Necessary Redundancy
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 NASB
Male and female – What is the point of the repetition? Wasn’t it clear enough with the first, “God created man”? Why add the second “in the image of God He created him”? Maybe questions like this just don’t bother you, but they bother me.
We could suggest that this is Hebrew poetry. Chiastic poetry follows a pattern, not phonetic rhymes. The pattern is usually A-B-C-C’-B’-A’. But that doesn’t apply here. The pattern isn’t (in Hebrew) “create-God-man-image – image-man-God-create.” It is “create-God-man-image – image-God-create-man.” There must be another reason for this repetition.
I think the repetition is designed to do two things. First, it emphasizes the fact that Man is the direct result of God’s creative act. In the ancient Near-East, many mythologies suggested that Man was the by-product of some other divine activity. The children of Israel coming out of Egypt were subjected to many decades of teaching along these lines. The gods were busy with other things. Men were at best an afterthought, designed to carry out the tedious work in the world. They were not expressly and purposefully designed with the Creator’s image in mind. Hebrew corrects this pagan belief.
Secondly, and just as importantly, this repetition introduces the extended thought, “male and female He created them.” Other ancient Near-Eastern mythologies include some story about the generation of men, but none include any story about the generation of women. The Hebrew cosmogony is unique. Not only does it report that women are also the purposeful design of God (and not, as the Greeks thought, merely deficient males), the account in Genesis 2 places the woman at the pinnacle of creation.[1] This is the first place in the creation account where male and female are deliberately specified in spite of the fact that gender is obviously part of the previous creation of animals. By demarcating the difference only with human creation, the account emphasizes the importance of the female.
But there is one other factor that is often overlooked. The Hebrew account makes it abundantly clear that being human is communal, cooperative and commissioned. In other words, in Hebrew thought Man is not an individual. Man is both male and female. That does not mean androgyny. It means that my humanity is a function of living outside myself. To be human I must interact with others, and in particular with those of a different gender. I am not totally myself within myself. Some vital part of what it means to be me can only be found in relation to another. This implies that to be human is to accept the responsibility to care for others. I am commissioned to obligation. Taking care of myself is not enough. Loving my neighbor as myself is essential to being human.
Torah represents the accumulated response of the people of Israel to the ‘revelation’ of the infinite nature of each person’s responsibility for another. This, in turn, is our understanding of the meaning of creation, which presupposes that we are not responsible for our own being but rather are beholden to another.”[2]
Greek psychology places enormous emphasis on care of the self. In its worst form, psychology promotes the idea that taking care of myself is the highest form of humanity, that the world must necessarily revolve around me if it is to be of any value and that unless I nourish myself, I will be unfit to provide for others. But from the very beginning, Hebrew presents a different picture. Hebrew suggests that who I am is measured by how responsible I am for others, not to others. My humanity is not measured by how “put together” I am but rather by how much I serve another for their benefit. To be human is to be a servant.
Topical Index: human, other, male, female, Genesis 1:27, responsibility
~ God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)
Yes and no. It is not “either/or”- it’s both. Male AND Female. Hebrew AND Greek.
I am not yet ready to throw out my Greek mindset with the Hebrew bathwater. “Self” is still very much part of who I am, and until I realize and recognize my “self” (and my selfish ways- “sin”) I will be no good to my community, nor to my wife, nor to my neighbor, who I am to love as my own “self!”
And I cannot give away that which I first do not possess. It is not “taking care of ol’ number one (me), but rather taking care of (as in stewardship) that which belongs to YHWH- “me.” Listen carefully to my words: I belong (lock,stock and barrel- the good, the bad and the ugly) to Him. I am His and He is mine. That, my friends is relationship. I am His by right of creation and I am His once again and forever, (redundancy?) by right of Calvary.
-Making this very personal, -for this is a decision and a choice I can make for no one, including my wife or my children, whom I love dearly, ~ Yes, each of us will give a personal account (oh how Greek!) to God ~ (Romans 14.12)
Now for the “good news..” -I am ready. I will be able to stand before Him then, for I kneel before Him now. My “claim to fame?”- That Man died for me. That Man, the Lamb of God, took my place and paid for (in full) my sin-debt (Hell) on Calvary’s tree.
