Thoughts on the Garden of Eden: A lesson from Genesis 3

by Teresa^(1,649) Bronze Star

Have you ever wondered why God would banish Adam and Eve from the Garden for one mistake—just one sin, no second chances?

Over the years, I have pondered this, reading the account countless times and always coming to the same conclusion. It was the punishment for disobedience. Clear and simple—why should this be a surprise? We all understand choice and consequence.

So why do I keep coming back to this familiar story? What is God trying to teach me? About a month ago, I was reading a book by Erwin Lutzer. The subject was the fall of man and the need for redemption. He talked about how the grace of God will meet us where we are, but will not leave us in the same state in which we were found. He also talked about what it would be like if we remained in our fallen state for all eternity.

The wheels started spinning and I went back to Genesis and reread the first three chapters.

We are told God created man in His image--created to live forever in peace and harmony with God and the rest creation.

He told Adam and Eve they could eat the fruit of any tree in the garden except the fruit of the tree of knowledge, which by the way, isn’t necessarily an apple.

The story goes on to say the Serpent, who was Satan Himself, swayed Eve by appealing to her desires. Some commentators suggest that Eve may have been close to the tree, even gazing at it when Satan came to her. It makes perfect sense to me—this is another lesson. Getting back to the subject at hand, Adam and Eve chose the way of disobedience.

God warned them that if they should eat the fruit of this tree, in the same day they would die. Sure enough, this is what happened. At that moment, they died a spiritual death and were separated from God.

God in His mercy calls out to Adam, “Adam where are you?” God restores them spiritually, by sacrificing an animal. (Sin had to be paid for from the beginning. It’s interesting to note that God was not satisfied with their attempt to cover their sin by making clothing out of fig leaves--sound familiar?) Nevertheless, the physical effects and consequence of sin remained, thus the need for God to ban them from the garden. This is one of the rare times we are given the privilege to read an account of a conversation that takes place between God the Father, and His Son Jesus:

“God said, “The man has become like one of us, capable of knowing everything, ranging from good and evil. What if he now should reach out and take fruit from the Tree-of Life and eat, and live forever? Never—this cannot happen! So God expelled them from the Garden of Eden and sent them to work the ground, the same dirt out of which they’d been made. He threw them out of the garden and stationed angel-cherubim and a revolving sword of fire east of it, guarding the path to the Tree-of Life.” (Genesis 3:22-24 – The Message.)

God is concerned for man because he knows that knowing the difference between good and evil doesn’t mean we will always choose good. I don’t think any of us can ague this point.

With this new thought in my mind, I read this passage in a way I never did before. Why wouldn’t God want them to live forever if they were created to live forever? I have come to believe the reason is Grace--Sweet Grace.

Once Adam and Eve chose to sin, their physical bodies were corrupted, they immediately started to die—along with everything else. All of creation was subject to death as a result of their choice (This makes me wonder what the lasting effects of my sin will be).

If Adam and Eve did not obey and stay away from the tree of knowledge, why in the world would they stay away from the tree of life? How much more desirable is living forever? Isn’t this what people are striving for today? Why would anyone want to live forever in this body of decay forever is beyond me.

This brings me to my point and my understanding of God’s choice.

If Adam and Eve had remained in the garden, surely they would have been tempted to eat of this tree of life. It must have been beautiful with fruit so luscious—fruit that probably doesn’t exist today.

What would have been the result? They would have lived forever in their fallen state with no chance for physical redemption, no chance for a new Eden—a better Eden. A life filled with pain and heartbreak. Plant’s dying, animals dying—animals eating animals—you name it. It would be forever. Everything you are going though would be forever.

God in His grace banned them to protect them because He loved them. He also loved the rest of his creation. So now, Adam had to tend to the ground because it was also corrupt. It would no longer yield fruits and vegetables of its own accord.

Although I easily accepted the thought that they were banned as punishment, God opened my understanding and has shown me a more excellent way—the way of Grace.

This thought may not be new to you, but I am a slow learner and I am grateful for this new understanding. It reminds me that we always have something to learn from God’s word. We may not get it the first, second or fiftieth time, But as we

seek His truth, study with other believers and ask the God of Creation to open our understanding He will.

We need to do as Adam did. Answer God’s call when we hear it. Repent of our sin and accept his offer of restoration through Christ Jesus.

The story doesn’t end here, this is just the beginning--the Tree-of Life still exists and as of today is still guarded. When the fullness of time comes, the fire in front of the tree will go out.

The great news is when that day comes there will be no corruption, everything will be restored and those who have chosen to receive the gift of God’s grace through His Son Jesus Christ will have access to this tree.

God is gracious. He gives us a choice. He calls everyone, but only those who answer and follow Him will escape the consequence of sin. Choose Grace.

Article submitted Tuesday, September 08, 2009 & read 378 times.

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» left by Lance Ponder⁽⁹²⁾ (2 years 156 days ago.)

Just as a technical point, the original language for what God said is more accurately translated "in that day dying you will die". At that very moment they did begin the process of physical death, not just spiritual death. In that very moment the curse of death was placed upon them even though they didn't simply drop dead on the spot. It was quite literally death which began at the moment sin entered the human world and all the world through man. Regardless of what we believe about spiritual death - if there even is such a thing, there is definitely physical death and that is the result of sin. This is what makes the triumph of Jesus so astounding. It is also the reason we grieve the death of loved ones - or even people we don't really know. Death is not what God intended. It is natural only because our nature is corrupt. Anyway, just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
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» left by Anonymous (2 years 156 days ago.)

Hi Lance,

I agree, the process of physical death started the moment they sinned, but the full effect did not come until 900 years later when he actually died. I wanted to point this out and spiritual separation the moment they sinned because many skeptics use this as a way to point out that the bible is incorrect.

I love how Jesus and most of the epistles talk about the need to be born again spiritually because all who came after Adam and Eve are born spiritually dead (separated from God).

Thanks for the input, I appreciate and value it as it helps to clearify what I was trying to say :-)

My point is God is merciful and just in all his actions. Many blessings to you! Teresa

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁸⁾ (2 years 156 days ago.)

Love this look into banishment. There is many times more than what we see at first glance - thanks for walking us through this with you! Marijo
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» left by Teresa (2 years 155 days ago.)

Thank you Marijo, isn't it wonderful how God's word is truly living and active? Never a dull moment :-) Always lots to learn.

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» left by herbert from united kingdom (2 years 156 days ago.)

Its haunting you because the intended message,for you,has been overlooked.Eden is a parable,not actual history ,of a ancient Jewish view towards Gods punishment and anger to mankind(serpents dont talk and woman arent derived from spare ribs))and comes from the Old Testament(The Official Jewish Book of Fairytales)and hold no meaning at all,within enlightened Christianity which instructs us in the all loving,non vendetta seeking Heavenly Father,a constant theme in the philosophy the Christ repeatedly taught about,in contrast to the Jewish version of an angry non loving anthropomorphic God.
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» left by Teresa^(1,649) (2 years 155 days ago.)

Hello Herbert. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I do believe the all the Bible both old and new testaments are truth and accounts of actual events.

The Old Testament is not just a jewish book of fairytales. In it is the history of the thier people. Places and events proven to have existed or still exist and secular history also proves it to be true. The Jewish version does not teach of an angry and non-loving God, instead it shows us how longsuffering, patient and forgiving God is toward man. God was and is angry with sin because of its affect on man. The New Testament and Christianity is the completion of what began and is recorded for us in the Old Testament. hundreds of prophecies fullfilled. Amazingly accurate in internal and external evidence.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings to you. Teresa

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