Genesis 2:7-17
Adam Settled
in
the Garden of Eden
Genesis chapter one reveals to us the transcendent God who, through His Word, created the universe.
He also created human beings, male and female, in His own image and likeness (Genesis
1:27).
Human beings are
special creatures because they alone possess God’s image. Therefore, they have
the ability to communicate with God. They are spiritual beings who are created
with a moral conscience. They are also able to represent God to govern all of
creation.
The LORD is the
God who has a covenantal relationship with the Israelites. He formed the first
human being with his hands, using the dust of the ground, for Genesis 2:7 says,
“The LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”
The LORD God
formed human beings from the dust of the ground with His own hands. The “man of
dust from the ground” was just an empty shell. This ought to remind us that
human beings were of humble beginnings and belonged to the ground, but they
became vibrant and noble because God breathed into them the breath of life.
The author of
Genesis wants to tell us, the immanent LORD God, covenantal God of Israel is
also the transcendent God who created the whole universe (chapter one)! He is
the God of Israel as well as the God of all mankind.
In verse 8, we
read that, “The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he
put the man whom he had formed.”
The Garden of
Eden is paradise!
In the garden, we
can find a spring of living water that flows into four streams to moist the
earth so that life and trees may grow. The garden grows all kinds of trees that
produce delicious fruits. In the midst of the garden, there are the tree of
life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The garden is also filled
with gold, pearl, and onyx stones (vv. 10-14).
Later on, we can
also see such a similar, beautiful picture – trees, river and gemstone; in the
tabernacle or the temple (Exod. 25-27), and the new heaven and earth (Ezek.
28:13; Rev. 21:18-21).
This means that
the Garden of Eden was actually the prototype of the temple, the place where
God is present with humanity. In other words, the Garden of Eden was a “temple-garden.”
The LORD God
prepared the Garden of Eden to fulfil the desires of humanity in abundance,
especially the presence of His glory.
Next, “The LORD
God took the man and settled him in
the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15).
In the original
Hebrew, “settle” denotes “giving rest, security, and joy”. It also carries the
meaning of “appearing before God” (Exod. 16:33-34; Lev. 16:23; Num. 17:4; Deut.
26:4-10).
So, Adam settling
in the Garden of Eden means that he was enjoying rest. This does not mean that
he did nothing. Rather, he founded his rest and security in the presence of
God. That was a blessed life of fellowship with God (Gen. 3:8).
Also, God gave
Adam the responsibility to “work it/tend” and “keep it/watch over” the Garden
of Eden.
In Hebrew, “to
work/tend” carries the meaning of service and worship. This word often appears in the Pentateuch,
especially the passages on the service and worship of the Levites. On the other
hand, to “keep/watch over” means to obey, to preserve, and to steward,
especially when it comes to obeying God’s law.
To sum it up, God
is very compassionate toward the people whom He personally formed. He prepared
everything in the Garden of Eden so that humanity may live a blessed life in
paradise, in His presence.
The Garden of
Eden also resembled the temple, the place where of God’s dwelling with
humanity. Adam was like a priest who worships God, serves Him, and obeys His
word. His duty was to care for this holy land by preventing uncleanness and sin
from entering into it. God, not Adam, was the master of Eden. Adam must listen
to the voice of the Master.
The Master – the
LORD God – commanded Adam, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day
that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (2:16-17)
The “death” here
is not merely physical but also spiritual, which means separation from God.
Death is the loss of divine blessing and rest.
Other than these,
God also commanded human beings to be fruitful and multiply, fill the whole
earth, and govern it (1:28). Adam has the responsibility to expand the borders
of the Garden of Eden to the whole earth.
But the development
of the biblical narrative suffered a reversal as seen in Genesis chapter three!
Adam did not keep the garden. Rather, he fell into the serpent’s temptation and
ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Thus, humanity
sinned and rebelled against God. Humanity’s close relationship with God was
broken. They were cast out of the Garden of Eden. They lost the original
blessing and ultimately died.
Because sin had
entered into the world, the world descended into chaos. Death and violence
filled the earth. Human relationships, including male-female relationship,
became antagonistic. We witness environmental destruction. Human politics
became an arena to serve one’s own interests and power. Corruption and
injustice filled the land.
But the New
Testament authors tell us that God sent His Son, Jesus, as the second Adam to
come as a human being. Jesus overcame the devil’s temptation, which reversed
Adam’s failure, and died on the cross in order to bring salvation to the world
and sinful human race. Jesus also rose from the dead so that those who believe
in Him may receive a new life.
We the people,
who have faith in Christ, are now resettled anew in the “Garden of Eden”. We
have regained eternal rest in the presence of God and recovered God’s blessing.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest” (Matt. 11:28). This is the meaning of receiving salvation from Jesus
Christ and be granted eternal life.
Today, each and
every one of us can freely receive salvation from Jesus. If we confess with our
mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Lord of our life, then He
will forgive our sins. Then, our location and vocation will become the “Garden
of Eden” where God will settle us.
God wants to fill
us with the Holy Spirit and thereby be blessed and equipped to “cultivate and
keep”, to enjoy rest, and to accomplish God’s plan for our lives.
Conclusion
Thus, we are
called to “cultivate and keep” wherever the place that God chooses to settle
us.
There, we worship God, pray to Him, and enjoy the rest and security in
God’s presence.
We are also
called to pray for the welfare of that place.
Having stability,
or security, does not mean that there will not be any problems but God will
help us to overcome the difficulties and accomplish His will.
Where has God
settled you today?
If God has
settled us at home, then we should be obedient to faithfully care for our
elderly parents and patiently raise our children so that our homes will be a
warm and cosy nest. Our homes will be paradise.
If God has
settled us at our workplaces, then we should faithfully complete the tasks that
God has entrusted to us. We must observe the Biblical standard of works ethics
so that our colleagues and bosses will be blessed through us and give glory to
God.
We ought to share
the love of God to the people at our workplaces. We should pray for them and
ask God to forgive their sins and that their hearts may be moved to turn to
Him.
We are also
settled into the church. Here, too, we should “cultivate and keep.”
Let’s not fold
our arms but participate actively in the ministry of the church. Let us invest
our time and money in God’s house. We must not act according to our whims and
fancies or refuse to submit to pastoral leadership. This will bring harm to the
church and God’s kingdom at large.
God wants to
bless every Christian so that they may live out a life of worship and mission.
Such a life is full of power and rest. Let us not muddle along aimlessly any
longer or live within the four walls of our own worlds. That is a waste of time
and resources given to us by God.
Prayer and
Calling
Where are you
being settled today? Stop wandering around! You will not find stability,
security, life meaning, and joy until you are settled at the place and vocation
which God has intended for you.
Do not hesitate
anymore. Just settle down now! God will help you, strengthen you, and be
present with you.
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