的義，使人知道他自己為義，也稱信耶穌的人為義。』(羅馬書 3:25-26) 又說，『所以我們藉着洗禮歸入死，和他一同埋葬，原是叫我們一舉一動有新生的樣式，像基督藉着父的榮耀從死裏復活一樣。』(羅馬書 6:4) 也說，『有一個人問他說：「主啊，得救的人少嗎？」耶穌對眾人說：「你們要努力進窄門。…』(路加福音 13:23-24) 沒有新生的樣式怎麼進窄門呢？『總要趁着還有今日，天天彼此相勸，免得你們中間有人被罪迷惑，心裏就剛硬了。』(希伯來書 3:13) 不要等到啓示錄講的白色大寶座的審判時(參啓示錄 20:11-15)，三位一體的神顯出祂的公義時就太遲了。

     聖靈也是有絕對的主權的，『這一切(恩賜)都是這位聖靈所運行、隨己意分給各人的。』(哥林多前書 12:11) 耶穌的形像就是父的形像，因『耶穌對他說：「腓力，我與你們同在這樣長久，你還不認識我嗎？人看見了我，就是看見了父，你怎麼說『將父顯給我們看』呢？』(約翰福音 14:9) 舊約的時代，沒有人能見耶和華的面而存活的，耶和華對摩面說得很清楚，『…你不能看見我的面，因為人見我的面不能存活。』(出埃及記 33:20) 新約的時代是不同的，那時的人是可以看到耶穌的。關於耶穌的形像也很多，我們舉兩個例子。一是，『我心裏柔和謙卑，…』(馬太福音 11:29) 二為，『耶穌又對眾人說：「我是世界的光。跟從我的，就不在黑暗裏走，必要得着生命的光。」』(約翰福音 8:12)

       至於樣式(H1823)這個字，出現了25次，其意義可從這經文看出，『亞哈斯王上大馬士革去迎接亞述王提革拉毗列色，在大馬士革看見一座壇，就照壇的規模樣式(H1823)做法畫了圖樣，送到祭司烏利亞那裏。 』(列王紀下 16:10) 我們再看看下列的經文: 『又從其中顯出四個活物的形像(H1823, 樣式)來。他們的形狀是這樣：有人的形像(H1823)。』(以西結書 1:5) 『至於臉的形像(H1823)：前面各有人的臉，右面各有獅子的臉，左面各有牛的臉，後面各有鷹的臉。』(以西結書 1:10) 也就是說這字的意義，猶如我們說桌子的樣式是基本上都有四隻腳，雖然桌面會不同，有長方形，橢圓形等等。

        當舊約說，『亞當的後代記在下面。 當神造人的日子，是照着自己的樣式(H1823)造的。』(創世記 5:1) 所以人的樣式就是三位一體的神的樣式。聖經沒有明說神的樣式是什麼，但新約很清楚的說人的樣式是怎麼樣的。首先我們注意到新約是用希臘文寫，所以用字是不同的，就是形像用G1504和樣式用G3667，但其意義和舊約中相應的字用法是相同的，我們就不多說了。

        我們就問人的樣式是什麼？就是聖經明說的，人由靈魂體三者構成，也就是所謂的三分法，『…願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，完全無可指摘。』(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:23) 二分法是說魂與靈不可分開的，但這和聖經所說的抵觸，因『神的道是活潑的，是有功效的，比一切兩刃的劍更快，甚至魂與靈、骨節與骨髓，都能刺入、剖開，連心中的思念和主意都能辨明。』(希伯來書 4:12) 如果新舊約同時看，就可以看到人死時是靈先離開，接著是魂，魂離開後人就死了，因此能確定三分法是對的。

          關於人死的這點，我們先看舊約，『她(拉結)將近於死，(靈)魂(H5315)要走的時候，…』(創世記 35:18) 所以是魂去了，肉體就死了。我們再看新約，『耶穌說：「不要哭！她(睚魯的女兒)不是死了(G599, 動詞)，是睡着了(G2518)。」』(路加福音 8:52)  然後再看看，『她的靈(魂)(G4151, spirit)便回來，她就立刻起來了。…』(路加福音 8:55) 請注意，這裏用的是靈回來了，舊靈再回到人身上能保持生命不死，但魂還在身上，所以耶穌會說是睡著了。 所以是人死的時候，是靈先走，然後是魂，魂走了，肉體就死了！

        我們注意到三位一體的神的形像和樣式已存在，人是照著已存在的形像和樣式造的，所以首先是用造(H6213)這個字。因樣式是固定的，於是『神就照着自己的形像(H6754)造(H1254)人，乃是照着他的形像造男造女。』(創世記 1:27) 所以人是無中生有的被創造出來，所以這裏又是用創造(H1254)這個字。

               所以這是人最初的形像，照著神的形像創造的。譬如，神有絕對的主權，當然有自由意志，所以人也有自由意志，可以選擇不順服神而犯罪，吃分別善惡樹上的果子。如舊約所記載的，『於是，女人見那棵樹的果子好作食物，也悅人的眼目，且是可喜愛的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子來吃了；又給她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。』(創世記 3:6) 新約不也是明說了，『這就如罪是從一人(亞當)入了世界，死又是從罪來的，…』(羅馬書 5:12) 所以形像是可以因罪玷汚而改變的。

                 我們剛說過樣式是固定的，關於樣式是不能被罪玷汚的這一點，我們來看看聖經怎麼說？首先是耶穌『反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形像，成為人的樣式。』(腓立比書 2:7) 所以耶穌和我們是有一樣的樣式。我們再看看神這個字是用的複數，是指三位一體的神的三位加在一起才有了神的樣式。聖靈是純粹的靈，耶和華是靈沒錯，但耶和華對摩西『…說：「看哪！在我這裏有地方，你要站在磐石上。我的榮耀經過的時候，我必將你放在磐石穴中，用我的手遮掩你，等我過去，然後我要將我的手收回，你就得見我的背，卻不得見我的面。」』(出埃及記 33:21-23) 所以耶和華也是有體的，是靈和體。因人是按着三位一體的神的樣式造的，耶穌除了有靈和體外，也必須要有魂，這樣才能有和人相當的樣式，因人的樣式就是道成肉身時耶穌的樣式，也就是三位一體的神的樣式。

