LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN
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LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN
LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN
8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.
9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.
11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.
12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)
13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
INTRODUCTION:
INTRODUCTION:
Here is the scene: man had just been created.
The LORD God Himself had just formed man from the dust of the ground, and had breathed the very breath of God into the nostrils of man ().
Man stood there on earth for the very first time in human history, stood there in the midst of all the lush green of the forest and the radiant reds, oranges, yellows, blues, purples, whites and all the other colors of the flowers and bushes that displayed their wild beauty.
God now had...
• the universe which He had planned and purposed.
• the man whom He had planned and purposed.
• the perfection—the perfect man and the perfect universe—which He had planned and purposed.
But something else was needed.
Man needed a residence, a home, a place to live.
And this passage which we just read describes the place where man had his beginnings on the earth.
It covers the features which God designed for man's residence or home.
The place is called The Garden of Eden, the most beautiful and bountiful paradise man could ever imagine.
Eden was man's paradise, his utopia.
So tonight, I want to share with you some lessons that we can learn from the Garden of Eden & Adam’s time spent in the garden.
1) The Location of Eden
1) The Location of Eden
8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.
10 A river went out from Eden to water the garden. From there it divided and became the source of four rivers.
10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.
11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.
12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)
13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
The first thing that I want to say is that the Garden of Eden was a real place...a real Garden planted by God Himself.
Gen. 2:10-14
Those who don’t believe the bible or take the bible seriously…consider the Garden of Eden to be a fictitious story or just a fairy tale or fable.
They think the Garden is just the Biblical author's imagination of how man first began his life upon earth.
Secular man says that the Biblical author simply pictures man beginning his life in a perfect environment and later failing and beginning to corrupt the earth.
But that’s not what the passage says - the passage clearly teaches that the Garden of Eden was a real, historical place.
Notice the specific direction of the Garden is given: the Garden was planted in the East, in the land of Eden.
But note: this is not what this passage says, nowhere close to what it says. This passage clearly teaches that the Garden of Eden was a real, historical place—a real, historical Garden created by God Himself. How can we say this so confidently, so positively? Because of three clear facts.
1. The specific direction of the Garden is given: the Garden was planted in the East, in the land of Eden. When Moses wrote this, he was leading Israel in the wilderness wanderings throughout the great Arabian desert. East of the Arabian desert would point toward the Arab nations of the Middle East, specifically toward the great fertile plains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
When Moses wrote this, he was leading Israel in the wilderness wanderings throughout the great Arabian desert.
East of the Arabian desert would point toward the Arab nations of the Middle East, specifically toward the great fertile plains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
NOTE: The direction being pointed to is not a fictitious or symbolic land...It is a specific direction and a well known land.
We also see that the general location of the Garden is given ().
Real lands are mentioned: Havilah, Cush (Ethiopia), and Asshur (Assyria).
Real rivers are also given: Pishon, Gihon, Hiddekel (KJV) or the Tigris, and the Euphrates.
Apparently, the Garden was somehere close to where the Tigris and Euphrates join.
This would place the Garden in what is known today as southern Iraq.
Here’s the point: the Garden of Eden—man's paradise—lay toward the East and was located around four rivers that flowed through lands or countries well known to the people of that day.
There is nothing fictitious or imaginary about the direction or location of the Garden of Eden.
It was a real, historical place.
Lesson
Why is it important to stress that the Garden of Eden was a real, historical place?
Thought 1 . Why is it important to stress that the Garden of Eden was a real, historical place?
Why is it important to stress that the Garden of Eden was a real, historical place?
1) If the Garden was a fictitious place, then it means that the fall of man is a myth.
Think about that for a moment
If we believe that the fall of man took place in the Garden of Eden....and if the Garden is unreal...then it means there is no such thing as sin...as man being lost in sin and separated from God.
If the Garden of Eden never existed — then man falling into sin never took place.
2) If the Garden didn’t exist & man didn’t fall into sin — then redemption through Christ isn’t necessary.
Man doesn’t need God or JC to save him…b/c there is nothing that we need saving from.
Think about this - w/o the fall, we don’t need a Savior…and Jesus didn’t need to die.
But I believe the garden of Eden was an actual place that was prepared by God.
Now as I already said…two of the rivers mentioned are familiar to us - the Tigris & Euphrates (, )
2 of the rivers are familiar to us - the Tigris & Euphrates, which flowed ancient Mesopotamia, or modern Iraq (, )
So you may be thinking, does that mean we can find the garden of Eden today? Probably not.
There is no certainty as to the exact location of the garden of Eden.
We know from scripture that after Adam & Eve’s disobedience…they were removed from the garden & God placed a mighty cherubim to the east of the garden and a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life. ()
24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
If it could be found…I don’t believe God would allow anyone to have access to it.
So, if it could be found…I don’t believe God would allow anyone to have access to it.
Also, we must remember the earth of Adam’s day was destroyed by the flood of Noah.
Eden = delight, pleasantness
It could be located geographically...We’re not dealing with fairy tales, but with actual history.
Eden = delight
It describes the ideal circumstances Adam & Eve enjoyed in the garden.
Iow’s, it was paradise…it was the perfect place to live.
Lesson
All of their needs were met…they didn’t have to worry about anything.
9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Notice that the trees were pleasant to look at…but they were also productive (good for food).
V. 16 tells us Adam was “free to eat from any tree in the garden...”
NOTE: God took care of Adam & Eve.
He provided for all of their physical needs.
Everything they needed was taken care of.
NOTE: God takes care of His people…There will never be a need that God will not meet.
14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
NOTE: We don’t have to worry about God meeting our needs…but if we would be honest, we often worry about the necessities of life.
