Adam's Heart - Past v. Present (4)
The passing of time plays a significant role in understanding Adam's heart. This is because repentance is only a moment in time. Prior to repentance, guilt exists. After repentance humility exists. We've looked at Adam's words after God confronted him. Now, let's check out Adam's behavior after that confrontation to see if it demonstrates humility or guilt.
Did Adam do the will of God? Unequivocally yes! Adam procreated as commanded. He also worked the ground as commanded. Not only these things but at the end of 930 years Adam also returned to his 'father of flesh,' the dust of the ground without having been cut off as Cain was.
The result of doing God's will was honor from God in the form of a remembered name, Psalms 1:6. God made Adam a type of the Christ and even now Adam is remembered as such, 1 Corinthians 15:45. In fact, with the exception of only one verse, God's own and ENTIRE testimony about Adam is positive throughout the Holy Bible.
So, let's take a closer look at the one and only verse that is often misconstrued to be a negative testimony about Adam's heart. That verse is Job 31:33 which testifies that Adam hid his sin in his bosom. This verse does not indicate WHEN Adam hid his transgression from God. From Job 31:33 alone, there is absolutely NO indication that Adam blamed God. The verse merely says that Adam hid his sin in his bosom.
We are not allowed to establish a matter on the testimony of only one witness. So, how is Job 31:33 a most accurate witness of the chronological events of the fall? Job 31:33 very clearly explains Genesis 3:7-10, that bit that happened prior to God's confrontation of Adam. The body parts that were once not shamefully exposed were now covered as shamefully hidden PRIOR to any testimony of Adam's words.
Adam's concealment of body parts is just as consistent with the thoughts in his heart according to Matthew 12:35 as Adam's behavior AFTER God's confrontation. But please make a strong note that Adam's concealment took place prior to God's confrontation. This creates a problem for applying Job 31:33 to Genesis 3:12 which took place AFTER God's confrontation. This is because the words of God convict as to righteousness, sin, and judgment, John 16:8. So, what Adam did prior to God's confrontation has no bearing upon Adam's words and actions AFTER God's confrontation.
God's verbal confrontation in Genesis 3:11 opens up the possibility that Adam could have repented by the time Genesis 3:12 was actually spoken out of Adam's heart. Therefore, Job 31:33 is not a conclusive post-confrontation evidence of Adam's heart at the time Genesis 3:12 is spoken. The historically-documented past chronologically demonstrates reasonable doubt and prevents a charge of blame against Adam. None of the other Bible verses that address the Adam of Genesis 3 EVER speak negatively about Adam's behavior. If God's own testimony of Adam's behavior is positive, then who has a right to make God out to be a liar by imputing blame upon Adam?
Did Adam do the will of God? Unequivocally yes! Adam procreated as commanded. He also worked the ground as commanded. Not only these things but at the end of 930 years Adam also returned to his 'father of flesh,' the dust of the ground without having been cut off as Cain was.
The result of doing God's will was honor from God in the form of a remembered name, Psalms 1:6. God made Adam a type of the Christ and even now Adam is remembered as such, 1 Corinthians 15:45. In fact, with the exception of only one verse, God's own and ENTIRE testimony about Adam is positive throughout the Holy Bible.
So, let's take a closer look at the one and only verse that is often misconstrued to be a negative testimony about Adam's heart. That verse is Job 31:33 which testifies that Adam hid his sin in his bosom. This verse does not indicate WHEN Adam hid his transgression from God. From Job 31:33 alone, there is absolutely NO indication that Adam blamed God. The verse merely says that Adam hid his sin in his bosom.
We are not allowed to establish a matter on the testimony of only one witness. So, how is Job 31:33 a most accurate witness of the chronological events of the fall? Job 31:33 very clearly explains Genesis 3:7-10, that bit that happened prior to God's confrontation of Adam. The body parts that were once not shamefully exposed were now covered as shamefully hidden PRIOR to any testimony of Adam's words.
Adam's concealment of body parts is just as consistent with the thoughts in his heart according to Matthew 12:35 as Adam's behavior AFTER God's confrontation. But please make a strong note that Adam's concealment took place prior to God's confrontation. This creates a problem for applying Job 31:33 to Genesis 3:12 which took place AFTER God's confrontation. This is because the words of God convict as to righteousness, sin, and judgment, John 16:8. So, what Adam did prior to God's confrontation has no bearing upon Adam's words and actions AFTER God's confrontation.
God's verbal confrontation in Genesis 3:11 opens up the possibility that Adam could have repented by the time Genesis 3:12 was actually spoken out of Adam's heart. Therefore, Job 31:33 is not a conclusive post-confrontation evidence of Adam's heart at the time Genesis 3:12 is spoken. The historically-documented past chronologically demonstrates reasonable doubt and prevents a charge of blame against Adam. None of the other Bible verses that address the Adam of Genesis 3 EVER speak negatively about Adam's behavior. If God's own testimony of Adam's behavior is positive, then who has a right to make God out to be a liar by imputing blame upon Adam?
Copyright © 2011 by Diane Pebley
(All rights reserved, no use granted without the express written permission of the author, Diane Pebley)
(All rights reserved, no use granted without the express written permission of the author, Diane Pebley)
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