When the Creator spoke to Adam and warned him against eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, He warned him that he would die if he at of it. Some have looked at the statement and wondered how a father could tell his child, “If you do this thing, I’ll kill you”. The reality is that something vastly different was taking place. The man would surely die, but he was not being warned of it by one who was solely his father.

The relationship between the LORD (YHWH) and Adam was that of a King and his vassal. There is a covenant that is being established. The covenant is that man is to rule the world as YHWH rules it. He is to take dominion, fill the earth, and enjoy the fruits God gave him. There is one point which is a breaking point: if man does not worship God as evidenced by his enjoying Him through His gifts, but decides to turn aside and worship in his own way by disobeying in the partaking of the forbidden fruit, he will be a covenant breaker who is subject to death.

This is not about a father telling his son that he will kill him for disobeying. This is about the King of kings telling his subjects the consequences of treason. It is about the gracious, Covenant making God declaring the results of man’s failing to worship according to the covenant rules.

That is why there is no discrepancy between the warning that death will come and the fact that they did not immediately die. Though mankind was plunged into sin and was spiritually dead (I.e. he was alienated from God.), there was a sense in which he worshiped God and became covenantally alive by means of the death of an animal in his place ( Genesis 3:21). Man’s shame was covered and man lived a while longer due to the provisional nature of the blood sacrifice.

Thankfully we are aware that there is now a sacrifice that does not need to be repeated- that of the lamb of God ( John 1:29;Hebrews 10:11-14).

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Praise is a prevalent thing in the Psalms, which is not surprising. Psalm 50:1-23;53:6;57:7-11;69:30-36 call on us to praise YHWH, because He is glorious and worthy.

Psalm 74:1-23 is a prayer for help that is based upon faith in YHWH being Creator, and thus omnipotent. This continues the theme of creation and YHWH as the one true God.

In Psalm 79:9 there is a prayer for deliverance so that YHWH would be glorified. Exodus 9:16;33:18-20;34:1-7;Numbers 14:21

Psalm 81:8-16 is a diatribe against idolatry that reminds us the YHWH is the one true God.

Psalm 81:9-10 reminds Israel that YHWH proved Himself the one true God in the Exodus, thus they should pray to Him.

Psalm 81:13-16 reminds Israel that, if they would worship YHWH, they would continue to experience blessing.

A post-exilic Psalmist writes about the covenant with David in Psalm 89:1-52 (cf 2Samuel 7:1-26). He writes of the glory of YHWH, who made the covenant with David, that the Davidic covenant is eternal, and prays to YHWH because Israel forsook Him and are longing to experience the joys of the fulfilled Davidic covenant.

Psalm 95:1-11 returns to the refrain that the one true God who created all things should be worshiped.

Psalm 96:5 returns to the proclamation that YHWH is the one true God.

Psalm 106:1-8 shows that Israel sinned, but YHWH saved them for the glory of His name. Based upon YHWH’s passion for His glory, the Psalmist prays for deliverance that Israel may once again praise Him.

The Psalmist once again declares YHWH’s passion for His glory in all that He does. Psalm 111:1-4

Psalm 115:1-3 continues the theme of the exaltation of YHWH in His independence and sovereignty as the one true God.

Psalm 128:1-6 presents to us the blessing once again.

Once again we meet YHWH in song as the one true God, Creator, and deliverer. Psalm 135:5-13

Psalm 148:1-14 is a call to worship YHWH, the one true God, Creator, and Sustainer of all.

Related articles

• The Unity of The Bible: The Chronicles (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: The Books of The Kings (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Judges – Ruth (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Joshua (pastoralmusings.com)

As the study of the unity of the Bible continues, we find that the sacred Psalter gives us a grand overview of the themes that tie the Old Testament together. We shall also find that the New Testament uses the Psalms to tie the Old and The New Testaments together, but that is something to deal with at another time.

Interestingly enough, just as the interaction between God and man begins with blessing and then to cursing, so does the Psalter. Psalm 1:1-6 presents to us the theme of blessing that comes to the one who takes pleasure in God and His Word. Cursing and destruction belong to the one who does not do so. This theme, you will recall, was repeated throughout the ministry of Moses (Deuteronomy chapters 27-28 ).

Psalm 2:1-12 presents to us the Son of God, thus continuing the theme of the seed/savior that began in Genesis 3:15, was repeated to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3;15:1-6;22:18, and to David in 2Samuel 7:1-26.