We don’t have to worry about anything…but if we would be honest, we worry about the necessities of life. (Food, clothing, shelter)
(Food, clothing, shelter)
We worry if we’re going to have enough.
In , Jesus warns us not to worry…He tells us that worrying is useless & demonstrates a lack of trust in our heavenly Father.
But He tells us in that if we seek God first…He will provide all that we need.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.
But Jesus tells us that if we seek God first…or above all else…He will provide all that we need.
NOTE: Adam & Eve didn’t have to worry about provision…and it wasn’t until they doubted God’s goodness & believed that God was holding on out them…that they felt like they didn’t have enough. ()
It wasn’t until they doubted God’s goodness & believed that God was holding on out them…that they felt like they didn’t have enough.
It wasn’t until they believed the lie of the enemy & doubted God’s Word that they became discontent.
2) God Gave Man Responsibilities
2) God Gave Man Responsibilities
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
The first thing that God did with Adam was give him a job.
The first thing that God did with Adam was give him a job.
Adam wasn’t laying around the garden doing nothing.
Adam had the responsibility to cultivate & take care of the garden.
He was also given the task of naming each of the animals ()
Iow’s, he had a physical job as well as a mental job.
NOTE: Work is God’s idea.
It’s not something that man came up with...God instituted work.
Now many people feel that work is a curse, but it’s not.
When we look at , we see that the sweat upon the brow is part of the curse…but work itself is not a curse.
In fact, work began in the context of innocence.
NOTE: God wants us to work…and yet there are those today who are deliberately disobeying God’s command to work.
There are those that are lazy & take advantage of the government…and abuse the system so they don’t have to work…and I believe it’s wrong.
And God’s Word has a lot to say about working…and about those who are lazy & won’t work.
4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
, , , ,
4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
, , ,
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.
, ,
4 A sluggard does not plough in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
Prov. ,
25 The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
Prov.
11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
,, , ,
14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Prov. , ,
19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Prov.
11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
If a person is physically able to work…they should work.
NOTE: Man wasn’t made to be irresponsible nor to be inactive, slothful, complacent, or lazy.
He was made to work and to work hard.
22 Servants, obey your masters in all things according to the flesh, serving not only when they are watching, as the servants of men, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ.
3) God Set Boundaries
3) God Set Boundaries
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
God gave Adam & Eve a choice…He set limits/boundaries on what they could or could not eat.
God gave Adam & Eve a choice…He set limits/boundaries on what they could or could not eat.
They were free to eat from every tree except one.
But why did God set boundaries? He did so to protect Adam & Eve.
NOTE: God sets boundaries to help us not hinder us.
Rules keep us safe…Rules protect us from danger.
“When you eat, you will surely die.”
Notice what God said in v. 17 - “when you eat from it you will certianly die.”
“When you eat, you will surely die.”
NOTE: God was trying to protect Adam & Eve…but He gave them the choice.
NOTE: God is trying to do what is best for us…but if we go beyond the boundaries that God sets…we will get into trouble.
God is trying to do what is best for us…but if we go beyond the boundary that God set…we get into trouble.
When we transgress God’s commandments…there will be consequences.
Yes He is merciful & forgiving…but He doesn’t take away the consequences…so it’s best to stay within the boundaries that He sets.
Write this down - The Freedom to Choose Demands Responsibility for the Choice.
We don’t have rules to keep them from having fun...We have rules to keep them safe.
And it’s the same way with God.
When you heed the warning of God, you end up winning...but when you disobey His warning, you end up losing.
God gave Adam & Eve boundaries for their protection & their own good.
NOTE: Every privilege carries with it a responsibility…and the greater the privilege the greater the responsibility.
When you heed the warning of God, you end up winning...but when you disobey His warning, you end up losing.
EXAMPLE: a driver’s license can be revoked for not following the rules…a credit card can be canceled when the bill isn’t paid.
The freedom to choose makes us responsible for our actions.
And all of us are accountable to God for what we do & the choices we make.
God gave Adam & Eve a wide range of responsibilities & only one prohibition/warning.
And when they failed…He held them accountable.
NOTE: When they went beyond the boundary that God set…they had to deal with the consequences…and one of those consequences was death.
“You will certainly die...”
What kind of death was God speaking about?
What kind of death was God speaking about?
God was speaking of physical death & spiritual death.
We know that Adam didn’t physically die until he was over 900 yrs. old…but immediately he lost his righteousness…his innocence & died spiritually & was separated from God.
But due to his rebellion against God…the physical process of death began in his body so that he would later die physically.
Why Didn’t Adam and Eve Die the Instant They Ate the Fruit?
A literal reading of the verse in English is: "...dying you shall die."
The idea is that Adam and Eve gave up their connection to God's upholding power, and then began their bodily decline eventually culminating in death.
The problem goes away once you understand that a literal reading of the verse in English would be more along the lines of: "...dying you shall die." The sense is that Adam and Eve gave up their connection to God's upholding power, and then began their bodily decline eventually culminating in death
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And now b/c of Adam’s disobedience there is physical & spiritual death for all people.
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
Rom. 5:12
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom. 6
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
Just as Adam had a choice to make, so do we?
We’re not having to choose between a tree & God…but we’re having to choose between something this world offers & God.
It could be money or possessions…or sex or drugs…or relationships.
The enemy is still working today trying to get us to choose something else over God.
And I believe that just as God set a boundary for Adam & Eve…God has set boundaries for us & if we will live within those boundaries…we will experience the best that God has for us.
But if we step outside of God’s boundaries, there will be suffering, pain, & heartache.
We must choose wisely b/c God will hold us accountable.
Let’s pray!!!