The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Gen. 2:7)
After presenting the cosmic view in chapter 1, Genesis 2 repeats the story of creation, narrowing the focus to human beings. We alone, of all God's works, are made "in God’s image." People have disagreed over the years on what, exactly, that phrase "image of God" means. Is it immortality? Intelligence? Creativity? Relationship? Perhaps the best way to understand is to think of "the image of God" as a mirror. God created us so that when he looked upon us he would see reflected something of himself.
Genesis makes the point that human beings are profoundly different from all of God's other creations. We recognize that difference instinctively: You won't go to jail for running over a dog or cat, but you might go to jail for running over a man or woman. Human life is somehow different, more "sacred." Alone of all creation, human beings received the breath of life from God himself.
Genesis 2 shows human history just getting underway. Marriage begins here. Even in a state of perfection, Adam felt loneliness and desire, and God provided woman. From then on, marriage would take priority over all other relationships.
Work begins here, too. Adam was set in a role of authority over the animals and plants. He named them and tended to the plants and creatures of the Garden. Ever since, humans have had a kind of mastery over the rest of creation.
Only the slightest hint of foreboding clouds this blissful scene of Paradise. It appears in verse 17, in the form of a single negative command from God. Adam enjoyed perfect freedom, with this one small exception—a test of obedience.
Throughout history, artists have tried to recreate in words and images what a perfect world would look like, a world of love and beauty, a world without guilt or suffering or shame. Genesis 1­2 describes such a world. For a time, peace reigned. When God looked at all he had created, he paid humanity its highest compliment. "Very good," he pronounced. Creation was now complete.
Life Question: If you could design a paradise, what would it look like?
