Omniscient GOD

 In light of Genesis 6 when God regrets creating mankind and Genesis 18 where Abraham prays and his pleading "changes God's mind", and other similar stories in the Bible, it's important to balance them with:

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
-- Psalm 18:30

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
-- Psalm 147:5

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
-- Isaiah 40:28

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, "My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."
-- Isaiah 46:9-10

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
-- I John 3:20

(Italics added.)

I believe GOD provides us a method of communication, as seen in Genesis 6 and 18, so as to relate to us. GOD doesn't make mistakes, or fail, nor do we "change His mind."  Like a good parent who relates to their child on the child's level, GOD relates to us; yet there is still mystery as to GOD's nature (Isaiah 55:8-9). Praying in His name is praying in "His nature", as Oswald Chambers states. It's in His nature to have a relationship with us; and one way He accomplishes that is by interacting with us in a way we can understand.
GOD is not Superman with one weakness. The aforementioned scripture referenced in Psalms, Isaiah and I John support that GOD is ALL-knowing, ALL-powerful, He is the Almighty GOD! He is the great I AM.

Meet Adam and Eve

Adam and Eve. Myth, or actual and historical? I believe in the former. 

So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. -- 1 Corinthians 15:45

For Adam was formed first, then Eve. -- 1 Timothy 2:13

The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. -- 1 Corinthians 15:47

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
-- Romans 5:12, 17 and 18

Commentary

In the original Hebrew (see Genesis 1-2), Adam means "man, human being or mankind" which references the individual; and Adamah references the ground, the earth, from which originates the individual -- the man. The Book of Corinthians calls Adam the first man -- "a living being" -- actual and singular. The Book of Timothy also supports that Adam was first -- "formed first"; Eve was formed second.

Genesis 12-50 are considered to be written with historical language, unlike chapters 1-11. Although God used the hand of Moses to write this book in this manner -- using the myths of the ancient world to speak to the audience of the time -- consider the opening phrase in chapter two, "This is the account ...", which indicates historical language. In addition, subsequent chapters within 1-11 provide genealogy, which is clearly historical language. The account of Noah is included in 1-11, and theologians consider that historical, so why wouldn't Adam and Eve be also?

If Adam solely refers to "mankind", and God created many men and women prior to the Fall (see Genesis 3 regarding the Fall), then it must be asked, what was the outcome of the lives who did not take of the forbidden fruit? The Book of Romans states in chapter three that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". Therefore, the premise of Adam as mankind, the plural, a mythical metaphor for all mankind is untrue. This premise would cause doctrinal issues in that the need for redemption through Jesus Christ was not for the "all" as referenced in Romans 5.

If this story is allegorical or symbolic, then it must be asked why Jesus the Messiah is called the "second man", the second Adam? This reference of Jesus recalls an actual man, the first man in the first Temple -- the Garden. And, Jesus the second Adam, who is presently restoring His Temple through His Spirit, will complete it upon His bodily return. Myth only diminishes the connection of the first Temple and the second Temple, which also referenced as Jesus Himself. 

Lastly, if the account of Adam and Eve is merely mythical, then the writings of the Apostle Paul are false. In Romans 5: 12-18, Paul specifically connects "the 'one man' through whom sin came and the 'all' to whom it was spread. If sin really didn't come in through the 'one' -- Adam -- and spread to the 'all' --  you and me -- how do we take seriously Paul's further declaration that 'one man's act of righteousness [Jesus] leads to justification and life for all'?" (Theologian Richard Gaffin, the author of "No Adam, No Gospel: Adam and the History of Redemption", see article "Did Adam Really Exist?" from Bible.org). Since "all scripture is inspired by God ...", both Genesis and Romans, it's easy to conclude Paul is correct in asserting the reality of Adam and Eve.

With Fear and Honor

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ... “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

- Isaiah 6:1, 5


His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

- Psalm 147:10-11


A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

- I Corinthians 11:7


~

Commentary: As a cyclist, GOD isn't impressed with how fast or strong I am; He delights in whether I fear Him and place my hope in Jesus the Messiah. May I reflect that onto others, so He may be seen.
In a U.S. courtroom, it is requested to remove a hat from a man's head, unless for religious reasons, as a sign of respect for the judge. Even more so is it true for the Judge of creation -- to honor GOD when entering His house.  These are only two of many ways to fear and honor GOD. I pray not to be too casual with my approach to GOD. He is my good shepherd, but He is also the GOD of the Universe.