Now we are given the details concerning the creation of man and woman and their place in God’s plan. This account does not contradict chapter 1; it complements it. We see the man involved in several activities.
我们在这里能看见神创造男女的细节，以及他们在神计划里的位置。第二章是第一章的补充，两者无矛盾之处。这里，我们看到人所涉及的一些活动。
- Resting 休息 (1–3)
God’s rest was the rest of completion, not the rest of exhaustion, for God never gets weary (Ps. 121:4). Adam must have rested also, fellowshipped with the Lord and worshiped Him. The seventh day, the Sabbath, became a sign to Israel that they were God’s special people (Exod. 31:13–17). It is also a symbol of the eternal rest God’s people will have with Him (Heb. 4:9–11).
神的安息是神创造之工完毕后的安息，不是出于劳累，因神永不疲惫（诗121:4）。那日，亚当定也休息了，并与主团契，敬拜祂。因此，第七日（即安息日）就成为了以色列的标志，表明他们是神特殊的子民（出31:13-17）。这也象征着神的子民将在神里面得着永恒的安息（来4:9-11）。
- Working 工作 (4–15)
Rest and work must be in balance. Human history involves three gardens: the Garden of Eden, where man took of the tree and sinned; the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Savior took the cup and went to the tree to die for our sins; and the “garden city” of glory where God will take all His children to live forever (Rev. 21–22). Work is not a curse. God gave Adam the task of guarding the Garden and tilling it. It was a fulfilling ministry for him. Man and God must work together to produce the harvest. St. Augustine said, “Pray as though everything depended on God, and work as though everything depended on you.”
人类的历史涉及三个花园：伊甸园，即亚当与夏娃曾经吃神所吩咐不可吃的果子而犯罪堕落的花园；客西马尼园，即救主拿起杯来为我们的罪钉死十架的花园；及神荣耀所在的“城市花园”，即神与祂儿女将永远居住的花园（启21-22）。休息和工作必须是平衡的。工作原本不是一个诅咒。神在伊甸园给了亚当看守花园和耕作的责任。对他而言，这是一个充实的工作。若要有丰盛的收成，神与人必须携手工作。圣奥古斯丁说：“祷告时犹如一切靠神；工作时犹如一切靠人。”
- Submitting 顺服 (16–17)
The Creator has the right to govern His creatures. Love sets limits for the good of man. God calls us to obey Him because we want to, not because we have to. He wants children, not machines. Note especially the word freely in verse 16.
造物主有权支配一切祂所造之物，而祂在爱里设定的限制是为了人的益处。神的呼召是要我们甘心顺服祂，而不是出于逼迫。祂想要的是儿女的服从，不是机器的服从。留意第16节所用的“随意”这词。
- Naming 起名 (18–25)
Man’s naming the animals was a part of his “dominion” as the head of creation (1:26–28). He lost this dominion because of sin (Ps. 8), but we have regained it through Christ (Heb. 2:5ff.). Adam also named his mate; he called her “Woman.” Later, he would call her “Eve.” God established marriage to meet man’s need for companionship (2:18) and to provide for the rearing of children (1:28). In addition it served as a picture of Christ and His church (Eph. 5:25–32). Adam gave of himself for his bride, and Jesus gave of Himself for His bride (John 19:31–37).
人为动物命名表明人是万物之首，有统治权（1:26-28）。然，人因着罪，失去了这权柄（诗篇8），所以我们需要借着基督重新得回统治权（来2:5）。亚当也为自己的伴侣取名，称她为“女人”，后来改名为“夏娃”。神创造婚姻，以满足人对伴侣的需要（2:18），并且生养子女（1:28）。此外，它也象征了基督和教会的关系（弗5:25-32）。亚当为他的新娘舍己，而耶稣也为祂的新妇舍命。（约19:31-37）。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Work and rest are both good and both are ordained by God. Let us pray that we glorify God not only through our rest but also through our work.
工作和休息都是好的，也都是神所立定的。让我们祷告，愿我们不但在休息中，而且也能在工作中荣耀神。
- Since the Lord created his creatures, He has the right to set the limit of their lives and instruct them on what is good and what is evil. Let’s pray that we humble ourselves and follow His instructions.
既然神创造万物，祂就有权柄为我们的生命设限，并教导我们何为善恶。让我们祷告自己能谦卑并顺从神的指示。
- Let us thank God for giving us a companion and marriage, so that we can have a family and enjoy the love of father, mother, brothers and sisters.
让我们感谢神赐给我们伴侣和婚姻，叫我们可以有个家，并享受父亲、母亲及兄弟姐妹之间的爱。