“Male and female made He them, in the image of God made He them. Amen!” He made us different in order that He might make us one. I’m reminded of the Yiddish saying, “if the world pulled in one direction we would topple over!” There is unity (shalom) and delight in diversity, and there is no “spark” without the friction! Red and yellow, black and white we are (all) precious in His sight. “Both” Jew and Gentile, “all” have sinned and fallen short of the mark. (Romans 3.23) and ~ “Both” Jews and Greeks are all under (the dominion of) sin ~ (Romans 3.9) ~
So what have I learned here? God’s Book is a goldmine when we learn to dig with a Hebrew shovel. There is a male side and a female side to God. He is a tender warrior. God has a fiercely tender heart. Yes, -it is so.
Here also is a dangerous situation. We tend to be “self”-centered rather than Savior-focused. It is “not I, but Christ.” All creation will sing praises to the King of kings- for it is not about me, or you or you or Bubba. It is all from Him and for Him. (Romans 11.36) “For the glory of God, amen.” ~ To show in the coming ages the greatness of the riches of His grace and His sweetness, which has come upon us by Yeshua The Messiah ~ (Ephesians 2.7)
Our Bible speaks of a wedding feast, yet to be. It is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19.9) How do I know these things? The same way you and Bubba do, – “it is written.” All who breathe are invited. Jew AND Gentile. Male and female. His invitation is (and remains forever) -“whosoever will” may come! (Revelation 22.17) Does this include the Jew? Yes. Does this also include the Gentile? Yes. Then let us throw away the idea of exclusion,- lest we end up a house divided.
Redundancy and repetition- are they the same (necessary) thing? Do we learn by repetition? Oh yes, we do! Spaced repetition- “day by day and with each passing moment,” – amen.
And “together” we sing- (male and female, Jew and Greek)- “praise God from whom all blessings flow- Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, praise Father-Son-and Holy Ghost. Amen.
All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him LORD of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
ye ransomed from the fall,
hail Him who saves you by His grace,
and crown him LORD of all.
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
and crown him LORD of all.
Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown him LORD of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown him LORD of all.
Let every kindred, every tribe
on this terrestrial ball,
to Him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him LORD of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown Him LORD of all.
Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God,
who from His altar call;
extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod,
and crown him LORD of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod,
and crown Him LORD of all.
O that with yonder sacred throng
we at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting Song,
and crown him LORD of all.
We’ll join the everlasting Song,
and crown Him LORD of all.
LORD of every thought and action,
LORD to send and LORD to stay;
LORD in speaking, writing, giving,
LORD in all things to obey;
Now and evermore to be.
“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Thesis: That does not mean androgyny.
Antithesis: That does mean androgyny.
Thesis: The self is sinful
Antitheses: The self is sacred
An Android is created by One person; he-she does not have two parents (Hebrew folklore)
He-she is a symbol of wholeness (Hebrew mysticism)
Adam (pre-Apple) was whole, so was Jesus, but He did not sin
Both were Androids IMO
Arnie plays an Android in the Terminator movie
It’s difficult to let go of self-esteem psychology, it is so entrenched. But I’m reminded of something our Pediatrician (yes!) told us when we where young parents, it was something along the lines of:
“When your children contribute to the household, they will feel/know they are valuable.”
The conversation was in the context of some age-appropriate chores and responsibilities. All the, “Johnny, you are so special!”, and “You can do anything you put your mind to.”, don’t add up to genuine feeling of accomplishment of knowing you are a service to those around you. Instead, our society has extended childhood into the 20s and 30s, and everyone is supposed to feel like an undiscovered rock-star. Everyone “needs a break” from their responsibilities, and Heaven is the Corona beer commercial on the beach.
Has this growth retardation, this delayed maturity, and this desire to be free from responsibility – crept into our theology? What does it mean to be ‘free in Christ’?
“this delayed maturity, and this desire to be free from responsibility – crept into our theology? What does it mean to be ‘free in Christ’?”
Hi Gabe
That is a good question Gabe! In my view we are all free outside of Christ
Which freedom do we have inside Christ that we don’t have outside Christ?
“Which freedom do we have inside Christ that we don’t have outside Christ?”
Could it have something to do with being made in His image?
Freedom NEVER comes except when one is yoked, contrary to popular opinion any other “freedom” actually brings bondage and destruction. Consider any field, be it science, business, family or any other “Things” we do, it’s all the same. We often think of this as religious principle. it’s not. It’s a “life” principle and part of the fundemental structure of this creation that we’ve been given.
