WHAT IS MAN THAT THOU ART MINDFUL OF HIM?
(by brother Tarran Dookie)
MADE A LITTLE LOWER THAN ANGELS
Heb 2:6-8 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
The Hebrews writer was quoting the psalmist David (Ps 8:4-6) who asked, 'What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?' How does God view man? Why was man created?
We learn from Ezekiel 28:11-15 and Isaiah 14:12-15 of the fall of Lucifer. We are told that he was perfect in beauty and full of wisdom and was in the mountain of God. He was perfect from the day he was created until iniquity was found in him. He wanted to be like the Most High God and led a large number of angels in rebellion against God. As a consequence he and his angels were cast out from the presence of God.
However, God in His counsel chose not to finish off Satan. God was desirous of using an instrument lower than Satan to conquer Satan. This being would not be perfect in beauty from the day he was created. Instead he would be formed out of dust. And so Adam was created, made a little lower than the angels.
Although man was made from the dust of the earth, he was made in the image and likeness of God. When God breathed the breath of life into Adam he became a living soul. Man is a triune being, comprising spirit, soul and body. Man before the fall had a spirit that was untarnished and capable of communing with God. This being, God put upon the earth to carry out His purpose.
MADE TO HAVE DOMINION
Gen 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Adam was created on the sixth day. When Adam was created everything was in place. There were all types of animals and plant life. Adam was told to subdue the earth and have dominion over all other creatures. Though there were great whales and beasts man had dominion. This he was able to do by his fellowship with God.
God allowed the presence of Satan on earth in order to prove and test Adam. God wanted to perfect man. Adam failed the test and Satan gained control of the earth. Notice his words when he tempted Jesus: 'And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it' (Luke 4:6). He is called the god of this world.
Sin resulted in spiritual death, whereby man became separate from God and lost communion and fellowship with Him. Adam's sin also brought about physical death to mankind. Genesis chapter 5 tells us that Adam lived for 930 years, Methuselah for 969 years and according to Gen 9:29 Noah lived for 950 years. In Noah's time sin reached to a place where God was grieved. And God reduced man's days to 120 years (Gen 6:3). After the flood sin still abounded and God further reduced man's days to 70 years (Ps 90:10). Let us understand that man is of the dust (Gen 2:7). We have no wings with which to fly, our body is fragile, we are limited by space and time. 'For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away' (James 4:14).
God wanted man, living in the Spirit, to rule the earth and conquer Satan. He wanted mere man, made from the dust of the earth, to have dominion. The man in a body of flesh but living in the Spirit would conquer. God's desire was not fulfilled in Adam as, yielding to the desires of the flesh, he fell.
Why was sin and death allowed? God wants men to be willing subjects and not automatons. God did not make a mistake when He allowed the entrance of sin into the world. God knew that ultimately it would redound to man's good. The dispensation of ages of evil would give way finally to that eternal day of bliss and harmony when God shall be all in all.
THE LAST ADAM
Heb 2:8-10 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Jesus Christ was made in the likeness of men. Even though He was the Son of God, He was found in fashion as a man and He came as the Son of man. He was tempted in all points as we are. The first Adam failed the test but the last Adam did not fail.
By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men. The first Adam brought death to man but the last Adam has brought life and immortality. Where Adam committed an offence unto condemnation, the righteousness and obedience of Jesus has given us justification unto life.
The Lord Jesus is God's perfect man. He came to taste death for every man so that we would have salvation. He emptied Himself of glory and put on a robe of flesh. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. He was touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He could not remedy Adam's offence unless he came as a man. God prepared Him a body and in that body of clay God saw the travail of His soul and was satisfied. Thus, He reconciled fallen man to God.
But God is not only concerned about salvation from sin. He wants to save us to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). He wants to make us overcomers and more than conquerors. God still desires to perfect man. Jesus was made perfect that He might perfect us. He is the head and we are the body. Has He not told us that we shall do greater works? God still wants to use man to defeat Satan. He wants His creation from the dust to rebuke the one who did seal up the sum and was full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Shall we not satisfy God's heart?
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD
Rom 8:18-19 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
It was not God's intention to leave man in a tabernacle of clay forever. Hence He planted the tree of life in the midst of the garden of Eden. But Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and although he lived long yet he died. A day is coming when long life will be restored. 'There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days' (Isa 65:20). Creation shall rejoice in that day. But all of this waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.
2Pet 3:12-13 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Cor 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
The sons of God are looking for and eagerly anticipating the coming of the Lord. Such recognize that they walk on this earth as sojourners and pilgrims. Moreover they are hastening unto the coming of the Lord. God wants to punish all disobedience but this is only accomplished when our obedience is fulfilled.
The manifestation of the sons of God and the coming of the Lord requires us to be circumspect in our walk. Our lives must be yielded up to God. Judgment must begin at the house of God. The dross must be removed from our lives so that the gold may shine.
The angels are referred to as the sons of God (Gen 6:1-2, Job 1:6, Job 2:1). As many as receive Jesus Christ, to them He has given power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12). Man was created to worship God. Lucifer and the angels that followed him chose to rebel against God and discontinued worshipping the Most High God. Those who choose the broad way shall go into the punishment prepared for the devil and his angels. Those who choose the narrow way shall inherit eternal life. 'And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God; being the children of the resurrection' (Luke 20:34-36). We shall be equal unto the angels and we shall die no more. Mortality shall put on immortality and we shall be like Him, our risen Lord. The redemption of our body means that corruption shall put on incorruption. Let us worship our God who is mindful of us and does visit us. 'And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God' (Rev 21:3).
___________________________________________________________________________
Believers in Christ Jesus may freely copy but under no circumstances must it be sold.
Email contact: tarrandookie53@gmail.com
Website: https://biblestudiesandmessages.wordpress.com
