RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-04-16	How Long Was Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden?
		God gives us some details of how God created the world including humanity (Ge.1-2). Adam and Eve were the first human beings, from whom every other human being descends. God formed Adam from the dust and breathed His own life into the man (Ge.2:7). God fashioned Eve out of Adam’s rib (Ge.2:22). Both Adam and Eve, and all humans today, were made in God’s image (Ge.1:26-27) Genesis chapter 2 describes Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God planted a garden and placed Adam there to tend it (Ge.2:8,15). The new world was beautiful, but something was missing. God said it was not good for the man to be alone. God made Adam a suitable helper for him (Ge.2:18). God brought the woman to Adam (Ge.2:21-25). Adam and Eve began their life together in paradise. How long did they remain in Eden when they sinned and were cast out? The short answer is, the Bible does not say. Based on other Biblical evidence, it appears their time in the Garden was relatively short. They did not have their first child until after they were banished from Eden (Ge.3:23-4:2). Paul tells us, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Adam was childless at the time of the Fall into sin. If Adam had a child before the fall, that child would not have inherited Adam's sinful nature. There is no reason to believe that the Adam and Eve abstained from sexual relations in the garden. We can safely assume Eve did not conceive her first child prior to their Fall. The serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and the couple were expelled from the garden early on in their life. In their sin, Adam and Eve decided that the Lord would not be their Lord in this situation. They would be their own gods and choose for themselves what was right for them. God had given them everything they needed to thrive and enjoy life, but they soon chose to disobey Him. The world has been reaping the consequences ever since. When they sinned they realized they were naked. They made coverings for themselves, but God provided them garments of skin (Ge.3:21). God's garments of skin demonstrated that sin leads to death. God’s action was a foreshadowing of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. God promised a Savior would come someday (Ge.3:15). Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." Then God drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and placed an angel with a flaming sword to guard it so they could not return (Ge.3:24). God never forsook them. He had a plan for redemption even before He called the world into existence (Is.46:10). The world as we know it today is marred by sin. But those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have been forgiven of sin (2Co.5:21; Cl.2:13-15). 2Co 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Though Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden was likely short-lived, all is not lost. God offers us true life in Him. He is patient with this world, allowing it to continue, because He wants all to repent and come to Him (2Pe.3:9). Choose life in Jesus Christ today! Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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