10.8.26 – Introducing the "End Times" Ezer Kenegdo, Part 1

 With all that is happening in the world, looking for the end-time events makes for some dynamic conversation. If we want to uncover some of the end-time mysteries, we have to go back to the beginning (Isa. 46:10; 45:21). In Genesis 1:26–28, man (adam) is created in God's image and likeness, blessed, and commanded to multiply, fill the earth, and take dominion over all of creation. God also gives a unique food to the man (adam). In addition to green plants, man is also given food from the fruit tree (peri) (Gen. 1:29).

Let us go back to the beginning so we can understand the end.

The creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2 differ greatly because of the perspective in which they are written: one from a masculine perspective (ch. 1) and the other from a feminine one (ch. 2). When we come to Genesis 2, we get more details on the creation of mankind. Instead of a watery environment, we have barren soil, where there is no food (Gen. 2:5). The text says that there is no food because there is no man (adam) to "till" the soil (adamah). The word for "till" (avad) is usually translated as "serve" or "servant." So the soil (adamah) has no worker, no servant to bring forth fruit. So, God, in order to solve this, forms man (adam) from the dust of the soil (adamah) (Gen. 2:7). The servant for the soil is made from the soil (adamah)... Adam.

Clear as mud?

After forming and breathing life into man (adam), God continues doing all the work. It is God who plants the garden (Gen. 2:8), full of fruit trees for food (Gen. 2:9). When the garden is ready, God "takes" man (adam) and "places him in the garden" (Gen. 2:15), where he is given the opportunity to eat from all the fruit trees (Gen. 2:16), except for one (Gen. 2:17). This is a special place for man (adam) to do his work for the soil (adamah), and it is where the earth (adamah) can give man (adam) its fruit to eat.

A quick FYI to evaluate where you are in your end-time journey: Since man is made from the dust (afar) of the earth (adamah), our task is to serve (avad) the adamah, not worship the earth.

As perfect as the story appears to be, there is another "missing" issue to be addressed besides no one to till (avad) the adamah. Just as we had no adam to avad the adamah, now adam does not have a helper (ezer kenegdo) to help him be all he is designed to be. And just as with adam, the man (ish) coming from the adamah, God fills the missing piece by forming a woman (ishah) from the man (ish).

More FYI to consider: The function and difference between man (ish: aleph, yod, shin) and woman (ishah: aleph, shin, hey) give us insights into what makes an amazing relationship between the two and their functional roles.

For this morning, let us finish up with our two pairings: adam formed from the adamah, and ishah formed from ish. In both cases, a helper-servant was formed from the other. In Genesis 2:25, we have adam paired with ishah, but not the reverse... there is no talk of ish and adamah as a pair; only of adam, the servant (avad) of adamah.

Serve well, descendants of Adam (1 Cor. 15:47)!

Shalom!
Alan

www.lightintorah.org

WhatsApp call on Shabbat morning at 9:00–11:00 a.m. EST (816) 772-2183.

Identifying the "elephant in the room" in the Garden of Eden—questions most of us have never considered, and unveiling modern-day answers regarding the Tree of Life and the Torah.

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