This conversation got me thinking of the links between the miracles of Jesus and Genesis, or more broadly the old testament. What are your thoughts on this…it would be interesting to start enumerating some of these. Here are a few that come to mind.
Jesus healing the blind man by spitting in mud is very evocative of Genesis 2:7, Yawheh forming Adam from the dust.
Jesus telling the seas, wind, and storm to be still, is very evocative of Elohim calling out to the seas to bring forth in Genesis.
Jesus saying that the rocks would worship him if the crowds did not is evocative (though not demonstrated) of Elohim calling the land to bring forth in Genesis.
There might be connections between the Virgin Birth and the de novo Creation of Adam.
The forgiveness of Jesus after the crucifixion is contrasted with the blood of Abel’s demand for justice.
There might be parallels between the 40 days in the desert, and the temptation of Adam and Eve by the serpent.
What are your thoughts on this? How many of those connections are real? Which ones are might be added or might be more tenuous?
#4 seems the most tenuous at first glance. The others are all worthy of exploration…I’d guess #1-3 are probable, but would also want to add the exodus tradition within the mix. John’s Gospel in particular has Exodus in view, connecting Jesus “I AM” statements with Exod 3 (and 6), and Jesus’ miracles/signs as positive mirrors of the signs/miracles (so-called “plagues”) of Exodus. The Exodus signs begin with turning water to blood and ends with death of the firstborn. John’s Jesus begins with turning water to wine and ends with raising Lazarus from the dead. The next step is to note the intentional links between creation and exodus. Thus there’s definitely a link, so “looking for” examples seems legitimate.
I explore this more in my chapter on Exodus in Kregel’s What the Old Testament Authors Really Care About. Sorry I don’t have a link to read it for free.