          我們再來看祂和我們有不同的形像這一點，『耶穌基督降生的事記在下面：他母親馬利亞已經許配了約瑟，還沒有迎娶，馬利亞就從聖靈懷了孕。』(馬太福音 1:18) 所以祂是無罪開始。可是祂取了人的樣式，在道成肉身的這段期間，祂是完全的人，可以如人般犯罪的，但祂完全順服神，就如祂所說的，『…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。 …』(約翰福音 14:31) 所以『…我們的大祭司(耶穌)並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。』(希伯來書 4:15) 所以祂的形像是從沒有被罪玷汚過的。如果樣式能被玷汚，耶穌就有被罪玷汚的樣式。如果是這樣，耶穌就是有瑕疪的，就不可能『…將自己無瑕無疵獻給神，…』(希伯來書 9:14) 所以樣式是不能被罪玷汚的，亞當犯罪時只有形像被玷汚。

                 至於我們的形像，聖經明說，『亞當活到一百三十歲，生了一個兒子，形像樣式和自己相似，就給他起名叫塞特。』(創世記 5:3) 那時亞當已經有罪，所以塞特是帶著罪的。這的確有一點像遺傳，我們都是亞當的後裔，因此我們也都像塞特一樣是帶著罪的，沒有人從出生就是基督徒，一定要一段時間的。因為我們已有和耶穌一樣有著不能玷汚的樣式，所以保羅會說，『因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成, be conformed, G4832)他兒子的模樣(形像, image)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。』(羅馬書 8:29) 我們要模成的只是祂的形像而已，因為我們已有了祂的樣式。從這，我們也看到又一個例子說到，「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

                 我們看到神原先的旨意是要人治理(H4390)這地，這字在創世記就出現16次，一個典型的經文是，『神就對挪亞說：「凡有血氣的人，他的盡頭已經來到我面前，因為地上滿了(H4390, filled with)他們的強暴，我要把他們和地一併毀滅。』(創世記 6:13) 所以不是和合本說的治理，而是重復神的祝福說，『…要生養眾多，遍滿地面，…』(創世記 1:28) 除此之外，沒有被罪玷汚的人也是被付於權柄去管理的，也就是『你叫他比天使微小一點，賜他榮耀、尊貴為冠冕，並將你手所造的都派他管理，叫萬物都服在他的腳下。」 …』(希伯來書 2:7-8) 『…只是如今我們還不見萬物都服他，惟獨見那成為比天使小一點的耶穌，因為受死的苦，就得了尊貴、榮耀為冠冕，…』(希伯來書 2:8-9) 

        在人被罪玷汚後，『…受造之物服在虛空之下，不是自己願意，乃是因那叫他如此的。』(羅馬書 8:20) 他們仍然有希望，『…受造之物仍然指望脫離敗壞的轄制，得享神兒女自由的榮耀。我們知道一切受造之物一同歎息、勞苦，直到如今。不但如此，就是我們這有聖靈初結果子的，也是自己心裏歎息，等候得着兒子的名分，乃是我們的身體得贖。』(羅馬書 8:21-23) 就是保羅說的，『我如今把一件奧秘的事告訴你們：我們不是都要睡覺，乃是都要改變，就在一霎時，眨眼之間，號筒末次吹響的時候。因號筒要響，死人要復活，成為不朽壞的，我們也要改變。』(哥林多前書 15:51-52)

     我們一相信，就有内住的聖靈，『豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎？這聖靈是從神而來，住在你們裏頭的；…』(哥林多前書 6:19) 所以那時靈已經得救了，就像經文說的，『我也要賜給你們一個新心，將新靈放在你們裏面。又從你們的肉體中除掉石心，賜給你們肉心。我必將我的靈放在你們裏面，使你們順從我的律例，謹守遵行我的典章。』(以西結書 36:26-27) 我們這一生能做的就是要模成耶穌的形像(參羅馬書 8:29)，得到魂的救恩，也就是彼得說的，『…得着你們信心的果效，就是(靈)魂(G5590)的救恩。』(彼得前書 1:9) 

                 最後我們也看到沒有被罪玷汚前人都是吃素的，請注意，果子只有人才能吃，這和神給亞當的命令有關，我們以後會討論這命令。也請注意到，一直要到洪水之後，神才對挪亞和他的兒子說：『凡活着的動物，都可以作你們的食物，這一切我都賜給你們，如同菜蔬一樣。』(創世記 9:3) 那時候，人才開始吃葷。

2. 第七日神從創造的工安息了並賜福安息日

                『天地萬物都造齊了。到第七日，神造(H6213)物的工已經完畢，就在第七日歇了他一切的工，安息了。神賜福給第七日，定為聖日，因為在這日神歇了他一切創造(H1254, 和H6213)的工，就安息了。』(創世記 2:1-3)

     請注意，和合本是用創造去涵蓋了彙編中的原文兩個字，因為我們已分享過，現今的世界有些是創造的(H1254)，而有些是造的(H6213) 。所以神的確是那時已完成了祂一切創造的工作，並『耶和華神將那人(亞當)安置在伊甸園，使他修理(H5647)看守(H8104)。』(創世記 2:15) 所以神已將祂所造的一切都交給亞當(人)了，他繼續了神的工作去修理看守。 且『耶和華神用土所造成的野地各樣走獸，和空中各樣飛鳥都帶到那人面前，看他叫甚麼。那人怎樣叫各樣的活物，那就是牠的名字。那人便給一切牲畜和空中飛鳥、野地走獸都起了名。…』(創世記 2:19-20) 當初亞當是照神的形像做的，是大有能力的，現在那一個人能這麼做呢？

