Genesis 2:19
“Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.” NASB
The part of the verse that really stood out was this phrase, “…and brought them to the man to see what he would call them.”
It appears in scripture that God lets the man name the animals what ever he pleased and whatever the man named them God said, “OK. that's a turtle (or whatever it was in that language)”. As God let Adam do this He observed like a loving Father and listened to what His friend Adam named the animals (and notice in scripture there is total freedom. God doesn't correct or instruct or micro manage. He just simply waits to see what the man will do, “…to see what he would call them…”). I get a picture of God getting great joy out of watching this and being utterly amused and amazed at what names Adam comes up with. Sometimes being deeply impressed with what just came out of His “creations” mouth. He may have just simply enjoyed hearing what His friend was coming up with. Of course God could have named all the animals but I truly think this was a beautiful picture of what God wants to do with us. How He wants to be in communion with us. To be in unity and with us.
As a parent have you ever been astonished or marveled at what your kids just said? Sometimes it may be hilarious or sometimes very very mature for their age or sometimes… very horrific! The point is, on a human level we can be amazed or astonished (i.e. surprised) by what our kids come up with. Why can’t God be amazed by what comes out of our mouths? In the New Testament we see Jesus (God incarnate) being “astonished” at their lack of faith in Mark 6:6 (and Luke 7:9). The word “astonished” in the Greek is θαυμάζω (thou ma zo) means to marvel. “Marvel”, according to Merriem-Webster means “be filled with wonder or astonishment.” "Wonder", according to Merriem-Webster means “a feeling of surprise…” So Jesus Himself was “surprised”. Which would lead me to think that as Adam named things God “marveled” or was “surprised" to see what His friend was naming them.
I believe He wants us to create with Him as detailed in this passage (Genesis 2:19). Adam heard the voice of God (first he listened to Gods voice) and in obedience the next part was naming the animals (second he took action). Adam heard Gods command, “Name the animals” (this is not actually a “command” recorded in scripture but rather implied in the scripture), and he responded with obedience. This is the lesson. As we are obedient to the call of God and His voice and directions we will make decisions and open up possibility's and options that may not ever have existed unless I am obedient to follow His voice and directions. Your choice matters. Your words count!
I was speaking to my daughters about this the other night and our oldest says, “So my obedience and choice could actually effect the history of the world?” And I responded with a very quick, “Yes!”. This is how important our obedience and desire to hear His voice is. The future of our family, city, nation etc… could hang in the balance. This shouldn’t bring fear it should bring excitement! It should get us to think that our prayers, evangelism and intercession have influence and can make a HUGE difference in the world. It can alter history! You are a history maker with God! Live like it and talk like it!
Hope this helps!
Very Elightening! Hmm I have a question: Could Jesus be astonished out of his senses? According to biblehib.com, θαυμάζω could also mean astonished out of one's senses or awestruck?
ReplyDeleteThat could be. I find that a lot of people feel that if there is something that God doesn't "know" it limits Him (and in my estimation it does not... but I respect that other feel it does). I believe He is all knowing... I am not questioning that. I think we need to consider the nature of the future. Is the future a fixed certainty? God knows all there is to know. Actual and possible.
ReplyDeleteAs I read the narrative of the Bible, in the Genesis passage I am confronted with the phrase "to see what..." in plain English that means that possibly He didn't know (in the sense of the word "know" as a fixed certainty from all eternity). As I read scripture there seems to be a sense that there are parts of the future that are open to possibilities and parts of the future that are fixed.
Could I be wrong... of course.
But as I read the Biblical narrative, I cannot help but to come to this conclusion.
God's knowledge is perfect and all encompassing. But maybe the future really is happening right now, and only certain aspects of it are fixed as certainty in Gods mind.
Maybe the aspect of what Adam would name the animals was never a fixed certainty and an aspect of the future that God actually left to Adam. And as He named them God was "awe struck" at what the man was coming up with. Here's the fixed part: God knew that Adam would name all the animals. Here's the possible part: God left it up to Adam what those names would be. And this is what "Awe Struck" God.
In the end... we really do not know, we can only speculate.
My view of God in this foreknowledge has made Him greater and more creative than a restrictive "one way" God. BUT... this is my opinion and a very "slimly" held theological position...