Out of the Garden

You know what the problem with world today is? We tend to think we are the only ones who have ever walked the earth. By that, I mean, that the problems we are experiencing in our world today are NEW!!!

They, however, are not! We might think we have evolved in the years since the Garden, but we have not. Satan temps us with the same temptation he tempted Eve with, to be like God. If you get a chance, read the story of creation in Genesis.

The way I read that story, not from a Biblical, historical, or scriptural perspective but from a human one:

Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden, where all their wants and needs were met. They enjoyed complete union with God. Meaning they were in relationship with Him. Imagine it in your mind’s eye, it brings to my mind the basis of Sacramental Marriage. Why? Because God fashioned Adam out of the earth, after he had made everything else. He saw that Adam was lonely, at first God tried to give him purpose by giving him the job of naming all the animals, but he will still lonely. So he cast Adam into a deep sleep and took his rib and fashioned woman. Bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, he named her Eve. Her job was to be Adam’s helpmate, and Adam’s job was to protect her. It doesn’t really say how long they lived blissfully in the garden in complete relationship with God, but it does say they were not alone, as satan was also in the garden.

It’s important to stop and think about who satan is. He is an Angel, created by God, his name is Lucifer, which means light. He is the most intelligent of all the angels. He was cast out of Heaven, because he would not serve a God whom he believed would be beneath him. As God had revealed his plan to create mankind in his image and likeness, they would be created with free will, just like the angels (which were also created by God), for God would not force mankind to love him. It is their choice, God knew mankind would need help, so He revealed to the angels that He would send his only son to earth, to teach mankind how to live. Lucifer, in a prideful fit, said, “I will not serve.” He was cast to earth in the form of a snake.

One day, while Eve was enjoying the garden, the serpent started probing her, by asking simple, inconspicuous little questions. We all know the rest of the story, Eve succumbed and ate the apple, she gave some to her husband and he ate the apple. As soon as Adam ate the apple, scripture says, they realized they were naked. Notice that it wasn’t until both ate the apple, that they realized they were naked.

Immediately, they got fig leaves and covered themselves. They heard God calling to them but they hid from him, as they were naked and ashamed. I wonder sometimes, what does naked mean? Did they realize they were physically naked or did they suddenly realized their human weaknesses and imperfections? I think it was both, because they covered themselves with fig leaves and they hid from God.

By hiding from God they broke the free flowing communication they had enjoyed with their creator, they had erected the first barrier. When Adam finally answered, and God asked why they hid, Adam explained they were naked, God asked the fateful question. Did you eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge?

Just imagine for a moment, if Adam would have taken full responsibility for his actions. Perhaps by saying, “Yes God, I did and I am sorry, please forgive me.” But we all know that is not what happened, he said, “The women, you put here with me, gave it to me to eat and I ate.” God they questioned Eve, she could have taken full responsibility and asked forgiveness but she said, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

Sin and blame entered the world at that day! Nothing new here.

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