The first thing that catches my attention in this chapter is that God didn't micromanage Adam's first job: "The Lord...brought them [the animals] to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name" (Genesis 2:19).
Amazing! God didn't micromanage, and Adam wasn't afraid! So often when I feel God speak to my heart about a task, I wait for incredibly detailed instructions, alongside a guarantee of success. But Adam didn't look for a miraculous sign in-between each animal; he didn't do a 40-day fast before naming a dolphin. God brought the animals, Adam named them, ta-da!
...the point was their friendship, I think. Their partnership. God delighted in Adam' s work, and Adam wasn't afraid to freely do the job he'd been given. Lord, let me have the same response with the tasks you give me.
The second thing I'm captured by is that "it is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). Oh how I love this. Adam, in pure companionship with God, still needed someone. Sometimes I feel like American-Christian society gets angry at people for needing other people. It's almost as if we're scared that needing others declares a lesser need for Jesus. But this isn't true! In the midst of Adam being entirely dependent on God, God said that it was not good for him to be alone. We're made for relationship with people! God knows this and delights in giving us friendships/marriage!
Last gem of truth and then I'm done: anyone waiting to find their life partner should gather great hope from Genesis 2. I always hear my peers say they aren't sure if the right person for them exists, or if they'll ever find that right person. But here's a beauty: even when no woman ever existed, God still found a woman for Adam! This should be joy to anyone feeling lonely!
This chapter, though not entirely discussed, breathes freedom. Freedom to pursue the responsibilities God gives us without stopping every two feet to make sure we're on the right path. Freedom to pursue Godly relationships, not terrified that they're taking the place of God in our lives. Freedom to trust in God to bring the right people to us, even if we feel they don't exist. And more freedom awaits in the rest of the chapter! Praise God!
Wow! So powerful!
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