                 關於安息日，在舊約中的出埃及記 20:8-11 說得很清楚，『當記念安息日，守為聖日。六日要勞碌做你一切的工，但第七日是向耶和華你神當守的安息日。這一日你和你的兒女、僕婢、牲畜，並你城裏寄居的客旅，無論何工都不可做，因為六日之內，耶和華造天、地、海和其中的萬物，第七日便安息，所以耶和華賜福與安息日，定為聖日。』只是更重要的是要留心守安息日的真諦，而不只是守律法上規定的時間。這在以賽亞書 58:13-14 就說得很清楚，『你若在安息日掉轉你的腳步，在我聖日不以操作為喜樂，稱安息日為可喜樂的，稱耶和華的聖日為可尊重的，而且尊敬這日，不辦自己的私事，不隨自己的私意，不說自己的私話，你就以耶和華為樂。…』耶穌在新約中就是這樣做的，因為『耶穌說：「你們中間誰有一隻羊，當安息日掉在坑裏，不把牠抓住拉上來呢？人比羊何等貴重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」』(馬太福音 12:11-12) 而且『…人子是安息日的主。』(馬太福音 12:8) 

     保羅在羅馬書 8:29 說得很清楚，我們要模成(be conformed)耶穌的形像，這裏清楚的看到耶穌給了我們一個榜樣，在安息日上要守的是真諦，而不是字面上的律法。所以『我(耶穌)實在告訴你們：就是到天地都廢去了，律法的一點一畫也不能廢去，都要成全。』(馬太福音 5:18) 這裏指的是律法的真諦。保羅也說，『不要效法(not conformed, G4964)這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。』(羅馬書 12:2) 

              有人說，耶和華並沒有安息啊！新約不是說，『耶穌就對他們(猶太人)說：「我父做事直到如今，我也做事。」』(約翰福音 5:17) 是的，這裏是說從創造的工安息了，但因亞當的不順服神，罪就因他進入了這世界，於是救恩的計劃以預言的方式開始了，所以耶穌指的是三位一體的神今日仍在為救恩工作。也就是保羅說的，『他願意萬人得救，明白真道(the knowledge G1922 of the truth. G225)。』(提摩太前書 2:4) 我們實在是要感恩，這使我們有一個完全得到救恩的機會，使生命能徹底的被改變。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到這網站後要按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。)

    首先，我们谈到了第二日的造天，我们讨论了原文中用单复的原因，也看到了从上下文就可知道天这个字，有时是复数，有时是单数。第二，我们说到第三日的造海和各从其类的分别原则。第三，提到了第四日造的日月星辰。第四，经文明说了飞鸟和鱼是在第五日创造的。最后，谈到了第六日的造动物。神先创造了一个好的生活环境给人居住，然后才有了下次要分享的创造人。我们不知道神究竟是怎么造植物和动物的，我们只能照目前的科技去忆测其可能性。

1. 第二日的造天          

    『神(H430, 复数)说：「诸水(H4325, 复数)之间要有空气(H7549, 单数)，将水(H4325)分为上下。」神就造(H6213)出空气，将空气以下的水、空气以上的水分开了。事就这样成了。神称空气为天(H8064)。有晚上，有早晨，是第二日。』(创世记 1:6-8)          

    关于诸水(H4325)用的是复数，这是因为水有三种形态，普通的水、冰、和水蒸气。这是和以前在创世记 1:2 用的是同一个字，『…神的灵运行在水(H4325, 复数)面上。』(创世记 1:2)

    所以水面上应是指普通的水和冰上，而水蒸气也已存在，因为是说将水分为上下。这里的神是用复数，所以是指三位一体的神。在这里我们看到神造(H6213)出了单数的空气(H7549)，分开了上下的水，因为全世界的空气都是一样的，所以用的是单数。          

    上一次我们谈到了创世记 1:2 时，只提到了圣灵和创造现今的世界有关，其实这创造与三位一体的神中的三位都有份。虽然相当多的经文都提到另二位都有份，我们看以下的两处经文就可以知道了。一为，『太初有道(主耶稣基督)，道与神同在，道就是神。这道太初与神同在。万物是借著他造的，凡被造的，没有一样不是借著他造的。』(约翰福音 1:1-3)  另一处是，『从你出胎，造就你的救赎主耶和华如此说：我耶和华是创造万物的，是(独自)铺张(H7554)诸天、铺开大地的。谁与我同在呢？』(以赛亚书 44:24)  在汇编的原文只有铺张这字，没有独自，另一原文版本有独自(all alone, H905)这字，但我们从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的来看，就知道那另一原文版本是错的，三位一体的神不是模棱两可的神。           

    在这些经文中，其实我们要问的应该是「天 (H8064)」 这个字，我们在第一节中讲过天 (H8064)用的是复数，是创造了诸天，是指每个星球有自己的天空。地球上只有一个天空，所以空(H7549)这个字是单数，可是又用了天 (H8064) 这个字，很显然的也应该是单数，所以唯一逻辑上的解释就是「天 (H8064)」 这字可以是单数或是复数，要看上下文和以「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致性的」去决定。难怪英文的翻译有时是用单数，有时是用复数，这就犹如英文有单数和复数相同的单字。在中文的破音字中，同样的字甚至有不同的意义，发音也不同。

2. 第三日的造海和各从其类的分别原则           

    『神说：「天下的水要聚在一处，使旱地露出来。」事就这样成了。神称旱地为地，称水的聚处为海。神看著是好的。神说：「地要发生青草和结种子的菜蔬，并结果子的树木，各从其类，果子都包著核。」事就这样成了。于是地发生了青草和结种子的菜蔬，各从其类；并结果子的树木，各从其类，果子都包著核。神看著是好的。有晚上，有早晨，是第三日。』(创世记 1:9-13)           

