The older book

First and Last Adam

Paul tells us where to look first.

So also it is written, "The first man Adam became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Genesis 2:7 · Genesis 3:1-24 · Romans 5:12-19 · 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 45-49

The scene

This one is a connection Paul actually gives us.

In Romans, he goes all the way back to Adam. Sin entered the world through one man, and death came through sin.

Then Paul says something that should make us stop for a second. He calls Adam:

"A foreshadowing of him who was to come."Romans 5:14

The one to come is Jesus. Before we start finding connections of our own, Paul has already told us that these two men belong beside each other.

Adam disobeys God.
Jesus obeys him.

Through Adam comes condemnation.
Through Jesus comes justification and life.

Justification means being put right with God.

Death reigns because of one man. Through the other, Paul says, those who receive God's gift will "reign in life."Romans 5:17

Then in 1 Corinthians he does it again:

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."1 Corinthians 15:22

And later he gives Jesus a remarkable title:

"The last Adam."1 Corinthians 15:45

So this one is easy. We're not guessing. Paul wants us to read Jesus with Adam in view.

But that made me wonder what happens if we do exactly that.

If Adam really is a foreshadowing of Jesus, what else is sitting there in Genesis?

Start with where Adam came from.

The first Adam brought death.
The last Adam brings life.

Now look a little closer.