Genesis: More Than Just a Creation Story
The Genesis account is often read as an origins story. And that it is. As an origins story, it retells the ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian myths couched in the god stories of the ancients. It corrects those accounts and reveals the One God who has always been the primal cause but whose priority has been let to drift in the memory of His creation. His creation had written its own counterfeit stories. Even yet, these myth stories had echoes of truth that God would now re-reveal to His Israelite prodigies on their way to inherit a promise He had set for them from the beginning.
Genesis is more than a creation story. It is the creator's letter to His creation in which His creating purpose is revealed. Israel would have first heard this three days before this God descended on Mount Sinai to make an eternal covenant with them. Speaking through Moses, God's purpose for taking them out of Egypt was so that they would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation fully devoted to Him. He was reclaiming the created purpose for man, first for Israel, then He would ultimately include all the nations in that invitation—Israel first, then all the nations. Here is what it sounds like in Exodus.
“and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”” (Exodus 19:6, NASB95 Emphasis mine.)
The Echoes of Eden in the New Testament
Peter will later emphasize these words for all those who join Israel in faith as the Ekklesia.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10, NASB95 Emphasis mine.)
If we skip to the book of Revelation we find that this is the ultimate result for all who are faithful—all of those covered by the blood of Jesus being established as a kingdom of priests to God, yet reigning in the earth.
“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”” (Revelation 5:9–10, NASB95 Emphasis mine.)
At the end of the same book John pens these mysterious words:
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (Revelation 21:22, NASB95 Emphasis mine.)
The Circular Nature of God's Plan
What happens in the end is what has been intended from the beginning! God reveals in Genesis His intentional crafting of a dwelling place in the earth through its creation, particularly His preparation of Eden as a set-apart portion of that creation. Recognizing this, we then can discover the purpose of the humans created and placed within the garden as priests.
Don't turn away yet. I know this may catch you by surprise. It did me when I first discovered it. Solomon's words are settling in this. He reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun but:
“That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, NASB95)
This isn't the expression of futility by which we often frame these words but an expression of God's relentless pursuit of His original purpose for creation.
15 Parallels Between Eden and the Tabernacle
We have seen that the end of all things, according to God's plan, includes a special people prepared to serve Him and who live in His presence. Now, let's return to the creation account and see if that was God's purpose from the beginning.
Many have noted and written extensively about the parallels between the creation story and the events at Sinai and the design and construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. They seem inexhaustible. Categories for comparison are many: Linguistic, themes of light and dark, separation, 'speeches', the number seven, and so on. I will share a few to stimulate your imagination. If you have read my previous articles you will begin to see why I have given attention to the details I included there.
Seven Divine Speeches: God's voice interacts in both settings.
Eden: Seven divine speeches during creation (Gen. 1:3-2:3).
Tabernacle: Seven divine speeches for Tabernacle construction (Ex. 25:1-31:17).
Timeframe and Rhythm: Six days plus a seventh day structure.
Eden: Six days of creation, seventh day of rest (Gen. 1:1-2:3).
Tabernacle: Moses waits six days, God speaks on seventh (Ex. 24:15-17).
Presence of the Spirit: Active in creation and craftsmanship.
Eden: Spirit active in creation (Gen. 1:2).
Tabernacle: Spirit enables craftsmen for Tabernacle (Ex. 31:3; 35:31).
Separation and Order: Establishing distinctions and structure.
Eden: Separation of light/darkness, waters, day/night (Gen. 1:4, 6-7, 14-18).
Tabernacle: Curtains, veil, and covering separate spaces (Ex. 26:1, 31-33; 25:17-22).
Creation of a Dwelling space: God creates for humans, humans create for God.
Eden: God creates the world and Eden (Gen. 1:1-2:25).
Tabernacle: Israelites create the Tabernacle for God (Ex. 25:8-9; 31:1-11).
Divine Instructions and Human Responsibility: God commands, humans act.
Eden: God commands creation; Adam to tend Eden (Gen. 1:3-31; 2:15).
Tabernacle: God instructs on Tabernacle; Israelites construct (Ex. 25-26; 35-40).
Examination, Completion, and Blessing: Work finished and approved.
Eden: God sees creation as "very good"; blesses the seventh day (Gen. 1:31; 2:1-3).
Tabernacle: Moses inspects work; blesses Israel (Ex. 39:32, 43; 40:33).
Linguistic Parallels: Similar phrasing in both accounts.