    先是有了水但没有旱地，所以最初时是没有海的，现在地有些部份突上来形成了旱地，海也因此聚水而有了。因此这些都是从已有之物造的，而神看著这造的物是好的。           

    我们接著看到「各从其类」重复了很多次，举个例子来说，橘子树不能变成苹果树的，否则就会天下大乱。在第五和六日时也是说要各从其类 (参创世记 1:21, 25) 。 所以我们可以绝对确定神原先的旨意是要「各从其类」，这也是一个神做事的分别原则。而且从观察中，我们也可看到各类是有很多种的，这世界在创造时原是和谐的。           

    关于分别的原则，我们可以举个例子来说明。圣经常说亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神，我们就看看这一支。先是亚伯拉罕被神拣选而分别出来，然后是以撒因应许而生，雅各得长子名份且和以扫分别出来。其后在雅各十二个儿子的支派中，利未支派又分别出来，然后利未儿子中的哥辖族又分别出来。亚伦属哥辖的儿子后的一族，做祭司的都是亚伦支派的，而只有亚伦支派的长子才能够做大祭司。           

    请注意，我们看到了所造的植物不是用「创造」这个字，只是「发生(bring forth H1876)」的。 这和第五日发生的事情不同，那时『神就造(H1254)出大鱼和水中所滋生各样有生命的动物，…』(创世记 1:21) 这里用的是创造这字，所以需要用创造这字时，圣经是会明讲的。从「圣经告诉我们是一致的」看来，植物应只是造的，要不然就会如创世记 1:21 用创造这字。也请注意一下，植物有种子或核，都是可以用来繁殖的。

3. 第四日造的日月星辰          

    『神说：「天上要有光体(H3974)，可以分昼夜，作记号，定节令、日子、年岁，并要发光(H3974)在天空，普照(H215, 动词)在地上。」事就这样成了。于是神造(H6213)了两个大光(H3974)，大的(H3974)管昼，小的管夜，又造众星，就把这些光(体)摆列在天空，普照在地上，管理昼夜，分别明(H216)暗。神看著是好的。有晚上，有早晨，是第四日(H3117)。』(创世记 1:14-19)        

    这些经文明说了造光体的目的。光的原文是H216，我们上次讨论过，基本上现在造(H6213)的是光体(H3974)，就是日月星辰，用造这个字我们就知道日月星辰在先前的世界就已经创造(H1254)而存在了，这里就不多讨论了。

4. 第五日的创造飞鸟和鱼       

    『神说：「水要多多滋生有生命的物，要有雀鸟飞在地面以上，天空之中。」神就造(H1254)出大鱼和水中所滋生各样有生命的动物，各从其类；又造(H1254)出各样飞鸟，各从其类。神看著是好的。神就赐福给这一切说：「滋生繁多，充满海中的水；雀鸟也要多生在地上。」有晚上，有早晨，是第五日。』(创世记 1:20-23)        

    飞鸟和鱼是创造的，不是造的，且神祝福飞鸟和鱼滋生众多，这不是和植物能繁殖有一样的原则吗？这里又再说了「各从其类」的分别原则，一再重复。

5. 第六日的造动物        

    『神说：「地要生出活物来，各从其类；牲畜、昆虫、野兽，各从其类。」事就这样成了。于是神造(H6213)出野兽，各从其类；牲畜，各从其类；地上一切昆虫，各从其类。神看著是好的。』(创世记 1:24-25)       

    神先创造了一个好的生活环境给人居住，然后才有了下次要分享的创造人，也就是我们把第六日发生的事情分为两部份分享。关于预先计划有好环境的这点，我们可以从下列经文看出，『在耶和华造化的起头，在太初创造万物之先，就有了我。…那时，我在他那里为工师，日日为他所喜爱，常常在他面前踊跃，踊跃在他为人预备可住之地，也喜悦住在世人之间。』(箴言 8:22-31)  我们看到了神创造我们的世界是有次序的，要不怎么能『…地上的走兽和空中的飞鸟，并各样爬在地上有生命的物，我将青草赐给牠们作食物。…』(创世记 1:30)  所以青草是要先造的。从第三日起到第六日的造动物，神都说看著是好的，一直要到人被创造(H1254)时，神才说，『…看著一切所造的都甚好。…』(创世记 1:31)       

    我们不知道神究竟是如何留下造的植物和动物的，但从现在的科技来说，知道这是可能的。譬如说，留下植物的种子，只要能保存得好再发芽就可以了，所以现在就有了种子银行，保存.各种不同植物的种子。而动物呢？只要保存牠们的去氧核糖核酸(DNA)就可以复制了。当然，去氧核糖核酸(DNA)复制整个的个体的技术尚未成熟，也许不会有成熟的那一天。但即使成熟，也只是复制，先前世界的创造是我们做不到的。当然，这只是忆测，我们不知道神究竟是怎么做的。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

(你可以在『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』看到所有的文章，到这网站后要按『对属灵生命的了解』。)  

       首先，我們談到了第二日的造天，我們討論了原文中用單複的原因，也看到了從上下文就可知道天這個字，有時是複數，有時是單數。第二，我們說到第三日的造海和各從其類的分別原則。第三，提到了第四日造的日月星辰。第四，經文明說了飛鳥和魚是在第五日創造的。最後，談到了第六日的造動物。神先創造了一個好的生活環境給人居住，然後才有了下次要分享的創造人。我們不知道神究竟是怎麼造植物和動物的，我們只能照目前的科技去憶測其可能性。

