"And God Saw that It Was Good" (Genesis 1:1-2:3): What Happened in Genesis 2:4-6:8? (Part One)

The divine approvals of Gen 1 describe a secure world order, ready to receive human work (1:28; 2:15) to develop its potential for an abundant future. The divine approvals form the starting point for the toledot's description of what happened to what God saw as good on the earth-pre-promise humanity sees the forbidden as good (3:6; 6:2) and the promise approvals see what is good (40:16; 49:15). The first two result in barrenness, the third sees an abundant future for Israel and the nations, and the fourth a humiliating subservient future for Israel/Issachar because of its careless execution of its vocation as the people of the promise. This essay examines the approvals of Gen 3:6 and 6:2 in the light of the divine approvals of Gen 1.