Freedom NEVER comes except when one is yoked,
Hi Robert,
But if I’m yoked, in what sense am I free? The yoke is a constraint
If I’m yoked, is some sense I am not free or so it would seem to me
I could be yoked inside of Jesus or outside of Jesus
In either case, I’m free to take off or put on the yoke
“If I’m yoked, is some sense I am not free or so it would seem to me”
If one abides by the “laws of mathmatics and physics, you can build buildings, send men to the moon, etc., etc… the possibilities are endless and unknown. Try doing any of those things outside those defining laws and you will fail.
Who’s free, the one who obeys and aligns with those laws or the one who claims that he’s free from them.
You’re free to choose, but your not free from the consequences.
Michael,
Paradigms – paradigms. CONSTRAINT is freedom in Hebrew thought. Lack of constraint is chaos, the inability to know what I should do and how my life will be measured. The denial of my essential responsibility. The Greek paradigm focuses on the INDIVIDUAL and as an individual, disconnection is the priority since ANY relationship demands some kind of restraint. But Hebrew is not individually based. It is communal and therefore it REQUIRES constraint as an essential element of freedom.
“It is communal and therefore it REQUIRES constraint as an essential element of freedom.”
Hi Skip,
I agree with your point above and your argument in general
But I must admit having a tough time with “CONSTRAINT is freedom”
Because I tend to think that consciousness is freedom that must be constrained
Hi Robert,
Please see comments inline:
Robert: If one abides by the “laws of mathmatics and physics, you can build buildings, send men to the moon, etc., etc… the possibilities are endless and unknown. Try doing any of those things outside those defining laws and you will fail.
Mike: It seems to me that your point above would suggest that we are “constrained” by the “laws of mathmatics and physics;” we are not free to fly to the moon without physics
Robert: Who’s free, the one who obeys and aligns with those laws or the one who claims that he’s free from them.
Mike: They are both “free” IMO to obey or not to obey, buy to ignore the law is foolish
Robert: You’re free to choose, but your not free from the consequences.
Mike: I agree your last example of freedom
“It seems to me that your point above would suggest that we are “constrained” by the “laws of mathmatics and physics;” we are not free to fly to the moon without physics”
The point is that we could not accomplish it without “obedience” to the laws of physics. The laws are already there, whether we endorse them or not. So it is with God’s law. We only get to “choose” between “life” or “death” (so to speak).
Do you find it interesting that the first (ROSH) principle of this creation is “echad” or multiple unity?
It reads as a division, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”
It concludes as a unified whole, “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” “first” day is ECHAD, or unity. That kind of upsets the idea of independance doesn’t it?
Again, the question is not whether we’re joined or not, we already are. It’s whether we’ll chose to comply and live or rebel and sow and/or reap destruction.
The point is that we could not accomplish it without “obedience” to the laws of physics. The laws are already there, whether we endorse them or not. So it is with God’s law.
Hi Robert,
I agree, that is very clear to me, but freedom is also an important part of the equation
IMO 🙂
Michael
Man outside of Christ is a law unto himself. He is autonomous. He tries ever so hard to be “as God” but cannot cut it. And as a result of his attempts, he destroys everything that’s valuable in his path as the history of mankind displays. That’s why the Scriptures speak of the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). Man is not free when he is trying to be something other than that which he was made to be – living a life of obedience to God in contrast to living according to his own self-proclaimed autonomy.
The answer to your question depends on the paradigm. The Greek idea of freedom, centered in the individual, is about absence of restraint. The Hebrew idea, centered in community, is about voluntary accountability and responsibility, i.e. restraint. The two are opposed to eat other. Now, which kind of freedom characterizes our cultural view?
Only the man who obeys Torah is truly free.
This rabbinic idea simply means that freedom in Hebrew is not unrestrained life but rather the life that God intends us to have under His commandments. Restraint, voluntarily accepted, is essential to freedom.
— What does it mean to be ‘free in Christ’? — I would love to comment, but need your permission first~
Permission? Carl, I’d love it if you commented!
Skip, “The Hebrew account makes it abundantly clear that being human is communal, cooperative and commissioned.”
Exploring the doctrine of the Trinity reveals that the Three Persons of the Godhead were communal, cooperative and commissioned. While each of the Persons is truly God, and there can be no subordination of any of the Persons below the others, there is an allocation of activities among the Three Persons. The “great debate” over some of these issues was the issue of the “filioque” clause of the Nicene Creed. The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son; the Son is the only begotten of the Father. Generation is thus of the Father, filiation is of the Son, and procession is of the Holy Spirit. Unique attributes – yet one God.