1. 第二日的造天

          『神(H430, 複數)說：「諸水(H4325, 複數)之間要有空氣(H7549, 單數)，將水(H4325)分為上下。」神就造(H6213)出空氣，將空氣以下的水、空氣以上的水分開了。事就這樣成了。神稱空氣為天(H8064)。有晚上，有早晨，是第二日。』(創世記 1:6-8)

          關於諸水(H4325)用的是複數，這是因為水有三種形態，普通的水、冰、和水蒸氣。這是和以前在創世記 1:2 用的是同一個字，『…神的靈運行在水(H4325, 複數)面上。』(創世記 1:2) 所以水面上應是指普通的水和冰上，而水蒸氣也已存在，因為是說將水分為上下。這裏的神是用複數，所以是指三位一體的神。在這裏我們看到神造(H6213)出了單數的空氣(H7549)，分開了上下的水，因為全世界的空氣都是一樣的，所以用的是單數。

          上一次我們談到了創世記 1:2 時，只提到了聖靈和創造現今的世界有關，其實這創造與三位一體的神中的三位都有份。雖然相當多的經文都提到另二位都有份，我們看以下的兩處經文就可以知道了。一為，『太初有道(主耶穌基督)，道與神同在，道就是神。這道太初與神同在。萬物是藉着他造的，凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉着他造的。』(約翰福音 1:1-3)  另一處是，『從你出胎，造就你的救贖主耶和華如此說：我耶和華是創造萬物的，是(獨自)鋪張(H7554)諸天、鋪開大地的。誰與我同在呢？』(以賽亞書 44:24)  在彙編的原文只有鋪張這字，沒有獨自，另一原文版本有獨自(all alone, H905)這字，但我們從「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的來看，就知道那另一原文版本是錯的，三位一體的神不是模稜兩可的神。

           在這些經文中，其實我們要問的應該是「天 (H8064)」 這個字，我們在第一節中講過天 (H8064)用的是複數，是創造了諸天，是指每個星球有自己的天空。地球上只有一個天空，所以空(H7549)這個字是單數，可是又用了天 (H8064) 這個字，很顯然的也應該是單數，所以唯一邏輯上的解釋就是「天 (H8064)」 這字可以是單數或是複數，要看上下文和以「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致性的」去決定。難怪英文的翻譯有時是用單數，有時是用複數，這就猶如英文有單數和複數相同的單字。在中文的破音字中，同樣的字甚至有不同的意義，發音也不同。。

2. 第三日的造海和各從其類的分別原則

           『神說：「天下的水要聚在一處，使旱地露出來。」事就這樣成了。神稱旱地為地，稱水的聚處為海。神看着是好的。神說：「地要發生青草和結種子的菜蔬，並結果子的樹木，各從其類，果子都包着核。」事就這樣成了。於是地發生了青草和結種子的菜蔬，各從其類；並結果子的樹木，各從其類，果子都包着核。神看着是好的。有晚上，有早晨，是第三日。』(創世記 1:9-13)

           先是有了水但沒有旱地，所以最初時是沒有海的，現在地有些部份突上來形成了旱地，海也因此聚水而有了。因此這些都是從已有之物造的，而神看著這造的物是好的。

           我們接著看到「各從其類」重複了很多次，舉個例子來說，橘子樹不能變成蘋果樹的，否則就會天下大亂。在第五和六日時也是說要各從其類 (參創世記 1:21, 25) 。 所以我們可以絕對確定神原先的旨意是要「各從其類」，這也是一個神做事的分別原則。而且從觀察中，我們也可看到各類是有很多種的，這世界在創造時原是和諧的。

           關於分別的原則，我們可以舉個例子來說明。聖經常說亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神，我們就看看這一支。先是亞伯拉罕被神揀選而分別出來，然後是以撒因應許而生，雅各得長子名份且和以掃分別出來。其後在雅各十二個兒子的支派中，利未支派又分別出來，然後利未兒子中的哥轄族又分別出來。亞倫屬哥轄的兒子後的一族，做祭司的都是亞倫支派的，而只有亞倫支派的長子才能夠做大祭司。

           請注意，我們看到了所造的植物不是用「創造」這個字，只是「發生(bring forth H1876)」的。 這和第五日發生的事情不同，那時『神就造(H1254)出大魚和水中所滋生各樣有生命的動物，…』(創世記 1:21) 這裏用的是創造這字，所以需要用創造這字時，聖經是會明講的。從「聖經告訴我們是一致的」看來，植物應只是造的，要不然就會如創世記 1:21 用創造這字。也請注意一下，植物有種子或核，都是可以用來繁殖的。

3. 第四日造的日月星辰

          『神說：「天上要有光體(H3974)，可以分晝夜，作記號，定節令、日子、年歲，並要發光(H3974)在天空，普照(H215, 動詞)在地上。」事就這樣成了。於是神造(H6213)了兩個大光(H3974)，大的(H3974)管晝，小的管夜，又造眾星，就把這些光(體)擺列在天空，普照在地上，管理晝夜，分別明(H216)暗。神看着是好的。有晚上，有早晨，是第四日(H3117)。』(創世記 1:14-19)

        這些經文明說了造光體的目的。光的原文是H216，我們上次討論過，基本上現在造(H6213)的是光體(H3974)，就是日月星辰，用造這個字我們就知道日月星辰在先前的世界就已經創造(H1254)而存在了，這裏就不多討論了。

 4. 第五日的創造飛鳥和魚

       『神說：「水要多多滋生有生命的物，要有雀鳥飛在地面以上，天空之中。」神就造(H1254)出大魚和水中所滋生各樣有生命的動物，各從其類；又造(H1254)出各樣飛鳥，各從其類。神看着是好的。神就賜福給這一切說：「滋生繁多，充滿海中的水；雀鳥也要多生在地上。」有晚上，有早晨，是第五日。』(創世記 1:20-23)

