Verse 8 And the LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He had placed the man He had formed.
We assume this was in modern Iraq vicinity because of the two rivers mentioned. Even though the flood destroyed everything and changed how things were, archaeologist agree this is the area where civilization began.
This garden was perfect for the LORD God planted this garden Himself.
Verse 9 And out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
First, I want to go back to the rivers mentioned. Water is what gives life. These four great rivers are what gave life, not only to the garden but to civilization even after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden. They were known to all before the flood.
God Himself, planted this garden. He arranged the placement of each seed, plant, or tree. If you think today’s gardens are beautiful, this garden had more luxurious beauty. Plus, there was the Shekinah glory of God. Can you imagine sure a place of unmeasureable blessings and beauty? I don’t think our minds can do so.
Verses 10-14 Name the rivers and tell of the gemstones.
Verse 15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.
Man is designed by God to work even before the fall. If he is not working, he is not fulfilled.
God is teaching adam. He is more or less a blank slate. First may have been to cultivate and keep the garden while Adam’s strength is being cultivated and honed. Then maybe how to keep his body clean. His emotions were unrealized. Can you imagine the first time God told Adam how well He did in cultivating whatever it was: God was in charge of all his education. Not only teaching him about plants, but his emotional, mental, and moral development.
There were no thorn bushes to hinder and cause stress to Adam, so at this point mentally, he feels only satisfaction and joy, emotionally.
Verse 16-17 For the LORD God commanded the man saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.”
God commanded Adam to eat from any tree in the garden including the tree of life. Apparently, somehow this tree helped or gave never-ending life. I guess without Adam’s sin, we would have had a body then like we will have when our physical and spiritual bodies become like Jesus. I guess this fruit did something of a transfigured act. How wonderful that would have been. But sin did enter the world. God loves us so much, that He would not leave us in our sin. He came to earth as a baby, grew, and died on the cross for our sins, rose from the grave, went to heaven, and will return again. I believe His return will be in my children’s lifetime. God tells us to watch for Him and pray.
I will go into surgery in the morning to correct an aneurysm. Since I am on oxygen 24/7 there could be a problem. Please pray for me. Thank you.