The blessing motif continues to be presented in the Psalter when we read that YHWH will bless the righteous (Psalm 5:12), and will surround him with grace (cf Genesis 6:8 ).

We also find man being exalted by his Creator in Psalm 8:1-9. We shall later see that the writer to the Hebrews links this Psalm to the promised seed (Hebrews 2:1-9).

Psalm 21:13 presents to us the self-sufficiency/all sufficiency of YHWH as His glory. Genesis 17:1;Exodus 3:13-25

The beloved Psalm 23:1-6 presents YHWH as the kind shepherd who leads His people for the glory of His name. Exodus 9:16;Numbers 14:21;Nehemiah 9:10

Psalm 24:1-10 presents YHWH as the Creator, thus continuing the theme of YHWH as the one true God. Genesis 1:1-2:25;14:17-24;Exodus 3:13-15

The end for which God created the world: His glory, is another theme that permeates Scripture and is found in Psalm 29:1-11.

The blessing motif arises again in Psalm 32:1-11. This time the blessing is not related to creation or covenant alone, but to the forgiveness of sins.

The Psalmist returns to the theme of creation and Creator by declaring that all was made by Divine fiat. Psalm 33:6-12

In the encouraging and comforting Psalm 46:1-11 we find that YHWH is our protector and preserver even if de-creation occurs. He speaks and commands that all know that He is the one true God. cf Genesis 1:1-28;Exodus 3:13-15;Deuteronomy 32:39-40

Psalm 50:1-23 is especially rich in terms of the theme of worship, as YHWH declares that He does not need our sacrifices, because all is His: the greatest sacrifice we can give is the act of worship that praises His name.

Related articles

• The Unity of The Bible: The Chronicles (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: The Books of The Kings (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (pastoralmusings.com)
• The Unity of The Bible: Joshua (pastoralmusings.com)

Covenant of Grace

If I recall correctly, there are some who call the Adamic, or Creation covenant a covenant of works. The reality is that it was a covenant of grace. In the garden all sorts of trees were planted. Everything that man could enjoy and eat was there. Man was given freedom to eat of everything in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. There was nothing that Adam deserved in the garden, so what he had must have been given to him by grace.

Man also could have continued in the garden by grace. All he had to do was believe God’s command concerning the tree of knowledge of good and evil, refrain from eating of it, and he could have eaten of the tree of life and lived forever. To remain in Eden and enjoy the blessings of the covenant, all Adam had to do was to continue trusting in the grace of God and enjoying Him through His gifts and His personal communion with man.

Man fell by works, but could have remained by grace.

What are your thoughts?

Related articles

• COVENANT THEOLOGY AND DISPENSATIONALSIM: A COMPARISON Part 2 (sovereigngod.wordpress.com)
• Sailhamer’s Meaning of the Pentateuch, Take Two (greenbaggins.wordpress.com)
• Westminster Shorter Catechism – Lord’s Day 8 (mgpcpastor.wordpress.com)

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As much of what is in the Chronicles has already been covered in the four books of the Kings, I shall only give a brief overview of them.

• 1Chronicles 1:1-9:1 The genealogies recorded that they would not only keep track of their families inheritance, but that the seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and especially David would be recorded for the sake of keeping track in preparation for the coming of the promised seed. Cf Genesis 2:15;12:1-3;15:1-6;22:18;49:10;2Samuel 7:1-29
• 1Chronicles 10:13-14 The kingdom of Israel given to David. Chronicles chronicles the Davidic kingdom until the captivity. This is to show that YHWH graciously worked to keep His promise to Israel and David ( 2Samuel 7 )
• 1Chronicles 16:7-36 David’s psalm for the day the ark was returned to the tabernacle.
  • • :8 A call to worship, praise, and proclamation
    • :11-33 A call to worship YWHW exclusively. To do so, they must remember God’s works, words, covenant, and promises.
    • :34-36 Concluding call to worship: give thanks, call upon YHWH for deliverance to the end that He would be praised.

