Adam and Eve
God’s Introduction
Of course, since Adam and Eve are the first humans, they are the first humans to whom we are introduced. We can read of Adam’s “birth” in Genesis 1:26-28, and in greater detail in Genesis 2:7. We also read of the tasks given to Adam, namely to tend to the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15) and naming each creature (Gen. 2:19-20). The creation of Eve is later detailed for us in Genesis 2:21-25. Outside of the events of chapters 3 and 4, we really know very little about the lives of Adam and Eve in comparison to other men and women of the Bible. We know that they were the members of the first home (Gen. 2:24). We also learn, both explicitly and implicitly, that they had multiple children (Gen. 4:1-2, 4:25). Genesis 5:5 tells us that Adam lived for 930 years, but again, we know very little about his life. How are Adam and Eve depicted in the Bible?
Adam and Eve’s Identification
Beyond how the Bible introduces Adam and Eve, how do their lives identify them to us? Adam and Eve are very complicated individuals. On one hand, they are the first humans ever to have lived. They obeyed God in some commands, but disobeyed Him in others. The command was simple, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17, KJV unless noted). What is difficult to understand about that command? Even small children understand that when they are told by their parents not to do something, they are to avoid taking part in that action. Why then did Adam and Eve choose to disobey God? The Bible fortunately gives us insight into that answer, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6). We are also told of the punishments that were given to Adam and Eve as consequences of their actions. Eve was punished with pain in childbearing and subjection to her husband (Gen. 3:16). Adam was given hard labor, now having to work for his food in a manner not seen before (Gen. 3:17-19). Both were expelled from the garden of Eden, never to return again (Gen. 3:23-24).
Our Impression
What can we learn from the lives of Adam and Eve? First, we can learn that we should take obedience seriously. Adam and Eve were given a simple command, yet chose to disobey. How many times are we placed in the same situation today? We are given simple commands from God, and many choose to disobey. The commands to be baptized (Mark 16:16), worship as God desires (John 4:24), generally live lives that are pleasing to God (Mat. 7:21-23), and so many more go unnoticed each day. Do not make the same mistake that Adam and Eve did. Second, remember to always make our devotion a priority. Adam and Eve were allured by temptation and gave in. When we face temptation (1 John 2:15-17), will we stand strong, or will we bow to the pressures of the world?
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