Dichotomiesas Used in Genesis - Essay Example

?DICHOTOMIESAS USED IN GENESIS 4) The Old Testament in the Bible uses individuals to discuss groups, community, and all of creation. Individuals are used to represent different aspects of a community or creation. For example, Adam is used to represent all men while Eve represents women. When God punishes Adam because of eating the forbidden fruit, the punishment is applicable to and affects all of men in the human race. Adam is told that he must toil for his food and so is every man after him (NIV Bible, Gen 3). To Adam he said ‘because you have listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, you must not eat of it. Cursed is the ground because of you, through painful toil, you will eat of it, all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.by the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food, until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken ;for dust you are and dust you will return’(NIV BibleGen. 3:15). In addition, when God issues a curse upon Eve, the implications apply to all women, according to the Bible. Eve is told that she will always have pain during childbirth and this is true for all women today. To the woman he said ‘I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing, with pain you will give birth to children’ (NIV Bible, Gen. 3:16). Therefore, Adam and Eve are used to represent the community, that is, men and women respectively. Dichotomies in Genesis (Bible) According to an online dictionary (dictionary.com), the word ‘dichotomies’ is the plural of the word dichotomy. The noun ‘Dichotomies’ is defined as ‘division into two parts or classifications, especially when they are sharply distinguished or opposed’ (Dichotomy, par 1). Loosely translated, dichotomies refer to differences in things or individuals which are mostly in opposing sides. In the Bible, specifically in Genesis, there exist dichotomies about a few individuals mentioned in the chapters one to four. Cain and Abel The first dichotomies exist with regard to Cain and Abel. As mentioned in Genesis, both were the sons of Adam and Eve hence they come from the same family. However, major differences exist between them in terms of character and their occupations. While Abel kept animals (flocks), Cain was a farmer, described in the chapter as ‘Cain worked the soil’ (NIV Bible, Gen. 4:2). Both would offer sacrifices to God but in different ways, which brings out the contrast in their characters. Abel selected the best from his flock for sacrifice which pleased God. On the other hand, Cain’s sacrifices were ordinary fruits from his produce. Because of this, God showed Abel more favour than He showed Cain. This made Cain angry and jealous of his younger brother, and he killed him. Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘let’s go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him (NIV Bible, Gen. 4:8) The above dichotomy is used to express the differences between the two people. In addition, it is used to express how different character traits lead people to different actions. For example, Cain’s jealousy leads him to commit murder. The dichotomy above is also used to express consequences that face a community due to their actions. When Cain kills Abel, God becomes very angry with Cain and curses him. The LORD said, ‘what have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.’(NIV Bible Gen. 4 .10) From the above, we see the consequences of people’s actions. Cain is cursed because of his action of killing his brother while God avenges Abel because he was selfless in his sacrifice and because he was not jealous of his brother Cain in any way. Jabal and Jubal The other dichotomy expressed in Genesis chapter four regards the offspring of Cain, Jabal and Jubal. Both were the sons of Adah who was the wife of Lamech. Jabal is described as the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. In contrast, Jubal is described as the father of those who play the harp and the flute (Gen. 4:20-21). From the definition of dichotomy, it can be seen that Jabal and Jubal are sharply distinguished. Reconciliation of dichotomies The Old Testament reconciles the existence of dichotomies that may cause havoc (evil) or be balanced (to create peace, love and creativity) through a number of ways. One of the ways is through issuing curses to the dichotomy that causes evil. When Cain killed Abel, he was cursed and made to be a wanderer of the earth. In addition, the ground from which he relied on for livelihood was cursed by God and made to be unproductive to him. This way, the Old Testament reconciles the existence of evil by curtailing its space to thrive .Therefore, advancement of evil is stopped. The other way in which there is reconciliation of opposing dichotomies is through avenging for the good. When Abel is killed, God avenges for him by punishing Cain. In this way, peace is restored and good actions are encouraged .Therefore, the community, through this individuals learn which actions are desirable and those that attract punishment and curses (NIV Bible Gen. 4:10). We can also conclude that the old reconciles opposing dichotomies through procreation as demonstrated in chapter four verse twenty five, after the death of Abel, God enabled Adam and Eve to have another son called Seth to replace Abel. Adam lay with his wife again and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth saying ‘God has granted me another child in place of Abel since Cain killed him (NIV Bible, Gen. 4:25). Conclusion The Old Testament employs the existence of dichotomies, as demonstrated by different individuals who have a common origin but display contrasting traits and ways of life. These individuals are used to represent communities and groups from which these individuals come from. For example, Jabal is referred to as the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. This implies that his generation will raise livestock. Works cited “Dichotomy”, Dictionary.com. Web. 2013. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dichotomy Read More