Eden:
"God saw it was ‘very good’" (Gen. 1:31)
"Heavens and earth were finished" (Gen. 2:1-2)
"God blessed the seventh day" (Gen. 2:3)
Tabernacle:
"Moses saw all the work" (Ex. 39:43)
"All the work on tabernacle was finished" (Ex. 39:32, 40:33)
"Moses blessed them" (Ex. 39:43)
Purpose and Divine Presence: God dwelling with creation.
Eden: God's garden; His voice heard (Gen. 2:8-9; 3:8).
Tabernacle: God's dwelling among people; the voice from Ark (Ex. 25:8, 22).
Presence of Cherubim and Access: Guardians of divine space.
Eden: Cherubim at Eden's gate (Gen. 3:24).
Tabernacle: Cherubim on Ark, veil, curtains (Ex. 25:18-22; 26:1, 31).
Relationship and Its Restoration: Theme of broken and renewed access.
Eden: Cherubim prevent access after Fall (Gen. 3:22-24).
Tabernacle: Controlled access through Tabernacle (Ex. 25:18-22; 26:31).
Significance of 'Seven' in Construction: Completeness and divine order.
Eden: Creation in seven days, each at the command of God (Ge 1-2:3).
Tabernacle: Seven "as the Lord commanded Moses" statements in construction (Ex. 40:17-33).
God Moves In: The Divine presence is established.
Eden: God rests (He takes up residence in the Earth) on Sabbath (Gen. 2:2-3).
Tabernacle: God's glory fills the Tabernacle (Ex. 40:34-35).
Encounter with God: Fellowship established.
Eden: Fellowship through Sabbath (Gen. 2:2-3).
Tabernacle: Fellowship through Tabernacle and reaffirmed Sabbath (Ex. 31:13, 17; 40:34-35).
Rhythms of Meeting: Intimacy established
Eden: Signs and seasons written in the heavens (Gen 1:14-19)
Tabernacle: Three annual feasts at the Tabernacle (Ex 23:14-19)
The Significance of the Parallels
By analyzing these parallels, we can see the intricate ways the themes of creation, sacred space, separation, and divine presence weave through the Genesis and Exodus narratives. The presence and evolving role of the cherubim in each context significantly underlines the transformation from exclusion in Eden to communion in the Tabernacle.
Looking at these similarities we can see that God appears to be recreating in the Tabernacle what He had created in Eden. It is revealed by Moses, that God has shown him a pattern by which to build (Ex 25:40). The construction of the Tabernacle is both an echo of the creation story and a shadow of God's full intent to fully establish an Edenic presence in the world with men who will partner with Him in the keeping of His eternal sacred garden in the Earth. That is the apocalyptic story arc of scripture.
The Heavenly Reality Behind Earthly Structures
The writer of Hebrews also reveals that the Tabernacle and Temple are built on a heavenly reality (Heb 8:2; 9:11, 24-26).
It isn't a stretch to see creation, and Eden particularly, as a dwelling place God prepared for Himself. If it is a Holy Sanctuary, what else does it need? It needs priests to serve in it. Enter Adam & Eve—Gen 1:26-27
““Genesis is more than a creation story. It is the creator’s letter to His creation in which His creating purpose is revealed.””
God's Unchanging Plan for Humanity
God's plan is, and always has been, to dwell on earth with His image bearers as the operations managers, ruling and reigning over all creation so that it flourishes in fruitfulness. Although this plan was interrupted by the Fruit Fiasco (Gen 3) and the ensuing rebellions of mankind and Israel, God will not be deprived of His creation. His First-Sentence Perspective plan is and has always been, the full restoration of His creation for His habitation. Jesus is the means of that restoration. This is the Gospel from the beginning.
Again, in the words of Solomon:
"That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9
Man was created with the earthly purpose of serving and ruling with God in His garden. The Tabernacle was one of the vehicles He used to move toward restoring that relationship. Israel and her priests serve as a glimpse of when all mankind will again serve and rule with God on the Earth, the restored Temple of Eden - the purpose for which we were created.
Let's Talk About It
We've just explored some fascinating connections between Eden and the Tabernacle, uncovering God's consistent purpose for humanity. Now, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Continue the conversation in the comments below:
What aspects of this article challenged your beliefs about Eden and the Tabernacle?
How might this perspective change the way you read and understand the Bible?
What other connections or insights did you notice between Eden, the Tabernacle, and God's eternal plan?
Your insights and questions are valuable – let's learn from each other! Comment below.