        飛鳥和魚是創造的，不是造的，且神祝福飛鳥和魚滋生眾多，這不是和植物能繁殖有一樣的原則嗎？這裏又再說了「各從其類」的分別原則，一再重複。

5. 第六日的造動物

        『神說：「地要生出活物來，各從其類；牲畜、昆蟲、野獸，各從其類。」事就這樣成了。於是神造(H6213)出野獸，各從其類；牲畜，各從其類；地上一切昆蟲，各從其類。神看着是好的。』(創世記 1:24-25)

       神先創造了一個好的生活環境給人居住，然後才有了下次要分享的創造人，也就是我們把第六日發生的事情分為兩部份分享。關於預先計劃有好環境的這點，我們可以從下列經文看出，『在耶和華造化的起頭，在太初創造萬物之先，就有了我。…那時，我在他那裏為工師，日日為他所喜愛，常常在他面前踴躍，踴躍在他為人預備可住之地，也喜悅住在世人之間。』(箴言 8:22-31)  我們看到了神創造我們的世界是有次序的，要不怎麼能『…地上的走獸和空中的飛鳥，並各樣爬在地上有生命的物，我將青草賜給牠們作食物。…』(創世記 1:30)  所以青草是要先造的。從第三日起到第六日的造動物，神都說看著是好的，一直要到人被創造(H1254)時，神才說，『…看着一切所造的都甚好。…』(創世記 1:31)

       我們不知道神究竟是如何留下造的植物和動物的，但從現在的科技來說，知道這是可能的。譬如說，留下植物的種子，只要能保存得好再發芽就可以了，所以現在就有了種子銀行，保存.各種不同植物的種子。而動物呢？只要保存牠們的去氧核糖核酸(DNA)就可以複製了。當然，去氧核糖核酸(DNA)複製整個的個體的技術尚未成熟，也許不會有成熟的那一天。但即使成熟，也只是複製，先前世界的創造是我們做不到的。當然，這只是憶測，我們不知道神究竟是怎麼做的。

(經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本。)

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First, we talked about the creation of the sky on the second day. We discussed the reasons why the original text used singular and plural forms. We also saw that from the context we can tell that the word sky is sometimes plural and sometimes singular. Second, we spoke of the making of the sea on the third day and the principle of separation about ‘after their kind.’ Third, it mentions the sun, moon and stars were made on the fourth day. Fourth, the Bible states that birds and fish were created on the fifth day. Finally, we talked about the making animals on the sixth day. God first created a good living environment for people to live in, and then created humans to be shared next time. We don’t know exactly how God made plants and animals; we can only speculate the possibilities based on current technology.

1. Creation of the heaven on the second day

“Then God (H430, plural) said, “Let there be an expanse (H7549, singular) in the midst of the waters (H4325, plural), and let it separate the waters from the waters.” God made (H6213) the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse heaven (H8064). And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.”(Genesis 1:6-8)

Regarding waters (H4325), the plural form is used because water has three forms: ordinary water, ice, and water vapor. This is the same word used previously in Genesis 1:2, “…and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters (H4325, plural).”(Genesis 1:2) So the surface of the waters should refer to ordinary water and ice, and water vapor also exists because it means dividing the waters into upper and lower parts. The word God here is plural, so it refers to the Triune God. Here we see that God made (H6213) the singular air (H7549) and separated the upper and lower waters. Since the air is the same throughout the world, the singular is used.

Last time we talked about Genesis 1:2, we only mentioned that the Holy Spirit was involved in the creation of the present world. In fact, this creation involved all three persons of the Trinity. Although many scriptures mention that the other two were involved, we can understand this by looking at the following two scriptures. One is, “In the beginning was the Word (the Lord Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”(John 1:1-3) Another place is, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb,

“I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone.”(Isaiah 44:24) In the original text of the Strong’s Concordance, there is no suck word ‘alone.’ Another version of original text has the word ‘all alone, H905.’ However, since “What God tells us through the Bible is consistent,” we know that the other original version is wrong. The Triune God is not an ambiguous God.

In these scriptures, what we should actually ask about is the word “heaven (H8064)”. We mentioned in the first section that heaven (H8064) is used in the plural, which means that the heavens were created, which means that each planet has its own sky. There is only one sky on earth, so the word “sky” (H7549) is singular, but the word “sky” (H8064) is used, so it should obviously be singular. Therefore, the only logical explanation is that the word “sky” (H8064) can be singular or plural, depending on the context and “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent.” No wonder English translations sometimes use the singular and sometimes the plural, just as English has words that have the same singular and plural forms. In Chinese some single characters, the same character can even have different meanings and pronunciations. .

2. Creation of the sea on the third day and the principle of separation

“Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a third day.”(Genesis 1:9-13)

First there was water but no dry land, so there was no sea in the beginning. Now some parts of the earth have risen up to form dry land, and the sea has formed as a result of the collection of water. Therefore, these were all made from existing things, and God saw that it was good.

We then see “after their kind” repeated many times. For example, an orange tree cannot become an apple tree, otherwise there will be chaos in the world. On the fifth and sixth days it also says that each should be “after their kind” (see Genesis 1:21, 25). Therefore, we can be absolutely certain that God’s original will was to “after their kind,” and this is also a principle of separation by which God does things. And from observation, we can also see that there are many kinds of things, and the world was originally harmonious when it was created.

Regarding the principle of separation, we can give an example to illustrate. The Bible often speaks of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Let us look at this one. First, Abraham was chosen by God and set apart. Then, Isaac was born according to the promise. Jacob was separated from Esau. Later, among the tribes of Jacob’s twelve sons, the tribe of Levi was separated, and then among Levi’s sons, the tribe of Kohath was separated. The clan after Aaron’s sons of Kohath, all priests were from the tribe of Aaron, and only the eldest son of the tribe of Aaron could be the high priest.

