Peace & Blessings Beloved,
TGBTG for allowing us to see another day. I pray all is well with you and yours, and that your week has been fruitful & blessed thus far.
In the second post of our new Humble Servant Blog Series, Stories of the Bible, we're going to analyze the Fall, the point at which sin entered the world, as a result of the actions of Adam & Eve.
Adam is both the proper name of the first human and a designation for humankind. God himself gave this attribution to Adam and Eve (Gen 5:1-2). It is important that Adam is identified with humankind rather than any particular nationality.
The word formed suggests the careful work of a potter with clay. Into this earthen vessel, God breathed the breath of life (Gen 2:7). These words describe the vivid intimacy between God and man, unlike His relationship with any other part of His creation.
Adam was made a little lower than angels (or God) at his creation and crowned with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). He was commissioned as a vassal king to rule over God's creation. The words subdue, rule, under his feet (Gen 1:28; Psalm 8:6) suggest kingship over nature but not over his fellow man.
Bible Meaning of Eve
Eve was the name given in Scripture to the first woman. The account of Eve's creation is found at (Genesis 2:21-22). It can be posited that the intended purpose of this narrative is the foundation upon which the union between man and wife is built. Through the subtlety of the serpent, Eve was beguiled into a violation of the one commandment which had been imposed upon her and Adam.
The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden
We’re not told specifically that Adam and Eve could not or did not eat of the Tree of Life that was in the midst of the garden. But it would seem that the fruit of this tree was a feast for Adam and Eve would enjoy once they passed the test of obedience represented in the forbidden tree. Revelation 2:7 speaks of eating of the tree of life being granted to those who overcome or conquer. Clearly, Adam and Eve did not overcome temptation. They were meant to rule over creation but they couldn’t rule over their own appetites. Because of their disobedience, they were barred from eating of the tree.
Revelation 22 reveals that the opportunity for God’s people to eat of the tree of life is not gone forever. Instead, the tree of life is gloriously planted in the center of the greater garden to come. In Eden, the trees bore fruit in their season, which means once a year. But in the new and better Eden, the tree of life yields a new crop of fruit every month. In Eden, the tree of life grew in the midst of the garden. But in the new Eden, the tree of life grows on either side of the river. It seems to have multiplied and expanded, implying that everyone will have access to it; all will be welcome to eat their fill. And it’s not just the fruit that will feed us; the leaves of this tree will heal us. In fact, they will heal everything.
Sometimes we hear the story of the Bible told as Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration. But as good as Eden was, we’re not merely headed back to Eden as it once was. The story of the Bible is Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation.
The Serpent in the Garden of Eden
One day Satan came disguised as a snake and spoke to Eve, convincing her to eat the fruit from the tree of good and evil. Eve told the serpent that God said they should not eat it and they would die if they did, but Satan tempted Eve to eat saying that she would become like God if she did. Eve believed the lie and took a bite of the fruit. She then gave some to Adam for him to eat. Adam and Eve, now knowing that they had sinned, immediately felt ashamed and tried to hide from God.
May we establish, nurture, and grow a sincere love for the word of God, and study it lovingly & faithfully.
I pray you receive this with the love intended, and apply it to wisdom.
Love you much.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed!
-Humble Servant
P.S- If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, I implore you to take the time to do so right now. Use John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 as a foundation for making your confession of faith. And use Ephesians 2:1-10 to provide proper context for your salvation.