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Questions? Do you have questions about the Bible? Do you want a Christian response to a situation you're in? Send us an e-mail with your question, and each week we'll try to answer some of them right here on this page. E-mail: askthepastor@newharborchurch.com All submissions will remain anonymous. Latest Questions and Answers February 23, 2006 Question: In Genesis, it tells us the sons of Jacob born to Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. Does this mean Jacob had only 12 children and all were sons or that only the sons are in the Bible because in the culture at the time boys were heirs to property and the family name? Answer: Your second conclusion would be more accurate. You can see this throughout different periods in Hebrew history, but not all the time. It is also important to note that his sons are the twelve tribes of Israel that would later inhabit the Promised Land. You should also take note that in Genesis 49 Reuben is established as Jacob's firstborn but no other child is given a particular order, except for Joseph as the youngest male. You can be sure that along with sons he had daughters, perhaps even more girls than boys, but that's just fun thinking! Thanks again for your question. In Christ’s love, Kelly Patchin, Pastor December 21, 2005 Question: Your response to the first question about Genesis 3:15 has compelled me to ask your reply to what I have learned about this Scripture—that is, that the serpent's seed is more than a metaphor and that Cain is the physical offspring of Satan and Eve as a result of the seduction in the garden (not simply picking an apple). Additionally, the descendants of Cain went on to become known as the Kenites who were troublemakers throughout Scripture. Answer: Your second statement regarding the Kenites is true. Many see the Kenites as being the offspring of Cain, and I would agree with this. However, regarding the physical offspring of Satan and Eve being Cain, I would have to disagree. In the garden, we see no physical relations with Eve, let alone any evidence that a serpent can bring this about. Later in scripture, we have reference to the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:4 (which I see as referring to demons inappropriately using their ability to possess bodies) having physical relations with the daughters of men. But even here, we must be careful because there is no Biblical evidence that angels can reproduce physically. From all of Scripture, we get the idea that there is a set number of angelic creatures. Having said that, we must also realize that very little is said about the "sons of God" and angels in general. Because of this, we must remain faithful to what we do know. It is best to see Eve as fallen and having a sinful nature just as Adam and to see Cain as making a wrong moral decision when he killed his brother. These are true and consistent with God's Word and the text. I hope this has helped to clarify your question. Thank you for responding and being patient for my reply. Merry Christmas! In Christ's love, Kelly Patchin, Pastor November 12, 2005 Question: In Genesis 3:15, it says the woman's offspring will battle with the serpent's offspring (paraphrase). I can see the offspring of the woman being Christ but if the other part of the verse refers to Satan, who would his offspring be? Answer: I apologize for my delay in answering this very important first question. Micah has had a difficult week with his medication. Because of many uncertainties in life please allow 2-3 weeks for a response. I will try to answer most within the first week as a general rule. That said, I am excited to answer your question. Genesis 3:15 is a beautiful picture of Hebrew metaphor, and to some degree, it is incredibly poetic and prophetic. Different translations to this text include "I will put enmity between you and the women" and "between your seed and her seed" as well as the use of the word "offspring". All are correct. To begin understanding this passage, you have to understand the nature of a metaphor. The dictionary defines a metaphor as: 1. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in "a sea of troubles" or "All the world's a stage" (Shakespeare). 2. One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol: "Hollywood has always been an irresistible, prefabricated metaphor for the crass, the materialistic, the shallow, and the craven" (Neal Gabler). From this definition, you should realize a metaphor can represent more than one symbol. The Hebrew noun used here in Genesis has been argued both as singular in usage and as plural, in essence two different ways. Because of this, you see the metaphoric picture of the woman's seed representing those of mankind who choose to follow God as well as representing the Savior of mankind, Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself represents mankind as both being human and as dying for all our sins. The serpent's curse represents the struggle between the righteous and the unrighteous as well as signifying, through the crushing of his head, the messianic fulfillment in Jesus Christ our Lord. The metaphor continues with the serpent (and/or the devil) and his seed: those of mankind who choose to follow him. It is historically accurate to say that the people who follow the prince of this world have been at enmity, even war, with people who choose to follow Jesus. That enmity began here in Genesis with the Fall and continues to affect mankind today. The devil here represented in the form of a serpent will thereby have his head crushed by Christ himself, but not without first inflicting some damage to the woman's heel—better understood as mankind who is born of the woman Eve, the mother of all living. The devil himself was defeated by Christ and will ultimately be cast into hell, not to rule, but to suffer judgment from God. What an incredible passage of metaphor and prophecy! That is what also makes it so poetic. More can be expounded upon, but I hope this is enough to answer your question. No question is too small to be asked. In Christ's love, Kelly Patchin, Pastor |
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