Please note that we see that the plants that were made and not “created” but simply “bring forth (H1876)”. This is different from what happened on the fifth day, when “God created (H1254) the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, …”(Genesis 1:21) The word created is used here, so when the word created is needed, the Bible will clearly state it. Since “what God tells us through the Bible is consistent,” plants must have been made, otherwise the word “created” would have been used as in Genesis 1:21. Please also note that plants have seeds, which can be used for reproduction. 

3. The sun, moon and stars were made on the fourth day

“Then God said, “Let there be lights (H3974) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; and let them be for lights (H3974) in the expanse of the heavens to give light (H215, verb) on the earth”; and it was so. God made the two great lights

(H3974), the greater light (H3974) to govern the day, and the lesser light (H3974) to govern the night; He made the stars also. God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light (H216) from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day (H3117).”(Genesis 1:14-19)

These scriptures explain the purpose of making light bodies. The original word for “light” is H216. We discussed this last time. Basically, what is being made (H6213) now are light bodies (H3974), namely the sun, moon and stars. By using the word “made” we know that the sun, moon and stars had already been created (H1254) and existed in the previous world, so we will not discuss this further here.

4. Creation of birds and fish on the fifth day

“Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” God created (H1254) the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.”(Genesis 1:20-23)

Birds and fish are created, not made, and God blesses birds and fish to multiply. Isn’t this the same principle as the ability of plants to reproduce? The principle of separation “after their kind” is mentioned again here and repeated again and again.

5. Making animals on the sixth day

“Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. God made (H6213) the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.”(Genesis 1:24-25)

God first created a good living environment for people to live in, and then created humans, which we will share next time. That is, we will share what happened on the sixth day in two parts. Regarding the point of planning a good environment in advance, we can see it from the following verses, ““The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. “From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. …Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.”(Proverbs 8:22-31) We see that God created our world in order, otherwise how could it be possible that “…I have given every green plant for food…”(Genesis 1:30)  So the green plants had to be made first. From the third day to the sixth day when He created the animals, God said that they were good. It was not until man was created (H1254) that God said, “…it was very good. …”(Genesis 1:31)

We don’t know exactly how God left behind the plants and animals he created, but based on current technology, we know that it is possible. For example, as long as the seeds of a plant are well preserved and can germinate, it will be fine. So now we have seed banks that preserve seeds of various different plants. And what about animals? As long as their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is preserved, they can replicate. Of course, the technology for replicating entire individuals using DNA is not yet mature, and perhaps it will never be mature enough. But even if it matures, it is only a copy, and the creation of the previous world is something we cannot do. Of course, this is just speculation, and we don’t know exactly how God did it.

(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)

(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)

    首先，我们看到圣灵和创造今日的世界有关。第二，神说是和我们说话大不相同，是大有能力的。第三，我们从光这个字，就可以看到有先前世界的存在，我们详细的说明了这一点。最后我们讨论了日这个字为什么是指今日的一天，从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」，就可以明显的看到这一点，因为圣经中明写了，亚当和夏娃是在第六日被逐出了伊甸园，而这里的日是用同一个字。也提到了经文为什么说，一日是有晚上，有早晨。

1. 圣灵和创造今日的世界有关       

    『地(H776)是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗；神的灵(圣灵)运行在水面(H4325)上。』(创世记 1:2)        

    我们看见那时地的情况，说明地球已经有了，括弧内是指那字在汇编(Strong’s Concordance)中的号码。我们也知道同时水已经有了，不再是创世记中第一节的起初，『起初神创造天地。』(创世记 1:1) 那时所说的是无中生有的创造，这经文是指现今世界在已有的基础上的创造。圣灵运行在水面上，说明了祂和现今的世界的创造有关，至于祂那时在做什么，我们当然不知道，圣经没有说。

2. 神说       

    『神说：「要有光。」就有了光。神看光是好的，就把光暗分开了。神称光为昼，称暗为夜。有晚上，有早晨，这是头一日(H3117)。』(创世记 1:3-5)        

    我们在分享这些经文前要再次强调，当基督徒真正相信新旧约是神所默示的时候，自然会相信「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」，而且「不把圣经的话打折扣」。在这些原则下，我们已在『2140 起初神创造天地 – 创(1)1』中，说明了圣经是多么符合逻辑的原则，如果非基督徒假设圣经是神所默示的，就可以看到同样的结论。请到『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』的网站后，按『对属灵生命的了解』，找到这篇文章。        

    在这里，我们就在这两个原则下来看这些经文，并说明我们是何时用的这两个原则，为了避免繁长，以后基本上就不再说明了。

    首先我们看到了「神说」这两字，神的话是带著能力的。『因为他说有，就有；命立，就立。』(诗篇 33:9)   且『…世界是借神 (「的」) 话造成的，这样，所看见的，并不是从显然之物造出来的。』(希伯来书 11:3)   所以祂的话是大有能力的。『神说：「要有光。」就有了光。』(创世记 1:3) 这时我们两个原则都看到了，从创世记、诗篇、和希伯来书都是一致的，且我们没有把圣经的话打折扣，就明显的看到了这一致性。

3. 先前的世界的存在        

    『光』在原文是 H216，这字在创世记第一章只出现过六次，最后一次是在创世记 1:18，『管理昼夜，分别明(H216)暗。…』这是在第四日的经文，我们现在把第四日的经文全部列出。『神说：「天上要有光体(H3974)，可以分昼夜，作记号，定节令、日子、年岁，并要发光(H3974)在天空，普照(H215)在地上。」事就这样成了。于是神造(H6213)了两个大光(H3974)，大的(H3974)管昼，小的管夜，又造众星，就把这些光(体)摆列在天空，普照在地上，管理昼夜，分别明(H216)暗。神看著是好的。有晚上，有早晨，是第四日(H3117)。』(创世记 1:14-19)                       