But what is also evident is that the Three Persons were communal, cooperative and commissioned. And therefore if man is made in God’s image, not as a duplicate but as an analogue, then man finds his true humanity as you suggest: only within community, cooperation and the commission of our unique gifts in association with other human beings.
— within community, cooperation and the commission of our unique gifts in association with other human beings.– (especially among those within the body of Christ!- for to each of us was given a gift. Romans 12.6, Hebrews 4.11, etc.
~ and you will know the Truth, and the truth will set you free ~ (John 8.32)
~ Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” (John 18.38) ~ ( I find this very ironic that Truth incarnate was standing right in front of Pilate’s blind eyes!)
~ Jesus said to him, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me ~ (John 18.38)
What is the freedom we have in Christ? ~ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage ~ (Galatians 5.1) But remember, “liberty is not license.” We are not free to do as we want, we are free to do as we ought, and what we ought to do is obey our new Master, the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ. When we do whatever He says, when we are obedient to His commands, then (and only then) to we experience what true freedom is all about. Because I have been forgiven, I am free to forgive. Because God has loved me (and does love me) – I am free to love others, also. Who are these “others?” – every person on the planet. Christ died for them also. (Yes, it is a tall order, but we serve a big God. )
I am free to live a new life, to think a different way. I have been invited to pray and to call God “Father!” I am free from a thousand fears. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of being alone. Fear of death. In His words (over three hundred sixty six times) “Fear not!” I still have my fears and some of my days are spend doubting- but then I find- those were wasted days! I can see now where unbelief is the chief sin. When God says- “I will supply”- do I trust Him to follow through? Do I doubt His words? Or are these very words burned into me? – “but God is faithful.”
Is God good? – I know He is. All the time, – and to everyone. He is good. (period).
What you say is true, Carl. I am free form all these states of mind. But this is freedom FROM something. Now ask the other question. What am I free TO? If the Son sets you free, He isn’t providing you with just a session at the therapist. He frees you TO obey. He takes away the guilt associated with your prior disobedience so that you are not able to come to the Father and keep His mitzvot. You are free because you know what is expected (you don’t have to guess) and you are able to meet those expectations.
“If the Son sets you free, He isn’t providing you with just a session at the therapist.” <– LIKE!
I really like this thread. Thanks everyone. This is a great example of how a Greek interpretation of a Hebraic concept “freedom” could lead to opposite assumptions.
Agree with you, Gabe, this is a good thread.
I had a grandfather who was really good at mathematics and he used to say:
“Freedom without responsibility leads to decline.”
(Idiom got a bit lost in the translation from Afrikaans, but it is as close as I can get it).
Yes, brother Skip.. I did give only 1/2 a response!, for we are not only free “from” – we are free “to!”- It is the (pardon my construction) what I call the from/to of Christ! And what a long list this is! For not only have we been delivered from Egypt, (the world and it’s systems and goals- “their rock is not our Rock”- but we have been invited to possess a land- that land being the good land of Goshen, located across a river, the river Jordan. Once we have crossed this river, (death) we enter into a land of fruitful rest, but first must face and conquer thirty-one kings. http://www.scribd.com/doc/6591377/31-Kings-Victory-Over-Self-AB-Simpson The Christian has three enemies. The world. The flesh. and the devil.
The world is anti-Christ. “We will not have this Man to reign over us” is their “motto” (for lack of a better word. Instead of submitting and surrendering to the Lordship of Christ- “self” (and selfishness) is still on the throne. “Self” drives the ship. “Self” sets the goals. I have been asked, “are you Torah obedient?” Yes. I am, (or at least desire to be). Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. – But, the next morning he got up and saddled his donkey- to do- to act- to properly respond to God’s instructions (God’s Torah)- “go and sacrifice your son to me.” These were the instructions of YHWH. “Don’t eat the fruit”- these were the instructions (torah) of YHWH. “Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”- these are the instructions (torah) of YHWH. “Pray for one another that you may be healed”- these are the instuctions of YHWH. “Serve on another in love”- these are the instructions of YHWH. “Pray without ceasing”- these are the instructions (torah) of YHWH. “Rejoice evermore”- these are the instructions (torah) of YHWH. “Come unto Me- all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest”- these are the instructions (torah) of YHWH.
