THE PEOPLE IN THE BEGINNING: ADAM & EVE

Let’s spend some time considering the people recorded in Genesis, the book of beginnings. The stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph serve as life lessons for today. Let’s start at the beginning… Adam and Eve.

They drank cool and refreshing water from the rippling brook and ate from the abundance of every conceivable fruit-bearing tree… ripe and juicy mangos, crisp apples, delicious bananas, crunchy almonds, and buttery cashews. It was heaven-on-earth. Their every craving and yearning was quenched in the Creator’s masterpiece. They were given everything and wanted nothing!

In Eden, they were not alone. As Adam and Eve were faithful to “work… and watch over” (Genesis 2:7) the glorious garden, God was present. “The Lord God (walked) in the garden” (Genesis 3:8). Imagine. Arm-in-arm, they strolled, sharing everything, withholding nothing in intimate conversations… imagine holding hands with God.

But … sin changed everything. The tranquility, the serenity, their innocence, and their face-to-face communion with Creator-God were all instantly snatch away. Sin, shame, and death made their debut, and our ancient ancestors were expelled from Eden (Genesis 3:24).

Our “iniquities are separating (us) from (our) God, and (our) sins have hidden His face from (us)” (Isaiah 59:2). “The wages of sin is death!” (Romans 6:23).

Sin changed everything, but Jesus died to rescue and restore! Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection redeemed all that was lost! “Death has been swallowed up in victory… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:54–57).

By grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone, we will be welcomed into a new and better Eden! “God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with (us). (We) will be his peoples, and God himself will be with (us) and will be (our) God. He will wipe away every tear from (our) eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3).

I wonder … what will pineapple taste like in heaven?

“Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).