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Response
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 provide us with the account of God’s creation of the world, including humanity. Adam and Eve were the first human beings, from whom all other human beings are descended. God formed Adam from the dust and breathed His own life into the man “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”, (Genesis 2:7). God fashioned Eve out of Adam’s rib “and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”, (Genesis 2:22). Both Adam, Eve, and all present-day humans were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27;5:1). Genesis 2 describes Adam and Eve’s initial dwelling place—the Garden of Eden.
It is mentioned that God planted a garden and positioned Adam there to care for it “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.”, (Genesis 2:8,15) “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”, (Genesis 2:8,15). However, despite the splendor of God’s new world, something was lacking. God stated, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”, (Genesis 2:18). Therefore, God created a woman and brought her to him (Genesis 2:21-25). Adam and Eve started their life together in paradise, but how long did they stay in the Garden of Eden before they sinned and were expelled (Genesis 3)?
The exact duration is unknown. However, considering other biblical references, we can infer that their time in the garden was relatively brief. The couple did not have their first child until after they were driven out (Genesis 3:23—4:2). Since Romans 5:12 states that “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned,” Adam must have been childless when he sinned. Any child born before Adam’s sin would not have inherited his sinful nature. While there is no indication that the man and woman refrained from sexual relations in the garden, it is likely that Eve did not conceive their first child before their transgression. Therefore, it appears that the serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, leading to their early expulsion from the garden (Genesis 3:1-7).
In their disobedience, Adam and Eve chose not to follow the Lord’s guidance. They sought to be their own gods and determine their own path. The repercussions have persisted ever since. Despite having everything necessary for a fulfilling life, they opted to defy God, resulting in the loss of paradise. Immediately after sinning, Adam and Eve realized their nakedness and felt ashamed (Genesis 2:25;Genesis 3:7). They fashioned coverings from fig leaves for themselves. However, God provided them with garments made of skin «Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. », (Genesis 3:21), illustrating that sin leads to death, as He had stated, and that “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” «And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no remission.», (Hebrews 9:22). God’s action was a foreshadowing of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, whose blood would ultimately atone for the sins of all who place their faith in Him (Hebrews 10:1-18). Also in the garden, God promised a Savior, one who would crush the serpent «and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.», (Genesis 3:15)—that Savior is Jesus.
Then God banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and stationed an angel with a flaming sword to guard it so they could not return «So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.», (Genesis 3:24). However, God never abandoned them. In fact, He had a plan for redemption even before calling the world into existence (Isaiah 46:10;John 1:1-5;Revelation 13:8). Currently, the world continues in sin, marked by its consequences (Romans 1:18-32;8:18-25). Nevertheless, those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ have been forgiven of sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:13-15). We experience a new life now (2 Corinthians 5:17; John 10:10) and will dwell with God for eternity (Luke 23:43; John 3:16-18). One day, God will create new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:8-13; Revelation 21—22). The tree of life, which Adam and Eve lost, will be accessible to all who are part of God’s renewed creation (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:1-2).
Although Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden was brief, all hope is not gone. God offers us genuine life in Him. He is patient with the world, allowing it to persist, as He desires all to repent and turn to Him «The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. », (2 Peter 3:9). He will eventually bring judgment, and we must be prepared «But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. », (2 Peter 3:10)—we must turn from being the gods of our own lives and instead trust in the one, true God. Through His grace, by faith, we can be saved (Ephesians 2:1-10). Choose life in Jesus Christ today!