    这看起来好像有明显的不合，怎么可能第一日就有光而在第四日才『造』日月星辰？那光从那里来的？首先，同一个字在这里不会有不同的意义，我们注意到日月的光是用不同的字。如果你看创世记 1:16 这『造』字，不是使无变为有的创造 (H1254) ，是用不同的『造』这个字  H6213 (made)。那么这个造字到底是什么意思？我们来看这些经文就很清楚了。『耶和华神说：「那人独居不好，我要为他造(H6213)一个配偶帮助他。」』(创世记 2:18)『耶和华神就用那人(亚当)身上所取的肋骨(H6763)造成(made, H1129)一个女人(夏娃)，领她到那人跟前。』(创世记 2:22)  那时亚当已存在，夏娃是用已存在的亚当造成的。所以唯一的逻辑解释是『光(H216)』已经存在了，就是日月众星已创造(H1254)，是先前创造的世界留下来的，现在只需要『造』就可以了。     

    其实我们不需要这么复杂，我们再看看这节经文，『创造(H1254)天地的来历，在耶和华神造(H6213)天地的日子，乃是这样：』(创世记 2:4) 这经文是用两个不同的字，在起初的确是无中生有的创造(H1254)，而后在这世界中，神造(H6213)了天地，因为天地在先前的世界就已创造了。这也和创世记 1:2 所说的一致，先前的世界结束时，地是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗，这是两个世界中间的情景。        

    在这里我们只是看到先前的世界是存在的，但是没有说有几个先前的世界。我们知道，恐龙的存在可以从考古学得知，照现在的科学的估计，创造是远远在恐龙存在之前，所以应该是至少有两个先前的世界，一为撒但所面对的世界，一为恐龙所面对的世界。当然也有人说，恐龙和人是同时创造的，只是恐龙已绝种，但这可能性依照现在的科学是没有的。       

    有人说，其实光也不是非要有太阳不可，启示录不是这样说吗？当圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降时，城中『不再有黑夜，他们也不用灯光、日光，因为主神要光照他们。…』(启示录 22:5) 那时的确是不要日光了，但我们是在说现今的世界创造时，光是由太阳而来，所以这说法不是圣经所讲的。

4. 日这个字是指今日的一天     

    我们再看看日(H3117)这个字，『神称光为昼，称暗为夜。有晚上，有早晨，这是头一日。』(创世记 1:5)   有晚上，有早晨，这显然是我们现在说的一日。不过只是这样说，有人可能还有疑问，譬如有人说这不是指现在的这一日，只是代表一个次序，第一日发生的事情在第二日发生的事情之前，等等，这是主观的看见，不是圣经所说的。        

    又有人说，圣经的确在新约说过，『亲爱的弟兄啊，有一件事你们不可忘记，就是主看一日如千年，千年如一日。』(彼得后书 3:8)   但我们可以看到这是在讲完全不同的事情，因为接著就说，『主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。』(彼得后书 3:9)   这也是主观的看见，不是按照圣经的这个字的用法。        

    那圣经究竟是怎么说？在伊甸园中，『耶和华神吩咐他(亚当)说：「园中各样树上的果子，你可以随意吃，只是分别善恶树上的果子，你不可吃，因为你吃的日子 (H3117) 必定死。』(创世记 2:16-17) 用的是同一个字。       

    日(H3117)这个字是指今日的一天，也可以从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」可以看到。  在约伯记的一开始就说，『耶和华对撒但说：「凡他(约伯)所有的都在你手中，只是不可伸手加害于他。」 于是撒但从耶和华面前退去。』(约伯记 1:12) 然后是在同一天中，示巴人把牲畜掳去，除了报信的外，用刀杀了仆人，撒但又行了超自然的事对群羊和仆人这样做，而迦勒底人也是这样的对待骆驼和仆人，且狂风又使房屋倒塌压死了他所有的儿女。(参约伯记 1:13-19)   撒但会选择最好的时机，一气作成牠要做的。       

    在第六日(H3117)时，『神就照著自己的形像造人，乃是照著他的形像造男造女。』(创世记 1:27) 所以亚当和夏娃是在第六日造的。『耶和华神所造的，惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇对女人说：「神岂是真说不许你们吃园中所有树上的果子吗？」』(创世记 3:1) 『…那古蛇，名叫魔鬼，又叫撒但，…』(启示录 12:9)   撒但不会等的，祂引诱夏娃就是在她造的那一天。牠引诱成功后，然后是『耶和华神说：「那人已经与我们相似，能知道善恶。现在恐怕他伸手又摘生命树的果子吃，就永远活著。」』(创世记 3:22) 所以神在这事上也不会等的，就当天把他们赶出去了。这些都是第六日发生的事情，因神『…就在第七日(H3117)歇了他一切的工，安息了。』(创世记 2:2) 这里也是用的同一个字。        

    有人说，在我们一日中要创造日月星辰是不可能的，时间太短了！从神是大能的角度看，没有不能成的事。但圣经其实是在说，第一日只是让已创造好的光显露出来而已，工作量相对创造来说，不是很大的。所以这样说也是人的看法，从人的角度看事情。

    顺便一提的是，这里只说到有晚上，有早晨，是自然的时间，不是指时钟上人为所订的时间。那有人可能会问，为什么一天是从晚上开始，有光以后，神不是白天作工吗，然后因光才有晚上，为什么不是一天从早晨到晚上呢？这是角度的问题，从神的角度看的确是如此，一天是从白天开始工作，晚上歇息，到第七天祂就歇了他一切创世的的工作。从人的角度看就会完全不一样，亚当和夏娃是在白天被赶出伊甸园的，他们的一天是从晚上开始，所以从人的角度看一天的确是有晚上、有早晨。所以看圣经一定要知道是从那个角度看，才可能不强解圣经。

(经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本。)

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