• 2Chronicles 2:3-9 Solomon to build a house for the name/fame of YHWH ( cf Exodus 3:13-15 ). It is to be a great house, because YHWH is the great God.
• 2Chronicles 6:12-42 Solomon’s prayer upon the dedication of the temple.
  • • :14 YHWH the only true God.
    • :14-17 The (partial) fulfillment of the Davidic promise of 2Samuel 7.
    • :18 The infinity of God: He cannot/does not physically live in a temple, or house of any kind. All the universe cannot contain Him. He fills heaven and earth.
    • :19-40 A prayer for forgiving mercies when Israel fails YHWH, then returns to Him in prayerful repentance. Cf Leviticus 26:1-46;Deuteronomy 27:1-28:69;30:1-10
• 2Chronicles 36:14-21 Because of continued rebellion through idolatry and refusing to heed the voices of YHWH’s prophets, Israel is delivered into the control of Babylon to be carried into captivity.

The main point of the Chronicles, I believe, is to track the gracious work of YHWH in Israel and Judah; specifically in Judah and the Davidic line. All of this is for the purpose of showing how YHWH is going to bring the Messiah/promised Son-seed into the world through David.

See the first in this series of posts.

See all of this series.

Covenant in Community

While Cain and Abel certainly were personally responsible to offer sacrifice, and Adam and Eve were both responsible for themselves in regard to obedience, there is an aspect of this that includes community. Adam knew that Eve was given to him for a help. She was neither the guide nor the one responsible for the two of them. Adam was responsible for the two person community in the garden. At the same time he was also responsible for all of humanity. This is probably why Job offered sacrifice for his children. Not that his sacrifice was sufficient for their cleansing apart from their personal appropriation of its benefits, but as the head of the family community he probably felt the need to do all that he could on their behalf.

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The Creation Covenant And The Fall

After the fall, what was changed? Was there still a dominion mandate that called for man to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and take dominion? Was man still in the image of God? Was he to still image forth God in the world? What about the blessing?

It is interesting to note that the serpent was cursed, and the ground was cursed for man’s sake; but man was not cursed. Man was left with the same dominion mandate. What is the difference? It will be filled with toil, grief, and often a lack of that joy that he once had in God and His gifts, neither will man eat of the tree of life and live forever.

Genesis 3:21 presents to us a sacrifice of sorts by which the shame of Adam and Eve is covered. An animal dies so that the shame of their nakedness might be covered. Later, their children ( Genesis 4:1-7 ) must offer sacrifice to be accepted of God. Once again we see the concept of personal responsibility, and that responsibility extends to ones relationship with his Creator via sacrifice.

Have you any thoughts or criticisms?

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Responsible Parties Under The Creation Covenant

I suppose that most, if not all, who believe in hereditary depravity understand Romans 5:12-19 to teach that sin entered the world through Adam. In such a context we deal with Adam as the one who plunged all of humanity into sin. What we neglect is that Adam was personally responsible for his own sin.

The statement made to him was that, if he ate of the forbidden fruit, he would surely die. While we might speculate about what might have been had Eve eaten the fruit and Adam refused, what we must deal with is the fact that, under the Creation covenant, there was personal responsibility.

The reason that I’m even taking the time to consider this is due to the precedent that would be set for personal responsibility under future covenants.

What are your thoughts?

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The Contents of The Creation Covenant

If the Noahic covenant is indeed a renewal of the Creation covenant, we should examine the Creation covenant to see what it contains.

It seems that a covenant has to have at least two parties. In the Creation covenant we find God and man.

Concerning God, creation shows us that:

1. God is before time and matter.
2. All things were made by Him.
3. God is superior to all things.
4. There is one true God and idols are not gods, because they are images of things created.
5. God is the source of all things good. It is He who placed man in the garden which was filled with an abundance of fruit bearing trees. These trees were excellent providers of food. In the middle of this garden was the tree of life, of which man could eat and live forever.

Concerning man, creation shows us that:

1. Man is created by God.
2. Man is responsible to God.
3. Man is to image God to the world as he takes dominion.
4. Man is to worship God alone.
5. Man’s worship of God is by obeying Him in enjoying Him and His gifts.

The abiding blessing of the covenant seems to be that of enjoying God, living forever, and living forever in fellowship with God. If man fails to obey God and refuses to be content with God and His gifts, he will die.

What are your thoughts?

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The Creation Covenant and The Noahic Covenant

When one takes into consideration the covenant with Noah in Genesis 9:1-17, the Creation blessing and dominion mandate of Genesis 1:26-31 seems to be a covenant as well.

The two both involve:

1. Creation: one brand new and the other in a sense renewed.
2. A command to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.
3. The dominion mandate.
4. Blessing.

The parallels seem to point to the Noahic covenant as simply being a renewal of the Creation covenant.

Have you any thoughts?