9th August 2022
The Garden of Eden
The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed… The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:8-9. (NKJV)
People who read the Bible know about the Garden of Eden and the story of Adam and Eve being driven out of it. We know everything God created was very good so the Garden of Eden must have been the most beautiful place. A river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads (Genesis 2:10-14). The Garden was a glorious place to live in. Many philosophers’ ideal of utopia is a paradise with an environment of peace and tranquillity. Fauna and flora to behold all around – animals roaming freely and birds of innumerable species singing and taking to the air effortlessly. Many varieties of plants and colourful flowers with beautiful fragrances wafting in the air.
I am reminded of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year that I watched on the TV – a kaleidoscope of colours from the plants and flowers of various shapes, sizes and varieties, feasting my eyes. I marvel at the wisdom of God in creating such amazing species. It takes my breath away to see this show, so laboriously and carefully put together.
Looking back to Eden, I mused, what might have happened if Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of life, but God knew before the foundation of the world that they would rebel, ensuring that death would reign throughout human history (Romans 5:14). However, God had made provision to reconcile us to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son. This has been revealed in Romans 5:8-10: ‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.’
Through Christ we have eternal life, confirmed by His own words in John 5:24: “…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life.” And now in Christ, the second Adam (1Corinthians 15:47 GNT), we are reconciled with God and are privileged to partake of the divine nature.
Eventually the whole earth will be like the Garden of Eden as revealed in Isaiah 51:3 (NIV): “The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, every day I have choices before me, may the Holy Spirit produce in me the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a Deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 1pm
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church