What we believe, we “live-by”- all the rest is just religious talk. “Shema” O Israel. Hear and do. Trust and obey for there’s no other way, to be happy “in Jesus”- than to trust and obey. Whatever He says unto you (in agreement with the mother of Yeshua) “do it.”
~ The law (torah) of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple ~ What is “wrong” with the torah of YHWH? – absolutely nothing. It is flawless.
Without error, and is the standard of living for all who believe, but it is the “Law of the LORD”- these are His instructions for righteous (rightly-related) living. The Law of the LORD goes far beyond the first five books of our Bible, for ~ every word of God is pure ~ . Exodus is every bit as inspired (God-breathed) as Ephesians. It is not the O.T. vs the N.T. Is is not Hebrew vs. Greek. It is not Jew vs. Gentile. It is not God vs. satan. (this fallen, thoroughly iniquitous (twisted) creature was thoroughly defeated at Calvary).
God spoke and there was life. He created life by speaking. He spoke this world (and all that is in it) when He said “let it be so” (amen!). ~ By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth ~ (Psalm 33.6)
The word of the LORD. (is this ever a “time” for a selah moment!) Hallelujah for the word of the LORD! Where? my friends can any man find the “word of the LORD?” Could these possibly, is there a remote chance- His words might be found, bound in the bundle of His Book? Is our Bible the written word of the LORD? It claims to be.
When the Son of Man (who lived as a man- from birth till death) defeated hasatan, how did He do it? What “sword” did He use? The very same sword that is available today to you and to me- the word of our LORD. A man is only as good as his word and the words of this Man, the second Adam, are flawless.
His words. Not mine. Please don’t look at me- look to Him. Look unto Him and be saved, -all the ends of the earth. Oh, dear ones- the word was made flesh and lived among us! Yeshua HaMashiach is the incarnated “word of God!” The Master Theme of God’s holy Book remains (and forevermore will be!)- “behold the Lamb.”
All of God’s Book centers on Christ. History is His-story. We (all) are sinners. (it is written). We have a Savior. (it is written) He has defeated Death, Sin and the Grave. (it is written). He lives within the heart of every believer. (it is written). He shall lead His flock like a Shepherd, (it is written) and Jerusalem, He wept over you. (it is written). This is Jesus. King of the Jews. The promised Messiah has come. Every knee shall bow. (it is written).
Salvation is a crisis, followed by a process. This process is called sanctification- the process of holiness- growing into -going into- “Christ-likeness”. We are being conformed (God is doing this through heat and pressure) into the image of the Son. We (as newborn babes) through desiring the pure milk of God’s word-we (all) are growing up- a process. Is “spiritual maturity” a Greek concept? Then, call me a Greek- for I am growing in Christ. I am growing in my faith. I am growing in my responsibilities. I am growing in love. I am rooted and grounded in love. The seed God has planted in my heart- many long years ago- is growing. Psalm 1 is becoming a blessed reality. The seeds are growing!- and the harvest is wonderful! I love the changes He is making in me. (anything that grows-is changing..- growth is a process).
~But his delight is in the law (torah-direction-instruction) of the LORD, and on His law he meditates (to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse, think) day and night ~ (Psalm 1.2)
Is this, a glowing reality in our lives? ~ On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night ~ (Psalm 63.6) How many times in the book God wrote have we been instructed to remember? Have we forgotten, we have been instructed (and empowered) to remember? Alethia! (not forget) Alethia ADONAI!- (remember the Truth) amen.
~Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the LORD our God ~ (Psalm 20.7) – He has forgiven me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvHY1dWhQG0
Freedom comes from being yoked together with Christ. We exchange one master (self) for another- the Savior. We (who are His) voluntarily surrender and submit to the LORDship of Christ!
At a very young (and tender) age, I accepted Christ as my Savior. And now, decades later- I am come to know Him as LORD. LORD of all. LORD of the Jew. LORD of the Gentile. LORD of the macro. LORD of the micro.
LORD of every thought and action,
LORD to send and LORD to stay;
LORD in speaking, writing, giving,
LORD in all things to obey;
(both) Now and evermore to be.
~ But the word of the LORD endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is proclaimed unto you ~ (1 Peter 1.25) Jesus saves. ( completely )
~ May all the peoples praise Thee ~ (Psalm 67:3)
~ And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Myself ~ (John 12.32
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwZqhx8eSN4