Genesis 5:3

Image and Likeness

In the first chapter of Genesis, Scripture records that God states He would make man in His image and likeness, Genesis 1:26. However, by Genesis 5:3, after the fall of Adam, the likeness and image of humans is that of Adam, for he passed on his corrupt nature to his children, Genesis 5:3.

The concept of image (צֶ֫לֶם – tsĕ-lĕm) is that which has a similar appearance. When examining God’s appearance, we find that He dwells in light, 1 Timothy 6:16; therefore, when God created Adam, He wrapped him in light so that Adam would have a similar image. When Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, they were stripped of this image, Genesis 3:7. It is worthy to note here that the word used in Genesis 3:7, often translated as naked (עֲרוּמִּ֔ים), actually means stripped (עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם). They both knew they were stripped, for they could visibly see that they had lost their covering. However, this does not mean that the similarity to God was lost entirely to humans, for Adam was made in the image of God. This is why, after the Noahic flood in the dispensation of government, a new rule is placed upon the household that if a man sheds the blood of another man, his life is to be forfeit, Genesis 9:6. Although Adam was created in a state of innocence (not knowing good and evil) and resided in the garden during a time when there was no sin upon the earth, his offspring inherit his corrupt nature resulting from the penalties of spiritual and physical death for his trespass and sin, which brought death into this world, Romans 5:12, 17.

In the realm of false religions, an image refers to the […]

Image and Likeness2023-12-14T08:08:24-08:00

The Calamity of Disobedience

Because of this, just as through one man the sin entered the world and through the sin the death, also thus unto all men the death passed, on the basis that all sinned. – Romans 5:12

Through Adam sin came into the world and the impact of his action was a penalty of death upon all those who come from him. When Adam took of the fruit from the tree in the garden, which God specifically instructed him not to eat from, he knowingly broke God’s rule.

and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was thoroughly deceived and came to be in a transgression- 1 Timothy 2:14

God told Adam that if he ate from this tree, it would bring death.

But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will not eat, because in the day in which you eat dying you will die. – Genesis 2:17

As humans at this time, we were in a state of innocence. This means we relied solely upon God to instruct us on what was beneficial and what caused calamity in our lives. God walked with Adam each day for this very purpose. Eve was tricked into believing that by eating she would be more like God with the knowledge of good and evil, not understanding the full ramifications of her actions. However, Adam did understand and still chose to eat of the fruit. It was never about the fruit, it was about obedience. In each dispensation God shows us something about ourselves. Why does God permit wickedness? It comes down to the fact that we as humans chose it. In the garden there was no wickedness among humans. We lived in a perfect environment totally relying upon God. This […]

The Calamity of Disobedience2023-12-14T08:37:35-08:00

The First Dispensation

The Dispensation of Innocence

The first dispensation began after God created Adam and placed him in a garden in Eden, Genesis 2:8. Adam is in a state of innocence, not knowing good (that which is beneficial) or evil (that which causes calamity).

The First Dispensation

Adam is given instruction by God concerning the standard by which he and those of the household are to live.

And Jehovah God commanded unto Adam saying, “From every tree of the garden eating you will eat, but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil do not eat from it because in the day you eat from it dying you will die.”, Genesis 2:17

The Length of the Dispensation

This dispensation lasted about 100 years before Adam’s disobedience brought judgment on the household.

The genealogy of Adam states he was one hundred and thirty years old at the birth of Seth, Genesis 5:3.

And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years and he bore in his likeness, his image and called his name Seth, Genesis 5:3

Time was created before Adam was placed in the garden, Genesis 1:14. Therefore, his age would be counted from his creation, not from when he sinned.

Based upon Adam’s age at the birth of Seth in Genesis 5:3, we can surmise that Adam was about 100 years old when he determined to break God’s law.

The Building of Eve

Eve was built from Adam’s side, Genesis 2:21-22.

And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept. And He took one from his side and closed the flesh in her place. And Jehovah God built […]

The First Dispensation2023-12-27T08:47:40-08:00
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